Gas-liquid separation device

Abstract

The utility model discloses a gas-liquid separation device, and belongs to the field of hydrogen production by electrolyzing water. Comprising a device body provided with a mixing inlet, the body comprises a separating unit and a washing unit which are connected through a flat cover and a flange, a cross-shaped impingement plate is welded to the position, corresponding to the mixing inlet, in the body, and at least one partition plate is arranged in the separating unit; a flow guide pipe connected with the separation unit and provided with a downward opening is arranged in the washing unit; a flange seat and a cooler are sequentially arranged above the washing unit; a defoaming unit in which a demister is arranged is arranged above the cooler; and a hydrogen outlet is formed in the top of the defoaming unit. The gas-liquid separation device provided by the utility model can achieve the effects of being good in separation effect, compact in structure, small in size, simple and convenient to install and convenient to overhaul.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to hydrogen production by water electrolysis, and in particular to a gas-liquid separation device. Background Technology

[0002] Hydrogen production via water electrolysis involves the dissociation of water molecules under the influence of direct current to produce oxygen and hydrogen gas, which are then released from the anode and cathode of the electrolytic cell, respectively. The principle behind this process is quite simple: water undergoes an electrolytic reaction in the electrolytic cell, producing hydrogen and oxygen. At the surfaces of these electrodes, hydrogen ions gain electrons and combine with another hydrogen ion to form hydrogen gas, while oxygen ions lose electrons and combine to form oxygen gas.

[0003] There are various configurations and equipment types for water electrolysis hydrogen production units, but the main production process is basically the same. The gas produced from the electrolyzer must undergo gas-liquid separation and cooling before it can be used. Therefore, the gas-liquid separation unit is an extremely important device in the water electrolysis hydrogen production process. After the hydrogen gas containing a large amount of alkaline solution exits the electrolyzer, it passes through three containers—a gas-liquid separation tank, a scrubber, and a cooler—to achieve gas-liquid separation.

[0004] In existing technology, two bases are installed on top of the separation tank, and the scrubber and cooler are installed on the bases and then connected by pipes. When the hydrogen and oxygen produced by the electrolyzer overflow from the electrolyzer, they carry some of the electrolyte in a mist-like state into the system. Existing separation devices typically require three containers: a gas-liquid separation tank, a scrubber, and a cooler, connected by bases and pipes. This results in a large volume, a significant workload for on-site assembly and connection, and high precision requirements for piping installation. Personnel access is difficult, making internal inspection and maintenance challenging. The heat exchange tubes of the cooler are generally in a straight line, resulting in a small heat exchange area, low efficiency, and poor separation effect. Furthermore, the straight-line heat exchange tubes are usually arranged horizontally, leading to a corresponding increase in the size of the base required to fix the cooler, resulting in a large footprint. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Purpose of the utility model: The purpose of this utility model is to provide a gas-liquid separation device with good separation effect, compact structure, small size, simple installation and easy maintenance.

[0006] Technical solution: The gas-liquid separation device of this utility model includes a device body with a mixing inlet. The device body comprises a separation unit and a washing unit connected by a flat cover and a flange. An anti-impact plate is provided inside the device body at a position corresponding to the mixing inlet. At least one partition is provided inside the separation unit. A guide pipe with its opening facing downwards is provided inside the washing unit. A flange seat and a cooler are sequentially provided above the washing unit. A demisting unit with an internal demister is provided above the cooler, and a hydrogen outlet is provided at the top of the demisting unit.

[0007] Preferably, the anti-impact plate is cross-shaped and welded inside the body.

[0008] Preferably, the partition is a solid steel plate, with two plates arranged side by side, and there is a gap between the partition and the top of the main body.

[0009] Preferably, the cooler has multiple curved heat exchange tubes vertically arranged inside.

[0010] Preferably, the bent heat exchange tube is a heat exchange tube with multi-directional bends or a bent coil.

[0011] Preferably, the flange seat is flange-connected to the cooler.

[0012] Preferably, the cooler and the demister are connected by a flange.

[0013] Preferably, the demister is made of multiple layers of stainless steel wire mesh or nickel mesh stacked together.

