Water electrolysis device and water electrolysis system

Abstract

The utility model relates to a water electrolysis device and a water electrolysis system, and the water electrolysis device comprises a first tank body which is internally provided with an electrode for electrolyzing a target medium; the second tank body is erected above the first tank body; the two groups of pipeline assemblies are used for communicating the first tank body with the second tank body; and the heat exchange device acts on at least one group of pipeline components, so that temperature difference is obtained between the two groups of pipeline components, and fluid circulation is formed between the first tank body and the second tank body. According to the technical scheme, the substance conveying path in the electrolysis process is effectively improved, particularly fluid circulation between the first tank body and the second tank body is effectively improved, stable proceeding of the electrolysis process is guaranteed, and the production efficiency and safety are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of water electrolysis equipment technology, and in particular to a water electrolysis device and a water electrolysis system. Background Technology

[0002] Hydrogen energy has attracted much attention as a clean and efficient secondary energy carrier. Electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen has become one of the core pathways for green hydrogen production due to its wide availability of raw materials (water) and zero carbon emissions.

[0003] For example, a fuel preparation system is disclosed in the prior art, comprising a syngas generating device that generates syngas including hydrogen and carbon monoxide using carbon-containing raw materials; a fuel preparation device that prepares fuel using the generated syngas; a water electrolysis device that generates hydrogen by electrolyzing water; a hydrogen supply unit that supplies the generated hydrogen to the syngas generating device; a calculation unit that calculates the input energy based on a first energy possessed by the carbon-containing raw materials, a second energy consumed in generating hydrogen, a third energy consumed in generating syngas, and a fourth energy consumed in preparing fuel, and calculates the recovered energy based on a fifth energy possessed by the prepared fuel; and a decision unit that determines the amount of hydrogen supplied based on the calculated input energy and recovered energy.

[0004] To ensure the circulation of the target medium during the electrolysis process and the safe use of the equipment, a pipeline system consisting of pumps, valves, etc., is required to drive the circulation, which increases system complexity and hinders equipment integration and miniaturization. Utility Model Content

[0005] This application provides a water electrolysis device that improves the circulation method of the target medium during the electrolysis process, ensuring the stable operation of the electrolysis process and optimizing the equipment layout.

[0006] One embodiment of this application discloses a water electrolysis device, comprising:

[0007] A first tank, wherein electrodes for electrolyzing the target medium are provided inside the first tank;

[0008] The second tank is mounted on top of the first tank;

[0009] Piping assemblies, including two sets for connecting the first tank and the second tank;

[0010] A heat exchange device acts on at least one set of the piping assemblies to create a temperature difference between the two sets of piping assemblies and to form a fluid circulation between the first tank and the second tank.

[0011] Several alternative methods are provided below, but they are not intended as additional limitations on the overall solution above. They are merely further additions or optimizations. Provided there are no technical or logical contradictions, each alternative method can be combined individually with respect to the overall solution above, or multiple alternative methods can be combined with each other.

[0012] In one embodiment, the two sets of piping assemblies specifically include:

[0013] The low-temperature tube assembly corresponds to the position of the heat exchange device;

[0014] High-temperature tube assemblies are distributed on the same side of all low-temperature tubes or on both sides of the low-temperature tube assembly.

[0015] In one embodiment, the low-temperature tube assembly has heat exchange fins, and the high-temperature tube assembly is a bare tube.

[0016] In one embodiment, both the first tank and the second tank are cylindrical and their axes are parallel to each other; in the direction of gravity, the first tank and the second tank are aligned with each other.

[0017] In one embodiment, the heat exchange device is a fan acting on the cryogenic tube assembly.

[0018] In one embodiment, the fan comprises multiple units arranged in an array in a vertical plane.

[0019] In one embodiment, the piping assembly includes multiple vertical pipes that are parallel to each other, and each vertical pipe is arranged sequentially along the axial direction of the first tank and / or the second tank.

