Integrated electrode for alkaline electrolytic bath, battery monomer and alkaline electrolytic bath
By employing an integrated electrode in an alkaline electrolyzer and optimizing electrolyte and gas transport through flow channels and microporous structures, the manufacturing complexity and internal resistance issues caused by multilayer structures were resolved, thereby improving the efficiency and performance of the electrolysis reaction.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-20
AI Technical Summary
The existing alkaline electrolyzers have complex cell manufacturing processes, high material costs, high internal resistance, and limited active area due to their multi-layered structure, which affects the efficiency of the electrolysis reaction.
An integrated electrode is used, which includes forming multiple flow channels and micropore structures on the electrode body, simplifying the manufacturing process, increasing the active area, and optimizing the guidance of electrolyte and the transport of gas through flow channels and micropores.
It reduces material costs, avoids interlayer misalignment defects and internal resistance, significantly improves electrolysis reaction efficiency, enhances the generation rate of hydrogen and oxygen, and improves the overall performance of battery cells and alkaline electrolyzers.
Smart Images
Figure CN224015784U_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The utility model relates to the field of preparation of renewable energy. Specifically, it relates to an integrated electrode for an alkaline electrolyzer, a battery cell and an alkaline electrolyzer. BACKGROUND
[0002] Alkaline electrolyzers are widely used for the production of renewable energy, in particular hydrogen and oxygen. In conventional alkaline electrolyzers, a plurality of battery cells are arranged, each of which generally comprises a plurality of independent components formed as a multi-layer structure, including an anode bipolar plate, an anode frame, an anode porous layer, an anode flow field, an anode, a separator, a cathode, a cathode flow field, a cathode porous layer, a cathode, a cathode bipolar plate, a seal, etc. The presence of the above-mentioned plurality of components results in a complex manufacturing process for each battery cell, high material costs, and the presence of defects such as misalignment between different components, and high internal resistance between different components, thereby reducing the performance of the battery cell and, in turn, the performance of the entire alkaline electrolyzer. In addition, in conventional alkaline electrolyzers, the active area of the anode and the cathode in the above-mentioned multi-layer structure is usually limited, resulting in limited efficiency of the electrolysis reaction at the anode and the cathode, thereby reducing the performance of the battery cell and, in turn, the performance of the entire alkaline electrolyzer.
[0003] Therefore, there is a need for improved electrodes for alkaline electrolyzers, battery cells and alkaline electrolyzers. SUMMARY
[0004] The utility model provides an integrated electrode for an alkaline electrolyzer, which comprises:
[0005] an electrode body comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface;
[0006] a plurality of protrusions on the first surface, wherein the gaps between adjacent protrusions in the plurality of protrusions constitute a flow field part comprising a plurality of flow channels; and
[0007] a plurality of micropores on the second surface, wherein the plurality of micropores constitute a porous transport part of the electrode body.
[0008] The integrated electrode can be an anode or a cathode of a battery cell for an alkaline electrolyzer.
[0009] Optionally, each of the plurality of flow channels can have a depth in the range of 0.2 mm to 1 mm and a width in the range of 0.2 mm to 1 mm.
[0010] Optionally, each of the plurality of micropores can have a pore size in the range of 5 μm to 25 μm.
[0011] The utility model also provides a battery cell for an alkaline electrolyzer, which comprises:
[0012] Anode and cathode, wherein the anode and cathode are an integrated electrode according to the present invention;
[0013] The diaphragm located between the anode and the cathode;
[0014] An anode frame arranged circumferentially around the anode and a cathode frame arranged circumferentially around the cathode;
[0015] A bipolar plate supported on the side of one of the anode and cathode frames away from the diaphragm;
[0016] The first seal located between the anode frame and the cathode frame; and
[0017] A second seal covering one side of the bipolar plate in the anode and cathode frames.
[0018] The diaphragm, anode frame, bipolar plate, first seal, and second seal together enclose the closed space surrounding the electrolytic reaction at the anode, or the diaphragm, cathode frame, bipolar plate, first seal, and second seal together enclose the closed space surrounding the electrolytic reaction at the cathode.
[0019] Optionally, the first surface of the anode faces away from the diaphragm and the second surface of the anode faces the diaphragm, while the first surface of the cathode faces away from the diaphragm and the second surface of the cathode faces the diaphragm.
