Horizontal gas treater suitable for alkaline water electrolysis hydrogen production process

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of electrolytic hydrogen production, in particular to a horizontal gas treater suitable for an alkaline water electrolytic hydrogen production process, which comprises a horizontally arranged gas-liquid separator, a gas-liquid inlet pipe is arranged on the gas-liquid separator, one end of the gas-liquid inlet pipe extends into the gas-liquid separator, and a port of the gas-liquid inlet pipe is in a closed state; the gas treatment tower is approximately vertically arranged and connected above the gas-liquid separator, and a filler area and a gas-liquid separation area are sequentially arranged in the gas treatment tower according to the flow direction of gas; the filler area and the gas-liquid separation area are sequentially arranged in the gas treatment tower according to the flow direction of the gas, when the gas passes through the filler area, most free-state water molecules contained in the gas can be removed, and when the gas passes through the gas-liquid separation area, the free-state water molecules contained in the gas can be completely removed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of hydrogen electrolysis technology, and in particular to a horizontal gas processor suitable for alkaline water electrolysis hydrogen production process. Background Technology

[0002] Hydrogen production through water electrolysis is a process that generates hydrogen and oxygen by electrolyzing water. Direct current is passed through an electrolyzer filled with electrolyte, causing water molecules to undergo an electrochemical reaction at the electrodes, decomposing into hydrogen and oxygen. Depending on the membrane material of the electrolyzer, hydrogen production through water electrolysis can be categorized into alkaline water electrolysis (AWE), proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis, high-temperature solid oxide water electrolysis (SOEC), and solid polymer anion exchange membrane (AEM) water electrolysis. Among these, AWE is the earliest industrialized water electrolysis technology, with decades of application experience, and is the most mature. PEM water electrolysis technology has seen rapid industrialization in recent years, SOEC water electrolysis technology is in its initial demonstration stage, while research on AEM water electrolysis is still in its early stages.

[0003] Alkaline water electrolysis for hydrogen production is a mature technology. Non-precious metal electrocatalysts can be used under alkaline conditions, resulting in lower catalyst costs and lower investment and operating costs. However, the gas produced by this technology contains not only hydrogen but also oxygen and free water molecules. Therefore, to obtain hydrogen, it is necessary not only to process the hydrogen but also to further process the oxygen and free water molecules.

[0004] Currently, the most common method for treating the generated gas is to directly pass the gas produced in the electrolytic cell into a hydrogen processor and an oxygen processor, respectively. The hydrogen processor processes the hydrogen in the generated gas, and the oxygen processor processes the oxygen in the generated gas. Although this method can effectively process hydrogen and oxygen, it is not very effective in removing free water molecules in the generated gas. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a horizontal gas processor suitable for alkaline water electrolysis hydrogen production processes, so as to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0006] The technical solution adopted in this utility model is:

[0007] Horizontal gas processors suitable for alkaline water electrolysis hydrogen production processes include:

[0008] A horizontally arranged gas-liquid separator is provided with a gas-liquid inlet pipe, one end of which extends into the interior of the gas-liquid separator and the port is in a closed state.

[0009] and

[0010] The gas processing tower is arranged generally vertically and connected above the gas-liquid separator.

[0011] The gas treatment tower is arranged with a packing zone and a gas-liquid separation zone in sequence according to the gas flow direction.

[0012] Optionally, the packing material in the packing area is a packing material suitable for the water washing process.

[0013] Optionally, the filler is a ceramic sheet.

[0014] Optionally, a spraying device for spraying demineralized water is provided in the gas-liquid separation zone.

[0015] Optionally, a wire mesh demister is provided in the gas-liquid separation zone, and the wire mesh demister is located on the upper side of the spray device.

[0016] Optional, also includes:

[0017] An alkaline solution cooling device;

[0018] The alkali cooling device is located on the lower part of the gas-liquid separator, with one part inside the gas-liquid separator and the other part exposed outside the gas-liquid separator.

[0019] Optional,

[0020] The alkali cooling device has at least one chamber that connects the liquid zone of the gas-liquid separator to the outside of the gas-liquid separator, and the chamber is equipped with heat exchange tubes.

[0021] Optionally, the heat exchange tube is a U-shaped heat exchange tube, a spiral heat exchange tube, or a tubular heat exchange tube.

[0022] Optionally, there are at least two or more gas-liquid inlet pipes.

[0023] Optional, also includes:

[0024] A liquid level control unit electrically connected to the gas-liquid separator;

[0025] The liquid level control unit can control the liquid level line in the gas-liquid separator to be at the center line of the gas-liquid separator.

