Conductive members for electrode plates in electrolytic hydrogen generation apparatus, electrode plate assemblies, and electrolytic cells

Abstract

The application provides a conductive part for an electrode plate in a hydrogen production equipment by electrolysis, an electrode plate assembly and an electrolytic cell, the conductive part comprises a top structure and a support structure, and at least one channel is present on the support structure, liquid can pass through the channel from one side of the support structure to the other side, after the conductive part is connected with the electrode plate, the electrolyte solution can pass through the channel, after the conductive part is connected with the electrode, the conductive part can be more stable and more uniform in contact with the electrode, in addition, the three-dimensional design of the conductive part can adapt to the surface topography of the electrode, significantly improve the effective contact area and improve the uniformity of current distribution.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of electrolytic water hydrogen production equipment, especially relates to a kind of for the conductive component of electrolytic hydrogen production equipment polar plate, polar plate assembly and electrolytic cell. BACKGROUND

[0002] In electrochemical devices, the conductive connection between the electrode and the bipolar plate usually uses a diamond mesh as an intermediate medium. However, this structure has obvious contact defects: due to the discrete node contact characteristics of the diamond mesh, the electrode surface cannot achieve full contact with the diamond mesh, resulting in a significant reduction in the actual effective conductive area. This insufficient contact not only increases the interfacial resistance, but also causes uneven current distribution, severely affecting the electrolysis efficiency of the device.

[0003] This problem is further exacerbated during actual operation. Factors such as gas pressure generated during electrolysis, mechanical vibration, and material thermal expansion can all cause the contact state between the diamond mesh and the electrode to deteriorate continuously. After long-term operation, the contact interface may become loose or separated, causing a significant increase in interfacial resistance and triggering local overheating. This not only reduces the energy conversion efficiency of the device, but also accelerates the performance degradation of critical materials, shortening the service life of the equipment. SUMMARY

[0004] The purpose of the present application is to provide a conductive component for the polar plate in an electrolytic hydrogen production device, a polar plate assembly, and an electrolytic cell, to solve the technical problem that the electrode surface cannot achieve full contact with the diamond mesh, resulting in a significant reduction in the actual effective conductive area.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, in a first aspect, the present application provides a conductive component for the polar plate in an electrolytic hydrogen production device, which includes a top structure and a support structure; the top structure is used to connect with the electrode, and the support structure is used to connect with the polar plate;

[0006] The top of the support structure is connected with the top structure;

[0007] There is at least one channel on the support structure, and the channel is used for the liquid to flow from one side of the support structure to the other side.

[0008] Compared with the prior art, the present application provides a conductive component, which includes a top structure and a support structure, and there is at least one channel on the support structure. Liquid can flow from one side of the support structure to the other side through the channel. After connecting the conductive component with the polar plate, the electrolyte solution can flow through the channel. After connecting the conductive component with the electrode, it can more stably and uniformly contact the electrode. In addition, the three-dimensional design of the conductive component can adapt to the electrode surface topography, significantly increase the effective contact area, and improve the uniformity of current distribution.

[0009] Optionally, the conductive component further comprises a welding structure; the welding structure is used to realize the connection between the support structure and the polar plate through the welding structure.

[0010] The welding structure is connected with the bottom of the support structure.

[0011] Optionally, the support structure comprises a first support plate and a second support plate; the at least one channel comprises at least one first channel on the first support plate and at least one second channel on the second support plate.

[0012] The top of the first support plate is connected with one side of the top structure, and the top of the second support plate is connected with the other side of the top structure; the first support plate, the top structure and the second support plate form a hollow structure after being connected.

[0013] Optionally, the welding structure comprises at least one first welding plate and at least one second welding plate.

[0014] The first welding plate is connected with the bottom of the first support plate, and the second welding plate is connected with the bottom of the second support plate.

[0015] Optionally, the first channel is located on the area between any two adjacent first welding plates in the first support plate.

[0016] The second channel is located on the area between any two adjacent second welding plates in the second support plate.

[0017] Optionally, the position of the first channel corresponds to the position of the second channel.

[0018] Optionally, any two adjacent first welding plates are equidistant, and any two adjacent second welding plates are equidistant.

[0019] Optionally, the distance between any two adjacent first welding plates is equal to the distance between any two adjacent second welding plates.

[0020] Optionally, the top structure comprises a first top plate and a second top plate; the support structure further comprises a connecting structure.

[0021] The top of the first support plate is connected with the first top plate, and the top of the second support plate is connected with the second top plate.

[0022] The first top plate and the second top plate are connected through the connecting structure.

