High-pressure-difference water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolytic cell

Abstract

The utility model provides a high-pressure-difference electrolysis water hydrogen production electrolytic tank, and relates to the technical field of hydrogen production. A membrane electrode is positioned in the center of the electrolytic tank, and frames are symmetrically arranged on two sides; an anode plate is arranged beside the frame on one side to be connected with a power supply anode, and a cathode plate is arranged beside the frame on the other side to be connected with a power supply cathode; a titanium mesh and a titanium felt are sequentially arranged among the anode plate, the cathode plate and the membrane electrode, and the titanium mesh and the titanium felt are embedded into the frame; a first groove is formed in the periphery of one side, close to the membrane electrode, of the frame, a stepped sealing gasket is filled in the first groove, and the titanium felt extends outwards to the stepped surface of the stepped sealing gasket so as to support the membrane electrode and form radial sealing; the anode plate is provided with an anode inlet and an anode outlet which are communicated, and the cathode plate is provided with a cathode inlet and a cathode outlet which are communicated. The utility model solves the problem that the membrane electrode at the gap position between the edge and the frame of the titanium felt in the traditional electrolytic bath is easy to crack due to lack of support.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of hydrogen production technology, and in particular to a high-pressure differential electrolysis water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer. Background Technology

[0002] High-pressure water electrolysis for hydrogen production can directly output high-pressure hydrogen from the cathode. Compared to atmospheric pressure water electrolysis, which uses mechanical compression to obtain high-pressure hydrogen, it has advantages such as low cost, high efficiency, low energy consumption, and low noise. High-pressure water electrolysis can be divided into zero-pressure-difference water electrolysis and high-pressure-difference water electrolysis, the main difference being the pressure difference between the cathode and anode. In zero-pressure-difference water electrolysis, both the cathode and anode are at high pressure, with no pressure difference between them. In high-pressure-difference water electrolysis, the cathode is at high pressure, and the anode is at atmospheric pressure, resulting in a significant pressure difference between the anode and cathode. Compared to zero-pressure-difference water electrolysis, high-pressure-difference water electrolysis has a simpler structure, eliminating the need for complex control modules to maintain the same pressure at the anode and cathode. However, the high pressure difference between the cathode and anode in high-pressure-difference water electrolysis places higher demands on the strength of the membrane electrode assembly and the sealing design of the electrolyzer. Figure 1 As shown, in traditional high-pressure differential electrolysis water electrolysis for hydrogen production, the membrane electrode is generally supported by titanium felt on both sides, thus ensuring the strength of the membrane electrode. However, the membrane electrode lacks support at the gap between the edge of the titanium felt and the frame, making it prone to breakage under high pressure differential.

[0003] To address this issue, this invention proposes a high-pressure differential electrolysis water electrolysis electrolyzer for hydrogen production. It utilizes stepped multi-level sealing gaskets to fill the gaps between the edges and frame of the titanium felt, thereby providing sufficient support for the membrane electrode and achieving safe and stable high-pressure differential electrolysis water electrolysis for hydrogen production. Utility Model Content

[0004] This invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art and provides a high-pressure differential electrolysis water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer, which solves the problem that the membrane electrode lacks support and is prone to breakage in the gap between the edge and frame of the titanium felt in the electrolyzer.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0006] A high-pressure differential electrolysis water electrolysis cell for hydrogen production includes:

[0007] The membrane electrode is located at the center of the electrolytic cell, with symmetrical borders on both sides;

[0008] An anode plate is installed next to the frame on one side to connect to the positive terminal of the power supply, and a cathode plate is installed next to the frame on the other side to connect to the negative terminal of the power supply.

[0009] A titanium mesh and a titanium felt are sequentially arranged between the anode plate, the cathode plate and the membrane electrode, and both the titanium mesh and the titanium felt are embedded inside the frame.

[0010] A first groove is formed around the edge of the frame near the membrane electrode. The first groove is filled with a stepped sealing gasket. The titanium felt extends outward to the stepped surface of the stepped sealing gasket to support the membrane electrode and form a radial seal.

