Electrode frame, cell layer, electrochemical cell stack and electrochemical mechanism or system

Abstract

The present application relates to an electrode frame (100) for an electrochemical cell stack (10), in particular an electrolytic cell stack (10) or a fuel cell stack (10), which electrode frame (100) is surrounded in a circumferential direction (Ur) around an electrode chamber through slot (103) thereof for fluid sealing in a radial direction (Rr) electrode chambers (12, 13) of the cell stack (10) extending in an axial direction (Ax), the electrode frame (100) comprises an outer frame (120) which is circumferential on the outside and an inner frame (110) which is located therein in the radial direction (Rr) and has an electrode chamber through-opening (103), a representative volume element of the outer frame (120) being configured to be harder than a representative volume element of the same size of the inner frame (110). The application also relates to a cell layer for an electrochemical cell stack (10), an electrochemical cell stack (10) for an electrochemical mechanism (1), and an electrochemical mechanism (1) or an electrochemical system.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an electrode frame and a cell layer for an electrochemical cell stack. Furthermore, the present application relates to an electrochemical cell stack, to an electrochemical device and to an electrochemical system, in particular an electrolysis system or a fuel cell system. BACKGROUND

[0002] In electrolysis (AEM-EL, PEM-EL, AEL, see below) by means of an electrolysis device (stationary or mobile) and, if possible, an electrolysis plant (stationary), water molecules are split electrochemically into hydrogen and oxygen by means of electrical energy and heat is generated. Here, the electrolysis device comprises at least one membrane electrode assembly (membrane with transport layers and electrodes arranged between these transport layers, respectively), for example an AEM (anion exchange membrane), a PEM (proton exchange membrane) or a diaphragm (AEL: alkaline electrolysis). Usually, the electrolysis device is configured as a so-called electrolysis cell stack (stack) with a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies arranged in a stack and bipolar plates arranged between these membrane electrode assemblies, i.e. with a plurality of individual electrolysis cells (single cells).

[0003] There is always a striving to improve electrolysis devices and fuel cell devices and to design electrolysis devices and fuel cell devices cost-effectively in terms of materials, production costs and / or maintenance costs. SUMMARY

[0004] It is the task of the present application to provide an improved, in particular cost-effective, cell stack for an electrochemical cell stack, in particular an electrolysis cell stack or a fuel cell stack.

[0005] The task of the present application is solved by means of an electrode frame and a cell layer for an electrochemical cell stack, by means of an electrochemical cell stack, in particular an electrolysis cell stack or a fuel cell stack, for an electrochemical device, in particular an electrolysis device or a fuel cell device, and by means of an electrochemical system, in particular an electrolysis system or a fuel cell system. Advantageous refinements, additional features and / or advantages of the present application result from the preferred embodiments and the following description.

[0006] A cell stack, for example an electrolysis device, comprises a plurality of electrochemical single cells stacked on top of each other, which are fixed by mechanical clamping into an electrolysis cell stack. In each single cell a respective electrode frame is required, which serves for the anode chamber and the cathode chamber of the single cell. The task of these electrode frames is to guide the media (water or base, hydrogen, oxygen; two-phase mixture of these media), to seal (against the environment between the media paths), to ensure the pressure resistance of the electrolysis cell stack (operating pressure of more than 40 bar, test pressure of about 68 bar, at high-pressure electrolysis of more than 100 bar), the electrical insulation of the associated individual anode or cathode, to prevent physical contact of hydrogen with metals (metal alloys).

[0007] The electrode frame according to the application is circumferentially surrounded in the circumferential direction around its electrode chamber through-slot, for the radial fluid sealing of the electrode chamber of the cell stack extending in the axial direction, wherein the electrode frame comprises an outer frame circumferentially on the outside and an inner frame radially located therein with the electrode chamber through-slot, wherein a representative volume element of the outer frame is configured harder than a same-sized representative volume element of the inner frame. The electrolysis cell stack may, for example, be configured as a PEM electrolysis cell stack, an AEM electrolysis cell stack, an AEL (alkaline electrolysis) electrolysis cell stack or a CO2 electrolysis cell stack, the fuel cell stack may, for example, be configured as a PEM fuel cell stack or an AEM fuel cell stack. Here, the electrolysis cell stack may, in particular, be designed for high-pressure electrolysis.