[0014] Beneficial effects: Compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following advantages: (1) By setting up a separation unit and a washing unit as well as a bent heat exchange tube, the device can simultaneously achieve gas-liquid separation, washing and cooling without the need for additional washers and coolers, thus reducing the number of pressure vessels in the separation system and the pipelines and bases between the vessels; (2) The equipment is manufactured as a whole by the container factory, reducing the workload of installation and piping during integration; (3) The device increases the residence time of gas and liquid in the separation unit through the setting of anti-impact plates and baffles, which is more conducive to gas-liquid separation; (4) The bending heat exchange tube increases the cooling area, making the cooling effect better; (5) Through the design of the bent heat exchange tube and wire mesh, the small amount of water in the hydrogen is separated and removed, and the gas is cooled, which can reduce the water content in the hydrogen to 5g / m³. 3 The following; (6) Through the design of the flange structure that is easy to disassemble and assemble, the three functional areas of separation, washing and cooling can be quickly connected, and it is convenient for staff to enter the device for inspection and maintenance when needed. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall appearance of the present utility model;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the anti-impact plate. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The technical solution of this utility model will be further described below with reference to the embodiments.

[0018] As shown in the attached figure, the gas-liquid separation device of this utility model includes a device body 1 with a mixing inlet 2. The body 1 includes a separation unit and a washing unit connected by a flat cover 5 and a flange 6. A cross-shaped anti-impact plate 3 is welded inside the body 1 at a position corresponding to the mixing inlet 2. Two partitions 4 are arranged side by side inside the separation unit. A guide pipe 7 connected to the separation unit and with its opening facing downward is provided inside the washing unit. A flange seat 8 and a cooler 10 are arranged in sequence above the washing unit. Multiple curved heat exchange tubes 9 are vertically arranged inside the cooler 10. The flange seat 8 and the cooler 10 are connected by a flange. A demisting unit is provided above the cooler 10. A demisting device 11 made of multiple wire meshes is provided inside the demisting unit. The cooler 10 and the demisting device 11 are connected by a flange. A hydrogen outlet 12 is provided at the top of the demisting unit.

[0019] A thermometer, pressure gauge, safety valve, and dew point meter are installed at the hydrogen outlet to monitor operating parameters and separation efficiency, and to ensure safety.

[0020] The anti-impact plate 3 is a cross-shaped steel plate that is bent into an arc and welded inside the body 1. The gap between the anti-impact plate 3 and the body 1 is conducive to the uniform dispersion of the mixture.

[0021] The partition 4 is a solid steel plate, welded to the bottom of the body 1, with a gap between it and the top or bottom of the body 1 to allow the alkaline solution to flow through.

[0022] The bent heat exchange tube 9 is a heat exchange tube or a bent coil with multiple bends.

[0023] The flat cover 5 is connected to the body 1 by a flange. Both the flat cover 5 and the flange 6 are made of stainless steel plates by machining, which replaces the end caps of the separation tank and the scrubber in the existing separation device, making the manufacturing process simpler. The flat cover 5 and the flange 6 are connected by bolts, which makes disassembly convenient and allows workers to enter the device for construction during the manufacturing process. It also facilitates later operation, maintenance and repair.

[0024] The anti-impact plate 3 helps to slow down the flow rate of alkaline vapor in the device, disperse the flow direction of alkaline liquid, increase the separation area, and improve the gas-liquid separation effect. At the same time, it can prevent alkaline vapor from directly impacting the baffle and causing damage to the baffle. In addition, the size of the anti-impact plate 3 is small, only slightly larger than the pipe size of the mixing inlet 2, which effectively saves material usage.

[0025] The baffle 4 can effectively slow down the flow rate of the alkali solution and increase its residence time in the separation unit, which is conducive to the condensation of alkali vapor and the precipitation of hydrogen in the alkali solution, resulting in better separation effect.

[0026] The flange seat 8 is made of stainless steel plate rolled into a cylinder or a seamless steel pipe with a large diameter. Its bottom is welded to the device body 1, and its top is connected to the cooler 10 through a flange. Therefore, the flange seat 8 is both a channel for hydrogen to be transferred from the washing unit to the cooling unit and a base for the cooler 10, which can effectively save space and materials. In addition, the flange seat diameter required for large-scale gas-liquid separation devices is relatively large, so it can be used as a manhole to facilitate workers to enter the washing unit during manufacturing and maintenance, reducing the space and materials required for additional manholes.

