Electrolytic cell and electrolysis device

Abstract

The application relates to an electrolysis unit and an electrolysis device. The electrolysis unit comprises an electrolysis body, a diaphragm, an electrode assembly and a switch assembly. The electrolysis body is formed with an electrolysis cavity. The diaphragm is arranged in the electrolysis cavity and divides the electrolysis cavity into a first chamber and a second chamber. The electrode assembly comprises a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode is connected with a positive electrode of an external power supply and arranged in the first chamber. The second electrode is connected with a negative electrode of the external power supply and arranged in the second chamber. The switch assembly comprises a switch element and a wire. The switch element is connected with the first electrode and the second electrode through the wire and configured to be cut off when the external power supply is powered on and turned on when the external power supply is powered off. The electrolysis unit and the electrolysis device in the embodiment of the application can relieve the electrochemical corrosion of the electrode, prolong the service life of the electrode and improve the reliability of the electrolysis device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of electrolysis equipment technology, and in particular to an electrolysis unit and an electrolysis apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, with the gradual reduction in the cost of renewable energy, the demand for hydrogen production from renewable energy has increased significantly. Electrolysis devices, which are the core equipment for converting electricity into hydrogen, are becoming increasingly widely used. Electrolysis devices mainly consist of many electrolysis units connected in series. Each electrolysis unit can electrolyze water to produce hydrogen and oxygen when an external power source is applied.

[0003] However, at the instant the external power supply is cut off, when the current through the electrolysis unit drops to zero, a reverse current is generated between the two electrodes of the electrolysis unit. Under the influence of this reverse current, electrochemical corrosion occurs on the electrodes, leading to electrode dissolution and detachment, resulting in electrode damage. Utility Model Content

[0004] This application provides an electrolysis unit and an electrolysis device that can alleviate electrochemical corrosion, extend the service life of electrodes, and improve the reliability of the electrolysis device.

[0005] On one hand, an electrolysis unit is proposed according to an embodiment of this application, including an electrolysis body, a diaphragm, an electrode assembly, and a switching assembly. The electrolysis body forms an electrolysis chamber, and the diaphragm is disposed in the electrolysis chamber, dividing the electrolysis chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber. The electrode assembly includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode is connected to the positive terminal of an external power supply and is disposed in the first chamber, and the second electrode is connected to the negative terminal of an external power supply and is disposed in the second chamber. The switching assembly includes a switching element and a wire. The switching element is connected to the first electrode and the second electrode through the wire and is configured to be cut off when the external power supply is energized and to be energized when the external power supply is de-energized.

[0006] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, the switching element includes a unidirectional conducting element, which is a packaged structure. The positive electrode of the unidirectional conducting element is connected to a second electrode, and the negative electrode of the unidirectional conducting element is connected to a first electrode.

[0007] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, a unidirectional conducting element includes a plurality of unidirectional conducting units, wherein at least two unidirectional conducting units are arranged in parallel.

[0008] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, a plurality of unidirectional conducting units are grouped to form at least two unidirectional conducting groups, each unidirectional conducting group is connected in series with each other, each unidirectional conducting group includes at least two unidirectional conducting units, and each unidirectional conducting unit of the unidirectional conducting group is arranged in parallel.

[0009] According to one aspect of an embodiment of this application, the unidirectional conduction unit includes a Schottky diode.

[0010] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, the switching element includes a release switch, one end of which is connected to a first electrode and the other end of which is connected to a second electrode. The release switch is configured to open when an external power supply is energized and to close when the external power supply is de-energized.

[0011] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, the switching element is at least partially disposed outside the electrolysis chamber.

[0012] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, the conductor includes one of nickel conductor, nickel alloy conductor, and copper conductor.

[0013] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, both the first electrode and the second electrode include a central region and an edge region surrounding the central region, and the number of switching components is one, with the switching components connected to the central regions of the first electrode and the second electrode; or, the number of switching components is multiple, with at least some of the switching components spaced apart along the edge regions of the first electrode and the second electrode, and the switching components connected to the edge regions of the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0014] On the other hand, an electrolysis apparatus is proposed according to an embodiment of this application, including the electrolysis unit of the above embodiment.

