Electrolytic water hydrogen production system capable of fast cold start
By designing a combined system of electrolyzer, gas-liquid separator, heat exchanger, and heater/cooler, the problem of slow start-up speed in water electrolysis for hydrogen production was solved, enabling rapid cold start and temperature control, and improving electrolysis efficiency and system adaptability.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- QINGDAO CHUANGQI XINDE NEW ENERGY TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-23
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-19
AI Technical Summary
The existing AWE water electrolysis hydrogen production technology has a slow start-up speed and is difficult to adjust the hydrogen production rate quickly, especially when combined with intermittent power sources, it has poor adaptability.
A system comprising an electrolyzer, a hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation device, an oxygen-side gas-liquid separation device, a heat exchanger, a heater, and a refrigerator was designed. Through a combination of a circulating pump and on/off valves, the system achieves rapid heating and temperature control of the electrolyte, ensuring rapid cold start-up of the electrolyzer and maintaining stable temperature during operation.
It enables rapid cold start-up of the water electrolysis hydrogen production system, improves electrolysis efficiency, reduces energy consumption, prevents diaphragm overheating and damage, and has good intermittent power supply adaptability.
Smart Images
Figure CN224378226U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of water electrolysis hydrogen production technology, and specifically relates to a water electrolysis hydrogen production system that can be quickly cold-started. Background Technology
[0002] Hydrogen energy, as a highly efficient and clean energy form, is gradually becoming an important direction for global energy transition due to its enormous application potential and environmental friendliness. Electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen is one of the main methods for obtaining hydrogen energy, making its technological research and application particularly important. Currently, water electrolysis technologies for hydrogen production mainly include alkaline water electrolysis (AWE), proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEM), high-temperature solid oxide water electrolysis (SOEC), and solid polymer anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEM). Among these, AWE technology is the most mature, but it suffers from slow start-up speed and difficulty in rapidly adjusting the hydrogen production rate, especially when combined with intermittent power sources such as photovoltaic and wind power, where its adaptability is poor. Utility Model Content
[0003] Based on the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model proposes an electrolytic water hydrogen production system that can be quickly started by cold.
[0004] The technical solution adopted by this utility model is:
[0005] A rapid cold-start water electrolysis hydrogen production system includes an electrolyzer, a hydrogen-side gas-liquid separator, an oxygen-side gas-liquid separator, and a heat exchanger. The electrolyzer is connected to the inlet of the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separator via a first gas-liquid delivery pipeline, and the electrolyzer is connected to the inlet of the oxygen-side gas-liquid separator via a second gas-liquid delivery pipeline. The outlet of the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separator is connected to a first circulation branch, and the outlet of the oxygen-side gas-liquid separator is connected to a second circulation branch. Both the first and second circulation branches are connected to the first inlet of the heat exchanger via a first main circulation pipeline. The first outlet of the heat exchanger is connected to the electrolyzer via a second main circulation pipeline.
[0006] Preferably, the hydrogen production system further includes a heater, with the second outlet of the heat exchanger connected to the inlet of the heater via a first heat exchange pipeline, and the outlet of the heater connected to the second inlet of the heat exchanger via a second heat exchange pipeline.
[0007] Preferably, the hydrogen production system further includes a cooler, the inlet of which is connected to the first heat exchange pipeline via a third heat exchange pipeline, and the outlet of which is connected to the second heat exchange pipeline via a fourth heat exchange pipeline.
[0008] Preferably, a first on / off valve is provided on the first heat exchange pipeline, a second on / off valve is provided on the second heat exchange pipeline, a third on / off valve is provided on the third heat exchange pipeline, and a fourth on / off valve is provided on the fourth heat exchange pipeline; the first on / off valve is provided on the section between the connection point of the first and third heat exchange pipelines and the heater, and the second on / off valve is provided on the section between the connection point of the second and fourth heat exchange pipelines and the heater.
[0009] Preferably, a circulation pump is installed on the second circulation main pipeline.
[0010] Preferably, both the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation device and the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation device are connected to a gas discharge pipeline, and a fifth on / off valve is provided on the gas discharge pipeline.