[0008] Within the scope of the present description, one or all radial directions (in particular as a combination of the width direction and the lateral direction of the cell stack) are perpendicular to the axial stacking direction (axial direction or height direction) of the cell stack, the electrode frame of which is preferably completely surrounded in the circumferential direction around the axial direction. Of course, the respective representative volume element is a mathematical object, i.e. a mathematical volume shape, wherein a same-sized volume element has the same volume and the same shape. "Representative" can be understood as the volume element being configured typical for the inner frame or the outer frame and thus substantially any volume element in sufficiently small dimensions.

[0009] Preferably, the inner frame can be used for the media guidance through the electrode frame compared to the outer frame. This means that here the outer frame is not used for the media guidance through the electrode frame. In addition, the outer frame can function as a radial thrust bearing for the inner frame. That is to say, the electrode frame is configured such that its media guidance function is substantially or only limited to the inner frame on the one hand and its function to ensure the pressure resistance (in particular radial) is limited to the outer frame on the other hand.

[0010] The aspect relating to the axial mechanical pressure resistance of the electrode frame can be ensured substantially either by the outer frame, the inner frame (see Figure 6 ) or by both within the cell stack.

[0011] Here, the media guiding function and the function of ensuring the (fluidic) pressure resistance in the electrode frame are physically separated, which brings advantages for the battery stack (see below). Furthermore, the inner frame in particular assumes the function of electrical insulation within the battery stack.

[0012] The inner frame can have a media through-slot, a media channel, a seal slot and / or a seal. The outer frame can be configured as a solid and essentially uniform ring, with the exception of the through-slots for clamping pegs, if present. The inner frame is preferably also configured as an essentially uniform ring. The outer frame cannot have a media through-slot, a media channel, a seal slot and / or a seal. Within the battery stack, the media through-slots and the media channels of the electrode frames, which are related to each other, are in fluid communication.

[0013] The electrode frame can be configured as a ring closed in the circumferential direction. Here, the mass density of the outer frame can be greater than the mass density of the inner frame. The material of the outer frame can be different from the material of the inner frame. Furthermore, the outer frame can have a metal and / or the inner frame can have a plastic. The metal can in particular be steel or stainless steel. Preferably, the plastic of the inner frame is a thermoplastic or a thermoset.

[0014] Furthermore, the electrode frame can have a basically rectangular, square, oval or circular basic profile. Furthermore, the electrode frame can have exactly one inner frame and exactly one outer frame. Furthermore, the inner frame and / or the outer frame can have a basically rectangular encircling cross section.

[0015] The two axial outer sides of the outer frame and the inner frame can each essentially lie in one plane. This means that the outer frame and the inner frame essentially have the same axial thickness. Furthermore, here the inner frame is preferably centrally arranged in the outer frame in the axial direction and in the radial direction. The outer frame can be arranged on only one circumferential side of the inner frame. The outer frame and the inner frame can be connected to each other form-locked, material-locked or force-locked. The radial extension of the outer frame can be at least about 75%, 70%, 65%, 60%, 50%, 45%, 40%, 35%, 30%, 25%, 20% respectively ± 2% of the radial extension of the inner frame. The axial thickness of the electrode frame can be about 1.5 mm, 1.75 mm, 2 mm, 2.25 mm or 2.5 mm.

[0016] In comparison to the outer frame, the inner frame can be used as a preferably dedicated seal carrier, in particular for the actual cell stack. This relates, for example, to the radial sealing of the electrode chamber in the circumferential direction (on both sides of the large area) and / or to the sealing of the associated medium through-slots in their associated circumferential direction (not on the side of the large area, on one or both sides of the large area). The inner frame can have seal channels or seal slots for the associated seals, which are preferably injection molded into the seal channels or seal slots or are preferably placed into the seal channels or seal slots. Here, the associated seals can in particular have an elastomer.

[0017] A form-fit can be provided between the outer frame and the inner frame in the circumferential direction. Here, the inner fixation means of the outer frame and the outer fixation means of the inner frame can interlock with one another for the axial fixation of the frames of the electrode frame to one another. Furthermore, the fixation means of the outer frame can be configured as inner protrusions and the fixation means of the inner frame as outer slots. The form-fit can be provided, for example, by injection molding (prototype molding of the form-fit) or placing (snap connection) of the inner frame into the outer frame.

[0018] The inner frame, in particular of the cathode frame, can have a large-area membrane slot for receiving a membrane. It is preferred here that the slot is provided so far axially into the inner frame that it terminates with its outer surface plane to the radially outer section of the inner frame in the case of a given membrane. Here, of course, the membrane covers the entire electrode chamber through-slot of the inner frame or electrode frame.