[0023] Optionally, the connecting structure comprises a third support plate, a fourth support plate and a connecting plate; one side of the connecting plate is connected with the bottom of the third support plate, and the other side of the connecting plate is connected with the bottom of the fourth support plate.

[0024] The top of the third support plate is connected with the first top plate, and the top of the fourth support plate is connected with the second top plate.

[0025] At least one third channel is present on the third support plate, and at least one fourth channel is present on the fourth support plate, and the third channel and the fourth channel are both used for liquid flow.

[0026] Optionally, the plane in which the support structure is located is perpendicular to the plane in which the top structure is located and the plane in which the welding structure is located, respectively.

[0027] Optionally, the channel is any one of a through hole or a groove.

[0028] When the channel is a groove, the opening position of the groove is located at the bottom of the support structure.

[0029] Optionally, the conductive component is an integrally formed structure.

[0030] Optionally, the material of the conductive component is pure nickel, nickel-based alloy, nickel-plated stainless steel, pure titanium or titanium-based alloy.

[0031] In a second aspect, the application provides an electrode plate assembly, which comprises an electrode plate, an electrode and a conductive component as described above.

[0032] The top structure in the conductive component is fixedly connected with the electrode, and the support structure in the conductive component is fixedly connected with the electrode plate.

[0033] In a third aspect, the application provides an electrolytic cell, which comprises a conductive component as described above, or comprises an electrode plate assembly as described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0034] Figure 1a is one of the structural schematic diagrams of a conductive component for an electrode plate in an electrolytic hydrogen production device provided by the embodiments of the application;

[0035] Figure 1b is another of the structural schematic diagrams of a conductive component for an electrode plate in an electrolytic hydrogen production device provided by the embodiments of the application;

[0036] Figure 1c is a third of the structural schematic diagrams of a conductive component for an electrode plate in an electrolytic hydrogen production device provided by the embodiments of the application;

[0037] Figure 2ais a structural schematic diagram of a conductive component with a welding structure provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0038] Figure 2b is a structural schematic diagram of a conductive component with a welding structure provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] Figure 2c is a structural schematic diagram of a conductive component with a welding structure provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Figure 3a is a structural schematic diagram of a conductive component with a welding structure provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] Figure 3b is a structural schematic diagram of a conductive component with a welding structure provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0042] Figure 3c is a structural schematic diagram of a conductive component with a welding structure provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] Figure 3d is a structural schematic diagram of a conductive component with a welding structure provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] Figure 4 is a structural schematic diagram of a conductive component with a welding structure provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] Figure 5a is a structural schematic diagram of a conductive component with a welding structure provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] Figure 5b is a structural schematic diagram of a conductive component with a welding structure provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] Figure 5c is a structural schematic diagram of a conductive component with a welding structure provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] In the drawings, the reference signs are explained as follows:

[0049] 1-conductive component; 11-top structure; 111-first top plate; 112-second top plate; 12-support structure; 121-first support plate; 122-second support plate; 123-connection structure; 1231-third support plate; 1232-fourth support plate; 1233-connection plate; 13-channel; 131-first channel; 132-second channel; 14-welding structure; 141-first welding plate; 142-second welding plate; 2-electrode plate assembly; 21-electrode plate; 22-electrode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] To make the objectives, advantages, and features of this application clearer, the electrolytic cell proposed in this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the drawings are all in a very simplified form and use non-precise proportions, and are only used to facilitate and clarify the purpose of illustrating the embodiments of this application.

[0051] To facilitate understanding of this application, a more detailed description is provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that when an element is described as being "fixed to" another element, it can be directly on the other element, or one or more intermediate elements may exist between them. When an element is described as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element, or one or more intermediate elements may exist between them. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," "inner," "outer," and similar expressions used in this specification are for illustrative purposes only. In the description of this utility model, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating relative importance or implying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, unless otherwise stated, features defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature; "multiple" means two or more. The term "comprising" and any variations thereof mean non-exclusive inclusion, where one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, units, components, and / or combinations thereof may be present or added.

[0052] Furthermore, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection via an intermediate medium, or a connection within two components. All technical and scientific terms used in this specification have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains. The terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The term "and / or" as used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0053] Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of this application described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0054] The electrolytic hydrogen production equipment mentioned in the embodiments of this application can refer to equipment used for electrolyzing water to produce hydrogen, which typically includes an electrolytic cell and a pressing mechanism. The electrolytic cell is the main equipment for producing hydrogen and oxygen by electrolyzing water. The electrolytic cell consists of multiple stacked electrode plates, most of which are separated by diaphragms, and sealed by gaskets to ensure the sealing performance between adjacent electrode plates.

