AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production bipolar runner plate
The AEM bipolar flow channel plate for water electrolysis to produce hydrogen, designed with serpentine and bifurcation flow channels, solves the problems of coulombic efficiency and bypass current in existing technologies, thereby improving electrolysis efficiency and enabling lightweight production of electrolyzers.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520042022.8
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-09
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-12
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-01-09
AI Technical Summary
The existing AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production flow channel plate design fails to effectively consider the effects of coulombic efficiency and bypass current, which limits the area of the single cell through which the effective current flows, increases the impedance of the main cell path, and results in low electrolysis efficiency.
The dual-channel design, employing both serpentine and bifurcated channels and combined with thermoplastic materials, increases the contact area of the electrolyte between the bipolar plate and the diffusion layer. The narrow and bifurcated channel structure reduces bypass current loss and improves coulombic efficiency.
It effectively reduces charge loss caused by bypass current, improves battery coulombic efficiency, and facilitates large-scale production through lightweight design, thus extending the service life of the electrolyzer.
Smart Images
Figure CN223660244U_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The utility model relates to electrolytic water hydrogen production technical field especially relates to a kind of AEM electrolytic water hydrogen production bipolar runner plate. BACKGROUND
[0002] In the AEM electrolytic water hydrogen production technology, as long as there is a continuous electrolyte path in the bipolar plate that can connect different potentials in the electric pile, bypass current cannot be avoided; Bypass current always consumes effective charge, reduces battery coulomb efficiency.
[0003] In the process of electric pile design, the common runner is usually treated as a constant pressure pipeline, and the electrolyte flow rate in the common runner needs to be low, and the flow area cannot be too small. Therefore, increasing the electrolyte resistance in the distribution pipeline connecting the common runner and the single cell becomes the key, and measures such as reducing the flow cross-sectional area and lengthening the pipeline length are often used. The resistance ratio of the effective current path and the bypass current pipeline is regulated. When the structure of the electrolyte common runner and the distribution pipeline connecting the common runner and the single cell remains unchanged, increasing the single cell area through which the effective current flows, reducing the impedance of the main path of the battery, and increasing the current density can significantly reduce the resistance ratio of the effective current path and the bypass current path, which is an important way to reduce the charge loss caused by bypass current and improve battery coulomb efficiency. In the existing runner plate design, it is mostly a metal plate or a small runner plate, which is difficult to balance the bypass current and coulomb efficiency under a relatively small cross-sectional area.
[0004] CN220265866U discloses an AEM electrolytic water hydrogen production runner bipolar plate, comprising a bipolar alloy plate, the two sides of the bipolar alloy plate are respectively provided with a cathode panel and an anode panel, the inside of the cathode panel and the anode panel is respectively provided with a first runner and a second runner, the two ends of the cathode panel are respectively provided with an oxygen outlet and an electrolyte second inlet, and the two ends of the anode panel are respectively provided with an electrolyte first inlet and a hydrogen outlet. However, the design of this patent does not take into account the influence of coulomb efficiency and bypass current, and the first runner and the second runner limit the single cell area through which the effective current flows. While reducing the flow cross-sectional area and lengthening the pipeline length, the single cell area through which the effective current flows is not increased, and the impedance of the main path of the battery is not reduced, which ultimately limits the electrolysis performance of the electrolytic cell and reduces the electrolysis efficiency. UTILITY MODEL CONTENTS
[0005] The utility model mainly solves the technical problem that the existing technology flow channel bipolar plate does not consider the influence of coulomb efficiency and by-pass current, limits the single cell area of effective current flow, increases the impedance of battery main passage, and provides an AEM electrolytic water hydrogen production bipolar flow channel plate, adopts the double flow channel design of serpentine flow channel and bifurcation flow channel, does not affect the contact resistance between components, improves the contact area of electrolyte between bipolar plate and diffusion layer, reduces the flow cross section area, prolongs the flow channel length, realizes the purpose of reducing the charge loss generated by by-pass current and improving coulomb efficiency.
[0006] The utility model provides a kind of AEM electrolytic water hydrogen production bipolar flow channel plate, comprising:
[0007] One face of the bipolar flow channel plate body is an anode face, and the other face is a cathode face.
