Electrolytic cell and hydrogen production system

Abstract

The utility model provides an electrolytic cell and a hydrogen production system. According to the electrolytic cell, an electrolytic pile is sealed and fixed through a pressing device; the pressing device comprises a first fixed end plate, a second fixed end plate arranged opposite to the first fixed end plate, a supporting main beam with the two ends connected with the first fixed end plate and the second fixed end plate correspondingly, a movable end plate located between the first fixed end plate and the second fixed end plate, and an air bag with the two ends connected with the movable end plate and the first fixed end plate correspondingly. The air bag is pressurized, so that the air bag is expanded, the movable end plate is driven to extrude the electrolytic pile, the electrolytic pile is in a compressed state, the air bag is decompressed, the air bag is contracted, the movable end plate is driven to release the electrolytic pile, and the electrolytic pile is in a non-compressed state. Thus, the air bag type pressing device is simple in structure, lower in cost and faster in response, meanwhile, the overall rigidity is smaller than that of a piston rod of a traditional hydraulic cylinder, thermal expansion and cold contraction during work of an electrolytic reactor can be compensated, and the sealing performance of the electrolytic cell is improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of electrolytic water hydrogen production equipment, especially to an electrolytic cell and a hydrogen production system. BACKGROUND

[0002] Hydrogen has the advantages of being clean, non-polluting, and high in heat. According to the source of hydrogen, hydrogen can be divided into gray hydrogen, blue hydrogen, and green hydrogen. Among them, electrolytic water hydrogen production is one of the most important means of green hydrogen production.

[0003] At present, alkaline water hydrogen production electrolytic cells are mainly divided into circular electrolytic cells and square electrolytic cells. The circular electrolytic cell is sealed and fixed by screw rod tensioning, and the square electrolytic cell is sealed and fixed by screw rod tensioning in addition to hydraulic devices. However, the screw rod tensioning type electrolytic cell cannot support rapid repair and replacement, and the electrolytic cell with hydraulic devices has a relatively complex structure and high cost. SUMMARY

[0004] The purpose of the present application is to provide an electrolytic cell to solve the problem that the electrolytic cell in the prior art cannot support rapid repair and replacement, and has a complex structure and high cost.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present application provides an electrolytic cell, which comprises an electrolytic stack and a compression device; the electrolytic stack comprises a first end plate and a second end plate at both ends, and a bipolar plate assembly between the first end plate and the second end plate; the compression device comprises:

[0006] a first fixed end plate;

[0007] a second fixed end plate, which is arranged opposite to the first fixed end plate and close to the first end plate, and in contact with the first end plate when the electrolytic stack is in a compressed state;

[0008] a support main beam, one end of which is fixedly connected with the first fixed end plate, and the other end is fixedly connected with the second fixed end plate;

[0009] a movable end plate, which is located between the first fixed end plate and the second fixed end plate and in sliding contact with the support main beam, and in contact with the second end plate when the electrolytic stack is in a compressed state;

[0010] an air bag, which is a closed structure with a hollow interior, one end of which is fixedly connected with the movable end plate, and the other end is fixedly connected with the first fixed end plate;

[0011] When the air bag is in a pressurized state, the air bag expands towards the electrolytic stack, driving the movable end plate to press the second end plate, so that the electrolytic stack is in a compacted state; when the air bag is in a depressurized state, the air bag contracts away from the electrolytic stack, driving the movable end plate to release the second end plate, so that the electrolytic stack is in a non-compacted state.

[0012] Optionally, the air bag comprises a plurality of chambers, any two adjacent chambers being connected by a groove, and the chambers being capable of being contracted or expanded along the central axis direction of the air bag.

[0013] Optionally, the groove is a U-shaped groove, one end of the U-shaped groove being connected with any chamber and the other end being connected with another adjacent chamber.

[0014] Optionally, the air bag is internally provided with a reinforcing rib, the reinforcing rib being an annular structure surrounding the inner wall of the air bag.

[0015] Optionally, the air bag is composed of a multi-layer structure of materials, from the outside to the inside, including a wear-resistant layer, a heat-insulating layer, a reinforcing layer and a blast-proof layer.