[0020] Optionally, the width of the plurality of channels on the first surface of the anode is smaller than the width of the plurality of channels on the first surface of the cathode.
[0021] Optionally, a plurality of protrusions on the first surface of the anode are aligned with a plurality of protrusions on the first surface of the cathode.
[0022] This utility model also proposes an alkaline electrolytic cell, comprising:
[0023] Multiple battery cells according to this utility model; and
[0024] A tank that can hold multiple battery cells.
[0025] Multiple battery cells are arranged side by side, so that the anode and cathode of each battery cell respectively enclose a closed space for the electrolysis reaction. Attached Figure Description
[0026] Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of an integrated electrode for an alkaline electrolyzer according to the present invention is shown.
[0027] Figures 2A to 2D This diagram illustrates a schematic manufacturing process for an integrated electrode for an alkaline electrolyzer according to the present invention; and
[0028] Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional view of a cell for an alkaline electrolyzer according to the present application is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] A unitized electrode for an alkaline electrolyzer, a cell for the alkaline electrolyzer and the alkaline electrolyzer according to the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0030] Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a unitized electrode for an alkaline electrolyzer according to the present application is shown. It can be seen that the unitized electrode 100 comprises:
[0031] an electrode body 110 comprising a first surface 111 and a second surface 112 opposite to the first surface 111;
[0032] a plurality of protrusions 121 on the first surface 111 of the electrode body 110, wherein the gaps between adjacent protrusions in the plurality of protrusions 121 constitute a flow field portion 120 comprising a plurality of flow channels 122; and
[0033] a plurality of micro-holes on the second surface 112 of the electrode body 110, wherein the plurality of micro-holes constitute a porous transport portion 130 of the electrode body 110.
[0034] It should be noted that the unitized electrode 100 described above can be an anode or a cathode of a cell for an alkaline electrolyzer.
[0035] Figures 2A to 2D A schematic manufacturing process of a unitized electrode for an alkaline electrolyzer according to the present application is shown. The following will be described below with reference to Figures 2A to 2D The forming process of each portion of the unitized electrode 100 will be described in detail.
[0036] First, as shown in FIG. 2, a first surface 111 of an electrode body 110 is formed. Figure 2AAs shown, an electrode body substrate 1100 is provided, which is a precursor material for the integrated electrode 100. The electrode body substrate 1100 has a first surface 111 (i.e., the first surface 111 of the electrode body 110 to be ultimately formed) and a second surface 112 (i.e., the second surface 112 of the electrode body 110 to be ultimately formed) opposite to the first surface 111 along the thickness direction of the electrode body substrate 1100. The electrode body substrate 1100 may generally have a thickness of 1-3 mm, which is chosen to allow for the formation of multiple protrusions 121 on the first surface 111 and multiple micropores on the second surface 112 in subsequent steps, while satisfying the electrode body 110's function as an electrode. The electrode body substrate 1100 is provided as a conductive material suitable for use as an electrode in an alkaline electrolyzer, such as a single metal material or an alloy material comprising two or more metals. To facilitate the formation of multiple protrusions 121 and multiple micropores in subsequent steps, it is made of nickel foam. Figure 2A The electrode body substrate 1100 shown is advantageous, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
[0037] It should be noted that Figure 2A Only one cross-section of the electrode body substrate 1100 is shown, which may take on different suitable shapes depending on the constraints of the internal structure of the battery cell in the alkaline electrolyzer.
[0038] Next, as Figure 2B As shown, the electrode substrate 1100 undergoes surface roughening treatment. This step is optional and its purpose is to increase the active area of the finally formed integrated electrode 100. In an alkaline electrolyzer, an electrolytic reaction occurs at the electrodes (including anode and cathode) within each cell. Specifically, the electrolytic reaction at the anode generates oxygen, and the electrolytic reaction at the cathode generates hydrogen. By roughening the surface of the electrode substrate 1100, the contact area between the finally obtained integrated electrode 100 (which can be an anode or cathode) and the electrolyte in the alkaline electrolyzer is increased, i.e., the active area is increased, thereby increasing the efficiency of the electrolytic reaction, i.e., increasing the rate of hydrogen and oxygen generation. This improves the efficiency and performance of the cell and, consequently, the entire alkaline electrolyzer. The applicant has found that when the electrode substrate 1100 is made of nickel foam, the effect of increasing the active area of the finally obtained integrated electrode 100 by surface roughening the electrode substrate 1100 is significant.