[0026] Optional, also includes:

[0027] One balanced air line;

[0028] The balancing gas pipeline is connected to the gas zone of the gas-liquid separator.

[0029] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0030] In this invention, a packing zone and a gas-liquid separation zone are arranged sequentially according to the gas flow direction in the gas treatment tower. Packing material is then installed in the packing zone, and a spray device for spraying demineralized water and a wire mesh demister are arranged sequentially from bottom to top in the gas-liquid separation zone. When the gas passes through the packing material, most of the free water molecules contained in the gas can be removed. When the gas passes through the spray device, a small portion of the free water molecules contained in the gas can be further removed. When the gas passes through the wire mesh demister, the free water molecules contained in the gas are completely removed. Attached Figure Description

[0031] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this application.

[0033] Figure label:

[0034] 1. Horizontal gas-liquid separator; 11. Liquid level line; 12. Gas zone; 13. Liquid zone;

[0035] 2. Gas-liquid inlet pipe; 21. Air inlet;

[0036] 3. Gas processing tower; 31. Packing zone; 311. Packing; 32. Gas-liquid separation zone; 321. Spray device; 322. Wire mesh demister;

[0037] 4. Alkali cooling device; 41. Chamber; 411. Alkali inlet pipe; 412. Alkali outlet pipe; 42. Heat exchange tube; 421. Circulating cooling water inlet; 422. Circulating cooling water outlet;

[0038] 5. Balance gas pipeline; 6. Liquid level control unit. Detailed Implementation

[0039] In the following description, only certain exemplary embodiments are briefly described. As those skilled in the art will recognize, the described embodiments can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention. Therefore, the drawings and description are considered exemplary in nature and not restrictive.

[0040] The embodiments of this utility model will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] To address the problem that existing gas processors are ineffective at removing free water molecules from produced gas.

[0042] Figure 1 The structure of the horizontal gas processor of this utility model is shown. The horizontal gas processor mainly includes: a horizontal gas-liquid separator 1 and a gas processing tower 3.

[0043] The horizontal gas-liquid separator 1 is connected to the electrolytic cell (not shown in the figure) and is configured to achieve preliminary gas-liquid separation. The gas treatment tower 3 is arranged vertically above the horizontal gas-liquid separator 1 and is connected to it. The gas treatment tower 3 is configured to achieve the separation of gas and free water molecules.

[0044] Specifically, the horizontal gas-liquid separator 1 is generally a tank structure with an internal cavity containing a liquid level line 11. Preferably, in this embodiment, the liquid level line 11 is approximately located at the center line of the cavity, with a gas zone 12 above the center line and a liquid zone 13 below the center line. The gas zone 12 is connected to a gas processing tower 3 located above the horizontal gas-liquid separator 1.

[0045] The horizontal gas-liquid separator 1 is also equipped with at least two or more gas-liquid inlet pipes 2. Specifically, one end of the gas-liquid inlet pipe 2 extends into the interior of the horizontal gas-liquid separator 1, i.e., within the gas zone 12, and multiple air inlets 21 are provided on the side wall of this end pipe. The port of the gas-liquid inlet pipe 2 that extends into the cavity of the horizontal gas-liquid separator 1 is in a closed state. Preferably, the multiple air inlets 21 are symmetrically distributed along the axial direction of the gas-liquid inlet pipe 2. The other end of the gas-liquid inlet pipe 2 is connected to an electrolytic cell (not shown in the figure), and the gas-liquid mixture generated in the electrolytic cell is transported to the interior of the horizontal gas-liquid separator 1 through the gas-liquid inlet pipe 2.

[0046] The gas processing tower 3 is arranged from bottom to top, that is, along the gas flow direction, with a packing zone 31 and a gas-liquid separation zone 32.

[0047] The packing area 31 contains packing material 311 suitable for the water washing process. Preferably, in this embodiment, the packing material 311 placed in the packing area 31 is a ceramic sheet. Due to its irregular shape and porous structure, the ceramic sheet provides a large surface area. When free water molecules come into contact with the ceramic sheet, the surface of the sheet can act as a condensation nucleus, causing the free water molecules to adhere to it and form droplets, thereby accelerating the separation of gas and free water molecules.

[0048] The gas-liquid separation zone 32 is equipped with a spray device 321 and a wire mesh demister 322 from bottom to top.

