Supporting structure of gas-liquid diffusion layer

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of AEM hydrogen production, and provides a supporting structure of a gas-liquid diffusion layer, which comprises a main body part, a plurality of connecting parts and a plurality of elastic supporting parts, the main body part is of a flat plate structure; a plurality of connecting parts are uniformly distributed on a first plane of the main body part; and each connecting part is in interference connection with an elastic supporting part. A plurality of connecting parts are also uniformly distributed on the second plane of the main body part; or a plurality of bulge structures are uniformly distributed on the second plane of the main body part. The connecting part is of a cylinder structure or a cuboid structure. And the connecting part and the main body part are of an integrated structure. And the end part of the connecting part is chamfered or rounded. By arranging the elastic supporting part, uniform and stable elastic supporting can be provided, circulation of electrolyte is not hindered, and the short circuit phenomenon is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of AEM hydrogen production technology, and in particular to a support structure for a gas-liquid diffusion layer. Background Technology

[0002] In AEM hydrogen production technology, the supporting structure of the gas-liquid diffusion layer plays a crucial role in providing reaction space and conducting current for the electrolysis reaction. Currently, the supporting structures for the gas-liquid diffusion layer commonly employ high-density and high-hardness nickel foam, stamped support structures, or multi-layer stretched mesh structures.

[0003] However, nickel foam lacks sufficient elastic support, undergoing plastic deformation under pressure and unable to recover and continue providing elasticity. Multi-layer stamped structures are prone to changing from surface contact to line contact under pressure, and the excessive hardness of the stamped parts can easily lead to short circuits during assembly. Multi-layer stretched mesh structures are suitable for small electrolytic cells, but in scaled-up electrolytic cells, increased flow rates result in poor electrolyte circulation, low current, and easy damage to the AEM membrane.

[0004] Therefore, existing technologies cannot provide a support structure that has both average elastic support and does not obstruct electrolyte flow, and can still operate stably for a long time in high-pressure, high-temperature, and highly corrosive environments. Utility Model Content

[0005] This invention primarily addresses the technical problem that existing technologies cannot provide a support structure that provides both uniform elastic support and does not obstruct electrolyte flow. It proposes a support structure for a gas-liquid diffusion layer, which provides uniform and stable elastic support by setting an elastic support portion, without obstructing electrolyte flow or causing short circuits.

[0006] This utility model provides a support structure for a gas-liquid diffusion layer, including: a main body, multiple connecting parts, and multiple elastic support parts;

[0007] The main body has a flat plate structure;

[0008] Multiple connecting parts are evenly distributed on the first plane of the main body; each connecting part is interference-fitted with an elastic support part.

[0009] Preferably, a plurality of connecting portions are also evenly distributed on the second plane of the main body.

[0010] Preferably, a plurality of protrusions are evenly distributed on the second plane of the main body.

[0011] Preferably, the second plane of the main body is provided with multiple protruding structures via a support platform.

[0012] Preferably, the connecting part has a cylindrical or cuboid structure.

[0013] Preferably, the connecting part and the main body are an integral structure.

[0014] Preferably, the ends of the connecting portion are chamfered or rounded.

[0015] Preferably, the elastic support is a spring.

[0016] Preferably, the thickness of the main body is 0.5 to 5 mm, and the height of the connecting part is 1 to 5 mm.

[0017] This invention provides a support structure for a gas-liquid diffusion layer. The elastic support section provides uniform and stable elastic support without obstructing electrolyte flow or causing short circuits. All components are made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel, ensuring stable elastic support, stable chemical properties, and stable participation in chemical reactions under high pressure, high temperature, and highly corrosive environments, enabling long-term stable operation. Furthermore, this invention is easy to process and readily available, reducing costs and enhancing product competitiveness. This invention can also increase the current density of the fuel cell stack. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the support structure of the gas-liquid diffusion layer provided by this utility model;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the main body and multiple connecting parts provided by this utility model;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the elastic support portion provided by this utility model;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a side view of the support structure of the gas-liquid diffusion layer provided by this utility model. Figure 1 (First structural form);

[0022] Figure 5 This is a side view of the support structure of the gas-liquid diffusion layer provided by this utility model. Figure 2 (Third structural form);

[0023] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the support platform and multiple protruding structures provided by this utility model.

[0024] Reference numerals: 1. Main body; 2. Connecting part; 3. Elastic support part; 4. Protruding structure; 5. Supporting platform. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To make the technical problems solved by this utility model, the technical solutions adopted, and the technical effects achieved clearer, this utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely for explaining this utility model and not for limiting it. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, only the parts related to this utility model are shown in the accompanying drawings, not all of them.

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the gas-liquid diffusion layer support structure provided by this utility model embodiment includes: a main body 1, a plurality of connecting parts 2 and a plurality of elastic support parts 3.

[0027] The main body 1 has a flat plate structure; one surface of the main body 1 is a first plane, and the other surface is a second plane.

[0028] like Figure 2 As shown, multiple connecting parts 2 are evenly distributed on the first plane of the main body 1; the connecting parts 2 are integral with the main body 1. The multiple connecting parts 2 are arranged in rows. The connecting parts 2 are machined. The connecting parts 2 have a cylindrical or cuboid structure, etc., and their structure can hold the elastic support part 3; they can be regular or irregular in shape. The ends of the connecting parts 2 are chamfered or rounded to facilitate the installation of the elastic support part 3.