[0039] It should be noted that, Figure 2BPreferably, all surfaces of the electrode substrate 1100 are roughened, not just the top and bottom surfaces shown in the figure. Since the entire electrode substrate 1100 will be fabricated into an integrated electrode 100 in subsequent steps, roughening all surfaces of the electrode substrate 1100 means that all surfaces of the final integrated electrode 100 are roughened, thereby maximizing the active area of the final integrated electrode 100. Surface roughening can employ commonly used metal surface roughening processes, such as acid / alkali etching and plasma etching. These processes are well-known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here.
[0040] Then as Figure 2C As shown, a plurality of protrusions 121 are formed on the first surface 111. This step can be accomplished by molding the first surface 111. Specifically, a customized upper mold can be provided, which has a plurality of protrusions on the surface to be pressed onto the first surface 111, these protrusions corresponding to the gaps between the plurality of protrusions 121 to be formed on the first surface 111. Thus, when the upper mold presses against the first surface 111, the plurality of protrusions of the upper mold form on the first surface 111 as shown in the figure. Figure 2C The diagram shows multiple gaps, with multiple protrusions 121 formed between these gaps. In other words, the surface structure of the upper mold to be imprinted onto the first surface 111 is complementary to the structure that the first surface 111 is intended to form.
[0041] See Figure 2C The gaps between adjacent protrusions 121 form a flow field section 120 including multiple flow channels 122. The flow field section 120 including multiple flow channels 122 helps to guide the electrolyte into contact with the integrated electrode 100, thereby promoting the generation of hydrogen or oxygen at the electrode, that is, improving the efficiency of the electrolysis reaction at the electrode.
[0042] The shape and size of the plurality of flow channels 122 correspond to the shape and size of the plurality of protrusions on the surface of the upper mold to be imprinted onto the first surface 111. Generally, each of the plurality of flow channels 122 may have, for example, a depth of 0.5 mm in the range of 0.2 mm to 1 mm and a width of 0.5 mm in the range of 0.2 mm to 1 mm, wherein the depth is measured in the direction perpendicular to the first surface 111 and the second surface 112, i.e., in the thickness direction of the electrode body substrate 1100, and the width is measured in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the thickness direction. It should be noted that, although... Figure 2COnly one cross-section of the plurality of flow channels 122 is shown, but it is understood that the plurality of flow channels 122 has a certain length extending perpendicularly to the cross-section, and the width of each of the plurality of flow channels 122 can refer to the minimum width of the flow channel measured at different positions along the length of the flow channel, i.e. the narrowest width along the length of the flow channel.
[0043] Each of the plurality of flow channels 122 can have the same shape and size, thereby facilitating uniform guiding of the electrolyte, but the present application is not limited thereto, and different flow channels of the plurality of flow channels 122 can have different shapes and sizes from each other in the case of different guiding needs of the electrolyte at different positions. In general, by customizing the shape and size of the plurality of protrusions to be imprinted on the surface of the first surface 111, the desired shape and size of each of the plurality of flow channels 122 can be achieved.
[0044] It should be noted that the size of the plurality of flow channels 122 has been enlarged in the figure for the purpose of clearly showing the plurality of flow channels 122. As mentioned before, the electrode body substrate 1100 can generally have a thickness of 1-3 mm, and each of the plurality of flow channels 122 can have, for example, a depth in the range of 0.2 mm to 1 mm and a width in the range of 0.2 mm to 1 mm, so in fact each of the plurality of flow channels 122 has a small depth and width relative to the electrode body substrate 1100, which allows up to tens or even hundreds of flow channels 122 to be formed on the first surface 111, without being limited to only a few flow channels shown in the figure. The number of flow channels 122 is adjustable depending on the size of the first surface 111, and the number of flow channels 122 can be customized according to the guiding needs of the electrolyte by designing the number of protrusions to be imprinted on the surface of the first surface 111 by the upper mold.
