Bipolar plate sealing element structure and electrolytic bath

Abstract

The utility model provides a bipolar plate sealing element structure and an electrolytic bath, and relates to the technical field of hydrogen production equipment, the bipolar plate sealing element structure comprises a gasket, a sealing rubber strip and a reinforcing rib, the sealing rubber strip is arranged on the gasket; the reinforcing rib is arranged on the gasket, and the reinforcing rib is connected with the side wall of the sealing rubber strip. According to the utility model, the stress deformation uniformity of the rubber strip can be improved, so that high-pressure sealing of the electrolytic bath is facilitated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of hydrogen production equipment technology, and more specifically, to a bipolar plate sealing structure and an electrolytic cell. Background Technology

[0002] Electrolyzers are one of the most commonly used hydrogen production devices, and among the many types of electrolyzers, PEM electrolyzers are widely used due to their high efficiency, safety, and other advantages. In PEM electrolyzers, a seal is usually installed between the two stacked bipolar plates to ensure the airtightness of the electrolysis chamber formed between the two bipolar plates.

[0003] Currently, most bipolar plate seals in electrolytic cells use flat gasket strips. During electrolytic cell assembly, the seal is located between the bipolar plate and the membrane electrode, and deforms under assembly force to achieve a seal. However, this method of sealing has problems such as uneven deformation of the gasket strip, difficulty in achieving high-pressure sealing, and susceptibility to long-term service failure. Utility Model Content

[0004] The problem solved by this utility model is to propose a bipolar plate sealing structure to improve the uniformity of the deformation of the rubber strip under stress, thereby facilitating the high-pressure sealing of the electrolytic cell.

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems, this utility model provides a bipolar plate sealing structure and an electrolytic cell.

[0006] In a first aspect, this utility model provides a bipolar plate sealing structure, including a gasket, a sealing strip, and a reinforcing rib; the sealing strip is disposed on the gasket; the reinforcing rib is disposed on the gasket, and the reinforcing rib is connected to the side wall of the sealing strip.

[0007] Optionally, the gasket is provided with a plurality of reinforcing ribs arranged at intervals, and the plurality of reinforcing ribs are connected to the side wall of the sealing strip.

[0008] Optionally, the projection of the sealing strip on the gasket is annular, and multiple sealing strips are provided, with the center lines of the multiple sealing strips coinciding.

[0009] Optionally, the two ends of the reinforcing rib are respectively connected to two adjacent sealing strips.

[0010] Optionally, the gasket has an opening, and the sealing strip includes a first strip disposed around the opening.

[0011] Optionally, in two adjacent openings, a connecting rib and / or a connecting piece are connected between the outermost first adhesive strip circumferentially arranged on one opening and the outermost first adhesive strip circumferentially arranged on the other opening.

[0012] Optionally, the sealing strip includes a second strip extending along the periphery of the gasket.

[0013] Optionally, the gasket has an opening, which includes a first opening for engaging with the flow field region of the bipolar plate and a second opening for engaging with the gas-liquid port of the bipolar plate. The portion of the gasket between the first opening and the second opening has a connecting groove that connects the first opening and the second opening respectively.

[0014] Optionally, the communicating groove is provided with a insert, and the insert has flow channels that respectively connect the first opening and the second opening.

[0015] Secondly, this utility model provides an electrolytic cell, including a cathode seal and an anode seal stacked on top of each other. The cathode seal and the anode seal are respectively bipolar plate seal structures as described above, and the center lines of the reinforcing ribs of the cathode seal and the reinforcing ribs of the anode seal are arranged at an angle.

[0016] The beneficial effects of the bipolar plate sealing structure of this utility model are as follows: by designing reinforcing ribs, which are located on the gasket and connected to the side wall of the sealing strip, the reinforcing ribs can form a connection between the side wall of the sealing strip and the gasket. This connection can limit the deformation of the sealing strip to a certain extent, so as to prevent the sealing strip from deforming too much at the part connected to the reinforcing ribs, thereby improving the uniformity of stress deformation and thus facilitating the high-pressure sealing of the electrolytic cell. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the anode seal in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0018] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Enlarged schematic diagram of part A of the anode seal;

[0019] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A partial structural diagram of the anode seal at the connecting groove;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the cathode seal in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged schematic diagram of part B of the cathode seal;

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the overlapping arrangement of two reinforcing ribs in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 7This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the electrolytic cell according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 8 for Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the electrolytic cell at the bipolar plate.