[0019] The inner frame can have at least one positioning means for a membrane of an electrochemical cell of the cell stack on / in the first side of the large area. Here, the positioning means can in particular be configured as a protrusion on the inner frame. Furthermore, the inner frame can have at least one positioning means for a bipolar plate of the cell stack on / in the second side of the large area. Here, these positioning means can be configured, for example, as protrusions on the inner frame or slots in the inner frame.

[0020] The outer frame can be configured as a stamped part and the inner frame can be configured as an injection molded part. Here, the inner frame can be placed or injection molded into the outer frame, wherein, in the second case (injection molding), the electrode frame is configured as an injection molded placed-in part with the outer frame. The outer frame can have a through-slot for a clamping pin of the cell stack.

[0021] The outer frame and / or the inner frame can be configured in one piece or integrated in terms of material. A (adhesive) one-piece configuration in terms of material can be understood as a configuration of the relevant frame in which the individual parts of the frame are fixed to one another in a material-locked manner (injection molding, adhesive bonding, lamination, etc.) and the relevant frame preferably cannot be separated into individual parts without damaging its parts. Here, too, the relevant frame can be held together by means of force-locked and / or form-locked means (not in the case of an integrated configuration).

[0022] An integrated configuration can be understood as a configuration of the relevant frame in which only one single component results which can only be separated in the event of destruction. The relevant frame is made from only one original part and / or only one original mass (metallic or plastic melt), which itself is necessarily integrated. The internal holding is achieved only by means of adhesive and / or cohesive forces. In all embodiments, the relevant frame, in particular the outer frame, can additionally have a lamination, a coating, an integrated deposition, etc.

[0023] The cell layer according to the application has at least one electrode frame and a fluid transport structure arranged in the electrode chamber through-slot of the electrode frame, wherein the at least one electrode frame is configured according to the application. The cell layer can also comprise a membrane (see below), in particular a membrane electrode unit. Here, it is of course possible that the membrane and the at least one fluid transport structure (see below) of the cell layer form a membrane electrode device, wherein the electrodes are arranged on the fluid transport structure or on the membrane. The membrane can be arranged between two electrode frames, wherein one or both fluid transport structures can be applied against the membrane. Furthermore, the cell layer can comprise a polar plate, in particular a bipolar plate.

[0024] The electrochemical cell stack according to the application has a plurality of electrochemical single cells, wherein the electrode frames of the cell stack and / or the cell layers of the cell stack are configured according to the application. Here, the respective membrane of the cell stack can be arranged between the mutually associated inner frames of the two electrode frames of one single cell. The membrane can be configured as a separate membrane, as a membrane electrode unit (MEA, with only one catalyst layer if possible), as a catalyst-coated membrane (CCM, also with only one catalyst layer if possible), as part of a membrane electrode device, etc. The respective bipolar plate of the cell stack can only be arranged between the two mutually associated inner frames of the two electrode frames of two directly adjacent single cells.

[0025] The main axial mechanical force flow in the actual cell stack can be arranged in the actual cell stack substantially away from the outer frame of the electrode frame. That is, the actual cell stack is mechanically clamped together in its outer frame substantially in the radial direction by its inner frame, its bipolar plates, by its membranes if applicable, by its fluid transport structures if applicable. That is, in addition to the clamping means (clamping pins, nuts, through-slots, etc.), current collector plates, insulation plates, end plates, etc., the axial compression forces in the cell stack are only transmitted by these components of the cell stack away from its outer frame.

[0026] Here, the outer frame of the electrode frame can substantially only receive the radial fluid pressure from the actual cell stack. That is, in this case, the outer frame is substantially only used for the radial fluid pressure strength of the electrode frame; thus, they serve as axial thrust bearing for the inner frame and not for transmitting axial forces within the cell stack. Here, the clamping pins can be extended into the outer frame through the through-slots. The electrochemical mechanism according to the application or the electrochemical system according to the application has at least one electrochemical cell stack and a control device for operating and / or regulating the operation of the cell stack, wherein the electrode frame of the cell stack, the cell layers of the cell stack and / or the cell stack are constructed according to the application.