[0011] The anode plate has a connected anode inlet and anode outlet, and the cathode plate has a connected cathode inlet and cathode outlet.

[0012] Furthermore, the inner height H1 of the first groove is lower than the outer height H2.

[0013] Furthermore, a second groove is formed around the perimeter of the frame on the side closest to the anode / cathode plate. The inner height of the second groove is the same as the outer height, and it is filled with a flat sealing gasket to form an axial seal with the anode / cathode plate.

[0014] Furthermore, the stepped sealing gasket and the flat sealing gasket are manufactured by dispensing or injection molding, and their material is either rubber or silicone.

[0015] Furthermore, the size of the titanium mesh is smaller than the internal size of the frame;

[0016] The titanium felt is larger than the inner dimensions of the frame, and its edge extends to the central area of ​​the stepped sealing gasket.

[0017] The size of the membrane electrode is consistent with the outer dimensions of the frame, covering the entire area of ​​the first and second grooves.

[0018] Furthermore, the central axes of the titanium mesh, titanium felt, membrane electrode, frame, anode plate, and cathode plate are aligned, and a clamping force is applied by evenly distributed bolts or annular straps to ensure that the multi-layer sealing structure is leak-free.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0020] This high-pressure differential electrolysis water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer utilizes stepped sealing gaskets to fill the gaps between the edges and frame of the titanium felt, providing sufficient support for the membrane electrode. This solves the problem of membrane electrode sections in the gaps between the edges and frame of the titanium felt in traditional electrolyzers being prone to breakage due to lack of support, thus achieving safe and stable high-pressure differential electrolysis water electrolysis hydrogen production. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The accompanying drawings are provided to further illustrate the present invention and, together with the embodiments of the present invention, are used to explain the present invention. They do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the titanium felt and the frame near the edge of a traditional high-pressure differential electrolysis water electrolysis hydrogen production cell.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the high-pressure differential electrolysis water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer of this utility model;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the titanium felt and the frame in the high-pressure differential electrolysis water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolysis cell of this utility model;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the high-pressure differential electrolysis water-to-hydrogen electrolyzer before assembly.

[0026] In the picture:

[0027] 1. Membrane electrode; 2. Frame; 201. First groove; 202. Second groove; 3. Anode plate; 301. Anode inlet; 302. Anode outlet; 4. Cathode plate; 401. Cathode inlet; 402. Cathode outlet; 5. Titanium mesh; 6. Titanium felt; 7. Stepped sealing gasket; 8. Flat sealing gasket. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments described herein are for illustration and explanation only and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0029] like Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of the titanium felt and the frame in a traditional high-pressure differential electrolysis water electrolysis hydrogen production cell. It can be seen that there is a gap between the edge of the titanium felt 6 and the frame 2. The membrane electrode 1 in this gap will be prone to breakage under high pressure differential due to lack of support. Therefore, this utility model makes an improvement in this regard.

[0030] like Figures 2 to 3 As shown, the present invention claims a high-voltage differential electrolysis water electrolysis cell for hydrogen production, comprising:

[0031] The membrane electrode 1 is located at the center of the electrolytic cell, and the frame 2 is symmetrically arranged on both sides of the membrane electrode 1; the anode plate 3 is arranged next to the frame 2 on one side to connect to the positive terminal of the power supply, and the cathode plate 4 is arranged next to the frame 2 on the other side to connect to the negative terminal of the power supply; the titanium mesh 5 and the titanium felt 6 are arranged in sequence between the anode plate 3, the cathode plate 4 and the membrane electrode 1, and both the titanium mesh 5 and the titanium felt 6 are embedded inside the frame 2.

[0032] The anode plate 3 is provided with a connected anode inlet 301 and anode outlet 302, and the cathode plate 4 is provided with a connected cathode inlet 401 and cathode outlet 402.