[0016] The material of the wear-resistant layer includes but is not limited to synthetic rubber and polyurethane.

[0017] The material of the heat-insulating layer includes but is not limited to silicone rubber and high-temperature-resistant polyester.

[0018] The material of the reinforcing layer includes but is not limited to metal wire, polyester fiber and nylon.

[0019] The material of the blast-proof layer includes but is not limited to high-strength polyester fiber and aramid fiber.

[0020] Optionally, the pressure device further comprises a pressurizing pipeline and a depressurizing pipeline connected with the air bag.

[0021] The pressurizing pipeline is used to inflate the inside of the air bag, so that the air bag is in a pressurized state.

[0022] The depressurizing pipeline is used to release the gas inside the air bag, so that the air bag is in a depressurized state.

[0023] Optionally, the air bag is provided with a pressurizing interface and a depressurizing interface.

[0024] The pressurizing interface is connected with the pressurizing pipeline, and the depressurizing interface is connected with the depressurizing pipeline.

[0025] Optionally, the movable end plate is provided with a first flange interface, and the first fixed end plate is provided with a second flange interface.

[0026] One end of the air bag is fixedly connected with the first flange interface through a first connecting flange, and the other end is fixedly connected with the second flange interface through a second connecting flange.

[0027] Optionally, the electrolytic cell further comprises a first base arranged below the first fixed end plate, and a second base arranged below the second fixed end plate.

[0028] The first base and the second base jointly act to support the electrolytic cell.

[0029] In another aspect, the application provides a hydrogen production system, which comprises the electrolytic cell described above.

[0030] Compared with the prior art, the application provides an electrolytic cell, which realizes sealing and fixing of an electrolytic stack through a pressing device, the pressing device comprising a first fixed end plate, a second fixed end plate arranged opposite to the first fixed end plate, a support main beam connected with the first fixed end plate and the second fixed end plate at two ends, a movable end plate located between the first fixed end plate and the second fixed end plate, and an air bag connected with the movable end plate and the first fixed end plate at two ends. By pressurizing the air bag, the air bag is expanded, the movable end plate is driven to press the electrolytic stack, so that the electrolytic stack is in a pressed state. By depressurizing the air bag, the air bag is contracted, the movable end plate is driven to release the electrolytic stack, so that the electrolytic stack is in a non-pressed state. In this way, the air bag type pressing device is adopted, which has a simple structure, a lower cost and a faster response. Meanwhile, the overall rigidity is less than the rigidity of a traditional hydraulic cylinder piston rod, so that thermal expansion and contraction of the electrolytic stack during operation can be compensated, and the sealing performance of the electrolytic cell is improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 A structural schematic diagram of an electrolytic cell provided by an embodiment of the application;

[0032] Figure 2 A structural schematic diagram of a bipolar plate assembly provided by an embodiment of the application;

[0033] Figure 3 A structural schematic diagram of an air bag provided by an embodiment of the application;

[0034] Figure 4a A structural schematic diagram of an air bag in a pressed state provided by an embodiment of the application;

[0035] Figure 4b A structural schematic diagram of an air bag in a non-pressed state provided by an embodiment of the application;

[0036] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a U-shaped groove provided by an embodiment of the application;

[0037] Figure 6A schematic view of a reinforcing rib provided for the embodiments of the present application;

[0038] Figure 7 A schematic view of a multi-layer structure airbag provided for the embodiments of the present application;

[0039] Figure 8 A schematic view of an airbag provided for the embodiments of the present application with a pressurizing pipeline and a pressure relief pipeline;

[0040] Figure 9 A schematic view of a connection mode of an airbag with a movable end plate and a first fixed end plate provided for the embodiments of the present application;

[0041] Figure 10 A schematic view of an electrolytic cell with a base provided for the embodiments of the present application;

[0042] In the drawings, the reference signs are explained as follows:

