A gas-liquid separator for hydrogen production by water electrolysis
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202522053669.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-09-24
- Publication Date
- 2026-09-11
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-09-24
AI Technical Summary
现有的气液分离器结构都比较简单，多采用密封罐体结构，在循环泵作用下，在罐体内完成气液两相分离，而刚从从电解槽或洗瓶机等设备排出的氢碱混合气液两相体的温度较高(约80℃左右)，直接排放进密封的罐体内进行分离时，高温会导致碱液蒸发损失，水液雾气混合氢气从出气口排出，需要进行二次除雾干燥处理，增加了工艺步骤，降低了气液分离效率，同时高温还会使得热能损失，不利于进行热能回收，因此需要改进分离器
[0008]本实用新型的有益之处在于：利用冷却管配合螺旋折流板，降低罐体内混合液温度，并使得水汽液化，与氢气分离，进而干燥氢气，提高氢气纯度。
Smart Images
Figure CN224741154U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of hydrogen production equipment technology, and in particular to a gas-liquid separator for hydrogen production by water electrolysis. Background Technology
[0002] Electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen is one of the best solutions for producing green hydrogen using renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. Because water is the readily available reactant, it has become a hot research topic. The wide availability of water, the ability to produce hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis, and the resulting hydrogen-oxygen reaction, all contribute to the promising future of water electrolysis for hydrogen production. The current process flow for water electrolysis to produce hydrogen is as follows: Water is electrolyzed under a direct current electric field, producing hydrogen at the cathode and oxygen at the anode. The hydrogen / oxygen, carrying the electrolyte (i.e., alkaline solution), passes through the electrolytic cell's gas duct ring and pipes into the hydrogen / oxygen liquid separator. In the separator, gravity separation is achieved using the density difference between the gas and liquid phases. The hydrogen / oxygen flows upward into the hydrogen / oxygen side scrubber, where it is washed with demineralized water, cooled, and defoamed. The separated hydrogen / oxygen then enters a subsequent system for purification, ultimately yielding the final product hydrogen / oxygen. Existing gas-liquid separators have relatively simple structures, mostly using sealed tank structures. Under the action of a circulating pump, the gas-liquid two-phase separation is completed within the tank. However, the temperature of the hydrogen-alkali mixture discharged from equipment such as electrolyzers or bottle washing machines is relatively high (around 80°C). When directly discharged into the sealed tank for separation, the high temperature will cause the alkali solution to evaporate and be lost. The water mist mixed with hydrogen gas will be discharged from the outlet, requiring secondary demisting and drying treatment, which increases the process steps and reduces the gas-liquid separation efficiency. At the same time, the high temperature will also cause heat loss, which is not conducive to heat recovery. Therefore, the separator needs to be improved. Utility Model Content
[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a gas-liquid separator for hydrogen production by water electrolysis to address the above problems.
[0004] A gas-liquid separator for hydrogen production by water electrolysis includes a tank body. The tank body is horizontally arranged and supported by a saddle. Both ends of the tank body are sealed with end caps, and flow channels are provided on the end caps. Sealing plates are provided at both ends of the tank body corresponding to the flow channels. Several cooling pipes and spiral baffles for connecting the two flow channels are arranged between the sealing plates. The spiral baffles extend along the axial direction of the cooling pipes and pass through the spiral baffles. Several through holes are provided on the spiral baffles. One end of the tank body is provided with a gas-liquid inlet, and the other end of the tank body is provided with a gas outlet. A liquid outlet is provided at the bottom of the tank body, and the liquid outlet is located directly below the gas outlet.
[0005] Preferably, the end cap and the tank body are connected by bolts through the flange, and a sealing gasket is provided at the connection.
[0006] Preferably, a mesh-shaped demister is provided inside the air outlet.
[0007] Preferably, the tank body is made of stainless steel and the inner surface of the tank is lined with plastic.
[0008] The advantages of this invention are: by using a cooling pipe in conjunction with a spiral baffle, the temperature of the mixture inside the tank is reduced, and the water vapor is liquefied and separated from the hydrogen, thereby drying the hydrogen and improving its purity. Attached Figure Description
[0009] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a gas-liquid separator for hydrogen production by water electrolysis, as one embodiment.
[0010] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a gas-liquid separator used for hydrogen production by water electrolysis. Detailed Implementation
[0011] To make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a full understanding of this utility model. However, this utility model 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 utility model. Therefore, this utility model is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.
[0012] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.
