Membrane electrode air tightness detection device

Abstract

The utility model discloses an air tightness detection device for a membrane electrode. The air tightness detection device comprises a base, a moving seat and pressing equipment for driving the moving seat to lift, an upper plate and a lower plate are respectively fixed on the opposite surfaces of the base and the movable seat, each of the upper plate and the lower plate consists of an end plate, a monopolar plate, a diffusion layer, a pole frame and a sealing ring, and the end plate, the monopolar plate, the diffusion layer, the pole frame and the sealing ring are of an integrated structure; a membrane electrode detection position is arranged between the upper plate and the lower plate, the upper plate and the lower plate are respectively provided with an air inlet mechanism, and two sides of the membrane electrode detection position are pressurized. Before the membrane electrode unit enters an assembling procedure, the air tightness of each membrane electrode is independently detected, so that each membrane electrode entering the assembling procedure is ensured to meet the quality requirement from the source, the assembling efficiency of the electrolytic bath is improved, the rework rate can be reduced, and the production cost is saved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electrolytic cell technology, and in particular to a membrane electrode airtightness testing device. Background Technology

[0002] An ion exchange membrane electrolyzer mainly consists of an anode, a cathode, an ion exchange membrane, an electrode frame, a current collector, an insulating plate, an end plate, and fasteners. Each electrolyzer is composed of several unit cells connected in series or in parallel.

[0003] Currently, a significant challenge exists in the assembly process of alkaline electrolyzers, proton exchange membrane electrolyzers, and anion exchange membrane electrolyzers: membrane electrode airtightness testing. Since electrolyzers are typically composed of numerous stacked membrane electrode units, any quality issue with any single membrane electrode—such as substandard airtightness or leakage—will affect the overall quality of the electrolyzer. Such problems are usually only discovered during final assembly and overall testing, requiring the entire electrolyzer to be disassembled and reassembled. This is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive but may also lead to component wear and resource waste. Furthermore, locating the specific leaking membrane electrode during disassembly and reassembly is often extremely difficult because the problem may not be obvious, and checking each electrode individually requires considerable time and effort. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the aforementioned issues, this invention provides a membrane electrode airtightness testing device, which can independently test the airtightness of the membrane electrode before electrolytic cell assembly, thereby reducing the rework rate of the electrolytic cell.

[0005] Therefore, the technical solution of this utility model is: a membrane electrode airtightness testing device, including a base, a movable seat, and a pressing device for driving the movable seat to rise and fall; an upper plate and a lower plate are respectively fixed on the opposing surfaces of the base and the movable seat, and both the upper plate and the lower plate are composed of an end plate, a single electrode plate, a diffusion layer, an electrode frame, and a sealing ring, and the end plate, the single electrode plate, the diffusion layer, the electrode frame, and the sealing ring are an integrated structure; the area between the upper plate and the lower plate is the membrane electrode detection position, and both the upper plate and the lower plate are provided with an air intake mechanism to pressurize both sides of the membrane electrode detection position.

[0006] Based on the above scheme and as a preferred embodiment of the above scheme: a single electrode plate and an electrode frame are sequentially provided on one side of the end plate, and adjacent parts are tightly fitted by a sealing ring; a diffusion layer is provided inside the electrode frame, and the diffusion layer is one or more of carbon paper, titanium mesh, and titanium felt.

[0007] Based on the above scheme and as a preferred embodiment of the above scheme: the end plate, single electrode plate, diffusion layer, electrode frame, and sealing ring are fixed by sintering or adhesive bonding to form an integrated structure.

[0008] Based on the above scheme and as a preferred embodiment of the above scheme: a pressure gauge is provided on each side of the end plate, and the two pressure gauges are installed in staggered positions; the pressure gauges are used to measure the air pressure inside the end plate.

[0009] Based on the above scheme and as a preferred embodiment of the above scheme: the side of the end plate is provided with an air intake channel, the air intake channel is connected to the air intake mechanism, and the air intake mechanism is provided with a high-precision micro-flow meter.

[0010] Based on the above scheme and as a preferred embodiment of the above scheme, it also includes a protective cover, which is set on the outermost layer of the device, and an operating door is provided on the front side of the protective cover.

[0011] To detect internal leakage of the membrane electrode: Open the corresponding air inlet mechanism of the upper or lower plate, and gradually increase the pressure to the set pressure, which is 3MPa to 20MPa. Measure the leakage through a high-precision micro-flow meter. When the leakage is less than or equal to the threshold, the membrane electrode is considered to have passed the test.

[0012] To detect leakage of the membrane electrode: simultaneously open the air intake mechanisms corresponding to the upper and lower plates, and gradually increase the pressure of the upper and lower plates to the set pressure, which is 0MPa to 20MPa; close the pressure reducing valves on the air intake mechanisms corresponding to the upper and lower plates to maintain the pressure; measure the pressure of the upper and lower plates and calculate whether the internal gas is leaking out.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0014] 1. Before the membrane electrode unit enters the assembly process, the airtightness of each membrane electrode is independently tested to ensure that each membrane electrode entering the assembly stage meets the quality requirements from the source. By screening and solving airtightness problems in advance, the assembly efficiency of the electrolyzer can be significantly improved, the rework rate can be reduced, and production costs can be saved.