[0015] The electrolysis unit provided in this embodiment of the application is additionally equipped with a switching assembly, which includes a switching element and a wire. The switching element is connected to the first electrode and the second electrode via the wire. The switching element is configured to be off when the external power supply is on and on when the external power supply is off. Therefore, during electrolysis, the switching element is off, and the first and second electrodes can undergo an electrochemical reaction to produce hydrogen from water. At the instant the external power supply is off, the switching element can turn on the first and second electrodes, allowing reverse current to be conducted directly through the wire without passing through the electrolyte. This mitigates electrochemical corrosion caused by the reaction between the electrode assembly and the electrolyte, extends the electrode lifespan, and improves the reliability of the electrolysis unit. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The features, advantages, and technical effects of exemplary embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an existing electrolysis device powered by an external power source; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an existing electrolysis unit when the external power supply is cut off; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an electrolysis unit according to an embodiment of this application powered by an external power source; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an electrolysis unit according to an embodiment of this application when the external power supply is turned off; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of an electrolysis unit according to another embodiment of this application, powered by an external power source.

[0018] In the attached image: 100 - Electrolysis unit; 10-Electrolysis unit; 1-Diaphragm; 2-Electrode assembly; 21-First electrode; 22-Second electrode; 3-Switch assembly; 31-Switch element; 311-One-way conduction unit; 32-Wire.

[0019] In the accompanying drawings, the same parts use the same reference numerals. The drawings are not drawn to scale. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The features and exemplary embodiments of various aspects of this application will now be described in detail. Numerous specific details are set forth in the following detailed description to provide a comprehensive understanding of this application. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this application can be implemented without requiring some of these specific details. The following description of embodiments is merely intended to provide a better understanding of this application by illustrating examples. In the accompanying drawings and the following description, at least some well-known structures and techniques are not shown to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the application; and, for clarity, the dimensions of some structures may be exaggerated. Furthermore, the features, structures, or characteristics described below can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0021] The directional terms used in the following description refer to the directions shown in the figures and are not intended to limit the electrolysis unit and electrolysis apparatus of this application. It should also be noted in the description of this application that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation" and "connection" 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 direct connection or an indirect connection. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0022] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 1 Schematic diagrams of electrolysis apparatuses provided in some embodiments of this application are shown. In recent years, with the gradual reduction in the cost of renewable energy, the demand for hydrogen production from renewable energy has increased significantly. An alkaline water electrolyzer is the core equipment for converting electricity into hydrogen, hereinafter referred to as electrolysis apparatus 100, which is composed of hundreds of identical electrolysis units 10 connected in series.

[0023] The technical terms mentioned above are as follows: Electrolysis unit 10: Composed of an electrolysis body, electrode assembly 2, diaphragm 1, and electrolyte, etc., it is the smallest unit that can electrolyze water to produce hydrogen and oxygen under the action of direct current.

[0024] Electrolysis unit: includes a cathode plate and an anode plate arranged opposite each other, which are respectively disposed at both ends of the electrolysis unit 10, forming an electrolysis cavity between them. In some electrolysis devices 100, two adjacent electrolysis units 10 can share the same electrode plate, that is, the cathode plate of one electrolysis unit 10 can be used as the anode plate of another electrolysis unit 10 to form a bipolar plate structure.

[0025] Diaphragm 1: It is installed in the electrolysis chamber of each electrolysis unit 10 and divides the electrolysis chamber into an anode chamber and a cathode chamber. The diaphragm 1 can isolate the gas in the anode chamber and the cathode chamber, which reduces the content of oxygen in hydrogen and hydrogen in oxygen to a certain extent and improves the reliability of the operation of the electrolysis device 100.

[0026] Electrode assembly 2: A component in an electronic or electrical device or equipment, comprising an anode and a cathode for connection to an external power source. The electrode connected to the positive terminal of the power source is called the anode or positive terminal, and the electrode connected to the negative terminal of the power source is called the cathode or negative terminal. The anode is fixed to the anode chamber by an anode plate, and the cathode is fixed to the cathode chamber by a cathode plate, for use in an electrochemical reaction to produce hydrogen and oxygen.