[0033] The main design feature of this high-pressure differential electrolysis water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer is that a first groove 201 is formed around the perimeter of the frame 2 near the membrane electrode 1. The first groove 201 is filled with a stepped sealing gasket 7, and a titanium felt 6 extends outward to the stepped surface of the stepped sealing gasket 7 to support the membrane electrode 1 and form a radial seal. Specifically, the titanium felt 6 is designed to be larger than the internal dimensions of the frame 2, with its edge extending to the central area of ​​the stepped sealing gasket 7, ensuring a tight seal. For example, the size of the titanium felt 6 can be set to 102% to 105% of the internal dimensions of the frame 2.

[0034] The inner height H1 of the first groove 201 is lower than the outer height H2. Here, the inner side refers to the side closer to the center of the membrane electrode 1, and the outer side refers to the side farther away from the center of the membrane electrode 1. The height difference between the outer height H2 and the inner height H1 depends on the thickness of the titanium felt 6.

[0035] To further enhance the sealing performance, a second groove 202 is formed around the side of the frame 2 near the anode plate 3 / cathode plate 4. The inner height of the second groove 202 is the same as the outer height, and it is filled with a flat sealing gasket 8, which contacts the anode plate 3 / cathode plate 4 to form an axial seal.

[0036] The stepped sealing gasket 7 and the flat sealing gasket 8 are made of either rubber or silicone, and the material is not limited here.

[0037] In this embodiment, the size of the titanium mesh 5 is smaller than the internal size of the frame 2, which facilitates assembly. For example, the size of the titanium mesh 5 can be set to 95% to 98% of the internal size of the frame 2.

[0038] The size of the membrane electrode 1 is consistent with the outer dimensions of the frame 2, covering the entire area of ​​the first groove 201 and the second groove 202.

[0039] During installation, align the central axes of the titanium mesh 5, titanium felt 6, membrane electrode 1, frame 2, anode plate 3, and cathode plate 4, and then apply pressure using evenly distributed bolts or ring straps to ensure that the multi-layer sealing structure is leak-free.

[0040] In this embodiment, the dimensions of the anode plate 3 / cathode plate 4 are 100mm×100mm×1mm; the outer dimensions of the frame 2 are 100mm×100mm×2mm; the inner dimensions of the frame 2 are 80mm×80mm×2mm; the depth of the second groove 202 is 0.6mm and the width is 4mm; the outer and inner depths of the first groove 201 are 0.6mm and 0.2mm respectively, and the width is 6mm; the dimensions of the titanium mesh 5 are 79mm×79mm×1.8mm; the dimensions of the titanium felt 6 are 85mm×85mm×0.4mm; the membrane electrode 1 uses DuPont N117 proton exchange membrane as the substrate and has dimensions of 100mm×100mm×0.2mm; the diameters of the cathode inlet 401, cathode outlet 402, anode inlet 301, and anode outlet 302 are all 5mm.

[0041] Test Method: Pure water was used as the electrolyte, flowing into the anode inlet 301 and out of the anode outlet 302 at a flow rate maintained at 50 sccm. Both the cathode inlet 401 and cathode outlet 402 were kept closed, and the cathode pressure was monitored. The cathode plate 4 was connected to the negative terminal of the power supply, and the anode plate 3 was connected to the positive terminal. The power supply was turned on, maintaining a constant current of 64A. At this time, the oxygen generated at the anode was directly discharged into the atmosphere with the circulating electrolyte, while the hydrogen generated at the cathode could not be discharged, thus causing the cathode pressure to continuously increase. When a sudden drop in cathode pressure was observed, it indicated that the membrane electrode 1 was damaged. The highest pressure value before the sudden drop was recorded. The experiment was repeated three times, and the average value of the highest pressure endured was calculated.

[0042] like Figure 3 As shown, the stepped sealing gasket 7 proposed in this invention can fill the gap between the edge of the titanium felt 6 and the frame 2, so that the membrane electrode 1 is fully supported and can withstand pressures up to 20-30 MPa.