[0055] See Figure 1a , Figure 1b and Figure 1c The illustration shows a schematic diagram of a conductive component 1 for an electrode plate in an electrolytic hydrogen production device, provided by an embodiment of this application. The conductive component 1 includes a top structure 11 and a support structure 12. The top structure 11 can be used to connect to the electrode, and the support structure 12 can be used to connect to the electrode plate.

[0056] The top structure 11 can be a plate-like structure, for example, a top plate. When used as an electrode plate in an electrolytic hydrogen production device, the top structure 11 can achieve electrical conductivity with the electrode through contact connection or fixed connection.

[0057] The top of the support structure 12 can be connected to the top structure 11, specifically, it can be connected to the bottom surface of the top structure 11. After connection, the component formed by the support structure 12 and the top structure 11 has a "T" shaped cross-section. Figure 1a The structure shown in the figure; or, the support structure 12 may also be a component connected to one side of the top structure 11, and after connection, the support structure 12 and the top structure 11 are combined to form a component with a cross-section of "┌" or "┐", wherein, Figure 1b and Figure 1c This illustrates the structure of a conductive component with a "┐" shaped cross-section, based on... Figure 1b The structural diagram shown makes it easy to deduce that by moving the support structure 12 to the other side of the top structure 11, the specific structure of the conductive component with a "┌" shaped cross-section can be determined.

[0058] It should be noted that the connection between one structure and another mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a fixed connection, such as an integral molding connection or welding, that is, the support structure 12 and the top structure 11 can be integrally molded and connected together; or it can be a detachable connection, such as the support structure 12 and the top structure 11 can be detachably connected together by a snap fastener. Those skilled in the art can choose a suitable connection method according to actual needs, and there is no specific limitation.

[0059] like Figure 1a , Figure 1b and Figure 1c As shown, at least one channel 13 may exist on the support structure 12, which can be used to allow liquid to flow from one side of the support structure 12 to the other. It should be noted that the conductive component provided in this embodiment can be used in an electrolytic hydrogen production device. Taking an alkaline electrolytic hydrogen production device as an example, the liquid here can be an electrolyte solution used for electrolysis to generate hydrogen and oxygen, such as KOH solution or NaOH solution.

[0060] Furthermore, the channel 13 can be either a through hole or a groove. For example... Figure 1a and Figure 1c As shown, this illustrates an example where channel 13 is a groove. When channel 13 is a groove, the opening of the groove is located at the bottom of the support structure. Figure 1b As shown, this illustrates an example where channel 13 is a through hole.

[0061] Furthermore, the conductive component 1 can be a one-piece molded structure, such as... Figure 1b and 1c The structure shown can be a one-piece molded structure, that is, a structure in which a metal plate is integrally molded into the required conductive component 1 through processes such as grooving, bending, and stamping; or it can be a structure assembled by welding, such as Figure 1a The structure shown is a welded structure.

[0062] Furthermore, the material of the conductive component 1 may include, but is not limited to, pure nickel, nickel-based alloys, nickel-plated stainless steel, pure titanium, and titanium-based alloys. Those skilled in the art can select appropriate materials based on economic costs or actual circumstances, without making any specific limitations.

[0063] When conductive components are used on electrode plates in electrolytic hydrogen production equipment, they can be directly welded to the electrode plates, for example, by welding the bottom of the support structure 12 to the electrode plate; or, for ease of welding, they can be welded using the welding structure 14. Figure 2a , Figure 2b and Figure 2c The diagram shown is a schematic representation of a conductive component with a welding structure according to an embodiment of this application. The conductive component 1 may further include a welding structure 14, which can be used to connect the support structure 12 to the electrode plate.

[0064] The welding structure 14 can be connected to the bottom of the support structure 12. The conductive component 1 can be fixedly connected to the electrode plate through the welding structure 14.

[0065] In this embodiment, the plane containing the support structure 12 can form a certain angle with the plane containing the top structure 11 and the plane containing the welded structure 13, respectively. To facilitate processing and to improve support strength, the plane containing the support structure 12 can be perpendicular to the plane containing the top structure 11. In addition, the plane containing the support structure 12 can also be perpendicular to the plane containing the welded structure 13.

[0066] Specifically, the welded structures 14 can be distributed on both sides of the supporting structure 12, such as... Figure 2a As shown; or they can all be located on one side of the supporting structure 12, such as Figure 2b and Figure 2cAs shown in the image.

