Electrolysis unit and electrolysis device

Abstract

The utility model provides an electrolysis unit and an electrolysis device. The electrolysis unit includes: two electrode plates separated along a stacking direction; and a pole frame located between the two pole plates, the pole frame having a first pole frame surface and a second pole frame surface facing the two pole plates, where the pole frame includes one or more locking protrusions protruding from one of the first pole frame surface and the second pole frame surface, one of the first pole frame surface and the second pole frame surface is provided with one or more locking holes recessed from the other of the first pole frame surface and the second pole frame surface, and wherein each of the two pole plates is provided with one or more mounting holes, each locking protrusion passing through a respective mounting hole of one of the two pole plates, and each locking hole is aligned with the corresponding mounting hole of the other one of the two polar plates. The electrolysis device includes a plurality of electrolysis units stacked together along a stacking direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of electrolysis technology, and more specifically, to an electrolysis unit for electrolyzing water to produce hydrogen and oxygen, and an electrolysis apparatus consisting of multiple electrolysis units. Background Technology

[0002] An electrolysis system is an electrochemical device that converts electrical energy into chemical energy to produce hydrogen. It is widely used in the hydrogen production industry, especially in fields requiring high-purity hydrogen, such as chemical, electronics, and food processing. Furthermore, with the development of renewable energy, electrolysis systems are also being used to convert renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power into chemical energy for storage—that is, the production of green hydrogen.

[0003] Taking an alkaline solution electrolyzer as an example, after supplying direct current to the electrolyzer, water molecules gain electrons at the cathode electrode, thus being reduced to hydrogen molecules and hydroxide ions. The hydroxide ions can penetrate the membrane to reach the anode electrode, where they lose electrons and are oxidized to oxygen molecules and water molecules. In practical applications, multiple electrolyzers are often stacked for use, requiring precise alignment or alignment between them during assembly. However, during the assembly of existing electrolyzers, it is not only difficult to precisely align the individual cells but also difficult to maintain alignment, resulting in high assembly difficulty and low assembly efficiency for existing electrolyzer stacks.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need in this field for a technical solution that can reduce the assembly difficulty of electrolytic cell stacks and improve their assembly efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0005] To address the problems in the prior art, this disclosure proposes an improved electrolysis unit comprising: two electrode plates separated along a stacking direction; and an electrode frame located between the two electrode plates, the electrode frame having a first electrode frame surface and a second electrode frame surface facing the two electrode plates, wherein the electrode frame includes one or more locking protrusions protruding from one of the first electrode frame surface and the second electrode frame surface, and is provided with one or more locking holes recessed from the other of the first electrode frame surface and the second electrode frame surface, and wherein each of the two electrode plates is provided with one or more mounting holes, each locking protrusion passing through a corresponding mounting hole of one of the two electrode plates, and each locking hole being aligned with a corresponding mounting hole of the other of the two electrode plates.

[0006] According to an alternative embodiment of this disclosure, each locking protrusion is aligned with a corresponding locking hole in the stacking direction and is complementary in shape.

[0007] According to an alternative embodiment of this disclosure, each locking protrusion has a partially enlarged portion, each locking hole has an opening on the surface of the first pole frame or the surface of the second pole frame, and the size of the partially enlarged portion of each locking protrusion is larger than the size of the opening of the corresponding locking hole.

[0008] According to an alternative embodiment of this disclosure, the pole frame has a through-hole and includes a plurality of locking protrusions arranged around the central hole and a plurality of locking holes arranged around the central hole.

[0009] According to an alternative embodiment of this disclosure, the pole frame has a through-hole, and each of the two pole plates has a meandering structure in the portion aligned with the through-hole, the meandering structure defining a plurality of channels extending across and communicating with the through-hole.

[0010] According to an optional embodiment of this disclosure, a cathode porous transport layer and an anode porous transport layer are also housed in the central hole, a meandering structure of one of the two electrode plates abutting the cathode porous transport layer between the plurality of channels, and a meandering structure of the other of the two electrode plates abutting the anode porous transport layer between the plurality of channels.

[0011] According to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the pole frame is provided with two first grooves recessed from the surface of the first pole frame and located on both sides of the central hole, wherein a plurality of channels defined by the meandering structure of one of the two pole plates extend from one first groove across the central hole to the other first groove.

[0012] According to an alternative embodiment of this disclosure, the pole frame is provided with two second grooves recessed from the surface of the second pole frame and located on both sides of the central hole, wherein a plurality of channels defined by the meandering structure of one of the two pole plates extend from one second groove across the central hole to the other second groove.

[0013] According to an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the pole frame is provided with a through-hole, the through-hole having a first opening on the surface of the first pole frame and a second opening on the surface of the second pole frame, and the pole frame is provided with a size reduction structure on the sidewall of the through-hole such that the size of the first opening is different from the size of the second opening.

[0014] According to an optional embodiment of this disclosure, the size reduction structure is formed by an inclined portion of the sidewall of the central hole, wherein the inclined portion is inclined inward as it approaches the second opening, such that the size of the second opening is smaller than the size of the first opening; or the inclined portion is inclined inward as it approaches the first opening, such that the size of the first opening is smaller than the size of the second opening.

[0015] According to an optional embodiment of this disclosure, the size reduction structure is formed by a protrusion projecting inward from the sidewall of the central hole, wherein the protrusion is located at the second opening such that the size of the second opening is smaller than the size of the first opening; or the protrusion is located at the first opening such that the size of the first opening is smaller than the size of the second opening.