[0045] In one aspect, Figure 2C The gap between adjacent protrusions of the plurality of protrusions 121 formed on the first surface 111 forms a flow field part 120 including the plurality of flow channels 122, which as mentioned before achieves guiding of the electrolyte, thereby facilitating generation of hydrogen or oxygen at the electrode, i.e. improving the efficiency of the electrolysis reaction at the electrode. On the other hand, the plurality of protrusions 121 themselves increase the contact area of the integrated electrode 100 with the electrolyte in the alkaline electrolytic tank, i.e. increase the active area of the integrated electrode 100, as an integral part of the integrated electrode 100, and the effect of increasing the active area of the integrated electrode 100 is more significantly pronounced in combination with the surface roughening treatment of the electrode body substrate 1100 forming the integrated electrode 100.
[0046] Next, as Figure 2DAs shown, a plurality of micro-holes are formed on the second surface 112 of the electrode body base material 1100 opposite to the first surface 111, and the plurality of micro-holes constitute the porous transport portion 130 of the electrode body 110. The plurality of micro-holes have a small pore diameter, and thus the structure of the plurality of micro-holes is not shown in the figure. The plurality of micro-holes can be micro-holes that penetrate between the first surface 111 and the second surface 112. Each of the plurality of micro-holes can have a pore diameter in the range of 5 μm to 25 μm. This step can be accomplished by molding the second surface 112. Specifically, a customized lower mold can be provided, and the surface of the lower mold to be imprinted to the second surface 112 has a roughness in a specific range, for example, a roughness of 10 μm or less, so that when the lower mold is imprinted to the second surface 112, the plurality of micro-holes with a pore diameter in a specific range are formed on the second surface 112.
[0047] In the alkaline electrolyzer, large oxygen or hydrogen gas bubbles can be generated at the electrodes (including anodes and cathodes), and the plurality of micro-holes formed on the second surface 112 of the electrode body 110 can help to divide the oxygen or hydrogen gas bubbles generated at the electrodes, and the plurality of micro-holes with a pore diameter in the range of 5 μm to 25 μm have a significant effect on the division of the oxygen and hydrogen gas bubbles. In addition, the plurality of micro-holes formed on the second surface 112 of the electrode body 110 can transport the divided oxygen or hydrogen gas bubbles to the first surface 111 of the electrode body 110, and then the oxygen or hydrogen gas bubbles can move along the plurality of flow channels 122 of the flow field portion 120 on the first surface 111 of the electrode body 110, thereby facilitating the transport and collection of the oxygen or hydrogen gas. That is, the flow field portion 120 on the first surface 111 of the electrode body 110 including the plurality of flow channels 122 not only plays a role in guiding the electrolyte to contact the integrated electrode 100 to increase the efficiency of the electrolysis reaction at the integrated electrode 100, but also plays a role in facilitating the transport and collection of the oxygen or hydrogen gas generated by the electrolysis reaction. It has been described above that each of the plurality of flow channels 122 can have a depth in the range of 0.2 mm to 1 mm and a width in the range of 0.2 mm to 1 mm, and the plurality of flow channels 122 with this specific size can achieve a good balance between guiding the electrolyte to contact the integrated electrode 100 and facilitating the transport and collection of the oxygen or hydrogen gas generated by the electrolysis reaction.
[0048] It should be noted that the upper mold and the lower mold mentioned herein can be used simultaneously, that is, the upper mold and the lower mold can constitute an integral mold to simultaneously form the plurality of protrusions 121 on the first surface 111 of the electrode body 110 and the plurality of micro-holes on the second surface 112 of the electrode body 110. Alternatively, the upper mold and the lower mold can be used separately to form the plurality of protrusions 121 on the first surface 111 of the electrode body 110 and the plurality of micro-holes on the second surface 112 of the electrode body 110 in different steps. Although Figures 2A to 2DThe plurality of protrusions 121 are formed on the first surface 111 of the electrode body 110 first, and then the plurality of micro-holes are formed on the second surface 112 of the electrode body 110, but the two can be performed simultaneously or in reverse order. That is, it is also possible to form the plurality of protrusions 121 on the first surface 111 of the electrode body 110 first after forming the plurality of micro-holes on the second surface 112 of the electrode body 110 using a lower mold.
[0049] Figure 2D The finally formed integrated electrode 100 is shown, which is used as both an anode and a cathode of a cell of an alkaline electrolyzer. Figure 1 The integrated electrode 100 shown can be used as both an anode and a cathode of a cell of an alkaline electrolyzer. The integrated electrode 100 used as an anode and a cathode can have exactly the same configuration, or can have slightly different configurations as described later. Overall, compared with providing a multi-layer structure composed of a separate electrode, a flow field and a porous layer, the integrated electrode 100 according to the present application is simple to manufacture, low in material cost, avoids misalignment between different layers in the multi-layer structure, avoids large internal resistance existing between different layers, and the active area of the integrated electrode 100 is significantly increased, thereby increasing the efficiency of the electrolysis reaction, i.e. increasing the rate of generating hydrogen and oxygen, thus improving the efficiency and performance of the cell, and further the entire alkaline electrolyzer.