[0020] In one embodiment, the top of the second tank is provided with a gas-liquid separator, which is a vertical cylindrical structure. The bottom of the gas-liquid separator is connected to the top of the second tank, and the interior of the gas-liquid separator is filled with packing material.

[0021] In one embodiment, the vertical pipes are arranged coplanarly and a reference plane is defined, with the heat exchange device located on one side of the reference plane;

[0022] The gas-liquid separator has a gas phase outlet at the top, and a heat dissipation pipe communicating with the gas phase outlet is provided on the other side of the reference surface. The heat exchange device, the low-temperature pipe assembly, and the heat dissipation pipe are arranged sequentially in the horizontal direction.

[0023] Another embodiment of this application discloses a water electrolysis system, including a cabinet and a water electrolysis device according to the above technical solution of this application, wherein the water electrolysis device is installed in the cabinet.

[0024] The technical solution disclosed in this application achieves fluid circulation between the first tank and the second tank through the coordinated optimization of the pipeline components and heat exchange device of the water electrolysis device, thereby improving the material transport path in the electrolysis process, ensuring the stable operation of the electrolysis process, and improving production efficiency and safety. Attached Figure Description

[0025] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the conventional technology, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the conventional technology 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.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a water electrolysis device in one embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a side view of the first tank of the water electrolysis device in one embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the cross section at point AA of the first tank in the middle;

[0029] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the gas-liquid separation device of a water electrolysis apparatus in one embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of the gas-liquid separation device in the diagram;

[0031] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a heat dissipation pipe in one embodiment of this application;

[0032] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the layout of the heat exchange device, piping assembly and heat dissipation pipe in one embodiment of this application;

[0033] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a water electrolysis system in one embodiment of this application;

[0034] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the output path of electrolytic products in one embodiment of this application.

[0035] The component labels are as follows:

[0036] 100. First tank; 110. Electrode; 200. Second tank; 300. Piping assembly; 310. Vertical pipe; 400. Gas-liquid separator; 410. Packing material; 420. Gas pipeline; 430. Partition plate; 431. Connecting hole; 500. Heat exchange device; 510. Upper support; 520. Lower support; 530. Heat dissipation pipe; 540. Fan; 600. Flame arrester; 900. Cabinet. Detailed Implementation

[0037] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of this application. However, this application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of this application. Therefore, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0038] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it can be directly on the other component or there may be an intermediate component. When a component is considered to be "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be an intermediate component present. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this application's specification are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0039] 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 indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0040] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature and the second feature are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level (or in a usage state, or from a certain viewpoint in the drawing) than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level (or in a usage state, or from a certain viewpoint in the drawing) than the second feature.

[0041] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this application have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used in this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. The term "and / or" as used in this application includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0042] To improve the material transport path during electrolysis, ensure the stable operation of the electrolysis process, and enhance production efficiency and safety, this application discloses a water electrolysis device. (See attached document) Figure 1 To be continued Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the water electrolysis apparatus includes a first tank 100, a second tank 200, a piping assembly 300 connecting the two, and a heat exchange device 500 for heat exchange with the piping assembly 300. The first tank 100, the second tank 200, and the piping assembly 300 form a relatively sealed containment environment to contain the target medium (e.g., in this embodiment, the target medium is water or an aqueous solution). The first tank 100 contains an electrode 110 for electrolyzing the target medium. The second tank 200 is positioned above the first tank 100. The electrode 110 releases energy to the target medium to achieve electrolysis and obtain a gaseous product (e.g., in this embodiment, the gaseous product is a hydrogen-oxygen mixture). Under buoyancy, the gaseous product enters the second tank 200 from the first tank 100 to move away from the electrode 110, thereby improving electrolysis efficiency. During electrolysis, the energy released by electrode 110 heats the target medium within the first tank 100, raising its temperature. The heat exchange device 500 acts on at least one set of piping assemblies 300 to remove this heat, ensuring that the piping assemblies 300 and the target medium within the first and second tanks 100 are within a preset temperature range, thus guaranteeing the continuous and stable operation of the electrolysis process. In this application, the piping assemblies 300 generate a temperature difference during heat exchange, causing the target medium to spontaneously form a diffusion and convection tendency under the influence of this temperature difference, thereby creating fluid circulation between the first and second tanks 100 and 200. This configuration provides circulation power for the target medium without the need for a fluid pump, thereby improving the material transport path during electrolysis, ensuring the stable operation of the electrolysis process, and improving production efficiency and safety.