[0016] According to an optional embodiment of this disclosure, the electrode frame has a plurality of first sealing strips on the surface of the first electrode frame and a plurality of second sealing strips on the surface of the second electrode frame, wherein the plurality of first sealing strips and the plurality of second sealing strips respectively abut against the two electrode plates.

[0017] According to an alternative embodiment of this disclosure, the plurality of first sealing strips and the plurality of second sealing strips are integral parts of the pole frame.

[0018] According to an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the electrode frame has a through-hole, the electrolysis unit further includes a diaphragm housed in the through-hole, the electrode frame includes a first electrode frame portion and a second electrode frame portion stacked together along the stacking direction, and the entire periphery of the diaphragm is sandwiched between the first electrode frame portion and the second electrode frame portion.

[0019] According to an optional embodiment of this disclosure, the first pole frame portion includes one or more positioning structures, the second pole frame portion includes one or more matching positioning structures, and each matching positioning structure is combined with a corresponding positioning structure.

[0020] According to an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, the first pole frame portion includes a plurality of positioning structures arranged around the central hole, and the second pole frame portion includes a plurality of matching positioning structures arranged around the central hole.

[0021] According to an optional embodiment of this disclosure, one of the positioning structure and the matching positioning structure is a positioning hole, and the other of the positioning structure and the matching positioning structure is a positioning protrusion.

[0022] According to an optional embodiment of the present disclosure, each positioning hole has an opening on the surface of the first pole frame portion or the surface of the second pole frame portion, each positioning protrusion has a partially enlarged portion, and the size of the partially enlarged portion of each positioning protrusion is larger than the size of the opening of the corresponding positioning hole.

[0023] Similarly, in order to solve the problems in the prior art described above, this disclosure also proposes an improved electrolysis apparatus, which includes a plurality of electrolysis units as described in this disclosure stacked together along a stacking direction, wherein any two adjacent electrolysis units share a single electrode plate, and in any two adjacent electrolysis units, each locking protrusion of the electrode frame of one electrolysis unit is inserted through a mounting hole in the electrode plate into a locking hole in the electrode frame of the other electrolysis unit.

[0024] According to an alternative embodiment of this disclosure, in any two adjacent electrolysis units, the portion of the electrode plate aligned with the central hole of each electrolysis unit has a meandering structure, the meandering structure defining a plurality of channels extending across and communicating with the central hole of one electrolysis unit and a plurality of channels extending across and communicating with the central hole of another electrolysis unit.

[0025] This disclosure may be embodied in the illustrative embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be noted that the drawings are merely illustrative, and any variations contemplated under the teachings of this disclosure should be considered to be included within the scope of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0026] The accompanying drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. These drawings should not be construed as necessarily limiting the scope of this disclosure, wherein:

[0027] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of an electrolysis unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded rear-view perspective view of the electrolysis unit shown.

[0029] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 and Figure 2 The assembled front view of the electrolysis unit shown;

[0030] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional view of the electrolysis unit taken by line IV-IV in the diagram;

[0031] Figure 5 It is along Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional view of the electrolysis unit taken from line VV in the diagram;

[0032] Figure 6 It is along Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional view of the electrolysis unit taken by line VI-VI; and

[0033] Figure 7 It consists of multiple Figure 6 A schematic cross-sectional view of an electrolysis device consisting of electrolysis units. Detailed Implementation

[0034] Further features and advantages of this disclosure will become more apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. Exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are shown in the drawings, and the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. However, this disclosure can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as necessarily limited to the exemplary embodiments shown herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided merely to illustrate this disclosure and to convey the spirit and essence of this disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0035] This disclosure aims to provide an improved electrolysis unit and an electrolysis apparatus assembled from multiple electrolysis units. The electrolysis unit according to this disclosure, due to its novel design, effectively improves the convenience and accuracy during the assembly of the electrolysis apparatus and reduces the risk of damage to individual components during assembly. Therefore, it not only improves the assembly efficiency of the electrolysis apparatus but also enhances its reliability. Furthermore, the novel design of the electrolysis unit according to this disclosure improves the isolation between the cathode and anode chambers, thereby more reliably preventing the mixing of oxygen in the cathode chamber with hydrogen in the anode chamber. This not only improves the purity of the produced hydrogen and oxygen but also reduces the risk of explosion from a hydrogen-oxygen mixture, thus further improving the reliability of the electrolysis unit and the electrolysis apparatus.

