Hydrogen generation device

Abstract

To enable partial replacement of stacked electrolysis cells.SOLUTION: A hydrogen generation device (1) comprises a plurality of sub-stacks (2) each constituted of a plurality of electrolysis cells (21) connected in series, a plurality of stacked structures (4) each constituted of the plurality of sub-stacks (2) and pressure plates (3) alternately stacked one after another, and a plurality of fixtures (5) each tightening the pressure plates (3) by every pair of adjacent pressure plates (3) sandwiching the sub-stack (2).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hydrogen generating device that generates hydrogen by electrolyzing water. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, hydrogen generation devices that generate hydrogen by, for example, electrolyzing water have been known. Regarding this type of technology, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose hydrogen generation devices that include a stacked structure in which a plurality of electrolysis cells are stacked. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-313689 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2004-84006 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned conventional technology, all the electrolytic cells are fastened with a common fastening bolt, so that even if a malfunction occurs in one of the electrolytic cells, it is necessary to loosen the common fastening bolt when removing the electrolytic cells, which may result in all the stacked cells becoming unusable.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems in the conventional art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a hydrogen generation device that allows partial replacement of stacked electrolysis cells. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a hydrogen generation device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a stacked structure in which a substack in which a plurality of electrolytic cells are connected in series and pressure plates that pressurize the substack are stacked alternately, and a fastener that fastens the pressure plates for each of two adjacent pressure plates that sandwich the substack. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a hydrogen generation device that allows partial replacement of stacked electrolysis cells can be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing a configuration example of a hydrogen generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the hydrogen generation apparatus shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing a configuration example of a sub-stack included in the hydrogen generation device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view showing an example of a fastener provided in the hydrogen generation apparatus. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of the configuration of a first pressure plate included in the hydrogen generation apparatus. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an example of the configuration of a second pressure plate included in the hydrogen generation apparatus. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a fastening structure for a laminated structure included in the hydrogen generation apparatus. [Figure 8] 8 is a side view showing a part of the fastening structure shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 8 is a side view showing a modified example of the fastening structure for the laminated structure shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 10] 8 is a side view showing another modified example of the fastening structure for the laminated structure shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 11] 8 is a side view showing still another modified example of the fastening structure for the laminated structure shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 12] 12 is a plan view showing a pressure plate provided in the laminated structure shown in FIG. 11. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 8. However, the following description is an example of a hydrogen generation device according to the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example.

[0010] [Overview of Hydrogen Generation Device 1] First, an overview of a hydrogen generation device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Fig. 1 is a side view showing an example of the configuration of the hydrogen generation device 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the hydrogen generation device 1 shown in Fig. 1.

[0011] The hydrogen generator 1 is a solid polymer electrolytic cell (cell stack) that electrolyzes pure water by applying a voltage to a solid polymer electrolyte membrane to pass a current through it, generating hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2). As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the hydrogen generator 1 includes a stacked structure 4 in which substacks 2 in which a plurality of electrolytic cells 21 are connected in series and pressure plates 3 that pressurize the substacks 2 are alternately stacked, and fasteners 5 that fasten the pressure plates 3 for each pair of adjacent pressure plates 3 that sandwich the substack 2.

[0012] In the hydrogen generation device 1, two adjacent pressure plates 3 sandwiching one sub-stack 2 therebetween are individually fastened by fasteners 5. This allows partial replacement of the electrolysis cells 21 on a sub-stack 2 basis.

[0013] In each drawing, the stacking direction of the laminated structure 4, which is the direction in which the sub-stack 2 and the pressure plate 3 are aligned in the laminated structure 4, is indicated as the X direction, the direction perpendicular to the X direction in a planar view is indicated as the Y direction, and the direction perpendicular to the X direction and the Y direction is indicated as the Z direction.

[0014] [Configuration of hydrogen generation device 1] Next, a configuration example of the hydrogen generation apparatus 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 4. Fig. 3 is an exploded view showing a configuration example of the sub-stack 2 included in the hydrogen generation apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a side view showing a configuration example of the fastener 5 included in the hydrogen generation apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , in addition to the laminated structure 4 and the fastener 5, the hydrogen generation apparatus 1 includes a pair of an anode main electrode 61 and a cathode main electrode 62 arranged at both ends of the laminated structure 4 in the X direction, and a pair of an anode side end plate 71 and a cathode side end plate 72 arranged on either side of these main electrodes.

[0016] (Laminated structure 4) The laminated structure 4 is formed by alternately stacking substacks 2 and pressure plates 3. In the hydrogen generation device 1, an appropriate number (e.g., 50) of electrolysis cells 21 are stacked in the X direction to form the substacks 2, and the substacks 2 and pressure plates 3 are alternately stacked in the X direction to form the laminated structure 4. In other words, the laminated structure 4 is configured such that a plurality of electrolysis cells 21 stacked in the X direction are separated by pressure plates 3 into appropriate numbers of cells, and the pressure plates 3 are arranged on both sides of one substack 2.

[0017] In the illustrated example, the laminated structure 4 is configured by stacking the substacks 2 and the pressure plate 3 in the horizontal direction. However, the laminated structure 4 may be configured by stacking the substacks 2 and the pressure plate 3 in the vertical direction. In other words, the stacking direction (X direction) of the laminated structure 4 is not particularly limited and may be the horizontal direction, the vertical direction, or any other direction.