[0027] In the case of a plastic injection-molded encapsulation as an alternative to the application, this alternative is very challenging and cost-intensive in terms of the required dimensional design, since the large thermal differences between metal and plastic lead to a high risk of cracks occurring during and after manufacture. According to the application, these quality risks can be avoided. It is possible to avoid the sealing support on a thin-walled plastic injection-molded encapsulation. Furthermore, in embodiments, it is possible to avoid the plastic being in the force line of the mechanical pretensioning force of the cell stack. It is possible to avoid a radially internally open metal region and thus to avoid corrosion of said metal region due to, in particular, produced water or base and / or hydrogen. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0028] In the following, the application is explained in more detail according to embodiments with reference to the attached schematic drawings. In the present application, a feature can be positive, i.e. present, or negative, i.e. not present. In the present description, a negative feature is not explained as a feature in detail if it has no value according to the application. That is, the application actually completed and not constructed by the prior art consists in omitting this feature. The lack of a feature in one embodiment (negative feature) indicates that the feature is optional if applicable (for the person skilled in the art). In the only exemplary drawings of the drawings, the following is shown:

[0029] Figure 1A simplified block diagram illustrates an embodiment of an electrolysis mechanism for AEM-EL, PEM-EL, AEL, etc., which includes an electrochemical electrolysis cell stack for the electrolysis system.

[0030] Figure 2 An embodiment of the electrode frame according to this application for use in an electrolytic cell stack is shown in a two-dimensional top view. The electrode frame has an inner frame and an outer frame.

[0031] Figure 3 and Figure 4 Showing relative to each other in two-dimensional top view Figure 1 The detailed view shows the electrode frame broken on both sides, which correspondingly illustrates another embodiment of the electrode frame.

[0032] Figure 5 Another embodiment of the electrode frame, its inner and outer frames, is shown in a radially inward (left) broken axial-radial half-section, and...

[0033] Figure 6 A relatively small section of the electrolytic cell stack, disconnected on all sides, is shown in a highly schematic diagram. Detailed Implementation

[0034] Below, according to the electrolysis mechanism 1 (see...) Figure 1 The electrode frame 100 of the electrolytic cell stack 10 (see) Figures 2 to 6 To explain this application in more detail, the electrolysis mechanism has at least one electrolytic cell stack 10 for electrolyzing (EL) the supply medium 3 into hydrogen 6 and oxygen. This application can be applied to multiple electrolysis systems having one or more electrolysis mechanisms 1, wherein the electrolysis mechanism 1 can be constructed for, for example, AEM electrolysis (AEM-EL), PEM electrolysis (PEM-EL), and alkaline electrolysis (AEL). Furthermore, this application can be applied to fuel cell stacks, particularly PEM fuel cell stacks or AEM fuel cell stacks; that is, the diagram can be similarly adapted to fuel cell stacks.

[0035] The figures only show these sections of the electrolysis mechanism of an electrolysis system (not shown), such as an electrolysis facility (not shown), which are essential for understanding this application. Although this application has been described and illustrated in further detail by way of preferred embodiments, this application is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations can be derived therefrom without departing from the scope of protection of this application.

[0036] Figure 1An electrolysis mechanism 1 according to the general embodiment is shown, which has at least one electrochemical single cell 11, in particular a plurality of electrochemical single cells 11 combined into one electrolysis cell stack 10 (single electrolysis cell 11), which is mounted in a preferably fluid-tight stack housing 16 by mechanical clamping force between end plates. Each single cell 11 comprises an electrode compartment 12 configured as an anode compartment 12 and an electrode compartment 13 configured as a cathode compartment 13, which are spatially and electrically separated from each other by a membrane 140 (see Figure 6 ) of a membrane electrode device 15.

[0037] The membrane electrode device 15 has a membrane 140, two electrodes and preferably two fluid transport structures 130, wherein at least one electrode is arranged on the membrane 140 and / or at least one electrode is arranged on the fluid transport structure 130 directly opposite the membrane 140. Of course, both electrodes can also be arranged on the membrane 140 (membrane electrode unit (MEA)) or on the fluid transport structure 130. The membrane 140 or membrane electrode unit together with the fluid transport structure 130 arranged thereon can be sealingly applied against the bipolar plate 14.