[0067] Furthermore, such as Figures 3a to 3d The diagram shown is a schematic representation of another conductive component with a support structure provided in an embodiment of this application. The support structure 12 may include a first support plate 121 and a second support plate 122, and at least one channel 13 may include at least one first channel 131 located on the first support plate 121 and at least one second channel 132 located on the second support plate 122.

[0068] The top of the first support plate 121 can be connected to one side of the top structure 11, and the top of the second support plate 122 is connected to the other side of the top structure 11. As shown in Figure 3, the top structure 11 is elongated and can typically be a long strip of metal. The first support plate 121, the top structure 11, and the second support plate 122, when connected, form a hollow structure. This hollow portion can be closed or semi-closed. For example, Figure 3b The hollow structure with a "Π"-shaped cross-section formed by the combination of the first support plate 121, the top structure 11, and the second support plate 122 shown is semi-closed. Alternatively, the first support plate 121, the top structure 11, and the second support plate 122 can also be combined to form a hollow structure with a "▽"-shaped cross-section, which is closed.

[0069] from Figure 3a As can be seen, the welding structure 14 may include at least one first welding plate 141 and at least one second welding plate 142. The first welding plate 141 may be connected to the bottom of the first support plate 121, and the second welding plate 142 may be connected to the bottom of the second support plate 122.

[0070] The distance between any two adjacent first welding plates 141 can be equal or unequal; similarly, the distance between any two adjacent second welding plates 142 can be equal or unequal. Furthermore, the distance between any two adjacent first welding plates 141 can be equal to or unequal to the distance between any two adjacent second welding plates 142, and there is no specific limitation.

[0071] Furthermore, the first channel 131 can be located in the area between any two adjacent first welding plates 141 in the first support plate 121; the second channel 132 can be located in the area between any two adjacent second welding plates 142 in the second support plate 122.

[0072] The number of first channels 131 in the first support plate 121 located in the region between any two adjacent first welding plates 141 can be one or more, without any specific limitation. Similarly, the number of second channels 132 in the second support plate 122 located in the region between any two adjacent second welding plates 142 can be one or more.

[0073] Furthermore, the positions of the first channel 131 and the second channel 132 correspond to each other.

[0074] To increase the resistance welding amount and improve conductivity, such as Figure 4 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of another conductive component provided in an embodiment of this application. The top structure 11 may include a first top plate 111 and a second top plate 112; the support structure 12, in addition to including a first support plate 121 and a second support plate 122, may also include a connecting structure 123, which can be used to connect the first top plate 111 and the second top plate 112. Specifically, the top of the first support plate 121 is connected to the first top plate 111, the top of the second support plate 122 is connected to the second top plate 112, and the first top plate 111 and the second top plate 112 can be connected by the connecting structure 123.

[0075] Furthermore, the specific structure of the connection structure 123 can be varied. In one example, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the connecting structure 123 may include a third support plate 1231, a fourth support plate 1232, and a connecting plate 1233. One side of the connecting plate 1233 is connected to the bottom of the third support plate 1231, and the other side is connected to the bottom of the fourth support plate 1232. The top of the third support plate 1231 is connected to the first top plate 111, and the top of the fourth support plate 1232 is connected to the second top plate 112.

[0076] Furthermore, at least one channel 13 may also include at least one third channel ( Figure 4 (not shown in the image) and at least one fourth channel ( Figure 4 (Not shown in the image). The third support plate 1231 may have at least one third channel, and the fourth support plate 1232 may have at least one fourth channel. Both the third and fourth channels can be used for liquid flow. Specifically, the third channel can be used to allow liquid to flow from one side of the third support plate 1231 to the other, and the fourth channel can be used to allow liquid to flow from one side of the fourth support plate 1232 to the other.

[0077] Furthermore, the location and number of the third and fourth channels can correspond to those of the first and second channels.

[0078] In other examples, the connecting structure 123 can also be an arc-shaped structure or a semi-circular structure, or it can be other types of structures, as long as it can connect the first top plate 111 and the second top plate 112 together, without any specific limitation.

[0079] Based on the same inventive concept, this application also provides an electrode plate assembly, specifically as follows: Figure 5a , Figure 5b and Figure 5c As shown in the figure, an embodiment of this application provides a structural schematic diagram of an electrode plate assembly 2, which may include an electrode plate 21, an electrode 22, and the conductive component 1 described above.

[0080] Among them, plate 21 can be a single plate or a bipolar plate, and there is no specific limitation.