[0025] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0026] 1. Gasket; 11. Opening; 111. First opening; 112. Second opening; 13. Connecting groove; 2. Sealing strip; 21. First strip; 22. Second strip; 3. Reinforcing rib; 4. Connecting rib; 5. Connecting piece; 61. Base; 62. End plate; 63. Insulating plate; 64. Bipolar plate; 641. Membrane electrode; 642. Bipolar plate sealing structure; 65. Screw; 66. Disc spring; 67. Nut; 68. Collector plate. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although some embodiments of this utility model are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that this utility model can be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to provide a more thorough and complete understanding of this utility model. It should be understood that the drawings and embodiments of this utility model are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0028] In the attached diagram, the Z-axis represents the vertical direction, i.e., up and down, with the positive direction of the Z-axis representing up and the negative direction representing down. The X-axis represents the horizontal direction and is designated as the front and back position, with the positive direction of the X-axis representing the front and the negative direction representing the back. The Y-axis represents the left and right position, with the positive direction of the Y-axis representing the left and the negative direction representing the right. It should be noted that the aforementioned representations of the Z, Y, and X axes are merely for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0029] The term "comprising" and its variations as used herein are open-ended, meaning "including but not limited to"; the term "based on" means "at least partially based on"; the term "one embodiment" means "at least one embodiment"; the term "another embodiment" means "at least one additional embodiment"; the term "some embodiments" means "at least some embodiments"; and the term "optionally" means "optional embodiments". Definitions of other terms will be given in the following description. It should be noted that the concepts of "first," "second," etc., mentioned in this utility model are only used to distinguish different devices, modules, or units, and are not used to limit the order of functions performed by these devices, modules, or units or their interdependencies.

[0030] It should be noted that the terms "one" and "multiple" used in this utility model are illustrative rather than restrictive. Those skilled in the art should understand that, unless otherwise expressly indicated in the context, they should be understood as "one or more".

[0031] In related technologies, bipolar plate seals are often located between the bipolar plate and the membrane electrode during assembly. The seal is deformed by the assembly force to achieve a seal. However, since the rubber strip has a certain length, when the rubber strip is deformed by compression, there may be excessive local deformation along its length, which will cause uneven deformation in the length direction. This will result in the rubber strip not being tightly attached to the membrane electrode in some areas, which is not conducive to the high-pressure sealing of the electrolytic cell.

[0032] To address the problems existing in the aforementioned related technologies, this utility model provides a bipolar plate sealing structure and an electrolytic cell to improve the uniformity of the rubber strip's deformation under stress, thereby facilitating high-pressure sealing of the electrolytic cell. Detailed descriptions are provided below with reference to specific embodiments.

[0033] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown in the figure, a bipolar plate sealing structure provided by this utility model includes a gasket 1, a sealing strip 2, and a reinforcing rib 3; the sealing strip 2 is disposed on the gasket 1; the reinforcing rib 3 is disposed on the gasket 1, and the reinforcing rib 3 is connected to the side wall of the sealing strip 2.

[0034] It should be noted that this embodiment does not limit the number of reinforcing ribs 3 connected to the sealing strip 2; there can be one or more. Specifically, the bipolar plate sealing structure can be an anode seal for the anode side of the bipolar plate or a cathode seal for the cathode side of the bipolar plate.

[0035] In addition, the material of the bipolar plate sealing structure can be EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber) or FKM (fluororubber), and the material of the bipolar plate can be stainless steel, titanium alloy or carbon plate.

[0036] In this embodiment, by designing a reinforcing rib 3, which is located on the gasket 1 and connected to the side wall of the sealing strip 2, the reinforcing rib 3 can form a connection between the side wall of the sealing strip 2 and the gasket 1. This connection can limit the deformation of the sealing strip 2 to prevent excessive deformation of the sealing strip 2 at the part connected to the reinforcing rib 3, thereby improving the uniformity of stress deformation and thus facilitating the high-pressure sealing of the electrolytic cell.

