Anode plate and PEM electrolytic bath

Abstract

According to the anode plate and the PEM electrolytic bath disclosed by the invention, the number of the water outlets is increased to increase the maximum flow rate of effluent, so that a mixed phase of water and oxygen can be smoothly discharged from the water outlets, the flow resistance is reduced, the pressure drop is reduced, and the water flow uniformity is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of fuel cell technology, and in particular to an anode plate and a PEM electrolyzer. Background Technology

[0002] A PEM electrolyzer (proton exchange membrane electrolyzer) is a technology that uses an electrochemical process to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. It uses a proton exchange membrane (PEM) as the electrolyte and can efficiently perform water electrolysis at relatively low temperatures.

[0003] In existing technologies, PEM electrolyzers typically employ a single inlet and a single outlet design. The inventors have discovered that, for the anode plate, the electrochemical reaction of water generates oxygen, which is carried out by the unreacted water. Compared to the inlet water's volumetric flow rate, the volumetric flow rate of the mixture of generated gas and remaining unreacted water increases, leading to increased flow resistance and consequently, increased pressure drop. Higher pressure drop means a greater pump power is required to maintain the same water flow rate, increasing energy consumption and affecting the uniform distribution of water flow, thus reducing electrolysis efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide an anode plate and a PEM electrolytic cell that reduce flow resistance, thereby reducing pressure drop and improving water flow uniformity.

[0005] The embodiments of this application can be implemented as follows:

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides an anode plate for a PEM electrolytic cell, the anode plate having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet and the outlet being spaced apart along the length of the anode plate, and the number of outlets being greater than the number of inlets.

[0007] In an optional embodiment, there is one inlet and two outlets, with the two outlets spaced apart along the width of the anode plate.

[0008] In an optional embodiment, the water inlet is located at the center of the width direction of the anode plate;

[0009] And / or,

[0010] The number of water outlets is two, and the two water outlets are respectively located at the edge position in the width direction of the anode plate.

[0011] In an optional embodiment, the inlet is equidistant from the two outlets in the width direction of the anode plate.

[0012] In an optional embodiment, the anode plate is provided with a mounting groove, the inlet and the outlet are located inside the mounting groove, and the mounting groove is used for installing a sealing gasket.

[0013] In an optional embodiment, one side of the anode plate is provided with an inlet diffusion zone, a parallel flow channel zone, and an outlet collection zone that are connected in sequence. The inlet diffusion zone is connected to the inlet, and the outlet collection zone is connected to the outlet.

[0014] In an optional embodiment, the water inlet diffusion zone has a plurality of first guide strips and a plurality of second guide strips of equal number. Each first guide strip is symmetrical about a second guide strip with the center line of the water inlet as the axis of symmetry. Each first guide strip and the corresponding second guide strip together form a trumpet-shaped structure.

[0015] In an optional embodiment, the water inlet diffusion zone further includes a plurality of first protrusions disposed between two adjacent first guide bars, between two adjacent second guide bars, and between the first guide bars and the second guide bars;

[0016] And / or,

[0017] The water inlet diffusion zone also has an intermediate guide strip, which is located between the first guide strip and the second guide strip.

[0018] In an optional embodiment, the water inlet and the water inlet diffusion zone are connected by a water inlet grille composed of multiple parallel grooves;

[0019] And / or,

[0020] The water collection area and the water outlet are connected by a water outlet grid composed of multiple parallel grooves.

[0021] And / or,

[0022] The parallel flow channel region is composed of multiple parallel grooves;

[0023] And / or,

[0024] The water collection area has multiple second protrusions distributed in a dot matrix pattern.

[0025] Secondly, this utility model provides a PEM electrolytic cell, including the anode plate described in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0026] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the embodiments of this application include, for example:

[0027] By increasing the number of outlets to increase the maximum flow rate, the water-oxygen mixture can be smoothly discharged from the outlets, reducing flow resistance, thereby reducing pressure drop and improving the uniformity of water flow. Attached Figure Description

[0028] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the specific embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0029] Figure 1 This is one of the schematic diagrams of the anode plate in an embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 2 This is a second schematic diagram of the anode plate in an embodiment of this application.