[0027] The cooler 10 is arranged vertically, which reduces the base required to fix the cooler and the pipeline connecting the scrubber when arranged horizontally, thus saving materials and space. The cooler 10 is made of stainless steel plate rolled into a cylinder or made of seamless steel pipe with a large diameter, and is connected to the flange seat 8 and the demister 11 by bolts, which facilitates disassembly and maintenance.

[0028] The heat exchange tubes inside the cooler 10 are several heat exchange tubes with multi-directional bends or curved coils, which can increase the effective cooling area and improve the cooling effect.

[0029] The demister 11 is made of multiple layers of stainless steel wire mesh or nickel mesh, with pressure plates at the top and bottom fixed to the cylinder by screws, allowing for disassembly and maintenance. The porous structure of the wire mesh causes alkaline vapor to condense into water droplets when it encounters the wire mesh, which then flow back to the bottom of the device. Hydrogen can be filtered through the wire mesh and flows out from the hydrogen outlet at the top, completing the separation.

[0030] This device achieves gas-liquid separation, washing, and cooling functions through a single pressure vessel, enabling highly efficient hydrogen separation. It eliminates the need for the bases of the washers and coolers, saving materials. The separation unit is manufactured as a single piece by the pressure vessel manufacturer, reducing the installation work of the separation tank, washer, and cooler, as well as the piping work connecting them during integration. Its compact structure saves space.

[0031] In operation, hydrogen gas containing a large amount of water vapor from the electrolytic cell enters the device through mixing inlet 2. The increased volume achieves initial gas-liquid separation, with most of the alkaline solution flowing back to the electrolytic cell through the alkaline solution outlet at the bottom of the separation unit. Subsequently, hydrogen gas containing a small amount of water vapor enters the washing unit through guide pipe 7. The washing unit contains washing water, and the initially separated alkaline solution and water vapor combine with the washing water, remaining in the water and flowing out through the drain outlet at the bottom of the washing unit. Hydrogen gas is released from the top and enters the cooler 10 at the top of the washing unit. Since the cooler 10 is equipped with bent heat exchange tubes 9 and also contains cooling water, the cooling water exchanges heat with the medium in the heat exchange tubes 9, causing water vapor to condense and hydrogen gas to be released, thus achieving further separation of hydrogen and water vapor. Finally, hydrogen gas with residual trace amounts of water vapor passes through the demister 11 for filtration, where the trace amounts of water vapor condense again, achieving a three-stage separation with the hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas then flows through the hydrogen outlet at the top of the demister unit to a storage tank or purification system.

Claims

1. A gas-liquid separation device, comprising a device body (1) having a mixing inlet (2), characterized in that, The main body (1) includes a separation unit and a washing unit connected by a flat cover (5) and a flange (6). An anti-impact plate (3) is provided inside the main body (1) at a position corresponding to the mixing inlet (2). At least one partition (4) is provided inside the separation unit. A guide pipe (7) connected to the separation unit and with its opening facing downward is provided inside the washing unit. A flange seat (8) and a cooler (10) are provided in sequence above the washing unit. A demisting unit with a demisting device (11) is provided above the cooler (10). A hydrogen outlet (12) is provided at the top of the demisting unit.

2. The gas-liquid separation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The anti-impact plate (3) is cross-shaped and welded inside the body (1).

3. The gas-liquid separation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The partition (4) is a solid steel plate, and two are arranged side by side, with a gap between it and the top of the main body (1).

4. The gas-liquid separation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cooler (10) has multiple curved heat exchange tubes (9) vertically arranged inside.

5. The gas-liquid separation device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The bent heat exchange tube (9) is a heat exchange tube with multi-directional bends or a bent coil.

6. The gas-liquid separation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flange seat (8) is flange-connected to the cooler (10).

7. The gas-liquid separation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cooler (10) and the demister (11) are connected by a flange.

8. The gas-liquid separation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The demister (11) is made of multiple layers of stainless steel wire mesh or nickel mesh stacked together.

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