[0043] For specific settings of piping assembly 300, please refer to the attached document. Figure 1As shown, the piping assembly 300 includes multiple parallel vertical pipes 310, each arranged coplanarly and defining a reference plane. The heat exchange device 500 is located on one side of the reference plane. The vertical pipes 310 are arranged sequentially along the axial direction of the first tank 100 and / or the second tank 200. The vertical pipes 310 can change their heat exchange efficiency to achieve the temperature difference effect mentioned above. For example, in one embodiment, the two sets of piping assemblies 300 specifically include opposing low-temperature pipe assemblies and high-temperature pipe assemblies. Here, "high temperature" and "low temperature" in this embodiment are relative concepts and do not emphasize their respective temperature ranges; they are merely used to indicate a temperature difference between the low-temperature pipe assembly and the high-temperature pipe assembly. Differential settings for heat exchange efficiency can be achieved through structural differences in the vertical pipes 310, for example, referring to the attached diagram. Figure 1 As shown, the heat exchange device 500 also includes heat exchange fins, which are disposed on the outer peripheral surface of one set of pipe assemblies 300, while the other set of pipe assemblies 300 is a bare pipe.

[0044] A set of pipe assemblies 300 with heat exchange fins can realize the low-temperature pipe assembly mentioned above, while a set of pipe assemblies 300 with bare pipes can realize the high-temperature pipe assembly mentioned above. Differential settings for heat exchange efficiency can also be achieved through the cooperation of vertical pipes 310 and heat exchange devices 500, for example, see attached... Figure 1 The positions of the cryogenic tube assemblies and heat exchangers 500 are shown; the high-temperature tube assemblies are distributed on the same side of all cryogenic tube assemblies or on both sides of the cryogenic tube assemblies. The high-temperature tube assemblies can reduce the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger 500 or provide thermal insulation relative to the heat exchanger 500. (See attached...) Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the heat exchange device 500 includes a fan 540 that acts on the cryogenic tube assembly.

[0045] For specific configuration details of heat exchange device 500, please refer to the attached document. Figure 1 As shown, the heat exchange device 500 includes multiple sets of fans 540. Each set of fans 540 is arranged sequentially along the vertical duct 310 of the heat exchange device 500. Each set of fans 540 may have one or more fans. When a set of fans 540 has multiple fans, the fans in that set are arranged sequentially along the extension direction of the vertical duct 310, meaning the fans 540 include multiple units arranged in an array on a vertical plane. Each set of fans 540 forms a convection zone for transporting airflow and a corresponding diffusion zone. The low-temperature tube assembly is located in the convection zone, and the high-temperature tube assembly is located in the diffusion zone. (See attached diagram.) Figure 7 As shown, the convection zones formed by the various fan groups 540 are close together and form diffusion zones on both sides. The multiple vertical pipes 310 of the piping assembly 300, located in the middle and corresponding to several pipes in the convection zone, are low-temperature pipe assemblies; those located on both sides and corresponding to the diffusion zones are high-temperature pipe assemblies. The above heat exchange configuration can also be implemented in a coordinated manner, for example, as shown in the attached diagram. Figure 7 As shown, the outer surface of the vertical pipe 310 located in the convection zone is provided with heat exchange fins, and the vertical pipe 310 located in the diffusion zone is a bare pipe. The above configuration can further increase the temperature difference between the high-temperature pipe assembly and the low-temperature pipe assembly to enhance the convection effect.