[0043] 10 - electrolytic stack; 11 - first end plate; 12 - second end plate; 13 - bipolar plate assembly; 131 - bipolar plate body; 132 - electrode; 133 - sealing member; 134 - diaphragm; 20 - pressing device; 21 - first fixed end plate; 211 - first base; 22 - second fixed end plate; 221 - second base; 23 - support main beam; 24 - movable end plate; 25 - airbag; 251 - first chamber; 252 - second chamber; 253 - groove; 26 - reinforcing rib; 27 - pressurizing pipeline; 28 - pressure relief pipeline; 291 - first connecting flange; 292 - second connecting flange. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] In order to make the purposes, advantages and features of the present application clearer, the following will be combined with the accompanying drawings to explain the present application in detail. Figures 1 to 6 The electrolytic cell proposed by the present application will be explained in further detail. It should be noted that the drawings are all in a very simplified form and all use non-precise proportions, only to facilitate and clarify the purpose of assisting the explanation of the embodiments of the present application.

[0045] For the convenience of understanding the present application, the present application will be described in more detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that when an element is described as "fixed to" another element, it can be directly on the other element or one or more intervening elements can be present therebetween. When an element is described as "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or one or more intervening elements can be present therebetween. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right", "inner", "outer", and similar expressions used in the present specification are for illustrative purposes only. In the description of the present application, the terms "first", "second" are used only for the purpose of description and should not be understood as indicating relative importance or implying the number of the technical features indicated. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the features defined as "first", "second" can explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features; the meaning of "plurality" is two or more. The term "comprising" and any variation thereof means non-exclusive inclusion, and one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, units, components, and / or combinations thereof can be present or added.

[0046] In addition, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "mounting", "connection", and "connection" should be understood broadly, for example, it can be fixed connection, or detachable connection, or integrally connected; it can be mechanical connection, or electrical connection; it can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or internal communication of two elements. All technical and scientific terms used in the present specification have the same meaning as understood by those skilled in the art of the present application. The terms used in the specification of the present application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present application. The term "and / or" used in the present specification includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items.

[0047] In addition, the technical features involved in different embodiments of the present application described below can be combined with each other as long as there is no conflict.

[0048] As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , as shown in Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of an electrolytic cell provided by an embodiment of the present application, Figure 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a bipolar plate assembly provided by an embodiment of the present application. The electrolytic cell comprises an electrolytic stack 10 and a pressing device 20. The electrolytic stack 10 comprises a first end plate 11, a second end plate 12, and a bipolar plate assembly 13. The first end plate 11 and the second end plate 12 are respectively located at both ends of the electrolytic stack 10, and the bipolar plate assembly 13 can be located between the first end plate 11 and the second end plate 12.

[0049] Further, asFigure 2 As shown, the bipolar plate assembly 13 comprises a bipolar plate body 131, an electrode 132 and a sealing member 133 connected in sequence; wherein one diaphragm 134 or ion membrane is arranged between every two bipolar plate assemblies 13.

[0050] In the embodiment, the pressing device 20 can comprise a first fixed end plate 21, a second fixed end plate 22, a support main beam 23, a movable end plate 24 and an air bag 25.

[0051] The first fixed end plate 21 and the second fixed end plate 22 are oppositely arranged, and the second fixed end plate 22 is close to the first end plate 11. When the electrolysis stack 10 is in the pressed state, the second fixed end plate 22 is in contact with the first end plate 11.

[0052] One end of the support main beam 23 can be fixedly connected with the first fixed end plate 21, and the other end can be fixedly connected with the second fixed end plate 22.

[0053] The movable end plate 24 can be located between the first fixed end plate 21 and the second fixed end plate 22, and in sliding contact with the support main beam 23. When the electrolysis stack 10 is in the pressed state, the movable end plate 24 is in contact with the second end plate 12.

[0054] In the embodiment, the movable end plate 24 can reciprocate along the length direction of the support main beam 23. Further, the support main beam 23 can be further provided with a sliding track, and correspondingly, the movable end plate 24 can be provided with a roller, so as to facilitate the sliding of the movable end plate 24 on the support main beam 23.