[0015] 2. The testing device features high testing accuracy and simple operation, enabling it to complete the testing process quickly. It is also compatible with various types of membrane electrodes, providing an effective guarantee for large-scale production. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model (with the protective cover hidden);

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the upper and lower plates of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 4This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the upper plate, membrane electrode, and lower plate of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the upper plate, membrane electrode, and lower plate of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A magnified view of a portion of the image;

[0022] Figure 7 This is an exploded view of the upper plate, membrane electrode, and lower plate of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the upper plate of this utility model;

[0024] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the lower plate of this utility model;

[0025] Figure 10 This is a structural block diagram of the air intake structure of this utility model.

[0026] The components in the diagram are labeled as follows: base 1, column 11, top plate 12, movable seat 2, press 3, upper plate 4, upper end plate 41, first monopolar plate 42, upper electrode frame 43, first titanium mesh 44, first titanium felt 45, first sealing ring 46, lower plate 5, lower end plate 51, second monopolar plate 52, lower electrode frame 53, second titanium mesh 54, second titanium felt 55, second sealing ring 56, membrane electrode 6, first high-pressure gas cylinder 71, first pressure reducing valve 72, first three-way valve 73, first buffer tank 74, second three-way valve 75, first pressure relief valve 76, third three-way valve 77, first pressure gauge 78, first air circuit interface 79, second high-pressure gas cylinder 81, second pressure reducing valve 82, fourth three-way valve 83, second buffer tank 84, fifth three-way valve 85, second pressure relief valve 86, sixth three-way valve 87, second pressure gauge 88, second air circuit interface 89, protective cover 9, operating door 91. Detailed Implementation

[0027] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the directional terms such as "center", "horizontal (X)", "longitudinal (Y)", "vertical (Z)", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", and "counterclockwise" indicate the orientation and positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model 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. They should not be construed as limiting the specific protection scope of this utility model.

[0028] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features. Thus, the use of "first" and "second" to define a feature may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, "several" or "a number" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0029] See the attached drawings. The membrane electrode airtightness testing device described in this embodiment includes a base 1, a movable seat 2, and a press 3 that drives the movable seat 2 to rise and fall. The base 1 has four columns 11, a top plate 12 fixed to the top of the columns 11, and a press 3 installed below the top plate 12. The press head of the press 3 is fixedly connected to the movable seat 2, and the movable seat 2 has guide holes that slide in cooperation with the columns 11, making the rising and falling of the movable seat 2 more stable.

[0030] The movable base 2 is provided with an upper plate 4 below it, and a lower plate 5 is fixed on the base 1. The upper plate 4 and the lower plate 5 are positioned opposite each other. The upper plate 4 is composed of an upper end plate 41, a first monopolar plate 42, a first diffusion layer, an upper electrode frame 43, and a number of first sealing rings 46. The upper end plate 41 is fixed on the movable base 2. The first monopolar plate 42 is located below the upper end plate 41, and the upper electrode frame 43 is located below the first monopolar plate 42. The first diffusion layer is located inside the upper electrode frame 43. The first diffusion layer includes a first titanium mesh 44 and a first titanium felt 45. A first sealing ring 46 is provided between the upper end plate 41, the first monopolar plate 42, and the upper electrode frame 43. The upper end plate 41, the first monopolar plate 42, the first diffusion layer, the upper electrode frame 43, and the number of first sealing rings 46 are fixed into an integral structure by sintering.

[0031] The lower plate 5 comprises a lower end plate 51, a second monopolar plate 52, a second diffusion layer, a lower electrode frame 53, and several second sealing rings 56. The lower end plate 51 is fixed on the base 1. The second monopolar plate 52 is located above the lower end plate 51, and the lower electrode frame 53 is located above the second monopolar plate 52. The second diffusion layer is located inside the lower electrode frame 53. The second diffusion layer includes a second titanium mesh 54 and a second titanium felt 55. A second sealing ring 56 is provided between the lower end plate 51, the second monopolar plate 52, and the lower electrode frame 53. The lower end plate 51, the second monopolar plate 52, the second diffusion layer, the lower electrode frame 53, and the several second sealing rings 56 are fixed into an integral structure by sintering.

[0032] The upper plate 4 and the lower plate 5 are located at the membrane electrode detection position. The membrane electrode 6 can be placed on the lower plate 5. The press 3 drives the upper plate 4 to move down and press it on the lower plate 5 to form an airtightness detection structure.

[0033] Both the upper plate 4 and the lower plate 5 are equipped with air intake mechanisms to pressurize both sides of the membrane electrode detection position. The air intake mechanism includes a high-pressure gas cylinder, a pressure reducing valve, a buffer tank, a pressure relief valve, a pressure gauge, etc. The bottle mouth of the first high-pressure gas cylinder 71 is connected to a first pressure reducing valve 72. The first pressure reducing valve 72 is connected to the first buffer tank 74 through a first three-way valve 73. The other path of the first three-way valve 73 is connected to a second three-way valve 75. One path of the second three-way valve 75 is connected to the first pressure relief valve 76, and the other path is connected to a third three-way valve 77. One path of the third three-way valve 77 is connected to the first pressure gauge 78, and the other path is connected to the first air passage interface 79 of the upper plate 4. The upper plate 41 is equipped with a first pressure gauge 78 and a first air passage interface 79 on its side, and an airflow channel is provided inside the upper plate.