[0036] The following describes in detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings, various optional but non-limiting embodiments of the electrolysis unit and electrolysis apparatus according to this disclosure. It should be noted that although the teachings of this disclosure are described below using an alkaline water electrolysis apparatus (i.e., an electrolysis apparatus using alkaline solutions such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide as electrolytes) as an example, those skilled in the art will understand that the teachings of this disclosure are equally applicable to other types of electrolysis apparatuses, such as proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis apparatuses, solid polymer anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolysis apparatuses, etc. Therefore, the specific type of electrolysis apparatus should not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0037] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 ,in, Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of an electrolysis unit 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, and Figure 2 It shows Figure 1The exploded rear view of the electrolysis unit 10 is shown. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the electrolysis unit (also known as a single electrolytic cell) 10 generally includes an electrode frame 100 (e.g., made of an elastic material such as EPDM) and two electrode plates 210, 220 stacked together with the electrode frame 100 along the stacking direction SS' and located on both sides of the electrode frame 100, namely, a first electrode plate 210 and a second electrode plate 220. In other words, the electrode frame 100 is sandwiched between the first electrode plate 210 and the second electrode plate 220 in the stacking direction SS', and the electrode frame 100 has a first electrode frame surface 110 intended to face the first electrode plate 210 and a second electrode frame surface 120 opposite to the first electrode frame surface 110 along the thickness direction TT' and intended to face the second electrode plate 220, the thickness direction TT' being in the same direction as the stacking direction SS'. Additionally, the pole frame 100 is provided with a central hole 130 and a plurality of side holes 140 extending along the thickness direction TT' from the first pole frame surface 110 to the second pole frame surface 120 (that is, extending through the pole frame 100), and is also provided with a plurality of grooves 150 recessed along the thickness direction TT' from the first pole frame surface 110 or the second pole frame surface 120, wherein each groove 150 extends from the corresponding side hole 140 to the central hole 130 in a direction transverse to the thickness direction TT', so that each side hole 140 can be in fluid communication with the central hole 130 through the corresponding groove 150. In addition, the first electrode plate 210 and the second electrode plate 220 are also provided with a plurality of through holes 240. Each of these through holes 240 is designed to be aligned with the corresponding side hole 140 of the electrode frame 100 along the stacking direction SS' after the electrolysis unit 10 is assembled. In other words, after the electrolysis unit 10 is assembled, each side hole 140 of the electrode frame 100 can be aligned with the corresponding through hole 240 of the first electrode plate 210 and the corresponding through hole 240 of the second electrode plate 220 along the stacking direction SS'. In this configuration, each side hole 140 of the electrode frame 100 and the two through holes 240 on both sides form a manifold extending through the electrolysis unit 10 along the stacking direction SS' to allow electrolyte to flow therein. This manifold allows electrolyte to flow through the electrolysis unit 10 along the stacking direction SS', so that the electrolyte can circulate between the electrolysis unit 10 and the external container.

[0038] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the electrolysis unit 10 also includes a diaphragm 310, a cathode electrode layer 320, an anode electrode layer 330, a cathode porous transport layer 340, and an anode porous transport layer 350 housed within a central hole 130. Specifically, the diaphragm 310 is engaged with the electrode frame 100 along its periphery, thereby dividing the central hole 130 into a cathode chamber 131 and an anode chamber 132 located on either side of the diaphragm 310. The cathode electrode layer 320 and the cathode porous transport layer 340 are stacked in the cathode chamber 131 along the stacking direction SS', and the cathode electrode layer 320 is positioned between the cathode porous transport layer 340 and the diaphragm 310. Similarly, the anode electrode layer 330 and the anode porous transport layer 350 are stacked in the anode chamber 132 along the stacking direction SS', and the anode electrode layer 330 is positioned between the anode porous transport layer 350 and the diaphragm 310. After the electrolysis unit 10 is assembled, the cathode porous transport layer 340 will be sandwiched between the first electrode plate 210 and the cathode electrode layer 320, so that the first electrode plate 210 can push the cathode electrode layer 320 against the diaphragm 310 through the cathode porous transport layer 340 and supply power to the cathode electrode layer 320 through the cathode porous transport layer 340. The anode porous transport layer 350 will be sandwiched between the second electrode plate 220 and the anode electrode layer 330, so that the second electrode plate 220 can push the anode electrode layer 330 against the diaphragm 310 through the anode porous transport layer 350 and supply power to the anode electrode layer 330 through the anode porous transport layer 350.

[0039] like Figure 1As shown, the electrode frame 100 has a plurality of side holes 140 including two first side holes 141 located on opposite sides of the central hole 130 along a direction opposite to the thickness direction TT', and the electrode frame 100 has a plurality of grooves 150 including two first grooves 151 recessed from the surface 110 of the first electrode frame, wherein each first groove 151 extends from the corresponding first side hole 141 to the cathode chamber 131, such that each first side hole 141 is in fluid communication with the cathode chamber 131 through the corresponding first groove 151. Accordingly, the first electrode plate 210 has a plurality of through holes 240 including two first through holes 241, and the second electrode plate 220 also has a plurality of through holes 240 including two first through holes 241, wherein each first through hole 241 is designed to align with the corresponding first side hole 141 of the electrode frame 100 along the stacking direction SS' after the electrolysis unit 10 is assembled. In this configuration, one of the two first side holes 141 can guide the input flow of electrolyte (e.g., sodium hydroxide solution, potassium hydroxide solution, or other hydroxide ion-containing solutions) along the thickness direction TT' through the electrode frame 100, while the electrolyte in the input flow can be distributed into the cathode chamber 131 through a corresponding first groove 151. The other of the two first side holes 141 can guide the output flow of electrolyte along the thickness direction TT' through the electrode frame 100, while the electrolyte in the cathode chamber 131 can be discharged into the electrolyte output flow through a corresponding first groove 151, thereby achieving electrolyte circulation between the cathode chamber 131 and an external container (e.g., a cathode electrolyte storage tank). Similarly, as... Figure 2As shown, the plurality of side holes 140 of the electrode frame 100 also include two second side holes 142 located on both sides of the central hole 130 opposite to the direction transverse to the thickness direction TT', and the plurality of grooves 150 of the electrode frame 100 also include two second grooves 152 recessed from the surface 120 of the second electrode frame, wherein each second groove 152 extends from the corresponding second side hole 142 to the anode chamber 132, such that each second side hole 142 is in fluid communication with the anode chamber 132 through the corresponding second groove 152. Accordingly, the plurality of through holes 240 of the first electrode plate 210 includes two second through holes 242, and the plurality of through holes 240 of the second electrode plate 220 also includes two second through holes 242, wherein each second through hole 242 is designed to be aligned with the corresponding second side hole 142 of the electrode frame 100 along the stacking direction SS' after the electrolysis unit 10 is assembled. In this configuration, one of the two second side holes 142 can guide the electrolyte input flow along the thickness direction TT' through the pole frame 100, and the electrolyte in the electrolyte input flow can be distributed into the anode chamber 132 through the corresponding second groove 152. The other of the two second side holes 142 can guide the electrolyte output flow along the thickness direction TT' through the pole frame 100, and the electrolyte in the anode chamber 132 can be discharged into the electrolyte output flow through the corresponding second groove 152, thereby realizing the circulation of electrolyte between the anode chamber 132 and an external container (e.g., an anode electrolyte storage tank).