[0050] The present application also provides a cell for an alkaline electrolyzer. Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional view of a cell 10 for an alkaline electrolyzer according to the present application is shown. Overall, the cell 1 comprises:
[0051] an anode 10 and a cathode 20, wherein the anode 10 and the cathode 20 are integrated electrodes according to the present application;
[0052] a separator 30 located between the anode 10 and the cathode 20;
[0053] an anode frame 40 arranged around the circumferential side of the anode 10 and a cathode frame 50 arranged around the circumferential side of the cathode 20;
[0054] a bipolar plate 60 supported on one of the anode frame 40 and the cathode frame 50 away from the side of the separator 30;
[0055] a first seal 70 located between the anode frame 40 and the cathode frame 50; and
[0056] a second seal 80 covering the side of one of the anode frame 40 and the cathode frame 50 supporting the bipolar plate 60.
[0057] Figure 3The separator 30, the anode frame 40, the bipolar plate 60, the first seal 70, and the second seal 80 are shown to collectively enclose a closed space around the electrolysis reaction of the anode 10. However, alternatively, the separator 30, the cathode frame 50, the bipolar plate 60, the first seal 70, and the second seal 80 can collectively enclose a closed space around the electrolysis reaction of the cathode 20.
[0058] The separator 30 is a conventional separator for a cell in an alkaline electrolyzer, which allows the electrolyte within the alkaline electrolyzer to transfer between the anode 10 and the cathode 20, while blocking the oxygen generated at the anode 10 from transferring through the separator 30 to the cathode 20 and blocking the hydrogen generated at the cathode 20 from transferring through the separator 30 to the anode 10.
[0059] The anode frame 40 and the cathode frame 50 are conventional anode frames and cathode frames for a cell in an alkaline electrolyzer, and function to support the bipolar plate 60. Figure 3 The anode frame 40 is shown to be provided with a plurality of protrusions 41 on two opposite surfaces thereof that are respectively intended to be in contact with the first seal 70 and the second seal 80, which can enhance the sealing of the anode frame 40 with the first seal 70 and the second seal 80. Similarly, the cathode frame 50 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 51 on two opposite surfaces thereof that are respectively intended to be in contact with the first seal 70 and the second seal 80, which can enhance the sealing of the cathode frame 50 with the first seal 70 and the second seal 80.
[0060] It should be noted that the anode frame 40 and the cathode frame 50 can respectively be formed as a ring-like frame structure around the circumferential side of the anode 10 and the circumferential side of the cathode 20, but the anode frame 40 and the cathode frame 50 can also respectively include a plurality of frame structures around the circumferential side of the anode 10 and the circumferential side of the cathode 20. The anode frame 40 and the cathode frame 50 are common in a cell for an alkaline electrolyzer, and are not limited to Figure 3 the form shown.
[0061] The bipolar plate 60 is a conventional bipolar plate for a cell in an alkaline electrolyzer, which is made of an electrically conductive material, such as a nickel plate, which can collect and conduct electric current and conduct heat, but blocks the oxygen generated at the anode or the hydrogen generated at the cathode from passing through. Although not shown, flow channels to guide the reaction gas can be provided on the bipolar plate 60.
[0062] Figure 3 The bipolar plate 60 is shown to be supported on the side of the anode frame 40 that is distal from the separator 30, but alternatively, the bipolar plate 60 can also be supported on the side of the cathode frame 50 that is distal from the separator 30.
[0063] The first seal 70 and the second seal 80 are, for example, PTFE membranes, which are resistant to corrosion and can block oxygen or hydrogen gas from passing through. The first seal 70 and the second seal 80 can each be formed as an annular membrane with a central hole, and the specific shape of the first seal 70 and the second seal 80 depends on the shape of the anode frame 40 and the cathode frame 50 arranged adjacent thereto.