[0034] The second high-pressure gas cylinder 81 is connected to a second pressure reducing valve 82 at its neck. The second pressure reducing valve 82 is connected to a second buffer tank 84 via a fourth three-way valve 83. Another path of the fourth three-way valve 83 is connected to a fifth three-way valve 85. One path of the fifth three-way valve 85 is connected to a second pressure relief valve 86, and the other path is connected to a sixth three-way valve 87. One path of the sixth three-way valve 87 is connected to a second pressure gauge 88, and the other path is connected to a second gas passage interface 89 on the lower plate. The lower plate 51 has a second pressure gauge 88 and a second gas passage interface 89 on its side, and an airflow channel is provided inside the upper plate. The air inlet mechanism is equipped with a high-precision micro-flow meter, including but not limited to a soap film flow meter and a mass flow meter.

[0035] To protect the safety of operators, a protective cover 9 can be installed on the outside of the device. An operating door 91 is provided on the front side of the protective cover 9, through which operators can take and put the membrane electrode 6.

[0036] The detection device described in this embodiment can be used for detecting internal gas leakage and external leakage of the membrane electrode. The steps for detecting internal gas leakage of the membrane electrode are as follows:

[0037] 1) Place the membrane electrode 6 on the lower plate 5, and move the upper plate 4 down to seal and fit with the lower plate 5;

[0038] 2) Open either the upper plate 4 or the lower plate 5 corresponding to the air intake mechanism;

[0039] 3) Gradually increase the pressure to the set pressure, which is 3MPa to 20MPa;

[0040] 4) The leakage is measured by a high-precision micro-flow meter. When the leakage is less than or equal to the threshold, the membrane electrode is considered to be qualified.

[0041] The steps for detecting membrane electrode leakage are as follows:

[0042] 1) Place the membrane electrode 6 on the lower plate 5, and move the upper plate 4 down to seal and fit with the lower plate 5;

[0043] 2) Simultaneously open the air intake mechanisms corresponding to the upper plate 4 and the lower plate 5;

[0044] 3) Gradually increase the pressure of the upper plate 4 and the lower plate 5 to the set pressure, which is 0MPa to 20MPa;

[0045] 4) Close the pressure reducing valves on the intake mechanisms corresponding to the upper plate 4 and the lower plate 5 to maintain pressure;

[0046] 5) Measure the pressure of the upper and lower plates and calculate whether the internal gas is leaking out.

[0047] This embodiment enables independent testing of the airtightness of each membrane electrode unit before it enters the assembly process, ensuring that every membrane electrode entering the assembly stage meets quality requirements from the outset. By screening and resolving airtightness issues in advance, the assembly efficiency of the electrolyzer can be significantly improved, rework rates can be reduced, and production costs can be saved. Furthermore, this device features high testing accuracy and ease of operation, enabling rapid completion of the testing process. It is also compatible with various types of membrane electrodes, providing effective assurance for large-scale production.

[0048] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this utility model. The protection scope of this utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. All technical solutions falling within the scope of this utility model's concept are protected. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, any improvements and modifications made without departing from the principle of this utility model should also be considered within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A membrane electrode airtightness testing device, comprising a base, a movable seat, and a pressing device for driving the movable seat to rise and fall; characterized in that: The base and the movable seat are respectively fixed with an upper plate and a lower plate on their opposing surfaces. The upper plate and the lower plate are each composed of an end plate, a single electrode plate, a diffusion layer, an electrode frame, and a sealing ring. The end plate, the single electrode plate, the diffusion layer, the electrode frame, and the sealing ring are an integrated structure. The area between the upper plate and the lower plate is the membrane electrode detection position. Both the upper plate and the lower plate are equipped with an air intake mechanism to pressurize both sides of the membrane electrode detection position.

2. The membrane electrode airtightness detection device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: A single electrode plate and an electrode frame are sequentially arranged on one side of the end plate, and adjacent parts are tightly fitted by a sealing ring; the electrode frame is provided with a diffusion layer, which is one or more of carbon paper, titanium mesh, and titanium felt.

3. The membrane electrode airtightness detection device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The end plate, single electrode plate, diffusion layer, electrode frame, and sealing ring are fixed by sintering or adhesive bonding to form an integrated structure.

4. The membrane electrode airtightness detection device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: Each end plate is equipped with a pressure gauge on its side, with the two pressure gauges installed at staggered positions; the pressure gauges are used to measure the air pressure inside the end plate.

5. The membrane electrode airtightness detection device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The end plate has an air intake channel on its side, which is connected to an air intake mechanism. The air intake mechanism is equipped with a high-precision micro-flow meter.

6. The membrane electrode airtightness detection device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a protective cover, which is placed on the outermost layer of the device, and an operating door is provided on the front side of the protective cover.

Images