[0040] During the operation of the electrolysis unit 10, an external DC power supply can supply power to the cathode electrode layer 320 and the anode electrode layer 330 through the first electrode plate 210 and the second electrode plate 220, respectively. The electrolyte can flow through the cathode chamber 131 and the anode chamber 132, respectively. The electrolyte entering the cathode chamber 131 is diffused by the cathode porous transport layer 340 and distributed onto the cathode electrode layer 320, while the electrolyte entering the anode chamber 132 is diffused by the anode porous transport layer 350 and distributed onto the anode electrode layer 330. Further, at the cathode electrode layer 320, water molecules in the electrolyte gain electrons and decompose into hydrogen molecules and hydroxide ions (i.e., a hydrogen evolution reaction occurs, also known as a reduction reaction: 4H₂O + 4e⁻). - →2H 2 +4OH - In this process, hydrogen molecules, unable to pass through the diaphragm 310, diffuse as bubbles into the electrolyte in the cathode chamber 131, and are subsequently discharged from the cathode chamber 131 along with the electrolyte. Meanwhile, hydroxide ions, driven by the voltage, pass from the cathode electrode layer 320 through the diaphragm 310 to the anode electrode layer 330. At the anode electrode layer 330, the hydroxide ions lose electrons and decompose into oxygen molecules and water molecules (i.e., an oxygen evolution reaction occurs, also known as an oxidation reaction: 4OH-). - →2H₂O+O 2+4e - In this process, oxygen molecules, unable to pass through the diaphragm 310, diffuse as bubbles into the electrolyte in the anode chamber 132, and are then discharged from the anode chamber 132 along with the electrolyte. Through the above electrochemical reaction, water in the electrolyte is electrolyzed into hydrogen and oxygen in the electrolysis unit 10, and the hydrogen and oxygen will exist in the electrolyte as bubbles and be discharged from the electrolysis unit 10 along with the electrolyte.

[0041] refer to Figures 3-5 ,in, Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 and Figure 2 The above is a front view of the assembled electrolysis unit 10. Figure 4 It shows along Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional view of the electrolysis unit 10 taken from line IV-IV in the diagram, and Figure 5 It shows along Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional view of the electrolysis unit 10 taken from line VV. It should be noted that... Figure 3 In the diagram, the central hole 130 and groove 150, etc., are shown with dashed lines because they are obscured by the first electrode plate 210. Line IV-IV is not a straight line but a bend extending through the two first side holes 141, and line VV is also not a straight line but a bend extending through the two second side holes 142. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the two first side holes 141 of the electrode frame 100 are aligned with the first through holes 241 in the first electrode plate 210 and the second electrode plate 220 on both sides along the stacking direction SS', so that the two first side holes 141 and the first through holes 241 on both sides form two manifolds extending through the electrolysis unit 10 along the stacking direction SS'. Figure 4 Located on the left and right sides of the central hole 130, that is, on the left and right sides of the cathode chamber 131, they are used to transport the input and output flows of the electrolyte, respectively, so that the input and output flows of the electrolyte can flow through the electrolysis unit 10 along the stacking direction SS'. For example, Figure 4 The manifold on the left is used to transport the input flow of electrolyte. The electrolyte in the first side hole 141 on the left can enter the first groove 151 on the left, which in turn can transport the electrolyte to the cathode chamber 131. The electrolyte in the cathode chamber 131 can be discharged into the first groove 151 on the right, which in turn can transport the electrolyte to the first side hole 141 on the right, thereby realizing the circulation of electrolyte between the outer container and the cathode chamber 131.

[0042] like Figure 3 and Figure 5As shown, the two second side holes 142 of the electrode frame 100 are aligned with the second through holes 242 in the first electrode plate 210 and the second electrode plate 220 on both sides along the stacking direction SS', so that the two second side holes 142 and the second through holes 242 on both sides form two manifolds extending through the electrolysis unit 10 along the stacking direction SS'. Figure 5 Located on the left and right sides of the central hole 130, that is, on the left and right sides of the anode chamber 132, they are used to transport the input and output flows of the electrolyte, respectively, so that the input and output flows of the electrolyte can flow through the electrolysis unit 10 along the stacking direction SS'. For example, Figure 5 The manifold on the left is used to transport the input flow of electrolyte. The electrolyte in the second side hole 142 on the left can enter the second groove 152 on the left, which in turn can transport the electrolyte to the anode chamber 132. The electrolyte in the anode chamber 132 can be discharged into the second groove 152 on the right, which in turn can transport the electrolyte to the second side hole 142 on the right, thereby realizing the circulation of electrolyte between the outer container and the anode chamber 132.