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, the main principle of the electrolysis unit 10 is that electrons flow from the negative terminal of the power supply to the cathode, and then enter the electrolyte through the cathode. Water molecules gain electrons on the cathode surface and undergo a chemical reaction: H₂O + e⁻ - =OH - +H2, anions in the electrolyte migrate through membrane 1, lose electrons at the anode, and undergo a chemical reaction: 4OH- - -4e - =2H₂O + O₂. Inside the electrolyte, positive ions (H₂O)... + ) moves towards the cathode, negative ions (OH-) - The electrons move towards the anode, thereby forming an equivalent current from the anode to the cathode in the electrolyte, and generating hydrogen and oxygen at the cathode and anode, respectively.

[0028] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 2 The diagram illustrates an electrolysis unit 10 provided in some embodiments of this application when the external power supply is interrupted. When the electrolysis device 100 is powered off, i.e., when the DC current through the electrolytic cell drops to 0, a reverse current will be generated within a timeframe of approximately 100 milliseconds. This is because during electrolysis, ions in the electrolyte are adsorbed onto the electrode surfaces, with positive ions (H+) adsorbed onto the anode surface. + The cathode surface is adsorbed with negative ions (OH-).- The electrolysis unit 10 forms an electrical double layer. When the external power supply is interrupted, the charge stored in the double layer needs to be released, resulting in a transient current flowing from the cathode to the anode, completely opposite to the electrolysis process—a reverse current. Due to the presence of the electrolyte, the cathode undergoes electrochemical corrosion under the influence of this transient current. The cathode's metal material loses electrons to become metal ions, which then enter the electrolyte, forming metal hydroxides. This causes the cathode to dissolve and detach, leading to electrode damage. Furthermore, the metal hydroxides may also clog the diaphragm 1 and the electrodes, affecting the performance of the electrolysis unit 10.

[0029] To address the aforementioned issues, this application provides a novel electrolysis unit 10 and electrolysis apparatus 100. The electrolysis unit 10 can be used in the electrolysis apparatus 100 in the above embodiments, or it can be manufactured or sold separately as an independent component.

[0030] Please see Figures 3 to 4 The electrolysis unit 10 provided in this embodiment includes an electrolysis body, a diaphragm 1, an electrode assembly 2, and a switching assembly 3. The electrolysis body forms an electrolysis chamber, and the diaphragm 1 is disposed in the electrolysis chamber, dividing the electrolysis chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber. The electrode assembly 2 includes a first electrode 21 and a second electrode 22. The first electrode 21 is connected to the positive terminal of an external power supply and is disposed in the first chamber, and the second electrode 22 is connected to the negative terminal of an external power supply and is disposed in the second chamber. The switching assembly 3 includes a switching element 31 and a wire 32. The switching element 31 is connected to the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 through the wire 32 and is configured to be cut off when the external power supply is on and to be turned on when the external power supply is off.

[0031] In the electrolysis unit 10 of this application embodiment, the first electrode 21 is connected to the positive terminal of an external power supply, serving as the anode. The second electrode 22 is connected to the negative terminal of the external power supply, serving as the cathode. A switching element 31 is connected between the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 via a wire 32. The switching element 31 is configured to be off when the external power supply is on and on when the external power supply is off. Therefore, during electrolysis, the switching element 31 is off, allowing the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 to undergo an electrochemical reaction to produce hydrogen from water. At the instant the external power supply is off, the switching element 31 can turn on the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22, allowing the reverse current to be conducted directly through the wire 32 without passing through the electrolyte. This mitigates the electrochemical corrosion of the second electrode 22 caused by its reaction with the electrolyte, extends the service life of the second electrode 22, and improves the reliability of the electrolysis unit 10.

[0032] It is understandable that, for the electrolysis device 100, since it includes multiple electrolysis units 10, each electrolysis unit 10 can be additionally equipped with a switch assembly 3, so that when the electrolysis device 100 is powered off and shut down, the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 in the corresponding electrolysis unit 10 can be connected through the switch assembly 3, thereby reducing the risk of electrochemical corrosion of the second electrode 22 of each electrolysis unit 10 and improving the reliability and service life of the electrolysis device 100.

[0033] In some alternative embodiments, the switching element 31 includes a unidirectional conducting element, which is a packaged structure. The positive terminal of the unidirectional conducting element is connected to the second electrode 22, and the negative terminal of the unidirectional conducting element is connected to the first electrode 21.