[0008] An AEM membrane placing opening is formed on the bipolar flow channel plate body.
[0009] The anode face is provided with an anode gas diffusion layer placing groove around the AEM membrane placing opening.
[0010] The lower part of the anode face is provided with a first serpentine flow channel and a first bifurcation flow channel communicating with the first serpentine flow channel. The first serpentine flow channel communicates with the first opening, and the first bifurcation flow channel communicates with the anode gas diffusion layer placing groove.
[0011] The upper part of the anode face is provided with a second serpentine flow channel and a second bifurcation flow channel communicating with the second serpentine flow channel. The second serpentine flow channel communicates with the third opening, and the second bifurcation flow channel communicates with the anode gas diffusion layer placing groove.
[0012] The cathode face is provided with a cathode gas diffusion layer placing groove around the AEM membrane placing opening.
[0013] The lower part of the cathode face is provided with a third serpentine flow channel and a third bifurcation flow channel communicating with the third serpentine flow channel. The third serpentine flow channel communicates with the second opening, and the third bifurcation flow channel communicates with the cathode gas diffusion layer placing groove.
[0014] The upper part of the cathode face is provided with a fourth serpentine flow channel and a fourth bifurcation flow channel communicating with the fourth serpentine flow channel. The fourth serpentine flow channel communicates with the fourth opening, and the fourth bifurcation flow channel communicates with the cathode gas diffusion layer placing groove.
[0015] Preferably, the first serpentine flow channel and the first opening, the second serpentine flow channel and the third opening, the third serpentine flow channel and the second opening, and the fourth serpentine flow channel and the fourth opening are respectively communicated by a plurality of distribution pipelines.
[0016] Preferably, the anode gas diffusion layer placement groove and the cathode gas diffusion layer placement groove are respectively provided with sealing strip placement grooves.
[0017] Preferably, the four corners of the bipolar flow channel plate body are respectively provided with screw holes.
[0018] Preferably, the bipolar flow channel plate body is made of thermoplastic material.
[0019] Preferably, the bipolar flow channel plate body is square-shaped, and the thickness of the bipolar flow channel plate body is 15-20mm.
[0020] Preferably, the depths of the first, second, third and fourth serpentine flow channels are 10-15mm, and the widths are 5-7.5mm.
[0021] Preferably, the depths of the first, second, third and fourth bifurcated flow channels are 7-9.5mm, and the widths are 15-30mm.
[0022] Preferably, the depths of the anode gas diffusion layer placement groove and the cathode gas diffusion layer placement groove are 7-9.5mm.
[0023] The areas of the anode gas diffusion layer placement groove and the cathode gas diffusion layer placement groove are 370*260mm-420mm*290mm.
[0024] Preferably, the areas of the first, second, third and fourth openings are 50*50mm-100*50mm.
[0025] Compared with the prior art, the AEM electrolytic water hydrogen production bipolar flow channel plate has the following advantages:
[0026] 1. The double-flow channel design of the serpentine flow channel and the bifurcated flow channel does not affect the contact resistance between the components, and the contact area of the electrolyte between the bipolar plate and the diffusion layer is effectively improved. The electrolyte passes through the narrow serpentine flow channel before entering the reaction area, which reduces the flow cross-sectional area, prolongs the flow channel length, increases the electrolyte resistance in the distribution pipeline connecting the public flow channel and the single cell, and the large public flow channel flow area makes the electrolyte flow rate low, finally achieving the purpose of reducing the charge loss of bypass current and improving the coulomb efficiency. The utility model can solve the problems of bypass current and low coulomb efficiency during electrolytic water hydrogen production.
[0027] 2. The utility model adopts thermoplastic material, through the design of light weight, light weight and excellent mechanical strength, convenient large-scale batch production and processing, make more string large power electrolytic water hydrogen production electrolytic tank more easily realize.
[0028] 3. The PE and PP used in the utility model have excellent corrosion resistance, greatly improve the service life of the AEM electrolytic cell, and save processing time and cost compared with other metal runner plates and plating processes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0029] Figure 1 is the structural schematic view of the anode surface of the AEM electrolytic water hydrogen production bipolar runner plate provided by the utility model;
[0030] Figure 2 is the top view of the anode surface of the AEM electrolytic water hydrogen production bipolar runner plate provided by the utility model;
[0031] Figure 3 is the structural schematic view of the cathode surface of the AEM electrolytic water hydrogen production bipolar runner plate provided by the utility model.