[0043] Back Figure 1 and Figure 2 The first electrode plate 210 has a first electrode plate surface 211 facing the electrode frame 100 (more specifically, facing the first electrode frame surface 110), and the second electrode plate 220 has a second electrode plate surface 221 facing the electrode frame 100 (more specifically, facing the second electrode frame surface 120). Further, as... Figures 3-5 As shown, the electrode frame 100 has a plurality of first sealing strips 161 on the first electrode frame surface 110, wherein each first sealing strip 161 protrudes from the first electrode frame surface 110 and abuts against the first electrode plate 210 (more specifically, the first electrode plate surface 211), and the plurality of first sealing strips 161 include a first main sealing strip 161a surrounding two first side holes 141, two first grooves 151, and a central hole 130 (more specifically, the cathode chamber 131), and a first auxiliary sealing strip 161b surrounding other through holes (i.e., each second side hole 142). In this configuration, due to the fact that each first sealing strip 161 as Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, it abuts against the first electrode plate 210, therefore, as Figure 3As shown, the first main sealing strip 161a can form a sealing line around the two first side holes 141, the two first grooves 151 and the center hole 130. This sealing line can prevent the electrolyte in the two first side holes 141, the two first grooves 151 and the center hole 130 from leaking through the gap between the electrode frame 100 and the first electrode plate 210. And each first auxiliary sealing strip 161b can form a sealing line around the corresponding second side hole 142. This sealing line can prevent the electrolyte in each second side hole 142 from leaking through the gap between the electrode frame 100 and the first electrode plate 210. Additionally, similar to the first sealing strip 161, the electrode frame 100 is provided with a plurality of second sealing strips 162 on the second electrode frame surface 120, wherein each second sealing strip 162 protrudes from the second electrode frame surface 120 and abuts against the second electrode plate 220 (more specifically, the second electrode plate surface 221), and the plurality of second sealing strips 162 include a second main sealing strip surrounding the two second side holes 142, the two second grooves 152, and the central hole 130 (more specifically, the anode chamber 132), and a second auxiliary sealing strip surrounding other through holes (i.e., each first side hole 141). In this configuration, due to the individual second sealing strips 162 as... Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the second main sealing strip abuts against the second electrode plate 220, thus forming a sealing line around the two second side holes 142, the two second grooves 152, and the central hole 130. This sealing line prevents electrolyte in the two second side holes 142, the two second grooves 152, and the central hole 130 from leaking through the gap between the electrode frame 100 and the second electrode plate 220. Similarly, each second auxiliary sealing strip can form a sealing line around the corresponding first side hole 141, preventing electrolyte in the respective first side hole 141 from leaking through the gap between the electrode frame 100 and the second electrode plate 220. By means of the first sealing strip 161 and the second sealing strip 162, not only can electrolyte leakage to the outside of the electrolysis unit 10 be effectively prevented, protecting the operating environment from electrolyte contamination, but also the mixing of hydrogen and oxygen generated during electrolysis in the electrolyte can be effectively prevented, reducing the risk of explosion and improving the safety of the electrolysis unit 10. In particular, each first sealing strip 161 and each second sealing strip 162 may be integrally formed with the pole frame 100 (e.g., by injection molding, molding, etc.), that is, may be an integral part of the pole frame 100.

[0044] refer to Figure 6 , which shows along Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional view of the electrolysis unit 10 taken from line VI-VI in the diagram. (See attached image.) Figures 4-6As shown, the electrode frame 100 includes a first electrode frame portion 101 and a second electrode frame portion 102 stacked together along the stacking direction SS'. The first electrode frame portion 101 provides a first electrode frame surface 110 and defines a cathode chamber 131, thus the first electrode frame portion 101 is adjacent to the first electrode plate 210, while the second electrode frame portion 102 provides a second electrode frame surface 120 and defines an anode chamber 132, thus the second electrode frame portion 102 is adjacent to the second electrode plate 220. Additionally, each side hole 140 consists of two hole segments aligned with each other, one hole segment formed in the first electrode frame portion 101 and the other hole segment formed in the second electrode frame portion 102. Specifically, the entire periphery (i.e., the entire edge) of the diaphragm 310 is sandwiched between the first pole frame portion 101 and the second pole frame portion 102, thereby forming a generally annular sealing area around the central hole 130 along the entire periphery of the diaphragm 310. This sealing area formed by sandwiching the diaphragm 310 by the first pole frame portion 101 and the second pole frame portion 102 can reliably prevent the electrolyte in the cathode chamber 131 from mixing with the electrolyte in the anode chamber 132, thereby reliably preventing the mixing of hydrogen and oxygen generated by electrolysis. This not only improves the operating efficiency of the electrolysis unit 10 but also enhances its safety.

[0045] Continue to refer to Figure 6 The first pole frame portion 101 includes one or more positioning structures 103, and the second pole frame portion 102 includes one or more matching positioning structures 104. Each matching positioning structure 104 is aligned with a corresponding positioning structure 103 in the stacking direction SS' and is complementary in shape, such that each matching positioning structure 104 can engage with the corresponding positioning structure 103. Specifically, the first pole frame portion 101 may include a plurality of positioning structures 103 arranged around a central hole 130, and the second pole frame portion 102 may include a plurality of matching positioning structures 104 arranged around a central hole 130. In this configuration, by means of the positioning structures 103 and the matching positioning structures 104, not only can the first pole frame portion 101 and the second pole frame portion 102 be accurately positioned during the assembly of the electrolysis unit 10, but the first pole frame portion 101 and the second pole frame portion 102 can also be reliably held together during assembly, thereby improving the accuracy of the assembly of the electrolysis unit 10, which in turn helps to further improve the reliability of the electrolysis unit 10. Specifically, as... Figure 6As shown, the positioning structure 103 is a positioning hole formed in the first pole frame portion 101, and the matching positioning structure 104 is a positioning protrusion formed on the second pole frame portion 102. By inserting each positioning protrusion into the corresponding positioning hole, the first pole frame portion 101 and the second pole frame portion 102 can be reliably held together. Of course, the above embodiments are merely exemplary. In embodiments not shown, the opposite configuration can be adopted; that is, the positioning structure 103 can be a positioning protrusion formed on the first pole frame portion 101, and the matching positioning structure 104 can be a positioning hole formed on the second pole frame portion 102. Specifically, as... Figure 6 As shown, the positioning hole of the positioning structure 103 has an opening on the surface of the first pole frame portion 101 (i.e., the surface opposite to the first pole frame surface 110), and the positioning protrusion of the matching positioning structure 104 has a partially enlarged portion. The size of the partially enlarged portion of the positioning protrusion is larger than the size of the opening of the positioning hole. This allows the first pole frame portion 101 and the second pole frame portion 102 to be held together more firmly by the positioning structure 103 and the matching positioning structure 104, and prevents them from accidentally separating, thereby further improving the reliability of the electrolysis unit 10.