[0031] Icons: 100-Anode plate; 110-Inlet; 120-Inlet grille; 130-Inlet diffusion zone; 131-First guide bar; 132-Intermediate guide bar; 133-Second guide bar; 134-First protrusion; 140-Parallel flow channel zone; 150-Outlet collection zone; 151-Second protrusion; 160-Outlet grille; 170-Outlet; 180-Installation groove. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of this application described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0033] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of this application provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed application, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0034] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0035] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the product of this application is in use. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on this application. In addition, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc., are only used to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0036] Furthermore, terms such as "horizontal," "vertical," and "sag" do not imply that components must be absolutely horizontal or suspended, but rather that they can be slightly tilted. For example, "horizontal" simply means that its direction is more horizontal relative to "vertical," and does not mean that the structure must be completely horizontal, but can be slightly tilted.

[0037] In the description of this application, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "set up," "install," "connect," and "link" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0038] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1 and Figure 2 This application provides a detailed description of some embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments and features can be combined with each other.

[0039] This application discloses an anode plate 100, which is mainly used in a PEM electrolytic cell. The anode plate 100 has an inlet 110 and an outlet 170, which are distributed at intervals along the length of the anode plate 100. The number of outlets 170 is greater than the number of inlets 110.

[0040] In this way, by increasing the number of outlets 170, the maximum flow rate of the water can be increased, so that the water and oxygen mixture can be smoothly discharged from the outlets 170, reducing flow resistance, thereby reducing pressure drop and improving the uniformity of water flow.

[0041] Furthermore, due to the existing technology's use of a single inlet 110 and a single outlet 170, if the generated oxygen cannot detach from the electrode surface in time, a bubble layer will form and cover the anode surface. This hinders water molecules from reaching the electrode surface for reaction, reduces the effective reaction area, decreases the current density, and ultimately affects hydrogen production efficiency. The presence of bubbles may also interfere with the ion transport path through the membrane, creating local concentration gradients and affecting overall mass transfer efficiency.

[0042] In this embodiment, increasing the outflow rate of water facilitates the removal of oxygen, thereby improving hydrogen production efficiency and mass transfer efficiency.

[0043] In detail, in this embodiment, there is one inlet 110 and two outlets 170. The two outlets 170 are distributed at intervals along the width direction of the anode plate 100, which has a simple structure and low processing cost.

[0044] The inlet 110 is located in the center of the width direction of the anode plate 100, and there are two outlets 170, which are located at the edges of the width direction of the anode plate 100, so that the water flowing from the inlet 110 can better diffuse in the reaction zone of the anode plate 100, improve the uniformity of water flow, and thus improve the electrolysis efficiency.

[0045] Optionally, in the width direction of the anode plate 100, the inlet 110 is located between the two outlets 170. The inlet 110 is equidistant from the two outlets 170 to further improve the uniformity of the flow field.

[0046] One side of the anode plate 100 is provided with an inlet diffusion zone 130, a parallel flow channel zone 140, and an outlet collection zone 150 connected in sequence. The inlet diffusion zone 130 is connected to the inlet 110 and mainly serves to diffuse the water flow into the parallel flow channel zone 140. The parallel flow channel zone 140 serves as the main reaction zone. In this zone, the water flow reaches the CCM surface through a porous transport layer that is attached to the anode plate 100 and undergoes an electrochemical reaction to generate oxygen. The oxygen returns to the parallel flow channel zone 140 through multiple transport layers. The parallel flow channel zone 140 is composed of multiple parallel grooves, which have low flow resistance and better fluid flow performance. The outlet collection zone 150 is connected to the outlet 170 to collect unelectrolyzed water and oxygen into the outlet 170 for discharge.

[0047] In order to achieve the effect of homogenizing and diffusing water flow in the inlet diffusion zone 130, the inlet diffusion zone 130 has a number of equal first guide strips 131 and a number of second guide strips 133. Each first guide strip 131 is symmetrical about a second guide strip 133 with the center line of the inlet 110 as the axis of symmetry. Each first guide strip 131 and the corresponding second guide strip 133 together form a trumpet-shaped structure.

[0048] The water inlet diffusion zone 130 also has an intermediate guide bar 132, which is located between the first guide bar 131 and the second guide bar 133.

[0049] In addition, the water inlet diffusion zone 130 has a plurality of first protrusions 134, which are provided between two adjacent first guide strips 131, between two adjacent second guide strips 133, and between the first guide strips 131 and the second guide strips 133. This design of combining protrusions and guide strips further improves the water flow homogenization effect, thereby further improving the flow field uniformity.