[0013] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
[0014] like Figures 1-2As shown, a gas-liquid separator for hydrogen production by water electrolysis includes a tank 1. The tank 1 is horizontally oriented and supported by a saddle 2. Both ends of the tank 1 are sealed by end caps 3, each end cap 3 having a flow channel 31. Sealing plates 32 are positioned at both ends of the tank 1 corresponding to the flow channel 31. A plurality of cooling pipes 33 and spiral baffles 34 are arranged between the sealing plates 32 to connect the two flow channel 31. The spiral baffles 34 extend axially along the cooling pipes 33, which penetrate the spiral baffles 34. A plurality of through holes 341 are provided on the spiral baffles 34. One end of the tank 1 has a gas-liquid inlet 11, and the other end has a gas outlet 12. The bottom of the tank 1 has a liquid outlet 13 located directly below the gas outlet 12. Specifically, in this embodiment, the tank 1 is made of stainless steel, and the inner surface of the tank 1 is lined with plastic. The inner lining plastic (such as PTFE, PP, PO, etc.) can effectively isolate the metal matrix from the corrosion of hydrogen alkali solution (such as NaOH solution), and is especially suitable for high temperature (≤150℃) and high concentration alkali solution environments. The tank body 1 is raised off the ground by the saddle 2, and the two ends of the tank body are sealed with end caps 3 to form a sealed space. The gas-liquid mixture of alkali solution and hydrogen gas is introduced from the gas-liquid inlet 11 of the tank body 1. The temperature of the mixed gas-liquid mixture is relatively high. In order to prevent the liquid from evaporating into water mist and being discharged from the outlet 12, we use cooling pipes 33 to cool it down. Specifically, the coolant flowing in the cooling pipes 33 is used to isolate and cool the mixed liquid passing through the tank body 1. At the same time, the flow channel 31 of the end cap 3 serves as the inlet and outlet of the coolant, and is separated from the space of the tank body 1 by the sealing plate 32 to avoid confusion. Meanwhile, a spiral baffle 34 is installed inside the tank 1. The spiral baffle 34 is fixed by a cooling pipe 33 and extends along the axial direction of the cooling pipe 33. Through the spiral baffle 34, the mixture flows in a spiral direction. During the cooling process, the temperature distribution is uniform, which greatly improves the thermal conductivity of the mixture. The fluid flows continuously along the spiral surface without interruption or leakage, and the shell-side resistance is small. Furthermore, because the cooling pipe 33 passes through the spiral baffle 34, and the spiral baffle 34 is made of metal with good thermal conductivity, the surface temperature of the spiral baffle 34 decreases when the cooling pipe 33 circulates coolant. The spiral baffle 34 can increase the contact area with water vapor floating in the upper space inside the tank 1, causing the water vapor to re-liquefy, thereby separating hydrogen and water vapor and improving the dryness of the discharged hydrogen.
[0015] like Figures 1-2 As shown, the end cap 3 and the tank body 1 are connected by bolts through the flange to avoid directly drilling holes in the end cap 3 and the tank body 1, which would damage their integrity. A sealing gasket is provided at the connection to enhance the sealing performance of the connection.
[0016] like Figure 2As shown, a mesh-shaped demister 4 is provided inside the gas outlet 12. The demister 4 is used to remove water mist mixed in the hydrogen gas and dry the discharged hydrogen gas.
[0017] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of this utility model, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the utility model patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this utility model, and these all fall within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model patent should be determined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A gas-liquid separator for hydrogen production by water electrolysis, characterized in that: The device includes a tank body with a horizontal layout and supported by a saddle. Both ends of the tank body are sealed with end caps, each end cap having a flow channel opening. Sealing plates are provided at both ends of the tank body corresponding to the flow channel openings. Several cooling pipes and spiral baffles for connecting the two flow channel openings are arranged between the sealing plates. The spiral baffles extend along the axial direction of the cooling pipes and pass through the spiral baffles. Several through holes are provided on the spiral baffles. One end of the tank body has a gas-liquid inlet, the other end has a gas outlet, and the bottom of the tank body has a liquid outlet located directly below the gas outlet.
2. A gas-liquid separator for hydrogen production by water electrolysis as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The end cap and the tank body are connected by bolts through the flange, and a sealing gasket is provided at the connection.
3. A gas-liquid separator for hydrogen production by water electrolysis as described in claim 1, characterized in that: A mesh-shaped demister is installed inside the air outlet.
4. A gas-liquid separator for hydrogen production by water electrolysis as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The tank body is made of stainless steel, and the inner surface of the tank is lined with plastic.