[0046] refer to Figure 7 The diagram shows multiple Figure 6 A schematic cross-sectional view of the electrolysis apparatus 20, which consists of the electrolysis unit 10 shown. Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, the pole frame 100 includes one or more locking protrusions 105 protruding from the first pole frame surface 110 and one or more locking holes 106 recessed from the second pole frame surface 120. Each locking hole 106 is aligned with a corresponding locking protrusion 105 along the stacking direction SS' and is complementary in shape. In particular, the pole frame 100 may have a plurality of locking protrusions 105 arranged around a central hole 130 and a plurality of locking holes 106 arranged around the central hole 130. In particular, each locking protrusion 105 has a partially enlarged portion, each locking hole 106 has an opening on the second pole frame surface 120, and the size of the partially enlarged portion of the locking protrusion 105 is larger than the size of the opening of the locking hole 106. Specifically, the first electrode plate 210 is provided with one or more mounting holes 205, each mounting hole 205 through which a corresponding locking protrusion 105 passes, and the second electrode plate 220 is also provided with one or more mounting holes 206, each mounting hole 206 aligned with a corresponding locking hole 106. In this case, each locking protrusion 106, together with its corresponding mounting hole 206, is complementary in shape to the corresponding locking protrusion 105. Of course, the above embodiments are merely exemplary. In embodiments not shown, the opposite configuration can be adopted; that is, the locking protrusion 105 can be provided on the second electrode frame surface 120, and the locking hole 106 can be provided to be recessed from the first electrode frame surface 110. Figure 7As shown, the electrolysis device 20 includes a plurality of (three shown in the figure) electrolysis units 10 stacked together along the stacking direction SS'. Adjacent electrolysis units 10 share common electrode plates 210 and 220. More specifically, the first electrode plate 210 of one electrolysis unit 10 can be used as the second electrode plate 220 of an adjacent electrolysis unit 10, and the second electrode plate 220 of the same electrolysis unit 10 can be used as the first electrode plate 210 of another adjacent electrolysis unit 10. That is, the shared electrode plates 210 and 220 isolate the cathode chamber 131 and cathode porous transport layer 340 of one electrolysis unit 10 from the anode chamber 132 and anode porous transport layer 350 of the adjacent electrolysis unit 10. With this configuration, it is not necessary to equip each electrolysis unit 10 with two separate electrode plates, which simplifies the structure of the electrolysis device 20 and reduces its manufacturing cost. Furthermore, the locking protrusion 105 of the electrode frame 100 of each electrolysis unit 10 can pass through the common electrode plates 210 and 220 and be inserted into the locking hole 106 of the electrode frame 100 of the adjacent electrolysis unit 10. Thus, each electrolysis unit 10 can be accurately positioned and held together by the respective locking protrusion 105 and locking hole 106, and the electrode plates 210 and 220 can be reliably held by the respective locking protrusion 105. This not only effectively improves the convenience and accuracy of assembling the electrolysis device 20, but also reduces the risk of damage to the various components during the assembly of the electrolysis device 20. Therefore, it not only improves the assembly efficiency of the electrolysis device 20, but also improves the reliability of the electrolysis device 20.