[0011] The beneficial technical effects of this utility model are as follows:
[0012] (1) This invention provides a water electrolysis hydrogen production system capable of rapid cold start. It achieves rapid cold start by heating the circulating electrolyte with a heater; furthermore, the combination of the heater and the cooler ensures the electrolyte temperature remains within a set range. This invention significantly reduces the cold start voltage, prevents electrode passivation in the electrolyzer, improves electrolysis efficiency, and reduces hydrogen production energy consumption; simultaneously, it prevents diaphragm overheating and damage.
[0013] (2) When this utility model is combined with intermittent power sources such as photovoltaic power generation and wind power generation, it has good adaptability and the system structure design is simple and easy to use. Attached Figure Description
[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structural principle of the electrolytic water hydrogen production system of this utility model, which can be quickly started by cold.
[0015] In the diagram: 1-Electrolyzer, 2-Hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation device, 3-Oxygen-side gas-liquid separation device, 4-Heat exchanger, 5-Heater, 6-Refrigerator, 7-First gas-liquid conveying pipeline, 8-Second gas-liquid conveying pipeline, 9-First circulation branch, 10-Second circulation branch, 11-First circulation main pipeline, 12-Second circulation main pipeline, 13-Circulation pump, 14-First heat exchange pipeline, 15-Second heat exchange pipeline, 16-Third heat exchange pipeline, 17-Fourth heat exchange pipeline, 18-First on / off valve, 19-Second on / off valve, 20-Third on / off valve, 21-Fourth on / off valve, 22-Gas discharge pipeline, 23-Fifth on / off valve. Detailed Implementation
[0016] Referring to the accompanying drawings, a rapid cold-start water electrolysis hydrogen production system includes an electrolyzer 1, a hydrogen-side gas-liquid separator 2, an oxygen-side gas-liquid separator 3, a heat exchanger 4, a heater 5, and a refrigerator 6. The electrolyzer 1 is connected to the inlet of the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separator 2 via a first gas-liquid delivery pipeline 7, and to the inlet of the oxygen-side gas-liquid separator 3 via a second gas-liquid delivery pipeline 8. The outlet of the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separator 2 is connected to a first circulation branch 9, and the outlet of the oxygen-side gas-liquid separator 3 is connected to a second circulation branch 10. Both the first circulation branch 9 and the second circulation branch 10 are connected to the first inlet of the heat exchanger 4 via a first main circulation pipeline 11. The first outlet of the heat exchanger 4 is connected to the electrolyzer 1 via a second main circulation pipeline 12. A circulation pump 13 is installed on the second main circulation pipeline 12.
[0017] During cold start-up of electrolyzer 1, heat exchanger 4 rapidly preheats electrolyzer 1, improving cold start efficiency. The electrolyte separated by hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation device 2 and oxygen-side gas-liquid separation device 3 is re-entered into the electrolyzer through heat exchanger 4 under the drive of circulation pump 13, forming an electrolyte circulation loop to continuously provide electrolyte at a suitable temperature to the electrolyzer.
[0018] The second outlet of heat exchanger 4 is connected to the inlet of heater 5 via the first heat exchange pipe 14, and the outlet of heater 5 is connected to the second inlet of heat exchanger 4 via the second heat exchange pipe 15. The inlet of refrigerator 6 is connected to the first heat exchange pipe 14 via the third heat exchange pipe 16, and the outlet of refrigerator 6 is connected to the second heat exchange pipe 15 via the fourth heat exchange pipe 17. A first on / off valve 18 is installed on the first heat exchange pipe 14, a second on / off valve 19 is installed on the second heat exchange pipe 15, a third on / off valve 20 is installed on the third heat exchange pipe 16, and a fourth on / off valve 21 is installed on the fourth heat exchange pipe 17. The first on / off valve 18 is located on the section between the connection point of the first heat exchange pipe 14 and the third heat exchange pipe 16 and the heater 5, and the second on / off valve 19 is located on the section between the connection point of the second heat exchange pipe 15 and the fourth heat exchange pipe 17 and the heater 5.
[0019] The aforementioned hydrogen-side gas-liquid separator 2 and oxygen-side gas-liquid separator 3 are used to separate the gas and alkaline solution generated during electrolysis. Both the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separator 2 and the oxygen-side gas-liquid separator 3 are also connected to a gas discharge pipeline 22, on which a fifth on / off valve 23 is installed. The hydrogen and oxygen separated by the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separator 2 and the oxygen-side gas-liquid separator 3 are output through the gas discharge pipeline.