[0081] The top structure 11 of the conductive component 1 can be fixedly connected to the electrode 22, and the support structure 12 of the conductive component 1 can be fixedly connected to the electrode plate 21. Specifically, when the conductive component 1 is fixedly connected to the electrode plate 21, the bottom of the support structure 12 can be directly fixedly connected to the electrode plate 21, or the support structure 12 can be fixedly connected to the electrode plate through the welding structure 14.

[0082] The method of fixing can be welding, or it can be threaded screws, etc., and there is no specific limitation.

[0083] It should be noted that, in order to make the structure of the electrode plate assembly clearer, Figure 5a In the structure shown, the conductive component 1 is fixedly connected to the electrode plate 21, but not fixedly connected to the electrode 22. Figure 5b and Figure 5c The diagram shows the conductive component 1 fixedly connected to the electrode plate 21 and the electrode 22 respectively.

[0084] The specific structure of the conductive component 1 can be referred to the content described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0085] Based on the same inventive concept, embodiments of this application also provide an electrolytic cell, which may include the conductive component 1 described above, or may include the electrode plate assembly 2 described above. For details, please refer to the description above; further elaboration will not be repeated here.

[0086] The above description is merely a description of preferred embodiments of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of this application in any way. Any changes or modifications made by those skilled in the art based on the above disclosure shall fall within the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An electrically conductive component for an electrode plate in an electrolytic hydrogen generation apparatus, characterized by, The conductive component includes a top structure and a support structure; the top structure is used to connect with the electrode, and the support structure is used to connect with the electrode plate. The top of the support structure is connected to the top structure; The support structure has at least one channel for allowing liquid to flow from one side of the support structure to the other.

2. The electrically conductive component of claim 1, wherein, The conductive component further includes a welding structure; the welding structure is used to connect the support structure and the electrode plate. The welded structure is connected to the bottom of the supporting structure.

3. The electrically conductive component of claim 2, wherein, The support structure includes a first support plate and a second support plate; the at least one channel includes at least one first channel located on the first support plate and at least one second channel located on the second support plate; The top of the first support plate is connected to one side of the top structure, and the top of the second support plate is connected to the other side of the top structure; the first support plate, the top structure and the second support plate are connected to form a hollow structure.

4. The conductive member according to claim 3, characterized by The welded structure includes at least one first welding plate and at least one second welding plate; The first welding plate is connected to the bottom of the first support plate, and the second welding plate is connected to the bottom of the second support plate.

5. The electrically conductive component of claim 4, wherein, The first channel is located in the area between any two adjacent first welding plates in the first support plate; The second channel is located in the area between any two adjacent second welding plates in the second support plate.

6. The conductive member according to claim 4, wherein The positions of the first channel and the second channel correspond to each other.

7. The conductive member according to claim 4, wherein Any two adjacent first welding plates are equidistant from each other, and any two adjacent second welding plates are equidistant from each other.

8. The conductive member according to claim 7, wherein The distance between any two adjacent first welding plates is equal to the distance between any two adjacent second welding plates.

9. The conductive member according to claim 3, wherein The top structure includes a first top plate and a second top plate; the supporting structure also includes a connecting structure. The top of the first support plate is connected to the first top plate, and the top of the second support plate is connected to the second top plate; The first top plate and the second top plate are connected by the connecting structure.

10. The electrically conductive component of claim 9, wherein, The connecting structure includes a third support plate, a fourth support plate, and a connecting plate; one side of the connecting plate is connected to the bottom of the third support plate, and the other side is connected to the bottom of the fourth support plate. The top of the third support plate is connected to the first top plate, and the top of the fourth support plate is connected to the second top plate; The third support plate has at least one third channel, and the fourth support plate has at least one fourth channel. Both the third channel and the fourth channel are used for liquid flow.

11. The conductive member according to claim 2, characterized by The plane containing the supporting structure is perpendicular to the plane containing the top structure and the plane containing the welding structure, respectively.

12. The conductive member according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The channel can be either a through hole or a groove; When the channel is a groove, the opening of the groove is located at the bottom of the support structure.

13. The conductive member according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The conductive component is a one-piece molded structure.

14. The conductive member according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by, The conductive component is made of pure nickel, nickel-based alloy, nickel-plated stainless steel, pure titanium, or titanium-based alloy.

15. A plate assembly characterized by The electrode assembly includes an electrode, an electrode, and a conductive component as described in any one of claims 1 to 14; The top structure in the conductive part is fixedly connected with the electrode, and the support structure in the conductive part is fixedly connected with the polar plate.

16. An electrolytic cell characterized in that, The electrolytic cell comprises the conductive part according to any one of claims 1 to 14, or comprises the polar plate assembly according to claim 15.

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