[0038] The membrane electrode device 15 can have an AEM or a PEM, for example in the form of a CCM (catalyst-coated AEM / PEM as MEA), or have a separator. The fluid transport structures 130 on the large-area sides of the membrane electrode device 15 can have transport layers, porous transport layers (PTL), gas diffusion layers (GDL), sintered metal elements, fiber elements, flow structures and / or flow fields, etc. The fluid transport structures 130, which are not shown in detail in the following, are arranged or established in the anode compartment 12 and the cathode compartment 13 of the electrolysis cell stack 10. Figure 1

[0039] Between two membrane electrode devices 15 directly adjacent to each other together with the associated anode compartment 12 and the respective cathode compartment 13, a bipolar plate 14 is arranged. The bipolar plate 14 is also used for the through-conducting of the media 3, 4 (removal medium containing oxygen) and 6 and, if possible, for the inflow and outflow from the anode compartment 12 of the first single cell 11 and the cathode compartment 13 of the second single cell 11 directly adjacent to the first single cell, and also for the electrically conductive connection between the two single cells 11. In addition to the through-conducting, the actual inflow / outflow of the media 3, 4, 6 from the associated electrode frame 100 (see below) in the anode compartment 12 of the first single cell and in the cathode compartment 13 of the second single cell 11 can also be realized.

[0040] ​The cathode compartments 13 and, if applicable, their common inflow region or their actual electrodes form here the cathodes 39 (-) of the electrolysis cell stack 10; and the anode compartments 12 and, if applicable, their common inflow region or their actual electrodes form here the anodes 29 (+). In addition to the electrolysis plant 1, the electrolysis system and of course also the electrolysis facility (see above) comprise peripheral system components, for example: control devices, preparation devices 60 for producing fresh supply medium 3, hydrogen storage devices 40, if applicable oxygen storage devices 50, etc.

[0041] In order to supply the electrolysis cell stack 10 with supply medium 3, the electrolysis plant 1 has a medium supply device 20. In order to take away the medium 4, 6 of the electrolysis cell stack 10, the electrolysis plant 1 has a medium take-away device 30. The medium supply device 20 comprises, inter alia, a medium storage device 23 for the supply medium 3 (inflow), a supply path 21 (medium path 21) and a conveying device 26, in particular a pump 26, for the supply medium 3 on / in the supply path 21.

[0042] The medium take-away device 30 has at least one anode-side removal path 31 (medium path 31) for returning the removal medium 4 containing oxygen to the storage device 23, if applicable with a gas separation device for the generated oxygen, and / or in another direction (shown in dashed lines) for example into the surroundings 2. The second case described above can be implemented, inter alia, when the cooling of the electrolysis cell stack 10 is carried out independently of the supply medium 3.

[0043] In addition, the actual product gas 6, i.e. the generated hydrogen 6, of the electrolysis plant 1 can be conveyed away through a cathode-side product medium path 32 (medium path 32) of the medium take-away device 30. Here, a gas / liquid separation device 33 with a valve 34 can be provided in the product medium path 32. The medium separated in the gas / liquid separation device 34 can be conveyed back into the medium storage device or in another direction, for example into the surroundings 2 and, if applicable, in a gravity-dependent manner. The generated hydrogen 6 can be stored, for example, in a hydrogen storage device 40 (collection container 40, storage tank 40, etc.), wherein the product medium path 32 can lead directly into the hydrogen storage device 40. Of course, another conveying of the hydrogen 6 can also be applied.

[0044] Depending on the embodiment of the electrolysis plant 1, the medium guidance within the electrolysis cell stack 10 can be configured differently. It is possible here to implement a temperature regulation, in particular cooling, which is different from the electrochemical function of the electrolysis cell stack 10, and / or the temperature regulation or cooling is preferably implemented together with the electrochemical function of the electrolysis cell stack 10 by means of the supply medium 3 for electrolysis.

[0045] In the membrane electrode device 15 with AEM it is possible that, in addition to the input of the supply medium 3 on the anode side and on the cathode side, the input of the supply medium 3 on the anode side only (dotted arrow at the anode 29) is also provided as cooling medium, if possible. Furthermore, it is possible that, in the membrane electrode device 15 with PEM, in addition to the input of the supply medium 3 on the anode side only, the input of the supply medium 3 on the cathode side 39 only (dotted arrow at the cathode 39) is also provided as cooling medium, if possible. In the case of AEL, in addition to the input of the supply medium 3 on the anode side and on the cathode side, the input of the supply medium 3 on the anode side only (dotted arrow at the anode 29) can also be provided as cooling medium, if possible.