[0020] The heat exchanger 4 receives the gas-liquid mixture from the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separator 2 and the oxygen-side gas-liquid separator 3, and exchanges heat to raise or lower the electrolyte temperature. Multiple branches branch off from the heat exchanger outlet, which can be connected to the cooler 6 or the heater 5 via on / off valves. The heater 5 heats the electrolyte in the electrolytic cell. Before cold start-up of the electrolytic cell, the first on / off valve 18 and the second on / off valve 19 are opened, and the third on / off valve 20 and the fourth on / off valve 21 are closed. The heater heats the electrolyte to a suitable temperature to accelerate the preheating process of the electrolytic cell 1. The cooler 6 lowers the electrolyte temperature. During operation of the electrolytic cell, if the electrolyte temperature is too high, the third on / off valve 20 and the fourth on / off valve 21 can be opened, and the first on / off valve 18 and the second on / off valve 19 can be closed, directing the electrolyte into the cooler 6 for cooling to ensure stable system operation.
[0021] The working principle of this utility model is as follows:
[0022] During the cold start phase, the system first executes a preheating process. At this time, the first on / off valve 18 and the second on / off valve 19 are open, and the electrolyte enters the heater 5 through the first heat exchange pipe 14 to heat the electrolyte, and then flows out through the second heat exchange pipe 15. Meanwhile, the third on / off valve 20 and the fourth on / off valve 21 remain closed to ensure effective heat accumulation and rapid increase in system temperature. When the system temperature reaches the preset threshold of 80℃, the first on / off valve 18 and the second on / off valve 19 close, terminating the preheating process. Simultaneously, the third on / off valve 20 and the fourth on / off valve 21 open, and the superheated electrolyte flowing out through the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separator 2 and the oxygen-side gas-liquid separator 3 has its temperature reduced by the cooler 6, maintaining the electrolyte temperature at approximately 80℃.
[0023] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of this utility model. It should be understood that the above descriptions are merely specific embodiments of this utility model and are not intended to limit this utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.
Claims
1. A fast cold startable hydrogen production system from electrolysis of water, characterized in that: It includes an electrolyzer, a hydrogen-side gas-liquid separator, an oxygen-side gas-liquid separator, and a heat exchanger. The electrolyzer is connected to the inlet of the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separator via a first gas-liquid delivery pipeline, and the electrolyzer is connected to the inlet of the oxygen-side gas-liquid separator via a second gas-liquid delivery pipeline. The outlet of the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separator is connected to a first circulation branch, and the outlet of the oxygen-side gas-liquid separator is connected to a second circulation branch. Both the first and second circulation branches are connected to the first inlet of the heat exchanger via a first main circulation pipeline. The first outlet of the heat exchanger is connected to the electrolyzer via a second main circulation pipeline.
2. The water electrolysis hydrogen production system with rapid cold start according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a heater, with the second outlet of the heat exchanger connected to the inlet of the heater via the first heat exchange pipeline, and the outlet of the heater connected to the second inlet of the heat exchanger via the second heat exchange pipeline.
3. The water electrolysis hydrogen production system with rapid cold start according to claim 2, characterized in that: It also includes a refrigeration unit, whose inlet is connected to the first heat exchange pipeline via a third heat exchange pipeline, and whose outlet is connected to the second heat exchange pipeline via a fourth heat exchange pipeline.
4. The water electrolysis hydrogen production system with rapid cold start according to claim 3, characterized in that: A first on / off valve is installed on the first heat exchange pipeline, a second on / off valve is installed on the second heat exchange pipeline, a third on / off valve is installed on the third heat exchange pipeline, and a fourth on / off valve is installed on the fourth heat exchange pipeline. The first on / off valve is installed on the section between the connection point of the first and third heat exchange pipelines and the heater, and the second on / off valve is installed on the section between the connection point of the second and fourth heat exchange pipelines and the heater.
5. The water electrolysis hydrogen production system with rapid cold start according to claim 1, characterized in that: A circulation pump is installed on the second circulation main pipeline.
6. The water electrolysis hydrogen production system with rapid cold start according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation device and the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation device are connected to a gas discharge pipeline, and a fifth on / off valve is installed on the gas discharge pipeline.