[0055] The air bag 25 can be a closed structure with an internal cavity, one end of which is fixedly connected with the movable end plate 24, and the other end is fixedly connected with the first fixed end plate 21.

[0056] When the air bag 25 is in the pressurized state, the air bag 25 expands towards the direction close to the electrolysis stack 10, thereby driving the movable end plate 24 to press the second end plate 12, so as to make the electrolysis stack 10 in the pressed state; when the air bag 25 is in the depressurized state, the air bag 25 contracts away from the electrolysis stack 10, thereby driving the movable end plate 24 to release the second end plate 12, so as to make the electrolysis stack 10 in the non-pressed state.

[0057] Compared with existing technologies, this application provides an electrolytic cell that uses a clamping device to seal and fix the electrolytic reactor. The clamping device includes a first fixed end plate, a second fixed end plate opposite to the first fixed end plate, a supporting main beam connected at both ends to the first and second fixed end plates respectively, a movable end plate located between the first and second fixed end plates, and an airbag connected at both ends to the movable end plate and the first fixed end plate respectively. By inflating the airbag, it expands, causing the movable end plate to compress the electrolytic reactor, thus placing the reactor in a compressed state. Depressurizing the airbag causes it to contract, causing the movable end plate to release the reactor, thus placing the reactor in a non-compressed state. This airbag-type clamping device is simple in structure, lower in cost, and has a faster response. Furthermore, its overall stiffness is lower than that of a traditional hydraulic cylinder piston rod, which can compensate for thermal expansion and contraction during reactor operation, improving the sealing performance of the electrolytic cell.

[0058] like Figure 3 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of an airbag provided in an embodiment of this application. The airbag 25 may include multiple chambers, for example... Figure 3 The first chamber 251 and the second chamber 252 shown are connected by a groove 253 between any two adjacent chambers, for example... Figure 3 The first chamber 251 and the second chamber 252 shown are connected by a groove 253.

[0059] It should be noted that there are various ways to connect the chambers through the grooves. For example, it can be a one-piece molding connection, or it can be other connection methods such as gluing or welding. There is no specific limitation.

[0060] Each chamber can be positioned along the central axis of the airbag 25 (i.e., Figure 3 The contraction or expansion occurs along the axis H-H' shown in the diagram. For details, please refer to... Figure 4a and Figure 4b ,in, Figure 4a This is a schematic diagram of the airbag in a compressed state according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 4b This is a schematic diagram of the airbag in an uncompressed state, as provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0061] Groove 353 can be a groove of various shapes. In one example, groove 253 is a U-shaped groove, for example... Figure 5 The image shown is a schematic diagram of a U-shaped groove provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 5 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the airbag 25. One end of the U-shaped groove is connected to any chamber (such as the first chamber 251), and the other end is connected to an adjacent chamber (such as the second chamber 252). In other examples, the groove 253 can also be a V-shaped groove, and there is no specific limitation.

[0062] Further, the chambers at both ends of the air bag 25 can be connected to the two side surfaces through grooves when connected to the two side surfaces of the air bag 25, Figure 5 An example is provided in the foregoing, but the groove can be the same size as the groove 253 described above or can be different, and the specific size is not limited.

[0063] In the embodiment of the present application, in order to improve the strength of the air bag and prolong the service life of the air bag, a reinforcing rib 26 can be arranged inside the air bag. As shown in Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a reinforcing rib provided in the embodiment of the present application is shown. The reinforcing rib 26 can be an annular structure around the inner wall of the air bag 25. The purpose of arranging the reinforcing rib is to limit the collapse of the air bag in the direction perpendicular to the central axis of the air bag 25, so that the air bag can deform along the central axis of the air bag 25 when inflated or deflated (or expanded and contracted).