[0049] The spray device 321 is used to spray demineralized water. When gas and free water molecules mix and pass through the spray device 321, the spraying action of the demineralized water increases the contact area between the free water molecules and the liquid, making it easier for the free water molecules to condense into liquid, thereby achieving effective separation of gas and free water molecules. At the same time, the demineralized water can also carry away the condensed water droplets, preventing water droplets from accumulating inside the gas-liquid separation zone 32, further improving the separation efficiency.

[0050] The wire mesh demister 322 is a highly efficient gas-liquid separation device that effectively separates tiny liquid droplets (such as mist or water droplets) entrained in gas. When gas carrying mist passes through the wire mesh demister 322, due to the inertia of the rising mist, it collides with the fine wires of the wire mesh and adheres to their surface. As the mist diffuses and settles under gravity on the wire surface, it gradually forms larger droplets, eventually flowing along the wires to the junction of two wires. Due to the wettability of the wires, the surface tension of the liquid, and the capillary action of the wires, these droplets continuously accumulate and grow until their weight exceeds the combined force of the gas's upward force and the liquid's surface tension. At this point, the droplets separate from the wires and fall, thus further achieving gas-liquid separation.

[0051] In specific operation, the gas-liquid mixture generated in the electrolytic cell is first transported to the horizontal gas-liquid separator 1 through the gas-liquid inlet pipe 2. The gas-liquid mixture undergoes initial gas-liquid separation in the horizontal gas-liquid separator 1. The alkaline solution settles to the liquid zone 13 of the horizontal gas-liquid separator 1 under gravity, while the gas is located in the gas zone 12. The gas in the gas zone 12 continues to rise under inertia and enters the gas treatment tower 3. The gas inside the gas treatment tower 3 continues to rise and passes through the packing zone 31. The ceramic sheets in the packing zone 31 come into contact with most of the free water molecules, promoting the leaching of most of the free water molecules. Free water molecules adhere to the gas in the gas-liquid separation zone 32 and form droplets, thus achieving the separation of most of the free water molecules in the gas. The gas and a small portion of the free water molecules continue upward and then pass through the spray device 321 and the wire mesh demister 322 in sequence. The demineralized water sprayed from the spray device 321 can come into contact with the free water molecules over a large area, making it easier for the free water molecules to condense into liquid droplets, thereby further achieving the separation of gas and free water molecules. Finally, the very small amount of free water molecules contained in the gas are further removed by the wire mesh demister 322. Thus, the free water molecules contained in the gas are completely removed in the gas-liquid separation zone 32, and the gas continues to rise until it is discharged from the gas-liquid separation zone 32 for the next step.

[0052] Furthermore, in order to cool down the alkali solution quickly, the horizontal gas processor also includes an alkali solution cooling device 4, which is located on the lower part of the horizontal gas-liquid separator 1. Part of the device is located inside the horizontal gas-liquid separator 1, and the other part is exposed outside the horizontal gas-liquid separator 1.

[0053] Specifically, such as Figure 1 As shown, the alkali cooling device 4 has at least one chamber 41 connecting the liquid zone 13 of the horizontal gas-liquid separator 1 with the outside of the horizontal gas-liquid separator 1. A heat exchange tube 42 is installed inside the chamber 41. More specifically, the chamber 41 of the alkali cooling device 4 is connected to the liquid zone 13 of the horizontal gas-liquid separator 1 via an alkali inlet pipe 411. The alkali solution in the liquid zone 13 enters the chamber 41 of the alkali cooling device 4 through the alkali inlet pipe 411. An alkali outlet pipe 412 is installed at the end of the alkali cooling device 4 exposed outside the horizontal gas-liquid separator 1, through which the alkali solution in the chamber 41 is discharged to the outside of the alkali cooling device 4.

[0054] The heat exchange tube 42 is located inside the chamber 41 and is generally a U-shaped heat exchange tube, a spiral heat exchange tube, or a tubular heat exchange tube. Preferably, in this embodiment, the heat exchange tube 42 is a U-shaped heat exchange tube. One end of the heat exchange tube 42 is a circulating cooling water inlet 421, and the other end is a circulating cooling water outlet 422. External cooling water enters the heat exchange tube 42 through the circulating cooling water inlet 421 and then exits the heat exchange tube 42 through the circulating cooling water outlet 422.