[0046] In particular, Figures 2 to 5 An embodiment of an electrode frame 100 for delimiting an electrode chamber 12, 13 in an electrolysis cell stack 10 is shown, wherein a fluid transport structure 130 can be provided in the electrode chamber through-slot 103 in the large area and in the center of the respective electrode frame 100 (see Figure 5 and above). For this purpose, the positional specification of the cell stack 10, the electrode frame 100, etc. referred to in this description, i.e. the axial direction Ar (axially), the radial direction Rr (radially) and the circumferential direction Ur, is only shown in Figure 2 .

[0047] The electrode frame itself, i.e. the entire electrode frame 100, is composed of two frames 110, 120, wherein one of the frames 110 is arranged completely radially Rr within the other frame 120 as outer frame 120 as inner frame 110. Here, the outer frame 120 is composed of a different material than the inner frame 110. In particular, the outer frame 120 is essentially composed of metal, preferably of steel or stainless steel, while the inner frame 110 is essentially composed of plastic, preferably of thermoplastic or thermoset plastic.

[0048] Here, the inner frame 110 is designed and constructed in such a way that it is essentially used for the medium guidance in the electrolysis cell stack 10, serves as a carrier for a seal 117 (for sealing the relevant electrode chamber 12, 13 radially Rr) which is injection molded or placed therein, for example, serves for clamping and / or positioning (see above) a membrane 140 in its membrane slot 111 (see Figure 6 and above), for positioning a fluid transport structure 130 in the electrode chamber through-slot 103 and / or for positioning (see above) a bipolar plate 14 of the cell stack 10.

[0049] The inner frame 110 (see in particular Figure 2) with a medium through-slot 112 for supplying the medium 3, removing the medium 4 (containing oxygen) and the product gas 6 (containing the supplied medium 3 to be removed) for medium guidance. Depending on the side of the inner frame 110, i.e. the membrane side or the bipolar plate side, and / or depending on the type of the inner frame 110, i.e. the anode inner frame 110 or the cathode inner frame 110, a medium channel 113 extends from the medium through-slot 112 to the electrode chamber through-slot 103 and vice versa.

[0050] The medium channel 113, also called Delta Channel, is for example provided as a slot 113 in the side of the relevant large area of the inner frame 110. In the electrolysis cell stack 10, such slot-shaped medium channels 113 of the bipolar plate 14 and / or of the membrane 140 are closed on their periphery. Of course, other forms of the medium channel 113, for example a hole, can also be applied. In the electrolysis cell stack 10, the relevant medium through-slot 112 belonging to the so-called Schornstein of the electrolysis cell stack 10 is in fluid communication with the relevant electrode chamber through-slot 103 via the respective medium channel 113.

[0051] In order to seal one or more medium through-slots 112 in the circumferential direction along the radial direction Rr (see Figure 2 and Figure 5 ), the inner frame 110 has a corresponding seal 117 depending on the side, i.e. the membrane side or the bipolar plate side, and / or depending on the type of the inner frame 110, i.e. the anode inner frame 110 or the cathode inner frame 110. In order to seal the relevant electrode chamber 12, 13 in the radial direction Rr in the electrolysis cell stack 10, the inner frame 110 has at least one seal 117 on both large-area sides, respectively, completely externally around its electrode chamber through-slot 103.

[0052] The relevant seal 117 can here be provided in a seal slot 116 provided in the inner frame 110, wherein the seal slot 116 is preferably provided so far into the inner frame 110 from the surface of the inner frame 110 that it meets itself and thus closes one periphery. Such a seal slot 116, for example as a circumferentially closed seal slot, for example surrounds one or more medium through-slots 112. Of course, no medium channel 113 leads here to these medium through-slots 112.

[0053] Furthermore, the outer frame 120 is designed and constructed in such a way that it essentially functions as a thrust bearing for the inner frame 110. That is, due to the operation of the electrolysis cell stack 10, the fluid internal pressure in the associated electrode chambers 12, 13 of the inner frame 110 is here received by the outer frame 120, which stably holds the inner frame 110 in its radially inner region in shape. Here, for example, the inner frame 110 can be elastically deformed.

[0054] Depending on the embodiment of the electrolysis cell stack 10 or of the electrode frame 100 of the electrolysis cell stack 10, the electrode frame 100 can be constructed in such a way that the electrolysis cell stack 10 can be mechanically clamped together or clamped together in the axial direction Ar only by the inner frame 110 (see Figure 6 ), only by the outer frame 120 or both by the inner frame 100 and by the outer frame 120.