[0046] The arrangement of high-temperature and low-temperature tube assemblies can achieve various convection effects. For example, see attached... Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the high-temperature tube assembly and the low-temperature tube assembly are arranged alternately. The fluid in the low-temperature tube assembly flows downwards under gravity to replenish the target medium within the first tank 100, while the high-temperature tube assembly flows upwards under gravity to transport the electrolytic products within the first tank 100. The alternately arranged high-temperature and low-temperature tube assemblies further facilitate convection within the first tank 100 to homogenize the material distribution, enhance material transport, and achieve uniform temperature of the medium within the first tank 100, ensuring stable electrolysis. In other embodiments, the high-temperature and low-temperature tube assemblies can also be arranged centrally, for example, in an attached configuration. Figure 7 In the embodiment shown, the cryogenic tube assembly is centrally located in the middle, and the high-temperature tube assemblies are located on both sides of the cryogenic tube assembly. This arrangement can reduce turbulence in the first tank 100 and the second tank 200, thereby improving the conveying efficiency.

[0047] Electrode 110 can also be optimized to reduce interference with fluid transport by leveraging the aforementioned features, for example, by attaching... Figure 2 and attached Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, two electrodes 110 are provided, both of which avoid the communication position between the pipe assembly and the first tank 100. Furthermore, the two electrodes 110 are staggered, with the communication position between the pipe assembly and the first tank 100 located between the two electrodes 110. (See attached image) Figure 2 In the middle, the two electrodes 110 are not only misaligned in the direction of gravity, but also misaligned in the horizontal direction.

[0048] For details regarding the structure of the first tank 100 and the second tank 200, please refer to the appendix. Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the first tank 100 and the second tank 200 are horizontal tanks, and the piping assembly 300 and the heat exchange device 500 are located between the first tank 100 and the second tank 200. Furthermore, both the first tank 100 and the second tank 200 are cylindrical and parallel to each other axially; in the direction of gravity, the first tank 100 and the second tank 200 are aligned with each other.

[0049] To further optimize material transport in the electrolysis environment, refer to the appendix. Figure 1In the illustrated embodiment, a gas-liquid separator 400 is provided at the top of the second tank 200. The gas-liquid separator 400 is a vertically positioned cylindrical structure, with its bottom connected to the top of the second tank 200. The gas-liquid separator 400 is filled with packing material 410. The packing material 410 can take various forms. For example, in one embodiment, the packing material 410 is a mesh structure formed by rolling up long strips of material, such as metal wire mesh. In another embodiment, the packing material 410 is a porous block or granular shape, such as heat exchange particles. (Refer to the attached document.) Figure 4 and attached Figure 5 As shown, the enclosed space formed by the inner cavity of the gas-liquid separator 400 and the partition 430 is the internal space of the gas-liquid separator 400. The proportion of the internal space occupied by the packing 410 is the filling ratio, which ranges from 20% to 80%. The partition 430 is provided with connecting holes 431 at intervals to form a sieve plate structure, and the partition 430 constrains the packing 410 inside the gas-liquid separator 400.

[0050] The electrolysis products entering the second tank 200 undergo gas-liquid separation via the packing material 410 within the gas-liquid separator 400. The gaseous electrolysis products, after leaving the second tank 200, sequentially enter the cooling duct 530 and the flame arrester 600, and are then further output as fuel. (See attached reference.) Figure 9 In the embodiment shown, the heat dissipation pipe 530 is connected to the top of the gas-liquid separator 400, and the flame arrester 600 is connected to the heat dissipation pipe 530. The gas-liquid separator 400, the heat dissipation pipe 530, and the flame arrester 600 are connected in sequence to form a gas passage.