[0032] Reference signs: 1, first opening; 2, second opening; 3, third opening; 4, fourth opening; 5, first serpentine runner; 6, first bifurcated runner; 7, AEM membrane placing port; 8, anode gas diffusion layer placing groove; 9, screw hole; 10, distribution pipeline; 11, second serpentine runner; 12, second bifurcated runner; 13, third serpentine runner; 14, third bifurcated runner; 15, fourth serpentine runner; 16, fourth bifurcated runner; 17, cathode gas diffusion layer placing groove. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] To make the technical problems solved by the utility model, the technical scheme adopted and the technical effects reached more clear, the utility model will be further described in detail below in combination with the drawings and examples. It can be understood that the specific examples described here are only used to explain the utility model, not to limit the utility model. In addition, it should be noted that only the parts related to the utility model are shown in the drawings for the convenience of description, not all the contents.
[0034] The utility model embodiment provides a kind of AEM electrolytic water hydrogen production bipolar runner plate, comprising: bipolar runner plate body.
[0035] One surface of the bipolar runner plate body is anode surface, and the other surface is cathode surface. The bipolar runner plate body adopts the process of injection molding, and the selected material is one of PP and PE, with excellent insulation and corrosion resistance, high plasticity, more conducive to processing, lightweight design is more convenient for mass production, makes the construction of multiple electrolytic cells more easily.
[0036] An AEM film placement port 7 is provided on the bipolar flow channel plate body. The AEM film placement port 7 is a through hole used to place the AEM film. The positions of the AEM film placement port 7 and the anode gas diffusion layer placement groove 8 serve as the anode reaction area; the positions of the AEM film placement port 7 and the cathode gas diffusion layer placement groove 17 serve as the cathode reaction area.
[0037] The bipolar flow channel plate body has a first opening 1, a second opening 2, a third opening 3, and a fourth opening 4 at its four corners; the first opening 1, the second opening 2, the third opening 3, and the fourth opening 4 are all through holes. The first opening 1 serves as the inlet (electrolyte inlet) of the anode surface, the third opening 3 serves as the outlet (electrolyte and gas outlet) of the anode surface, and the second opening 2 and the fourth opening 4 are sealed on the anode surface. The second opening 2 serves as the inlet (electrolyte inlet) of the cathode surface, the fourth opening 4 serves as the outlet (electrolyte and gas outlet) of the cathode surface, and the first opening 1 and the third opening 3 are sealed on the cathode surface.
[0038] like Figures 1-2 As shown, an anode gas diffusion layer placement groove 8 is provided around the AEM film placement port 7 on the anode surface. The anode gas diffusion layer placement groove 8 is used to place the anode gas diffusion layer.
[0039] The lower part of the anode surface is provided with a first serpentine flow channel 5 and a first branched flow channel 6 communicating with the first serpentine flow channel 5; the first serpentine flow channel 5 is communicating with a first opening 1, and the first branched flow channel 6 is communicating with an anode gas diffusion layer placement groove 8. The upper part of the anode surface is provided with a second serpentine flow channel 11 and a second branched flow channel 12 communicating with the second serpentine flow channel 11; the second serpentine flow channel 11 is communicating with a third opening 3, and the second branched flow channel 12 is communicating with an anode gas diffusion layer placement groove 8.
[0040] like Figure 3 As shown, a cathode gas diffusion layer placement groove 17 is provided around the AEM film placement port 7 on the cathode surface; the cathode gas diffusion layer placement groove 17 is used to place the cathode gas diffusion layer.
[0041] The lower part of the cathode surface is provided with a third serpentine flow channel 13 and a third branched flow channel 14 communicating with the third serpentine flow channel 13; the third serpentine flow channel 13 is connected to the second opening 2, and the third branched flow channel 14 is connected to the cathode gas diffusion layer placement groove 17. The upper part of the cathode surface is provided with a fourth serpentine flow channel 15 and a fourth branched flow channel 16 communicating with the fourth serpentine flow channel 15; the fourth serpentine flow channel 15 is connected to the fourth opening 4, and the fourth branched flow channel 16 is connected to the cathode gas diffusion layer placement groove 17.