[0034] A unidirectional conducting element has a positive and a negative terminal, and it only allows current to flow unidirectionally from the positive terminal to the negative terminal. By including a unidirectional conducting element in the switching element 31, with the positive terminal of the unidirectional conducting element connected to the second electrode 22 and the negative terminal connected to the first electrode 21, it means that the unidirectional conducting element only allows current to flow from the second electrode 22 to the first electrode 21, while preventing current from flowing from the first electrode 21 to the second electrode 22.

[0035] Therefore, when the external power supply is on, i.e., during electrolysis, the current direction is from the first electrode 21 to the second electrode 22. Thus, the unidirectional conductive element can prevent current conduction from the switching assembly 3, allowing the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 to undergo an electrochemical reaction to produce hydrogen through water electrolysis. When the external power supply is off, the reverse current direction is from the second electrode 22 to the first electrode 21, allowing the unidirectional conductive element to pass through. Furthermore, since the conduction resistance of the unidirectional conductive element is much smaller than the resistance of the electrolyte, the reverse current can be quickly conducted through the switching assembly 3, thereby reducing the risk of electrochemical corrosion of the second electrode 22 and improving the reliability of the electrolysis unit 10.

[0036] Please see Figures 3 to 5 , Figure 5 The diagram shows an electrolysis unit 10 provided in some other embodiments of this application. In some optional embodiments, the unidirectional conducting element may include one unidirectional conducting unit 311, or the unidirectional conducting element may include multiple unidirectional conducting units 311, in which at least two unidirectional conducting units 311 are arranged in parallel.

[0037] The unidirectional conduction unit 311 is an internal component of the unidirectional conduction element. When the unidirectional conduction element includes a unidirectional conduction unit 311, the unidirectional conduction unit 311 can be packaged independently.

[0038] When a unidirectional conducting element includes multiple unidirectional conducting units 311, at least two unidirectional conducting units 311 are connected in parallel, meaning that the positive terminals of at least two unidirectional conducting units 311 are connected to each other, and their negative terminals are connected to each other, but the whole must still have the unidirectional conductivity function of the second electrode 22 flowing to the first electrode 21. Multiple unidirectional conducting units 311 can be packaged together into a package structure, and then connected to the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 via wires 32.

[0039] By including multiple unidirectional conducting units 311 in the unidirectional conducting element and arranging at least two unidirectional conducting units 311 in parallel, reverse current can be normally conducted through the remaining unidirectional conducting units 311 when one of the unidirectional conducting units 311 fails. Furthermore, current can be shunted through multiple unidirectional conducting elements simultaneously, reducing the performance requirements of individual unidirectional conducting elements and extending the overall service life of the unidirectional conducting element, thereby improving the reliability of the switching assembly 3.

[0040] In some alternative embodiments, multiple unidirectional conduction units 311 are grouped to form at least two unidirectional conduction groups, and each unidirectional conduction group is connected in series with each other. Each unidirectional conduction group includes at least two unidirectional conduction units 311, and the unidirectional conduction units 311 of each unidirectional conduction group are arranged in parallel.

[0041] The conduction direction of each unidirectional conduction unit 311 is uniform, so that the unidirectional conduction element as a whole still has the function of unidirectional conduction from the second electrode 22 to the first electrode 21.

[0042] By grouping the unidirectional conduction units 311, with each unidirectional conduction group having its unidirectional conduction units 311 connected in parallel and the unidirectional conduction groups connected in series, the performance of the unidirectional conduction element can be made more stable. When any unidirectional conduction unit 311 in the unidirectional conduction element is disconnected, under maintenance, or malfunctions, it will not affect the normal operation of the unidirectional conduction element, thus improving the reliability of long-term conduction.

[0043] Optionally, the number of unidirectional conduction units 311 in each unidirectional conduction group is the same to improve the flow guiding effect.

[0044] Optionally, the unidirectional conducting element may include four unidirectional conducting units 311, which are divided into two unidirectional conducting groups. Each unidirectional conducting group includes two unidirectional conducting units 311, thereby forming a bridge connection to improve the performance of the unidirectional conducting element while reducing its cost. Of course, the unidirectional conducting element may also include a greater number of unidirectional conducting units 311, which can be adjusted according to conducting requirements; this application does not specifically limit this.