[0055] The preferably form-locked connection between the radially outer side of the inner frame 110 and the radially inner side of the outer frame 120 is preferably used for fastening to one another in the axial direction Ar. Here, the form-locked connection can simply exist in both mutually adjacent sides (see Figure 5 ) or be configured by a special shaping of the mutually associated radial sides. Here, for example, the fixation means 124 of the outer frame 120, which are configured as a protrusion in the radial direction Rr or as a notch in the radial direction Rr, and the fixation means 124 of the inner frame 110, which are configured as a notch 114 in the radial direction Rr or as a protrusion in the radial direction Rr, form a form-locked connection (see Figure 6 ).

[0056] The outer frame 120 can be constructed as a solid ring, in particular a closed ring. Here, the outer frame 120 can have through notches 122 for the clamping bolts 150 of the electrolysis cell stack 10 (see Figure 4 ). Alternatively (see Figure 3 ), the clamping bolts 150 of the electrolysis cell stack 10 can be provided outside the outer frame 120 in the radial direction Rr, so that the outer frame does not need through notches 122 for the clamping bolts 150. Furthermore, for example, the outer frame 120 can have an outer corner region which is clearly circular (see Figure 3 ) or whose corner region shows an easily recognizable angle, in particular a right angle (see Figure 4 ).

[0057] Figure 6The electrolysis cell stack 10 is shown locally, wherein it can be easily seen that the actual electrolysis cell stack 10 is clamped together via the inner frame 110 of the electrode frame 100 and not the outer frame 120. The clamping together in axial direction Ar takes place by means of clamping bolts 150, which clamp the actual electrolysis cell stack 10 together via outer plates 160 in axial direction Ar. These plates 160 here act only onto the inner frame 110 and not directly onto the outer frame 120. The forces in axial direction Ar acting on and / or between the outer frame 120 come from the inner frame 110. The forces in axial direction Ar acting on and / or between the inner frame 110 come from the plates 160, the clamping bolts 150 and the closing force of the clamping bolts 150.

[0058] Furthermore, Figure 6 An environmental seal 170 is shown, which is also located between the inner frame 110 of the electrode frame 100 in axial direction Ax and not between the outer frame 120. It is of course possible to provide environmental seals 170 between the outer frame 20. Furthermore, Figure 6 The clamping bolts 150 are shown guided with a gap through the through-slots 122 of the outer frame 120. The through-slots 122 in the outer frame 120 are preferably dimensioned and provided in the electrolysis cell stack 10 such that the through-slots 122 flush in axial direction Ar when inserted exert only a small counter force on the clamping bolts 150.

Claims

1. An electrode frame for an electrochemical battery stack, wherein, The electrode frame (100) surrounds its electrode chamber through slot (103) in the circumferential direction (Ur) for fluid sealing of the electrode chambers (12, 13) of the electrochemical cell stack extending in the radial direction (Rr) along the axial direction (Ax), characterized in that... The electrode frame (100) includes an outer frame (120) surrounding the outside and an inner frame (110) located therein in the radial direction (Rr) and having the electrode chamber through slot (103), wherein the representative volume element of the outer frame (120) is constructed to be harder than the representative volume element of the same size of the inner frame (110).

2. The electrode frame according to claim 1, characterized in that, Compared to the outer frame (120), the inner frame (110) is used for guiding the medium through the electrode frame (100), and / or the outer frame (120) acts as a thrust bearing for the inner frame (110) in the radial direction (Rr).

3. The electrode frame according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The inner frame (110) has: a medium through slot (112), a medium channel (113), a sealing slot (116) and / or a sealing element (117), and / or, Except for through slots (122) for clamping bolts (150) where possible, the outer frame (120) is constructed as a solid, uniform ring, and / or, The outer frame (120) does not have: a medium through slot (112), a medium channel (113), a sealing slot (116) and / or a sealing element (117).

4. The electrode frame according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The electrode frame (100) is constructed as a closed loop in the circumferential direction (Ur), and / or, The material of the outer frame (120) is different from the material of the inner frame (110), and / or, The outer frame (120) is made of metal and / or the inner frame (110) is made of plastic.

5. The electrode frame according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The two outer sides of the outer frame (120) in the axial direction (Ar) and the two outer sides of the inner frame (110) in the axial direction (Ar) are respectively in a plane, and / or, The outer frame (120) is only disposed on the periphery of the inner frame (110), and / or, The outer frame (120) and the inner frame (110) are connected to each other by shape locking, material locking or force locking.