[0055] In use, the alkali solution in the liquid zone 13 enters the chamber 41 through the alkali solution inlet pipe 411 and comes into full contact with the outer wall of the heat exchange tube 42. Then, the alkali solution inside the chamber 41 is fully cooled by the cooling water circulating in the heat exchange tube 42. The cooled alkali solution is discharged from the alkali solution cooling device 4 through the alkali solution outlet pipe 412, and then transported to the electrolytic cell for reuse through the filtration device (not shown in the figure) and the pressurization device (not shown in the figure).

[0056] The process of filtering the alkali solution after it has been cooled by the alkali solution cooling device 4, then pressurizing it by the pressurizing device, and finally sending it to the electrolytic cell for reuse is existing technology and will not be described in detail in this embodiment.

[0057] Furthermore, to balance the pressure inside the horizontal gas-liquid separator 1, the horizontal gas processor also includes a balancing gas pipeline 5. One end of the balancing gas pipeline 5 is connected to the gas-liquid inlet pipe 2, and the other end extends into the gas zone 12 and is connected to the gas zone 12. When the pressure inside the horizontal gas-liquid separator 1 is too high, the gas in the gas zone 12 will flow back to the electrolytic cell through the balancing gas pipeline 5. During the backflow process, the gas will block the gas-liquid mixture in the gas-liquid inlet pipe 2, thereby reducing the pressure inside the horizontal gas-liquid separator 1. When the pressure inside the horizontal gas-liquid separator 1 is too low, the gas in the gas-liquid inlet pipe 2 can not only enter the horizontal gas-liquid separator 1 through the gas-liquid inlet pipe 2, but also enter the horizontal gas-liquid separator 1 through the balancing gas pipeline 5, thereby increasing the pressure inside the horizontal gas-liquid separator 1.

[0058] Furthermore, in order to control the liquid level line 11 in the horizontal gas-liquid separator 1 within a certain range, preferably, in this embodiment, the liquid level line 11 is controlled at the center line of the horizontal gas-liquid separator 1. The horizontal gas processor also includes a liquid level control unit 6 disposed outside the horizontal gas-liquid separator 1 and electrically connected to the horizontal gas-liquid separator 1. The liquid level control unit 6 controls the liquid level line 11 in the horizontal gas-liquid separator 1 by controlling the opening and closing of a control valve (not shown in the figure) disposed on the alkali inlet pipe 411.

[0059] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this utility model and is not intended to limit the utility model. Although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing 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. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A horizontal gas treater suitable for use in an alkaline water electrolysis hydrogen production process, characterized in that, The application relates to a gas-liquid separation device and a gas treatment tower. The application comprises: a horizontally arranged gas-liquid separation device, which is provided with a gas-liquid inlet pipe, one end of the gas-liquid inlet pipe is deep into the interior of the gas-liquid separation device, and the port is in a closed state; and a gas treatment tower, which is arranged vertically and is connected above the gas-liquid separation device, the gas treatment tower is provided with a filler area and a gas-liquid separation area in sequence according to the flow direction of the gas. The application further comprises: a liquid level control unit which is electrically connected with the gas-liquid separation device; 2. The horizontal gas processor of claim 1, wherein, the liquid level control unit can control the liquid level line of the gas-liquid separation device at the center line of the gas-liquid separation device.

3. The horizontal gas processor of claim 2, wherein, The filler in the filler area is suitable for a water washing process.

4. The horizontal gas processor of claim 1, wherein, The filler is a ceramic sheet.

5. The horizontal gas processor of claim 4, wherein, A spraying device for spraying desalted water is arranged in the gas-liquid separation area.

6. The horizontal gas processor of claim 1, wherein, A wire mesh demister is arranged in the gas-liquid separation area, and the wire mesh demister is located on the upper side of the spraying device. The application further comprises: a lye cooling device; 7. The horizontal gas processor of claim 6, wherein ； the lye cooling device is arranged on the lower side of the gas-liquid separation device, a part of the lye cooling device is arranged in the interior of the gas-liquid separation device, and the other part of the lye cooling device is exposed to the outside of the gas-liquid separation device.

8. The horizontal gas processor of claim 7, wherein, The lye cooling device has at least one cavity which is connected with the liquid area of the gas-liquid separation device and the outside of the gas-liquid separation device, and the cavity is provided with a heat exchange pipe.

9. The horizontal gas processor of claim 1, wherein, The heat exchange pipe is a U-shaped heat exchange pipe, a spiral heat exchange pipe or a tubular heat exchange pipe.

10. The horizontal gas processor of claim 1, wherein, The gas-liquid inlet pipe is at least two or more. The application further comprises: a balance gas pipeline; the balance gas pipeline is connected with the gas area of the gas-liquid separation device.

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