[0064] Note that, Figure 3 The second seal 80 is shown as covering at least a portion of the bipolar plate 60, i.e., the portion of the bipolar plate 60 that is supported by the anode frame 40, in addition to covering the side of the anode frame 40 that supports the bipolar plate 60. By arranging the second seal 80 in this way, the area covered by the second seal 80 can be increased, achieving improved sealing of the side of the anode frame 40 that is distal from the separator 30. Although not shown in the drawings, in the case where the bipolar plate 60 is supported on the side of the cathode frame 50 that is distal from the separator 30, the second seal 80 can cover at least a portion of the bipolar plate 60, i.e., the portion of the bipolar plate 60 that is supported by the cathode frame 50, in addition to covering the side of the cathode frame 50 that supports the bipolar plate 60, to achieve improved sealing of the side of the cathode frame 50 that is distal from the separator 30.
[0065] Figure 3 The separator 30, the anode frame 40, the bipolar plate 60, the first seal 70, and the second seal 80 are shown as collectively bounding a closed space around the electrolysis reaction of the anode 10. Within this closed space, oxygen gas is generated at the anode 10, the bubbles of the generated oxygen gas are divided by the plurality of micropores of the porous transport portion 130 formed on the second surface 112 of the anode 10, and the divided oxygen gas bubbles are guided by the plurality of flow channels 122 of the flow field portion 120 formed on the first surface 111 of the anode 10, thereby facilitating the transport and collection of the oxygen gas, and in the process, blocking the transfer of the oxygen gas to the cathode 20, thereby avoiding the potential danger of the mixing of oxygen gas and hydrogen gas.
[0066] Alternatively, although not shown in the drawings, the separator 30, the cathode frame 50, the bipolar plate 60, the first seal 70, and the second seal 80 can collectively bound a closed space around the electrolysis reaction of the cathode 20. Within this closed space, hydrogen gas is generated at the cathode 20, the bubbles of the generated hydrogen gas are divided by the plurality of micropores of the porous transport portion 130' formed on the second surface 112' of the cathode 20, and the divided hydrogen gas bubbles are guided by the plurality of flow channels 122' of the flow field portion 120' formed on the first surface 111' of the cathode 20, thereby facilitating the transport and collection of the hydrogen gas, and in the process, blocking the transfer of the hydrogen gas to the anode 10, thereby avoiding the potential danger of the mixing of oxygen gas and hydrogen gas.
[0067] Figure 3Only one battery cell 1 is shown schematically, but a plurality of such battery cells can be arranged side by side in an alkaline electrolysis cell. Thus, although each battery cell comprises only one bipolar plate 60, for example Figure 3 The bipolar plate 60 shown in Fig. 1 is supported on the side of the anode frame 40 facing away from the separator 30, but, when a plurality of battery cells are arranged side by side, the separator 30, the cathode frame 50, and the first seal 70 of one battery cell 1 can jointly delimit with the bipolar plate and the second seal of an adjacent battery cell a closed space around the electrolytic reaction of the cathode 20 of this battery cell 1. Thus, by providing the bipolar plate 60 and the second seal 80 only on one side of the separator 30 in the battery cell 1, a simplified structure is achieved, and, when a plurality of battery cells are arranged side by side, the bipolar plate and the first seal of an adjacent battery cell can be shared by the battery cell 1 and the adjacent battery cell 1.
[0068] Figure 3 The anode 10 and the cathode 20 are shown arranged symmetrically with respect to the separator 30. In particular, the first surface 111 of the anode 10 faces away from the separator 30 and the second surface 112 of the anode 10 faces towards the separator 30, while the first surface 111’ of the cathode 20 faces away from the separator 30 and the second surface 112’ of the cathode 20 faces towards the separator 30. This symmetrical arrangement of the anode 10 and the cathode 20 facilitates the flow field portion comprising a plurality of flow channels on the respective first surface of the anode 10 and the cathode 20 to guide the electrolyte and the generated oxygen or hydrogen, and the plurality of micro-holes of the porous transport portion on the respective second surface of the anode 10 and the cathode 20 to split the generated oxygen or hydrogen gas bubbles.