[0037] Optionally, such as Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the gasket 1 is provided with a plurality of reinforcing ribs 3 arranged at intervals, and the plurality of reinforcing ribs 3 are connected to the side wall of the sealing strip 2.

[0038] It should be noted that "multiple" means two or more. Multiple reinforcing ribs 3 can be arranged at intervals along the length of the sealing strip 2. When the sealing strip 2 is annular, multiple reinforcing ribs 3 can be evenly distributed along the circumference of the sealing strip 2, and each sealing strip 2 can be connected to multiple reinforcing ribs 3.

[0039] In this optional embodiment, the multiple reinforcing ribs 3 arranged at intervals are connected to the side wall of the sealing strip 2 to enhance the restriction effect on the deformation of the sealing strip 2, thereby further improving the deformation uniformity of the sealing strip 2.

[0040] Optionally, such as Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, the projection of the sealing strip 2 on the gasket 1 is annular, and there are multiple sealing strips 2, with the center lines of the multiple sealing strips 2 coinciding.

[0041] It should be noted that "multiple" means two or more. Regarding the position of the annular sealing strip 2 in the gasket 1, the sealing strip 2 can be arranged around the opening 11 of the gasket 1, or it can extend along the periphery of the gasket 1; there is no limitation here.

[0042] It should also be noted that this embodiment does not limit the connection method between the reinforcing rib 3 and the multiple sealing strips 2. For example, one end of the reinforcing rib 3 is connected to the sealing strip 2, while the other end is not connected to any sealing strip 2. Or, for example, both ends of the reinforcing rib 3 are connected to two adjacent sealing strips 2 respectively.

[0043] In this optional embodiment, the sealing strip 2 is designed as a ring, and the center lines of multiple sealing strips 2 coincide. For example, multiple sealing strips 2 can be simultaneously arranged around the opening 11 of the gasket 1, or simultaneously extend along the periphery of the gasket 1. This can provide multiple protections for the sealing position, thereby improving the sealing effect and reducing the risk of hydrogen and oxygen leakage.

[0044] Optionally, such as Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, the two ends of the reinforcing rib 3 are respectively connected to two adjacent sealing strips 2.

[0045] In this optional embodiment, the two ends of the reinforcing rib 3 are respectively connected to the two adjacent sealing strips 2. This not only forms a connection between the two sealing strips 2 to more effectively prevent the sealing strips 2 from deforming too much, thereby further improving their deformation uniformity, but also allows the reinforcing rib 3 to be directly connected to the two sealing strips 2, which can relatively reduce the number of reinforcing ribs 3 and reduce the processing difficulty of the bipolar plate sealing structure.

[0046] Optionally, such as Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, the gasket 1 has an opening 11, and the sealing strip 2 includes a first strip 21 arranged around the opening 11.

[0047] It should be noted that the bipolar plate is usually provided with a flow field area for electrolysis reaction and gas-liquid ports for inlet and outlet of reaction water, oxygen and hydrogen. The gas-liquid ports include a reaction water inlet, a reaction water and oxygen outlet and two hydrogen outlets. Correspondingly, the gasket 1 is usually provided with an opening 11, including a first opening 111 adapted to the shape of the flow field area and a second opening 112 adapted to the shape of the gas-liquid ports.

[0048] In this optional embodiment, the sealing strip 2 includes a first strip 21 arranged around the opening 11. The multiple sealing strips 2 with their center lines overlapping are the multiple first strips 21 that surround the opening 11 and have their center lines overlapping. This can achieve the sealing of the corresponding opening 11, thereby reducing the risk of hydrogen and oxygen leakage at the opening 11.

[0049] Optionally, such as Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, in two adjacent openings 11, a connecting rib 4 and / or a connecting piece 5 are connected between the outermost first adhesive strip 21 encircling one opening 11 and the outermost first adhesive strip 21 encircling the other opening 11.

[0050] In this optional embodiment, the connecting rib 4 or the connecting piece 5 can connect the two first adhesive strips 21 into one piece, thereby further improving the deformation uniformity of the adhesive strips and further improving the sealing effect of the electrolytic cell. Moreover, when the connecting rib 4 and the connecting piece 5 are present at the same time, the sealing effect of the electrolytic cell is even better.