[0042] In the above scheme, the first serpentine flow channel 5 and the first opening 1, the second serpentine flow channel 11 and the third opening 3, the third serpentine flow channel 13 and the second opening 2, and the fourth serpentine flow channel 15 and the fourth opening 4 are respectively connected by multiple distribution pipes 10.
[0043] Sealing strip placement slots are respectively provided in the anode gas diffusion layer placement slot 8 and the cathode gas diffusion layer placement slot 17 for sealing after the corresponding gas diffusion layers are installed. Screw holes 9 are respectively provided at the four corners of the bipolar flow channel plate body to facilitate the installation of the bipolar flow channel plate.
[0044] The bipolar flow channel plate body of this utility model is made of one or more thermoplastic materials, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polysulfone (PSU), etc.
[0045] The specific parameters of this utility model are as follows:
[0046] The bipolar flow channel plate body is square, and the thickness of the bipolar flow channel plate body is 15-20mm.
[0047] The depths of the first serpentine flow channel 5, the second serpentine flow channel 11, the third serpentine flow channel 13, and the fourth serpentine flow channel 15 are 10-15 mm, and the widths are 5-7.5 mm. The depths of the first branched flow channel 6, the second branched flow channel 12, the third branched flow channel 14, and the fourth branched flow channel 16 are 7-9.5 mm, and the widths are 15-30 mm. The elongated flow channels increase the electrolyte resistance within the distribution pipe 10 connecting the common flow channel and the single cell; simultaneously, the branched flow channel design reduces the diffusion resistance of electrolyte-gas exchange, thereby improving the gas-liquid mass transfer efficiency within the electrolyzer.
[0048] The depth of the anode gas diffusion layer placement tank 8 and the cathode gas diffusion layer placement tank 17 is 7-9.5 mm. The area of the anode gas diffusion layer placement tank 8 and the cathode gas diffusion layer placement tank 17 is 370*260mm-420mm*290mm (length*width). The contact area between the installed AEM membrane and the gas diffusion layer is 330*220mm~380*250mm (length*width). The larger anode gas diffusion layer placement tank 8 and the cathode gas diffusion layer placement tank 17, along with the electrolysis reaction area, make it easier to increase the power, reduce the bypass current, and improve the coulombic efficiency of the water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer.
[0049] The areas of the first opening 1, the second opening 2, the third opening 3, and the fourth opening 4 are 50*50mm-100*50mm (length*width). By designing a larger inlet, the flow area of the common channel is increased, the flow rate of the electrolyte entering the electrolyzer is reduced, the bypass current is decreased, and the coulombic efficiency is improved.
[0050] The working process of this invention is as follows: On the anode side, the electrolyte flows in from the first opening 1, passes through the first serpentine channel 5 and the first branched channel 6 to the AEM membrane placement port 7 and the anode gas diffusion layer placement tank 8 for electrolysis. The liquid then flows out from the third opening 3 through the second branched channel 12 and the second serpentine channel 11, carrying away the oxygen generated during electrolysis. On the cathode side, the electrolyte flows in from the second opening 1, passes through the third serpentine channel 13 and the third branched channel 14 to the AEM membrane placement port 7 and the cathode gas diffusion layer placement tank 17 for electrolysis. The liquid then flows out from the fourth opening 4 through the fourth branched channel 16 and the fourth serpentine channel 15, carrying away the hydrogen generated during electrolysis.
[0051] This invention increases the electrolyte resistance within the distribution pipe 10 connecting the common flow channel and the single cell through a narrow, elongated flow channel. Simultaneously, the branched flow channel design reduces the diffusion resistance between the electrolyte and gas, improving the gas-liquid mass transfer efficiency within the electrolyzer. Existing flow channel plate designs often use metal plates or small flow channel plates, making it difficult to balance bypass current and coulombic efficiency within a relatively small cross-sectional area. This invention employs a larger-area flow channel plate, a rational flow channel structure, and a lightweight design, providing a solution for constructing high-power green water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzers.