[0069] Figure 3The anode 10 and the cathode 20 are shown to have the same structure and are symmetrically arranged, but the anode 10 and the cathode 20 can be different in structure. Specifically, the width of the plurality of flow channels 122 on the first surface 111 of the anode 10 can be smaller than the width of the plurality of flow channels 122' on the first surface 111' of the cathode 20. That is, the width of the plurality of protrusions 121 on the first surface 111 of the anode 10 can be greater than the width of the plurality of protrusions 121' on the first surface 111' of the cathode 20. Since the amount of hydrogen gas generated by the electrolysis reaction at the cathode 20 is generally twice the amount of oxygen gas generated by the electrolysis reaction at the anode 10 during the operation of the alkaline electrolyzer, the demand for guiding the hydrogen gas generated at the cathode 20 is higher than the demand for guiding the oxygen gas generated at the anode 10. In this case, making the width of the plurality of flow channels 122 on the first surface 111 of the anode 10 smaller than the width of the plurality of flow channels 122' on the first surface 111' of the cathode 20 can accommodate the different demands for guiding the generated gas at the anode 10 and the cathode 20. For example, the width of the plurality of flow channels 122 on the first surface 111 of the anode 10 can be half the width of the plurality of flow channels 122' on the first surface 111' of the cathode 20, thereby matching the different demands for guiding the generated gas by the electrolysis reaction at the anode 10 and the cathode 20.
[0070] The symmetric arrangement of the anode 10 and the cathode 20 relative to the separator 30 also facilitates the transmission of forces within the battery monomer 1 between the anode 10 and the cathode 20. Specifically, it is preferable that the plurality of protrusions 121 on the first surface 111 of the anode 10 and the plurality of protrusions 121' on the first surface 111' of the cathode 20 are aligned with each other, thereby facilitating the transmission of forces within the battery monomer 1 between the anode 10 and the cathode 20. Specifically, the number of the plurality of protrusions 121 on the first surface 111 of the anode 10 can be the same as the number of the plurality of protrusions 121' on the first surface 111' of the cathode 20, and the plurality of protrusions 121 and the plurality of protrusions 121' are aligned with each other one-to-one to facilitate the transmission of forces within the battery monomer 1 between the anode 10 and the cathode 20 through the plurality of protrusions 121 and 121'.
[0071] Even when the structures of the anode 10 and the cathode 20 are different, i.e. the width of the plurality of flow channels 122 on the first surface 111 of the anode 10 is smaller than the width of the plurality of flow channels 122' on the first surface 111' of the cathode 20, it is preferable that the plurality of protrusions 121 on the first surface 111 of the anode 10 and the plurality of protrusions 121' on the first surface 111' of the cathode 20 are substantially aligned with each other. Specifically, when the width of the plurality of flow channels 122 on the first surface 111 of the anode 10 is less than the width of the plurality of flow channels 122' on the first surface 111' of the cathode 20, it is preferable that the width of the plurality of protrusions 121 on the first surface 111 of the anode 10 is correspondingly greater than the width of the plurality of protrusions 121' on the first surface 111' of the cathode 20, such that the total width of a unit consisting of a flow channel 122 and a protrusion on the first surface 111 of the anode 10 is equal to the total width of a unit consisting of a flow channel 122' and a protrusion on the first surface 111' of the cathode 20. Thus, the plurality of protrusions 121 on the first surface 111 of the anode 10 and the plurality of protrusions 121' on the first surface 111' of the cathode 20 can be substantially aligned with each other, thereby facilitating the transmission of force within the battery cell 1 between the anode 10 and the cathode 20.
[0072] This utility model also proposes an alkaline electrolytic cell, which includes:
[0073] Multiple battery cells 1 according to the present invention; and
[0074] A tank that accommodates multiple battery cells 1, wherein the multiple battery cells 1 are arranged side by side, such that the anode 10 and cathode 20 surrounding each battery cell 1 respectively enclose a closed space for the electrolysis reaction.
[0075] As mentioned earlier, when multiple battery cells are arranged side by side, the bipolar plates and second seals of adjacent battery cells can be shared by battery cell 1 and adjacent battery cells 1. Although each battery cell includes only one bipolar plate 60, for example Figure 3 The bipolar plate 60 shown is supported on the side of the anode frame 40 away from the separator 30. However, when multiple battery cells are arranged side by side, the separator 30, cathode frame 50, and first seal 70 of a battery cell 1 can, together with the bipolar plate and second seal of the adjacent battery cell, jointly enclose a closed space for the electrolytic reaction around the cathode 20 of that battery cell 1.
[0076] The alkaline electrolytic cell of this invention can contain dozens or even hundreds of battery cells arranged side by side. The specific number of battery cells can be determined by the size of the alkaline electrolytic cell.