[0043] The stepped sealing gasket 7 and the flat sealing gasket 8 are manufactured by dispensing or injection molding, and their material is either rubber or silicone; for example Figure 4 The diagram shown is a schematic diagram before the electrolytic cell is assembled (the semi-circular sealing ring shown is a typical shape of a sealing ring made by the dispensing method). Whether by dispensing or injection molding, the height of the stepped sealing gasket 7 and the flat sealing gasket 8 must be slightly higher than the corresponding first groove 201 and second groove 202, so that a seal can be achieved after pressing.

[0044] Comparative example:

[0045] like Figure 3As shown, for comparison with the embodiment, in the comparative example, ordinary sealing gaskets were used on both sides of the frame 2, without the stepped sealing gaskets. Other structural components and dimensions were the same as in the embodiment. The same method was then used for testing. Because the stepped sealing gaskets were not used in the comparative example, the membrane electrode lacked support at the gap between the edge of the titanium felt 6 and the frame 2, and could not withstand a large pressure difference. Therefore, the membrane electrode ruptured after only 5-10 MPa of pressure.

[0046] Based on the structural differences and test values ​​of the two, it can be seen that the high-pressure differential electrolysis water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer of this utility model is safer and more stable, and has better pressure resistance, by setting a stepped sealing gasket 7.

[0047] Finally, it should be noted that the above are merely preferred embodiments of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model. Although the present utility model has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. However, any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A high-pressure differential electrolysis water electrolysis for hydrogen production, characterized in that, include: The membrane electrode (1) is located at the center of the electrolytic cell, with symmetrical frames (2) on both sides; An anode plate (3) is set next to the frame (2) on one side to connect to the positive terminal of the power supply, and a cathode plate (4) is set next to the frame (2) on the other side to connect to the negative terminal of the power supply. A titanium mesh (5) and a titanium felt (6) are sequentially arranged between the anode plate (3), the cathode plate (4) and the membrane electrode (1), and both the titanium mesh (5) and the titanium felt (6) are embedded inside the frame (2); A first groove (201) is formed around the side of the frame (2) near the membrane electrode (1). The first groove (201) is filled with a stepped sealing gasket (7). The titanium felt (6) extends outward to the stepped surface of the stepped sealing gasket (7) to support the membrane electrode (1) and form a radial seal. The anode plate (3) is provided with a connected anode inlet (301) and anode outlet (302), and the cathode plate (4) is provided with a connected cathode inlet (401) and cathode outlet (402).

2. The high-pressure differential electrolysis water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner height H1 of the first groove (201) is lower than the outer height H2.

3. The high-pressure differential electrolysis water electrolysis for hydrogen production according to claim 1, characterized in that: The frame (2) has a second groove (202) around the side near the anode plate (3) / cathode plate (4). The inner height of the second groove (202) is the same as the outer height. It is filled with a flat sealing gasket (8) and forms an axial seal by contacting the anode plate (3) / cathode plate (4).

4. The high-pressure differential electrolysis water electrolysis for hydrogen production according to claim 3, characterized in that, The stepped sealing gasket (7) and the flat sealing gasket (8) are manufactured by dispensing or injection molding, and their material is either rubber or silicone.

5. The high-pressure differential electrolysis water electrolysis for hydrogen production according to claim 1, characterized in that, The size of the titanium mesh (5) is smaller than the internal size of the frame (2); The titanium felt (6) is larger than the internal dimensions of the frame (2), and its edge extends to the central area of ​​the stepped sealing gasket (7); the membrane electrode (1) is the same size as the outer dimensions of the frame (2), covering the entire area of ​​the first groove (201) and the second groove (202).

6. The high-pressure differential electrolysis water electrolysis for hydrogen production according to claim 1, characterized in that, The central axes of the titanium mesh (5), titanium felt (6), membrane electrode (1), frame (2), anode plate (3) and cathode plate (4) are aligned, and a clamping force is applied by evenly distributed bolts or ring straps to ensure that the multi-layer sealing structure is leak-free.

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