[0047] like Figures 3-7 As shown, optimally as Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the portion of the first electrode plate 210 aligned with the center hole 130 of the electrode frame 100 along the stacking direction SS' has a meandering structure (also referred to as a serpentine structure or a zigzag structure) 213. This meandering structure 213 abuts against the cathode porous transport layer 340 at multiple locations 213a spaced apart from each other along a direction transverse to the stacking direction SS', and defines multiple channels 213b spaced apart from each other along a direction transverse to the stacking direction SS' between these locations 213a. These channels 213b are as follows: Figure 3 and Figure 4The meandering structure 213 is in fluid communication with the cathode chamber 131 and extends between the two first recesses 151 (that is, it extends from one first recess 151 across the cathode chamber 131 to the other first recess 151). In this configuration, on the one hand, since the meandering structure 213 only abuts against the cathode porous transport layer 340 at each location 213a, the pressure between the meandering structure 213 and the cathode porous transport layer 340 is increased. This increased pressure facilitates a more reliable electrical connection between the meandering structure 213 and the cathode porous transport layer 340, thus improving the reliability of the electrolysis unit 10. On the other hand, since the meandering structure 213 defines multiple channels 213b extending across the cathode chamber 131, the electrolyte can diffuse more rapidly into the entire cathode chamber 131 through each channel 213b and can be discharged more rapidly from the cathode chamber 131 through each channel 213b, thus improving the operating efficiency of the electrolysis unit 10. Similarly, the portion of the second electrode plate 220 aligned with the center hole 130 of the electrode frame 100 along the stacking direction SS' also has a meandering structure (also referred to as a serpentine structure or a zigzag structure) 223, which abuts against the anode porous transport layer 350 at a plurality of locations 223a spaced apart from each other along the direction transverse to the stacking direction SS', and defines a plurality of channels 223b spaced apart from each other along the direction transverse to the stacking direction SS' between these locations 223a. These channels 223b are in fluid communication with the anode chamber 132 and extend between the two second recesses 152 (that is, extending from one second recess 152 across the anode chamber 132 to the other second recess 152). In this configuration, on the one hand, since the meandering structure 223 only abuts against the anode porous transport layer 350 at each position 223a, the pressure between the meandering structure 223 and the anode porous transport layer 350 is increased. This increased pressure facilitates a more reliable electrical connection between the meandering structure 223 and the anode porous transport layer 350, thus improving the reliability of the electrolysis unit 10. On the other hand, since the meandering structure 223 defines multiple channels 223b extending across the anode chamber 132, the electrolyte can diffuse more rapidly into the entire anode chamber 132 through each channel 223b and can be discharged more rapidly from the anode chamber 132 through each channel 223b, thus improving the operating efficiency of the electrolysis unit 10. Figure 7As shown, since the electrodes 210 and 220 are shared by two adjacent electrolysis units 10, the shared electrodes 210 and 220 define multiple channels 213b extending across the cathode chamber 131 of one electrolysis unit 10 on one side, and multiple channels 223b extending across the anode chamber 132 of the adjacent electrolysis unit 10 on the other side. As mentioned above, this not only facilitates a more reliable electrical connection between the shared electrodes 210 and 220 and the cathode porous transport layer 340 and anode porous transport layer 350 on both sides, but also helps to promote the diffusion and discharge of electrolytes in the cathode chamber 131 and anode chamber 132 on both sides.

[0048] Back Figure 1 and Figure 2 The central hole 130 has a first opening 133 on the first pole frame surface 110 and a second opening 134 on the second pole frame surface 120. In other words, the central hole 130 extends from the first opening 133 on the first pole frame surface 110 to the second opening 134 on the second pole frame surface 120. Figures 4-7 As shown, the electrode frame 100 has a size-reducing structure 170 on the sidewall of the central hole 130, which makes the size of the second opening 134 smaller than the size of the first opening 133. Specifically, the size-reducing structure 170 can be formed by an inclined portion of the sidewall of the central hole 130, which inclines inward toward the second opening 134, thereby making the size of the second opening 134 smaller than the size of the first opening 133. In this configuration, during the assembly of the electrolysis unit 10, if the electrolysis unit 10 is arranged according to... Figure 4 and Figure 5 The orientation shown, that is, with the first pole frame surface 110 of the pole frame 100 facing upwards and the second pole frame surface 120 facing downwards, allows the size-reduced structure 170 to prevent the anode porous transport layer 350 from falling out of the central hole 130 through the second opening 134 due to gravity. Furthermore, since the anode porous transport layer 350 can also prevent other components (such as the anode electrode layer 330) from falling out of the central hole 130, this configuration significantly reduces the risk of damage to the various components of the electrolysis unit 10 during assembly, thereby improving the success rate of assembling the electrolysis unit 10. Of course, Figures 4-7 The embodiments shown are merely exemplary and not limiting. In embodiments not shown, as an alternative, the size-reducing structure 170 may also consist of a protrusion projecting inward from the sidewall of the central hole 130 at the second opening 134. Alternatively, the size-reducing structure 170 may be configured such that the size of the first opening 133 is smaller than the size of the second opening 134, so that the electrolysis unit 10 conforms to... Figure 4 and Figure 5 To avoid damage to the components of the electrolysis unit 10, assemble them in the opposite direction.

[0049] The optional but non-limiting embodiments of the electrolysis unit and electrolysis apparatus according to this disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. Modifications and additions to the technology and structure, as well as recombinations of features in the various embodiments, should be considered within the scope of this disclosure without departing from its spirit and essence. Therefore, such modifications and additions conceivable under the teachings of this disclosure should be considered part of this disclosure. The scope of this disclosure includes equivalent technologies known at the filing date of this disclosure and equivalent technologies not yet foreseen.

Claims

1. An electrolysis unit, characterized in that, include: Two electrode plates (210, 220) separated along the stacking direction (SS'); as well as A pole frame (100) is located between the two pole plates (210, 220), the pole frame (100) having a first pole frame surface (110) and a second pole frame surface (120) facing the two pole plates (210, 220). The pole frame (100) includes one or more locking protrusions (105) protruding from one of the first pole frame surface (110) and the second pole frame surface (120), and is provided with one or more locking holes (106) recessed from the other of the first pole frame surface (110) and the second pole frame surface (120). Each of the two electrode plates (210, 220) is provided with one or more mounting holes (205, 206), each locking protrusion (105) passes through a corresponding mounting hole of one of the two electrode plates (210, 220), and each locking hole (106) is aligned with a corresponding mounting hole of the other of the two electrode plates (210, 220).

2. The electrolysis unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each locking protrusion (105) and its corresponding locking hole (106) are aligned in the stacking direction (SS') and are complementary in shape.

3. The electrolysis unit according to claim 2, characterized in that, Each locking protrusion (105) has a partially enlarged portion, each locking hole (106) has an opening on the first pole frame surface (110) or the second pole frame surface (120), and the size of the partially enlarged portion of each locking protrusion (105) is larger than the size of the opening of the corresponding locking hole (106).