[0051] The electrolytic products transported by the gas-liquid separator 400 require heat exchange through the cooling pipe 530. The cooling pipe 530 can be installed independently or in conjunction with the heat exchange device 500 mentioned above. Furthermore, the upstream of the cooling pipe 530 is connected to the upper manifold, which is connected to the gas-liquid separator 400; the downstream of the cooling pipe 530 is connected to the lower manifold, which is connected to downstream equipment; the cooling pipe 530 is equipped with heat dissipation fins. The cooling pipes 530 are connected in parallel through the upper and lower manifolds to improve the transport efficiency. See also the appendix. Figure 6As shown, the upstream of the heat dissipation pipe 530 is connected to the upper support member 510, which is connected to the gas-liquid separator 400; the downstream of the heat dissipation pipe 530 is connected to the lower support member 520, which is connected to downstream equipment; the heat dissipation pipe 530 is provided with heat dissipation fins. The upper support member 510 and the lower support member 520 have connecting channels that sequentially connect each heat dissipation pipe 530. The heat dissipation pipes 530 are connected in series through the upper support member 510 and the lower support member 520 to improve heat exchange efficiency. During the transport process, the heat dissipation pipe 530 can reduce the temperature of the electrolytic products. The heat dissipation pipe 530 and the fan 540 are located on both sides of the reference plane mentioned above to achieve a compact layout. The top of the gas-liquid separator 400 has a gas phase outlet, and the other side of the reference plane has a heat dissipation pipe 530 connected to the gas phase outlet. The heat exchange device 500, the cryogenic pipe assembly, and the heat dissipation pipe 530 are arranged sequentially in the horizontal direction.

[0052] Combining the above and the appendix Figure 8 and appendix Figure 9 As shown, another embodiment of this application discloses a water electrolysis system, including a cabinet 900 and a water electrolysis device according to the above-described technical solution of this application. The water electrolysis device is installed inside the cabinet 900. The specific setup of the water electrolysis device can be referred to the specific description above. The setup details of other parts of the water electrolysis system can be implemented in conjunction with existing technology, and will not be repeated here.

[0053] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as the combination of these technical features does not contradict each other, it should be considered to be within the scope of this specification. When technical features of different embodiments are embodied in the same drawing, it can be regarded as the drawing also disclosing examples of combinations of the various embodiments involved.

[0054] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the patent protection scope of this application should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A water electrolysis device, characterized in that, include: A first tank, wherein electrodes for electrolyzing the target medium are provided inside the first tank; The second tank is mounted on top of the first tank; Piping assemblies, including two sets for connecting the first tank and the second tank; A heat exchange device acts on at least one set of the piping assemblies to create a temperature difference between the two sets of piping assemblies and to form a fluid circulation between the first tank and the second tank.

2. The water electrolysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two sets of piping assemblies specifically include: The low-temperature tube assembly corresponds to the position of the heat exchange device; High-temperature tube assemblies are distributed on the same side of all low-temperature tubes or on both sides of the low-temperature tube assembly.

3. The water electrolysis device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The low-temperature tube assembly has heat exchange fins, and the high-temperature tube assembly is a bare tube.

4. The water electrolysis device according to claim 3, characterized in that, Both the first tank and the second tank are cylindrical and their axes are parallel to each other; in the direction of gravity, the first tank and the second tank are aligned with each other.

5. The water electrolysis device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The heat exchange device is a fan that acts on the cryogenic tube assembly.

6. The water electrolysis device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The fan comprises multiple units arranged in an array in a vertical plane.

7. The water electrolysis device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The pipeline assembly includes multiple vertical pipes that are parallel to each other, and each vertical pipe is arranged sequentially along the axial direction of the first tank and / or the second tank.

8. The water electrolysis apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that, The top of the second tank is equipped with a gas-liquid separator, which is a vertical cylindrical structure. The bottom of the gas-liquid separator is connected to the top of the second tank, and the interior of the gas-liquid separator is filled with packing material.

9. The water electrolysis apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, Each vertical pipe is arranged in a coplanar manner and a reference plane is defined, with the heat exchange device located on one side of the reference plane; The gas-liquid separator has a gas phase outlet at the top, and a heat dissipation pipe communicating with the gas phase outlet is provided on the other side of the reference surface. The heat exchange device, the low-temperature pipe assembly, and the heat dissipation pipe are arranged sequentially in the horizontal direction.

10. A water electrolysis system, characterized in that, It includes a cabinet and a water electrolysis device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the water electrolysis device is installed inside the cabinet.

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