6. The electrode frame according to claim 3, characterized in that, Compared to the outer frame (120), the inner frame (110) serves as a sealing element carrier, and / or, The inner frame (110) has a sealing channel or sealing slot (116) for a sealing element (117), the sealing element (117) being injection molded into or inserted into the sealing channel or sealing slot (116).

7. The electrode frame according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A shape-locking part is provided between the outer frame (120) and the inner frame (110) in the circumferential direction (Ur), wherein the fixing device of the outer frame (120) and the fixing device of the inner frame (110) are interlocked to fix the frames (110, 120) of the electrode frame (100) to each other in the axial direction (Ar), and / or, The fixing device (124) of the outer frame (120) is constructed as an inner protrusion, and the fixing device (114) of the inner frame (110) is constructed as an outer groove.

8. The electrode frame according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The inner frame (110) has a large-area membrane slot (111) for receiving the membrane (140), and / or, The inner frame (110) has at least one positioning device on / in the large area of ​​the first side for the membrane (140) of the electrochemical cell of the electrochemical cell stack, and / or, The inner frame (110) has at least one positioning device for the bipolar plates (14) of the electrochemical cell stack on / in the second side of the large area.

9. The electrode frame according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The outer frame (120) is constructed as a stamped part, the inner frame (110) is constructed as an injection molded part, and / or, The outer frame (120) has a through slot (122) for clamping bolts (150) of the electrochemical battery stack, and / or, The outer frame (120) and / or the inner frame (110) are of one-piece or integrated construction in terms of materials.

10. The electrode frame according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The electrochemical cell stack is an electrolytic cell stack (10) or a fuel cell stack.

11. The electrode frame according to claim 6, characterized in that, The sealing carrier is a dedicated sealing carrier.

12. The electrode frame according to claim 6, characterized in that, The sealing carrier is used in the actual electrochemical battery stack.

13. The electrode frame according to claim 8, characterized in that, The inner frame (110) is the inner frame (110) of the cathode frame.

14. A battery layer for an electrochemical battery stack, said battery layer having at least one electrode frame (100) and a fluid transport structure (130) disposed in a through slot (103) of its electrode chamber, characterized in that, The at least one electrode frame (100) is an electrode frame constructed according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The battery layer according to claim 14, characterized in that, The electrochemical cell stack is an electrolytic cell stack (10) or a fuel cell stack.

16. An electrochemical cell stack for an electrochemical mechanism, the electrochemical cell stack having a plurality of electrochemical single cells (11), characterized in that, The electrode frame (100) of the electrochemical battery stack is an electrode frame (100) constructed according to any one of claims 1 to 13 and / or the battery layer of the electrochemical battery stack is a battery layer constructed according to claim 14 or 15.

17. The electrochemical battery stack according to claim 16, characterized in that, The electrochemical cell stack is an electrolytic cell stack (10) or a fuel cell stack.

18. The electrochemical battery stack according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that, The electrochemical mechanism is an electrolysis mechanism (1) or a fuel cell mechanism.

19. The electrochemical battery stack according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that, The corresponding membrane (140) is disposed between the respective inner frames (110) of the two electrode frames (100) of an electrochemical single cell (11), and / or, The corresponding bipolar plates (14) are disposed only between the respective inner frames (110) of the two electrode frames (100) of two directly adjacent electrochemical single cells (11), and / or, The main mechanical force flow in the axial (Ar) direction within the actual electrochemical cell stack is positioned away from the outer frame (120) of the electrode frame (100) in the actual electrochemical cell stack, and / or, The outer frame (120) of the electrode frame (100) of the electrochemical cell stack receives only the radial (Rr) fluid pressure from the actual electrochemical cell stack.

20. An electrochemical mechanism or system, the electrochemical mechanism or system having at least one electrochemical cell stack and a control device for operating and / or regulating the operation of the electrochemical cell stack, characterized in that, The electrode frame (100) of the electrochemical battery stack is an electrode frame constructed according to any one of claims 1 to 13, and / or the battery layer of the electrochemical battery stack is a battery layer constructed according to claim 14 or 15, and / or the electrochemical battery stack is an electrochemical battery stack constructed according to any one of claims 16 to 19.

21. The electrochemical mechanism or electrochemical system according to claim 20, characterized in that, The electrochemical mechanism is an electrolysis mechanism (1) or a fuel cell mechanism.

22. The electrochemical mechanism or electrochemical system according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that, The electrochemical system is an electrolysis system or a fuel cell system.

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