[0051] Optionally, such as Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, the sealing strip 2 includes a second strip 22 extending along the periphery of the gasket 1.

[0052] The periphery of the gasket 1 can be square, and correspondingly, the shape of the second adhesive strip 22 can be square.

[0053] In this optional embodiment, the sealing strip 2 includes a second strip 22 extending along the periphery of the gasket 1. The multiple sealing strips 2 with overlapping center lines are the multiple second strips 22 with overlapping center lines. This can achieve sealing around the bipolar plate sealing structure to reduce the risk of hydrogen and oxygen leaking out of the bipolar plate sealing structure.

[0054] Optionally, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the gasket 1 is provided with an opening 11, the opening 11 including a first opening 111 for cooperating with the flow field region of the bipolar plate and a second opening 112 for cooperating with the gas-liquid port of the bipolar plate. The portion of the gasket 1 between the first opening 111 and the second opening 112 is provided with a connecting groove 13 that respectively connects the first opening 111 and the second opening 112.

[0055] Understandably, since the bipolar plate's gas-liquid port includes one reactive water inlet, one reactive water and oxygen outlet, and two hydrogen outlets, there can be four corresponding second openings 112. Each of the four second openings 112 is adapted to the shape of one of the four gas-liquid ports. For details, please refer to... Figure 1 The four second openings 112 include an anode inlet adapted to the reaction water inlet, an anode outlet adapted to the reaction water and oxygen outlets, and two cathode outlets adapted to the hydrogen outlets. It should also be noted that when the bipolar plate sealing structure is used as an anode seal, because the flow field area on the anode surface of the bipolar plate needs to be connected to the reaction water inlet and the reaction water and oxygen outlets, two connecting grooves 13 can be provided: one between the first opening 111 and the anode inlet, and the other between the first opening 111 and the anode outlet. When the bipolar plate sealing structure is used as a cathode seal, because the flow field area on the cathode surface of the bipolar plate needs to be connected to the two hydrogen outlets, two connecting grooves 13 can be provided: one between the first opening 111 and one of its cathode outlets, and the other between the first opening 111 and the other cathode outlet.

[0056] In this optional embodiment, by forming a connecting groove 13 in the portion of the gasket 1 between the first opening 111 and the second opening 112, gas and liquid can flow smoothly between the first opening 111 and the second opening 112, so as to facilitate the generation and discharge of hydrogen.

[0057] Optionally, the communicating groove 13 is provided with a insert, and the insert has a flow channel that connects the first opening 111 and the second opening 112 respectively.

[0058] The size of the insert can be adapted to the size of the connecting groove 13 to ensure that the insert fills the connecting groove 13 perfectly. Furthermore, multiple flow channels can be provided, meaning two or more channels.

[0059] In this optional embodiment, when the connecting groove 13 is without the insert, the connecting groove 13 itself is a flow channel for gas and liquid. When the connecting groove 13 is provided with an insert with a flow channel, the flow channel is a flow channel for gas and liquid. Compared with the connecting groove 13, the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow channel is smaller, which helps to prevent the backflow of hydrogen generated by the reaction, thereby reducing the risk of cross-contamination between anode oxygen and cathode hydrogen.

[0060] like Figures 6 to 8 As shown, an electrolytic cell provided in this embodiment of the present invention includes a cathode seal and an anode seal stacked on top of each other. The cathode seal and the anode seal are respectively bipolar plate seal structures 642 as described above. The center lines of the reinforcing ribs 3 of the cathode seal and the reinforcing ribs 3 of the anode seal are arranged at an angle.