[0050] The water collection area 150 has multiple second protrusions 151 distributed in a dot matrix pattern, which serve to guide the water flow and reduce flow resistance.

[0051] The inlet 110 and the inlet diffusion zone 130 are connected by an inlet grille 120 composed of multiple parallel grooves. The outlet collection zone 150 and the outlet 170 are connected by an outlet grille 160 composed of multiple parallel grooves to guide the flow.

[0052] In this embodiment, the anode plate 100 is provided with an installation groove 180, which is specifically located on the side of the anode plate 100 with the parallel flow channel area 140. The inlet 110 and the outlet 170 are located inside the installation groove 180. Therefore, the inlet diffusion area 130, the parallel flow channel area 140 and the outlet collection area 150 are also located inside the installation groove 180. The installation groove 180 is used for the installation of fluororubber gaskets. Fluororubber gaskets have good compression resilience and corrosion resistance to achieve a sealed assembly of the anode plate 100 and prevent fluid from leaking from the edge of the anode plate 100.

[0053] The anode plate 100 in the above embodiment, after simulation, has a fluid pressure drop of 1140 Pa, and the coefficient of variation of the flow rate in each channel is 0.0028. The pressure drop and flow field uniformity of the anode plate 100 are excellent.

[0054] In addition, this application also discloses a PEM electrolyzer, which includes the anode plate 100 of the above embodiment and a porous transport layer on the side of the anode plate 100 having a parallel flow channel region 140.

[0055] In summary, this application discloses an anode plate 100 and a PEM electrolytic cell. By increasing the number of outlets 170, the maximum flow rate of the water can be increased. In this way, the mixed phase of water and oxygen can be smoothly discharged from the outlets 170, reducing flow resistance, thereby reducing pressure drop and improving water flow uniformity.

[0056] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. An anode plate for a PEM electrolyser, characterised in that, The anode plate (100) has an inlet (110) and an outlet (170), the inlet (110) and the outlet (170) are distributed at intervals along the length of the anode plate (100), and the number of outlets (170) is greater than the number of inlets (110); The anode plate (100) has an inlet diffusion zone (130), a parallel flow channel zone (140) and an outlet collection zone (150) connected in sequence on one side. The inlet diffusion zone (130) is connected to the inlet (110), and the outlet collection zone (150) is connected to the outlet (170).

2. The anode plate of claim 1, wherein The number of inlets (110) is one, and the number of outlets (170) is two, with the two outlets (170) spaced apart along the width direction of the anode plate (100).

3. The anode plate of claim 2, wherein The inlet (110) is located at the center of the width direction of the anode plate (100); And / or, There are two outlets (170), and the two outlets (170) are located at the edge of the anode plate (100) in the width direction.

4. The anode plate of claim 3, wherein In the width direction of the anode plate (100), the inlet (110) is equidistant from the two outlets (170).

5. The anode plate of claim 1, wherein The anode plate (100) is provided with an installation groove (180), the inlet (110) and the outlet (170) are located inside the installation groove (180), and the installation groove (180) is used for the installation of the sealing gasket.

6. The anode plate of claim 1, wherein The water inlet diffusion zone (130) has an equal number of first guide strips (131) and a number of second guide strips (133). Each first guide strip (131) is symmetrical about a second guide strip (133) with the center line of the water inlet (110) as the axis of symmetry. Each first guide strip (131) and the corresponding second guide strip (133) together form a trumpet-shaped structure.

7. The anode plate of claim 6, wherein The water inlet diffusion zone (130) also has a plurality of first protrusions (134) disposed between two adjacent first guide bars (131), between two adjacent second guide bars (133), and between the first guide bar (131) and the second guide bar (133). And / or, The water inlet diffusion zone (130) also has an intermediate guide strip (132), which is located between the first guide strip (131) and the second guide strip (133).

8. The anode plate of claim 1, wherein The inlet (110) and the inlet diffusion zone (130) are connected by an inlet grille (120) composed of multiple parallel grooves; And / or, The water collection area (150) and the water outlet (170) are connected by a water outlet grille (160) composed of multiple parallel grooves; And / or, The parallel flow channel region (140) is composed of multiple parallel grooves; And / or, The water collection area (150) has a plurality of second protrusions (151) distributed in a dot matrix pattern.

9. A PEM electrolyzer characterized in that, Includes the anode plate (100) as described in any one of claims 1-8.

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