[0064] In addition, in order to improve the strength of the air bag and reduce the collapse of the air bag 25 in the direction perpendicular to the central axis of the air bag 25, the embodiment of the present application can also solve the problem by arranging the air bag 25 in a multi-layer structure, that is, the air bag 25 is composed of a plurality of layers of materials, from the outside to the inside, including a wear-resistant layer, a heat-insulating layer, a reinforcing layer and a blast-proof layer. For specific schematic diagrams, please refer to Figure 7 which exemplarily shows a schematic diagram of the structure of the air bag with a multi-layer structure, Figure 7 is Figure 5 an enlarged view of position A in

[0065] The material of the wear-resistant layer includes but is not limited to synthetic rubber (such as fluorine rubber) and polyurethane, and in addition, the materials can also be subjected to appropriate acid and alkali treatment. The material of the heat-insulating layer includes but is not limited to silicone rubber and high-temperature-resistant polyester, and the purpose of arranging the heat-insulating layer is to avoid the situation that the temperature generated by the electrolytic cell is conducted to the inside of the air bag as much as possible. The material of the reinforcing layer includes but is not limited to metal wire, polyester fiber and nylon, for example, the reinforcing layer can be a composite layer composed of a metal wire braided layer and a polyester fiber or nylon material. The material of the blast-proof layer includes but is not limited to high-strength polyester fiber and aramid fiber.

[0066] Further, the material of the reinforcing rib 26 can be consistent with the material of the blast-proof layer.

[0067] As shown in Figure 8 , the pressure device 20 can further include an inflation pipeline 27 and a pressure relief pipeline 28, both of which are connected to the air bag 25. The inflation pipeline 27 is used to inflate the inside of the air bag 25, so that the air bag 25 is in an inflated state; the pressure relief pipeline 28 is used to release the gas inside the air bag 25, so that the air bag 25 is in a deflated state.

[0068] Further, the other end of the pressurizing pipeline 27 can be connected with a gas source; the other end of the pressure relief pipeline 28 can be connected with a gas discharge device or a gas recovery device.

[0069] The embodiments of the present application do not make explicit limitation to the size of the cross section of the air bag 25, but it is understood that the larger the cross section of the air bag 25, the closer to the size of the end plate, the more uniform the pressing force provided by the pressure device 20, and the pressing efficiency of the electrolysis stack 10 can be further improved.

[0070] Further, the embodiments of the present application do not make explicit limitation to the shape of the cross section of the air bag 25, which can be circular as shown in the above-mentioned drawings, or square or other shapes.

[0071] In the embodiments of the present application, the connection mode between the air bag 25 and the movable end plate 24, and the connection mode between the air bag 25 and the first fixed end plate 21 can be various, one example is as shown in Figure 9 , which is a schematic diagram of the connection mode of the air bag, the movable end plate and the first fixed end plate provided by the embodiments of the present application, the movable end plate 24 is provided with a first flange interface (not shown in Figure 9 ), the first fixed end plate 21 is provided with a second flange interface (not shown in Figure 9 ), one end of the air bag 25 is fixedly connected with the first flange interface through a first connecting flange 291, and the other end is fixedly connected with the second flange interface through a second connecting flange 292.

[0072] In other examples, the connection mode between the air bag 25 and the movable end plate 24, and the connection mode between the air bag 25 and the first fixed end plate 21 can also be connected by welding, bolt connection and the like.

[0073] Further, as shown in Figure 10 , which is a structural schematic diagram of an electrolytic cell with a base provided by the embodiments of the present application, the electrolytic cell further comprises a first base 211 arranged below the first fixed end plate 21, and a second base 221 arranged below the second fixed end plate 22, the first base 211 and the second base 221 jointly act to support the electrolytic cell.

[0074] When the electrolytic cell works, high-pressure gas is injected into the air bag 25 through the pressurizing pipeline 27 connected with the pressurizing interface on the air bag 25, so that the air bag 25 expands, the expansion of the air bag 25 causes the movable end plate 24 to move horizontally on the support beam 23, the horizontal movement of the movable end plate 24 causes the electrolysis stack 10 to be subjected to pressure from both ends, and the pressing of the electrolysis stack 10 is completed.