[0029] Each connecting part 2 is interference-fitted with an elastic support part 3. The elastic support part 3 is positioned above the first plane of the main body part 1. Multiple connecting parts 2 and multiple elastic support parts 3 are located in the same plane. The connection method between the connecting parts 2 and the elastic support parts 3 is a press-fit interference connection. Figure 3 As shown, the elastic support part 3 uses a spring. The spring is set as a cylindrical spring or a conical spring made of metal, and the spring provides outward support force, preferably a cylindrical spring; the main design parameters are: direction of rotation, end structure, spring mean diameter D, material diameter d, effective number of coils n, support number of coils nz, and free height H0.

[0030] The second plane of the main body 1 has three structural forms. The first structural form is that the second plane of the main body 1 does not have the connecting part 2 and the elastic support part 3 (e.g., ...). Figure 4 As shown), it can be used as a single-sided support structure. The second structural form is that multiple connecting parts 2 are also evenly distributed on the second plane of the main body 1, and each connecting part 2 is interference-connected with an elastic support part 3, serving as a two-sided support structure. The third structural form is that the second plane of the main body 1 is evenly distributed with protruding structures 4 (such as...). Figure 5 and 6As shown, the second plane is used in conjunction with the protruding structure 4. Specifically, the second plane of the main body 1 is provided with multiple protruding structures 4 via a support platform 5. The support platform 5 is provided on the second plane of the main body 1, and multiple protruding structures 4 are evenly arranged on the support platform 5. The protruding structure 4 is manufactured by a machining process.

[0031] Specific dimensional parameters of each part of this utility model:

[0032] The main parameters of the main body 1 are as follows: the thickness of the main body 1 is 0.5 to 5 mm, preferably the thickness H2 of the main body 1 is 2 mm, the length of the main body is L7 = 170 mm, and the width is L8 = 120 mm.

[0033] The main parameters of the connecting part 2 are as follows: the height of the connecting part 2 is 1 to 5 mm, preferably H1 = 3 mm; the cylindrical radius of the connecting part 2 is R1 = 3.5 mm; the distance between every two connecting parts 2 is L3 = 14 mm and L4 = 14 mm respectively; the number of connecting parts is N1 = 78; the distance between the outermost connecting part 2 and the long side of the main body 1 is L5 = 18 mm and the distance between the outermost connecting part 2 and the short side of the main body 1 is L6 = 18.316 mm.

[0034] Main parameters of elastic support part 3 (cylindrical spring): ① Direction of rotation: right-handed; ② End structure: tightly ground flat; ③ Spring mean diameter D = 8mm; ④ Material diameter d = 1mm; ⑥ Effective number of coils n = 3; ⑦ Support number of coils nz = 1; ⑧ Free height H0 = 9mm;

[0035] The main parameters of the protruding structure 4 are as follows: the height of the protruding structure 4 is H4 = 2mm; the length of each protruding structure 4 (cubic prism) is L9 = 5mm and the width is L10 = 5mm; the distance between every two protruding structures 4 is L11 = 5mm and L12 = 5mm; the number of protruding structures 4 is N2 = 150; the distance between the protruding structure 4 and the long side of the main body 1 is L13 = 3.2016mm; and the distance between the protruding structure 4 and the short side of the main body 1 is L14 = 3.2016mm.

[0036] The support platform 5 under the support structure has a thickness of T1 = 2 mm, a length of L15 = 150 mm, and a width of L16 = 100 mm.

[0037] All parts of the support structure of the gas-liquid diffusion layer of this invention are made of 316L stainless steel. The first plane of the main body 1 and its connecting part 2 and elastic support part 3 are used on the cathode side; the second plane of the main body 1 and its protruding structure 4 are used on the anode side; a two-string fuel cell stack is assembled, and the effective area of ​​the fuel cell stack is 140mm × 90mm = 136mm². 2The AEM membrane was selected as the ion exchange membrane, the anode catalyst mesh was a 316 metal mesh, the cathode catalyst mesh was a nickel mesh with Raney nickel on the surface, the electrolyte concentration was 30% KOH solution, the temperature was 80℃, the electrolyte flow rate was 1000ml / min, and the cell terminal voltage was guaranteed to be 4V.

[0038] The supporting structure of this invention was compared experimentally with a foamed nickel supporting structure, and the following experimental data were obtained:

[0039]

[0040] The experimental results show that the fuel cell stack assembled with the spring support structure of this invention has a 58.6% higher current density than the fuel cell stack supported by nickel foam, which is a significant improvement.

[0041] 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 support structure for a gas-liquid diffusion layer, characterized in that, include: The main body (1), multiple connecting parts (2) and multiple elastic support parts (3); The main body (1) has a flat plate structure; Multiple connecting parts (2) are evenly distributed on the first plane of the main body (1); each connecting part (2) is interference-connected with an elastic support part (3).

2. The support structure for the gas-liquid diffusion layer according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple connecting parts (2) are also evenly distributed on the second plane of the main body (1).

3. The support structure for the gas-liquid diffusion layer according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple protruding structures (4) are evenly distributed on the second plane of the main body (1).

4. The support structure for the gas-liquid diffusion layer according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second plane of the main body (1) is provided with multiple protruding structures (4) through the support platform (5).

5. The support structure for the gas-liquid diffusion layer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting part (2) has a cylindrical or cuboid structure.

6. The support structure for the gas-liquid diffusion layer according to claim 5, characterized in that, The connecting part (2) and the main body part (1) are an integral structure.

7. The support structure for the gas-liquid diffusion layer according to claim 5, characterized in that, The end of the connecting part (2) is chamfered or rounded.

8. The support structure for the gas-liquid diffusion layer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic support part (3) is made of spring.

9. The support structure for the gas-liquid diffusion layer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the main body (1) is 0.5-5 mm, and the height of the connecting part (2) is 1-5 mm.

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