[0077] In summary, the integrated electrode for the alkaline electrolytic cell, the battery monomer and the alkaline electrolytic cell according to the utility model have the advantages that simple manufacturing and low material cost, the defects such as misalignment between different layers in the multilayer structure of the conventional electrode are avoided, the large internal resistance existing between different layers is avoided, the active area of the integrated electrode is significantly increased, the efficiency of electrolysis reaction is increased, the rate of generating hydrogen and oxygen is increased, and therefore the efficiency and performance of the battery monomer and the whole alkaline electrolytic cell are improved.
[0078] The feasible but non-restrictive embodiments of the integrated electrode for the alkaline electrolytic cell, the battery monomer and the alkaline electrolytic cell according to the utility model are described in detail above with the aid of the drawings. Modifications and supplements to the technology and structure and recombination of the features in each embodiment should be considered to be included in the scope of the utility model without deviating from the scope and substance of the utility model set forth in the following claims. Therefore, these modifications and supplements conceived under the teaching of the utility model should be considered to be part of the utility model. The scope of the utility model is limited by the following appended claims, and includes equivalent technology known at the application date of the utility model and equivalent technology not yet foreseen.
Claims
1. An integrated electrode (100) for use in an alkaline electrolytic cell, characterized in that, The integrated electrode (100) includes: The electrode body (110) includes a first surface (111) and a second surface (112) opposite to the first surface (111); A plurality of protrusions (121) are located on the first surface (111), wherein the gaps between adjacent protrusions among the plurality of protrusions (121) constitute a flow field section (120) including a plurality of flow channels (122); and Multiple micropores are located on the second surface (112), wherein the multiple micropores constitute the porous transport section (130) of the electrode body (110).
2. The integrated electrode (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The integrated electrode (100) is the anode or cathode of a battery cell used in an alkaline electrolyzer.
3. The integrated electrode (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Each of the plurality of channels (122) has a depth in the range of 0.2 mm to 1 mm and a width in the range of 0.2 mm to 1 mm.
4. The integrated electrode (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Each of the plurality of micropores has a pore size in the range of 5 μm to 25 μm.
5. A battery cell (1) for use in an alkaline electrolytic cell, characterized in that, The battery cell (1) includes: An anode (10) and a cathode (20), wherein the anode (10) and the cathode (20) are an integrated electrode according to any one of claims 1 to 4; A diaphragm (30) is located between the anode (10) and the cathode (20); An anode frame (40) arranged around the circumferential side of the anode (10) and a cathode frame (50) arranged around the circumferential side of the cathode (20); A bipolar plate (60) is supported on the side of one of the anode frame (40) and the cathode frame (50) away from the diaphragm (30); The first seal (70) is located between the anode frame (40) and the cathode frame (50); and A second seal (80) covering one of the anode frame (40) and the cathode frame (50) supporting one side of the bipolar plate (60).
6. The battery cell (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The diaphragm (30), the anode frame (40), the bipolar plate (60), the first seal (70), and the second seal (80) together enclose a closed space for the electrolytic reaction surrounding the anode (10), or the diaphragm (30), the cathode frame (50), the bipolar plate (60), the first seal (70), and the second seal (80) together enclose a closed space for the electrolytic reaction surrounding the cathode (20).
7. The battery cell (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first surface (111) of the anode (10) faces away from the diaphragm (30) and the second surface (112) of the anode (10) faces the diaphragm (30), while the first surface (111') of the cathode (20) faces away from the diaphragm (30) and the second surface (112') of the cathode (20) faces the diaphragm (30).
8. The battery cell (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that, The width of the plurality of channels (122) on the first surface (111) of the anode (10) is smaller than the width of the plurality of channels (122') on the first surface (111') of the cathode (20).
9. The battery cell (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that, The plurality of protrusions (121) on the first surface (111) of the anode (10) are aligned with the plurality of protrusions (121') on the first surface (111') of the cathode (20).
10. An alkaline electrolytic cell, characterized in that, The alkaline electrolytic cell includes: Multiple battery cells (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 9; and A tank for accommodating the plurality of battery cells (1), The multiple battery cells (1) are arranged side by side, such that the anode (10) and cathode (20) surrounding each battery cell (1) respectively enclose a closed space for the electrolysis reaction.