4. The electrolysis unit according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The pole frame (100) has a through-hole (130) and includes a plurality of locking protrusions (105) arranged around the central hole (130) and a plurality of locking holes (106) arranged around the central hole (130).

5. The electrolysis unit according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The pole frame (100) has a through-hole (130), and each of the two pole plates (210, 220) has a meandering structure (213, 223) in the portion aligned with the central hole (130), the meandering structure (213, 223) defining a plurality of channels (213b, 223b) extending across and communicating with the central hole (130).

6. The electrolysis unit according to claim 5, characterized in that, It also includes a cathode porous transport layer (340) and an anode porous transport layer (350) housed in the central hole (130), a meandering structure of one of the two electrode plates (210, 220) abutting the cathode porous transport layer (340) between the plurality of channels, and a meandering structure of the other of the two electrode plates (210, 220) abutting the anode porous transport layer (350) between the plurality of channels.

7. The electrolysis unit according to claim 5, characterized in that, The pole frame (100) is provided with two first grooves (151) recessed from the surface (110) of the first pole frame and located on both sides of the central hole (130), wherein a plurality of channels defined by the meandering structure of one of the two pole plates (210, 220) extend from one first groove (151) across the central hole (130) to the other first groove (151).

8. The electrolysis unit according to claim 5, characterized in that, The pole frame (100) is provided with two second grooves (152) recessed from the surface (120) of the second pole frame and located on both sides of the central hole (130), wherein a plurality of channels defined by the meandering structure of one of the two pole plates (210, 220) extend from one second groove (152) across the central hole (130) to the other second groove (152).

9. The electrolysis unit according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The pole frame (100) is provided with a through-hole (130), the through-hole (130) having a first opening (133) on the surface of the first pole frame (110) and a second opening (134) on the surface of the second pole frame (120), and the pole frame (100) is provided with a size reduction structure (170) on the sidewall of the through-hole (130) such that the size of the first opening (133) is different from the size of the second opening (134).

10. The electrolysis unit according to claim 9, characterized in that, The size-reducing structure (170) is formed by the inclined portion of the sidewall of the central hole (130). The inclined portion tilts inward as it approaches the second opening (134) so ​​that the size of the second opening (134) is smaller than the size of the first opening (133); or the inclined portion tilts inward as it approaches the first opening (133) so that the size of the first opening (133) is smaller than the size of the second opening (134).

11. The electrolysis unit according to claim 9, characterized in that, The size-reducing structure (170) is composed of protrusions extending inward from the sidewall of the central hole (130). The protrusion is located at the second opening (134) such that the size of the second opening (134) is smaller than the size of the first opening (133); or the protrusion is located at the first opening (133) such that the size of the first opening (133) is smaller than the size of the second opening (134).

12. The electrolysis unit according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The pole frame (100) has a plurality of first sealing strips (161) on the surface of the first pole frame (110) and a plurality of second sealing strips (162) on the surface of the second pole frame (120), wherein the plurality of first sealing strips (161) and the plurality of second sealing strips (162) respectively abut against the two pole plates (210, 220).

13. The electrolysis unit according to claim 12, characterized in that, The plurality of first sealing strips (161) and the plurality of second sealing strips (162) are integral parts of the pole frame (100).

14. The electrolysis unit according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The electrode frame (100) has a through-hole (130), and the electrolysis unit further includes a diaphragm (310) housed in the through-hole (130). The electrode frame (100) includes a first electrode frame portion (101) and a second electrode frame portion (102) stacked together along the stacking direction (SS'), and the entire periphery of the diaphragm (310) is sandwiched between the first electrode frame portion (101) and the second electrode frame portion (102).

15. The electrolysis unit according to claim 14, characterized in that, The first polar frame portion (101) includes one or more positioning structures (103), the second polar frame portion (102) includes one or more matching positioning structures (104), and each matching positioning structure (104) is combined with a corresponding positioning structure (103).

16. The electrolysis unit according to claim 15, characterized in that, The first pole frame portion (101) includes a plurality of positioning structures (103) arranged around the central hole (130), and the second pole frame portion (102) includes a plurality of matching positioning structures (104) arranged around the central hole (130).

17. The electrolysis unit according to claim 15, characterized in that, One of the positioning structure (103) and the matching positioning structure (104) is a positioning hole, and the other of the positioning structure (103) and the matching positioning structure (104) is a positioning protrusion.

18. The electrolysis unit according to claim 17, characterized in that, Each positioning hole has an opening on the surface of the first pole frame portion (101) or the surface of the second pole frame portion (102), each positioning protrusion has a partially enlarged portion, and the size of the partially enlarged portion of each positioning protrusion is larger than the size of the opening of the corresponding positioning hole.

19. An electrolysis apparatus, characterized in that, The electrolytic cells include a plurality of electrolytic cells stacked together along a stacking direction (SS') according to any one of claims 1-18, wherein any two adjacent electrolytic cells (10) share a single electrode plate (210, 220), and in any two adjacent electrolytic cells (10), each locking protrusion (105) of the electrode frame (100) of one electrolytic cell (10) is inserted through a mounting hole of the electrode plate (210, 220) into a locking hole (106) of the electrode frame (100) of the other electrolytic cell (10).

20. The electrolysis apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that, In any two adjacent electrolysis units (10), the portion of the electrode plate (210, 220) aligned with the central hole (130) of each electrolysis unit (10) has a meandering structure (213, 223), the meandering structure (213, 223) defining a plurality of channels extending across and communicating with the central hole (130) of one electrolysis unit (10) and a plurality of channels extending across and communicating with the central hole (130) of the other electrolysis unit (10).

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