[0075] When the electrolytic cell needs to be repaired or the bipolar plate assembly 13 is replaced, the pressure relief interface on the air bag 25 is connected to the pressure relief pipeline 28, the gas discharge device is connected through the pressure relief pipeline 28, the pressure relief valve is opened, the high-pressure gas in the air bag 25 is gradually released, so that the air bag 25 is contracted, the air bag 25 is contracted to pull the movable end plate 24 back to the original position on the support main beam 23, the pressure of the electrolysis stack is reduced, and the operation of releasing the electrolysis stack is completed.

[0076] The application provides a hydrogen production system, which comprises the electrolytic cell described above.

[0077] The above description is only a description of the preferred embodiments of the application, and does not limit the scope of the application. Any modification or change made by a person skilled in the art according to the above disclosure is within the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An electrolytic cell characterized in that, The electrolytic cell comprises an electrolytic stack and a pressing device; the electrolytic stack comprises a first end plate and a second end plate at two ends, and a bipolar plate assembly between the first end plate and the second end plate; the pressing device comprises: a first fixed end plate; a second fixed end plate, which is arranged opposite to the first fixed end plate and close to the first end plate, and is in contact with the first end plate when the electrolytic stack is in a pressed state; a support main beam, one end of which is fixedly connected with the first fixed end plate, and the other end is fixedly connected with the second fixed end plate; a movable end plate, which is located between the first fixed end plate and the second fixed end plate and is in sliding contact with the support main beam, and is in contact with the second end plate when the electrolytic stack is in the pressed state; an air bag, which is a closed structure with an internal cavity, one end of which is fixedly connected with the movable end plate, and the other end is fixedly connected with the first fixed end plate; wherein, when the air bag is in a pressurized state, the air bag expands towards the direction close to the electrolytic stack, drives the movable end plate to press the second end plate, so that the electrolytic stack is in the pressed state; when the air bag is in a depressurized state, the air bag contracts away from the electrolytic stack, drives the movable end plate to release the second end plate, so that the electrolytic stack is in a non-pressed state.

2. The electrolytic cell of claim 1, wherein, The air bag comprises a plurality of chambers, any two adjacent chambers are connected by a groove, and the chambers can contract or expand along the central axis direction of the air bag.

3. The electrolytic cell of claim 2, wherein, The groove is a U-shaped groove, one end of the U-shaped groove is connected with any chamber, and the other end is connected with the other adjacent chamber.

4. The electrolytic cell of claim 1, wherein, The air bag is internally provided with a reinforcing rib, which is an annular structure around the inner wall of the air bag.

5. The electrolytic cell of claim 1, wherein, The air bag is composed of a multi-layer structure of materials, from outside to inside, in order, a wear-resistant layer, a heat insulation layer, a reinforcing layer and a blast-proof layer; The material of the wear-resistant layer is synthetic rubber or polyurethane; The material of the heat insulation layer is silicone rubber or high-temperature polyester; The material of the reinforcing layer is any one of metal wire, polyester fiber and nylon; The material of the blast-proof layer is high-strength polyester fiber or aramid fiber.

6. The electrolytic cell of claim 1, wherein, The pressing device further comprises a pressurizing pipeline and a depressurizing pipeline connected with the air bag; The pressurizing pipeline is used to inflate the inside of the air bag, so that the air bag is in a pressurized state; The depressurizing pipeline is used to release the gas inside the air bag, so that the air bag is in a depressurized state.

7. The electrolytic cell of claim 6, wherein, The air bag is provided with a pressurizing interface and a depressurizing interface; The pressurizing interface is connected with the pressurizing pipeline, and the depressurizing interface is connected with the depressurizing pipeline.

8. The electrolytic cell of claim 1, wherein, The movable end plate is provided with a first flange interface, and the first fixed end plate is provided with a second flange interface; One end of the air bag is fixedly connected with the first flange interface through a first connecting flange, and the other end is fixedly connected with the second flange interface through a second connecting flange.

9. The electrolytic cell of claim 1, wherein, The electrolytic cell further comprises a first base arranged below the first fixed end plate, and a second base arranged below the second fixed end plate; The first base and the second base jointly act to support the electrolytic cell.

10. A hydrogen production system, characterized by, The hydrogen production system comprises the electrolyzer of any one of claims 1 to 9.

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