[0052] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and not to limit it; although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions for some or all of the technical features, do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model.
Claims
1. A bipolar flow channel plate for AEM electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen, characterized in that, include: Bipolar flow channel plate body; One side of the bipolar flow channel plate body is the anode surface, and the other side is the cathode surface; An AEM membrane placement port (7) is provided on the bipolar flow channel plate body; a first opening (1), a second opening (2), a third opening (3) and a fourth opening (4) are respectively provided at the four corners of the bipolar flow channel plate body; The anode surface is provided with an anode gas diffusion layer placement groove (8) in the circumference of the AEM membrane placement port (7); The lower part of the anode surface is provided with a first serpentine flow channel (5) and a first branch flow channel (6) connected to the first serpentine flow channel (5); the first serpentine flow channel (5) is connected to the first opening (1), and the first branch flow channel (6) is connected to the anode gas diffusion layer placement groove (8). The upper part of the anode surface is provided with a second serpentine flow channel (11) and a second branch flow channel (12) connected to the second serpentine flow channel (11); the second serpentine flow channel (11) is connected to the third opening (3), and the second branch flow channel (12) is connected to the anode gas diffusion layer placement groove (8); The cathode surface is provided with a cathode gas diffusion layer placement groove (17) in the circumference of the AEM film placement port (7); The lower part of the cathode surface is provided with a third serpentine flow channel (13) and a third branch flow channel (14) connected to the third serpentine flow channel (13); the third serpentine flow channel (13) is connected to the second opening (2), and the third branch flow channel (14) is connected to the cathode gas diffusion layer placement groove (17). The upper part of the cathode surface is provided with a fourth serpentine flow channel (15) and a fourth branch flow channel (16) connected to the fourth serpentine flow channel (15); the fourth serpentine flow channel (15) is connected to the fourth opening (4), and the fourth branch flow channel (16) is connected to the cathode gas diffusion layer placement groove (17).
2. The AEM electrolysis water production hydrogen bipolar flow channel plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first serpentine flow channel (5) is connected to the first opening (1), the second serpentine flow channel (11) is connected to the third opening (3), the third serpentine flow channel (13) is connected to the second opening (2), and the fourth serpentine flow channel (15) is connected to the fourth opening (4) through multiple distribution pipes (10).
3. The AEM electrolysis water hydrogen production bipolar flow channel plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, Sealing strip placement grooves are respectively provided in the anode gas diffusion layer placement groove (8) and the cathode gas diffusion layer placement groove (17).
4. The AEM electrolysis water production hydrogen bipolar flow channel plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, Screw holes (9) are respectively opened at the four corners of the bipolar flow channel plate body.
5. The AEM electrolysis water-to-hydrogen bipolar flow channel plate according to claim 4, characterized in that, The bipolar flow channel plate body is made of thermoplastic material.
6. The AEM electrolysis water-to-hydrogen bipolar flow channel plate according to claim 4, characterized in that, The bipolar flow channel plate body is square, and the thickness of the bipolar flow channel plate body is 15-20mm.
7. The AEM electrolysis water production hydrogen bipolar flow channel plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The depth of the first serpentine flow channel (5), the second serpentine flow channel (11), the third serpentine flow channel (13), and the fourth serpentine flow channel (15) is 10-15 mm, and the width is 5-7.5 mm.
8. The AEM electrolysis water production hydrogen bipolar flow channel plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The depth of the first branched flow channel (6), the second branched flow channel (12), the third branched flow channel (14), and the fourth branched flow channel (16) is 7 to 9.5 mm, and the width is 15 to 30 mm.
9. The AEM electrolysis water production hydrogen bipolar flow channel plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The depth of the anode gas diffusion layer placement groove (8) and the cathode gas diffusion layer placement groove (17) is 7-9.5 mm; The area of the anode gas diffusion layer placement groove (8) and the cathode gas diffusion layer placement groove (17) is 370*260mm-420mm*290mm.
10. The AEM electrolysis water hydrogen production bipolar flow channel plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The areas of the first opening (1), the second opening (2), the third opening (3) and the fourth opening (4) are 50*50mm-100*50mm.