[0045] In some alternative embodiments, the unidirectional conduction unit 311 includes a diode.

[0046] The diode can withstand voltage, and because of its extremely fast response speed, it can quickly conduct when the electrolytic unit 10 is de-energized, thereby enabling reverse current to be quickly conducted through the diode, further reducing the risk of electrochemical corrosion of the second electrode 22.

[0047] A diode is an electronic device made of semiconductor materials, consisting of P-type and N-type semiconductors connected together, with a depletion layer in between that impedes the flow of current. The working principle of a diode is to use the direction and magnitude of an applied voltage to change the width of the depletion layer, thereby controlling the flow of current.

[0048] Optionally, the unidirectional conduction unit 311 includes a Schottky diode.

[0049] Among them, high-power Schottky diodes have extremely short reverse recovery times, enabling them to conduct instantly when reverse current is generated. Furthermore, Schottky diodes exhibit superior current-sharing characteristics for large currents compared to other types of diodes, and their small size facilitates packaging, making them suitable for electrolysis units 10 with varying space requirements, such as small-scale electrolytic hydrogen production equipment.

[0050] Of course, depending on the actual needs of the electrolysis unit 10, the unidirectional conduction unit 311 can also be configured as a rectifier diode, fast recovery diode, etc.

[0051] It is understood that, in addition to including a unidirectional conducting element in the switching element 31, in some alternative embodiments, the switching element 31 includes a release switch, one end of which is connected to the first electrode 21 and the other end of which is connected to the second electrode 22. The release switch is configured to open when the external power supply is on and close when the external power supply is off.

[0052] Optionally, the release switch can be, for example, an electromagnetic release switch or a mechanical release switch. Taking an electromagnetic release switch as an example, its principle is that when the external power supply is normal, the switch is kept in an open state by electromagnetic force or circuit control, so that the switch assembly 3 is cut off. When the external power supply is cut off, the electromagnetic force disappears or the circuit is reset, and the release switch returns to the conducting state, so that the switch assembly 3 conducts the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22.

[0053] In some alternative embodiments, the switching element 31 is at least partially disposed outside the electrolysis chamber. That is, the switching element 31 may be at least partially disposed outside the electrolysis chamber, and the wire 32 extends from the switching element 31 into the electrolysis chamber and is connected to the electrode.

[0054] The area outside the electrolysis chamber can be understood as the part that does not come into contact with the electrolyte. By placing the switching element 31 outside the electrolysis chamber, the core components of the switching element 31, such as unidirectional conduction elements, can be placed outside the chamber, keeping them away from the electrolyte. This reduces the risk of corrosion, oxidation, swelling, or deformation of the switching element 31, extends its service life, and improves the reliability of the electrolysis unit 10.

[0055] In some alternative embodiments, the conductor 32 includes one of a nickel conductor, a nickel alloy conductor, or a copper conductor.

[0056] Since the wire 32 needs to extend into the electrolysis chamber to connect with the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22, the service life of the wire 32 in the electrolyte environment can be improved by setting the wire 32 as a nickel wire, a nickel alloy wire, or a copper wire.

[0057] Optionally, the outer surface of the conductor 32 may be coated with a tin layer. For example, when the conductor 32 includes a copper conductor, the outer surface of the copper conductor may be tin-plated to reduce the corrosion of the conductor 32 by the electrolyte and improve the service life of the conductor 32 in the electrolyte environment.

[0058] In some optional embodiments, both the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 include a central region and an edge region surrounding the central region, and the number of switching components 3 is one, with the switching component 3 connected to the central region of the first electrode 21 and the central region of the second electrode 22. Alternatively, the number of switching components 3 is multiple, with at least some of the switching components 3 spaced apart along the edge regions of the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22, and the switching components 3 connected to the edge regions of the first electrode 21 and the edge regions of the second electrode 22.

[0059] When there is only one switch assembly 3, connecting the switch assembly 3 to the central region of the first electrode 21 and the central region of the second electrode 22 facilitates the rapid conduction of reverse current from the second electrode 22 to the first electrode 21. When there are multiple switch assemblies 3, since the edge regions of the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 are more prone to storing charge when the external power supply is off, connecting the switch assembly 3 to the edge regions of the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 facilitates the discharge of charge, increases the conduction speed of reverse current, and further reduces the risk of electrochemical corrosion of the second electrode 22.