[0061] Specifically, refer to Figure 7 The electrolytic cell may further include a base 61, end plates 62, insulating plates 63, bipolar plates 64, a screw 65, a disc spring 66, a nut 67, and current collectors 68. One end plate 62 is located on the upper end of the base 61, and another end plate 62 is located above the first end plate 62. Multiple bipolar plates 64 are stacked sequentially between the two end plates 62. An insulating plate 63 is located between the bipolar plates 64 and the end plates 62 to isolate them. The screw 65 passes through both end plates 62. The disc spring 66 and the nut 67 are installed at the end of the screw 65 to provide clamping force, thereby pressing the bipolar plates 64 and the insulating plate 63 between the two end plates 62. Two current collectors 68 are respectively installed at both ends of the multiple bipolar plates 64 to collect and conduct current. More specifically, refer to... Figure 8 Two bipolar plate sealing structures 642 can be disposed between two bipolar plates 64, and a membrane electrode 641 can be disposed between the two bipolar plate sealing structures 642. Further, referring to... Figure 6 , Figure 6 This is a top view of two bipolar plate sealing structures 642 assembled between two bipolar plates 64. After assembly, the reinforcing ribs 3 of the two bipolar plate sealing structures 642 overlap and their center lines form an angle.

[0062] It should be noted that although the cathode seal and anode seal are bipolar plate seal structures as described above, their structures are not exactly the same because they need to be stacked to achieve a seal. However, it is necessary to ensure that the sealing strips 2 of the two seals correspond to each other after stacking. Furthermore, when designing the structure of the cathode seal and anode seal, the center line direction of the reinforcing ribs 3 of the two seals can be adjusted so that the center line directions of the two corresponding reinforcing ribs 3 form an angle after stacking.

[0063] In this embodiment, by making the center lines of the reinforcing rib 3 of the cathode seal and the reinforcing rib 3 of the anode seal form an angle, the two reinforcing ribs 3 are misaligned. In this way, when installing the cathode seal and the anode seal, the angle between the two reinforcing ribs 3 can be used to determine whether the installation is accurate. If the angle is incorrect, it can be adjusted in time to ensure the assembly accuracy of the electrolytic cell.

[0064] Although the present invention has been disclosed above, its protection scope is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such changes and modifications will fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A bipolar plate seal structure, characterized by, The gasket (1) is provided with a plurality of reinforcing ribs (3) arranged at intervals, and the reinforcing ribs (3) are connected to the side wall of the sealing rubber strip (2).

2. The bipolar plate seal structure according to claim 1, characterized in that The gasket (1) is provided with a plurality of reinforcing ribs (3) arranged at intervals, and the reinforcing ribs (3) are connected to the side wall of the sealing rubber strip (2).

3. The bipolar plate seal structure of claim 1, wherein The projection of the sealing rubber strip (2) on the gasket (1) is annular, and a plurality of sealing rubber strips (2) are provided, and the center lines of the plurality of sealing rubber strips (2) coincide.

4. The bipolar plate seal structure according to claim 3, characterized in that The two ends of the reinforcing rib (3) are respectively connected to two adjacent sealing rubber strips (2).

5. The bipolar plate seal structure of claim 3, wherein The gasket (1) is provided with an opening (11), and the sealing rubber strip (2) comprises a first rubber strip (21) arranged around the opening (11).

6. The bipolar plate seal structure according to claim 5, characterized in that Among the adjacent two openings (11), a connecting rib (4) and / or a connecting sheet (5) is connected between the outermost first rubber strip (21) arranged around one of the openings (11) and the outermost first rubber strip (21) arranged around the other opening (11).

7. The bipolar plate seal structure of claim 3, wherein The sealing rubber strip (2) comprises a second rubber strip (22) extending along the periphery of the gasket (1).

8. The bipolar plate seal structure of claim 1, wherein The gasket (1) is provided with an opening (11), the opening (11) comprises a first opening (111) for cooperating with a flow field area of a bipolar plate and a second opening (112) for cooperating with a gas-liquid port of the bipolar plate, and a portion of the gasket (1) between the first opening (111) and the second opening (112) is provided with a communication groove (13) respectively communicating the first opening (111) and the second opening (112).

9. The bipolar plate seal structure according to claim 8, characterized in that The communication groove (13) is provided with an insert piece, and the insert piece is provided with flow channels respectively communicating the first opening (111) and the second opening (112).

10. An electrolytic cell characterized in that, The cathode sealing element and the anode sealing element are arranged in a stack, the cathode sealing element and the anode sealing element are respectively the bipolar plate sealing element structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9, and the center lines of the reinforcing ribs (3) of the cathode sealing element and the anode sealing element are arranged at an included angle.

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