[0060] In summary, taking one embodiment of this application as an example, the electrolysis unit 10 in this embodiment of the application additionally provides a switching component 3 between the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22. The switching component 3 includes a unidirectional conducting element and a nickel wire. The unidirectional conducting element includes a packaged Schottky diode connected in a bridge configuration. The unidirectional conducting element is disposed outside the electrolysis chamber. The positive electrode of the unidirectional conducting element is connected to the central region of the second electrode 22 through the nickel wire, and the negative electrode of the unidirectional conducting element is connected to the central region of the first electrode 21 through the nickel wire.

[0061] The above configuration ensures that when an external power source is on, the switch assembly 3 is turned off, preventing current from flowing through the unidirectional conductive element, thus allowing the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 to undergo an electrochemical reaction to produce hydrogen and oxygen. When the external power source is off, the switch assembly 3 is turned on, allowing reverse current to flow from the second electrode 22 through the unidirectional conductive element to the first electrode 21 without passing through the electrolyte. This reduces the risk of electrochemical corrosion of the second electrode 22 and improves the reliability of the electrolysis unit 10.

[0062] Furthermore, this application also proposes an electrolysis device 100, which includes the electrolysis unit 10 of the above embodiment. Therefore, it also has the advantages of long service life and high reliability, and is easy to promote and apply.

[0063] Although this application has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, various modifications can be made thereto and components can be replaced with equivalents without departing from the scope of this application. In particular, the technical features mentioned in the various embodiments can be combined in any manner, provided there is no structural conflict. This application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An electrolysis unit, characterized in that, include: The electrolysis body forms an electrolysis chamber; A diaphragm (1) is disposed in the electrolysis chamber and divides the electrolysis chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber; The electrode assembly (2) includes a first electrode (21) and a second electrode (22). The first electrode (21) is connected to the positive terminal of an external power source and is disposed in the first chamber, and the second electrode (22) is connected to the negative terminal of an external power source and is disposed in the second chamber. The switching assembly (3) includes a switching element (31) and a wire (32), the switching element (31) being connected to the first electrode (21) and the second electrode (22) via the wire (32), and being configured to be off when the external power supply is powered on and on when the external power supply is powered off.

2. The electrolysis unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The switching element (31) includes a unidirectional conducting element, which is a packaged structure. The positive electrode of the unidirectional conducting element is connected to the second electrode (22), and the negative electrode of the unidirectional conducting element is connected to the first electrode (21).

3. The electrolysis unit according to claim 2, characterized in that, The unidirectional conduction element includes a plurality of unidirectional conduction units (311), and at least two of the unidirectional conduction units (311) are arranged in parallel.

4. The electrolysis unit according to claim 3, characterized in that, Multiple unidirectional conduction units (311) are grouped to form at least two unidirectional conduction groups, and each unidirectional conduction group is connected in series with each other. Each unidirectional conduction group includes at least two unidirectional conduction units (311), and each unidirectional conduction unit (311) of the unidirectional conduction group is arranged in parallel.

5. The electrolysis unit according to claim 3, characterized in that, The unidirectional conduction unit (311) includes a Schottky diode.

6. The electrolysis unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The switching element (31) includes a release switch, one end of which is connected to the first electrode (21) and the other end of which is connected to the second electrode (22). The release switch is configured to open when the external power supply is energized and close when the external power supply is de-energized.

7. The electrolysis unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The switching element (31) is at least partially disposed outside the electrolysis chamber.

8. The electrolysis unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The conductor (32) includes one of nickel conductor, nickel alloy conductor, and copper conductor.

9. The electrolysis unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, Both the first electrode (21) and the second electrode (22) include a central region and an edge region surrounding the central region. The number of the switching components (3) is one, and the switching components (3) connect the central region of the first electrode (21) and the central region of the second electrode (22). Alternatively, there may be multiple switching components (3), with at least some of the switching components (3) spaced apart along the edge regions of the first electrode (21) and the second electrode (22), and the switching components (3) connecting the edge regions of the first electrode (21) and the edge regions of the second electrode (22).

10. An electrolysis apparatus, characterized in that, Includes the electrolysis unit (10) as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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