[0018] The sub-stack 2 is configured by connecting a plurality of electrolysis cells 21 in series. As shown in FIG. 3, each of the electrolysis cells 21 includes an MEA (Membrane Electrode Assemblies) 22 and an MEA The electrolysis cell 21 includes a porous anode power supply 23 arranged on the anode side of the MEA 22, a porous cathode power supply 24 arranged on the cathode side of the MEA 22, and a pair of bipolar plates 25 arranged on both sides of these power supplies. The MEA 22 is, for example, a membrane electrode assembly composed of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane and catalytic electrode layers provided on both sides of the membrane. Each catalytic electrode layer generally has a two-layer structure of a catalytic layer and a diffusion layer. One electrolysis cell 21 is composed of the anode side of the bipolar plate 25, the porous anode power supply 23, the MEA 22, the porous cathode power supply 24, and the cathode side of the bipolar plate 25.

[0019] The pressure plates 3 are disposed on both sides of the substack 2 in the X direction, and press the substack 2. The pressure plates 3 include a gear-shaped first pressure plate 31 having a plurality of grooves 311 on an outer circumferential surface 312 through which the fasteners 5 pass, and a circular second pressure plate 32 having a plurality of screw holes (female threads) 321 into which the fasteners 5 are screwed. The first pressure plate 31 and the second pressure plate 32 are disposed alternately in the X direction. For this reason, the first pressure plate 31 is disposed on one side of one substack 2 in the X direction, and the second pressure plate 32 is disposed on the other side. In this way, by making the pressure plate 3 disposed on one side of the substack 2 the gear-shaped first pressure plate 31, the fasteners 5 can be easily attached to and detached from the laminated structure 4, as described later. The configuration of the pressure plate 3 will be described in detail later.

[0020] (Fastening tool 5) The fastener 5 individually fastens each of two adjacent pressure plates 3 sandwiching one sub-stack 2 therebetween, thereby applying pressure to the sub-stack 2. As shown in Fig. 4, the fastener 5 includes a fastening bolt (shaft portion) 51, a nut (large diameter portion) 52 having a larger diameter than the fastening bolt 51, and a washer (large diameter portion) 53.

[0021] The fastening bolt 51 is, for example, a cut bolt (male thread), and a thread (not shown) is formed on its peripheral surface. The fastening bolt 51 has an axial length of L2. The nut 52 and the washer 53 are provided on the rear end 51B side of the fastening bolt 51. The nut 52 has a female thread at its center portion that screws with the fastening bolt 51, and screws with the fastening bolt 51. The washer 53 has a through hole at its center portion through which the fastening bolt 51 passes, and is interposed between the nut 52 and the first pressure plate 31.

[0022] The fastener 5 is not particularly limited in configuration as long as it can individually fasten each of the two adjacent pressure plates 3 sandwiching one sub-stack 2 therebetween. For example, the fastener 5 may be configured to omit the washer 53 and directly fasten the nut 52 to the first pressure plate 31. Furthermore, the fastener 5 may include a headed bolt instead of the fastening bolt 51 and the nut 52.

[0023] The fasteners 5 are capable of fastening two adjacent pressure plates 3 sandwiching one substack 2 therebetween by fastening the pressure plates 3. Therefore, the fasteners 5 can be individually attached and detached to two adjacent pressure plates 3 sandwiching one substack 2 therebetween. Details of the fastening structure of the laminated structure 4 using the fasteners 5 will be described later.

[0024] (Anode main electrode 61 and cathode main electrode 62) The anode main electrode 61 and the cathode main electrode 62 are a pair of end electrodes arranged at both ends of the laminated structure 4. The hydrogen generation device 1 is supplied with power (direct current) required for water electrolysis from a rectifier (not shown). The rectifier is connected to the anode main electrode 61 and the cathode main electrode 62, and electrolyzes pure water by applying a voltage to the multiple electrolysis cells 21 to cause a current to flow. Power supplied to the hydrogen generation device 1 can be power from a commercial power source, as well as from sources such as solar power generation and wind power generation. Renewable energy or surplus electricity, etc. can be used.

[0025] (Anode side end plate 71 and cathode side end plate 72) The anode side end plate 71 and the cathode side end plate 72 are a pair of end plates attached to both ends in the X direction of the hydrogen generation apparatus 1. The anode side end plate 71 is attached by bolts 9 to the adjacent pressure plate 3 (second pressure plate 32) across the anode main electrode 61. The cathode side end plate 72 is attached by bolts 9 to the adjacent pressure plate 3 (second pressure plate 32) across the cathode main electrode 62.

[0026] [Configuration of pressure plate 3] Next, the configuration of the pressure plate 3 will be described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6. Fig. 5 is a plan view showing an example of the configuration of the first pressure plate 31 shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 5, the first pressure plate 31 has a gear shape, and a plurality of grooves 311 through which the fastener 5 passes are provided on the outer circumferential surface 312. The grooves 311 are provided at equal intervals (equal pitch) around the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface 312, and extend in the plate thickness direction (X direction) of the first pressure plate 31. The groove width of the grooves 311 (the width of the grooves 311 in the outer circumferential direction of the first pressure plate 31) is slightly larger than the diameter of the fastening bolt 51 of the fastener 5 so that the fastening bolt 51 can be passed through. In addition, the groove width of the grooves 311 is smaller than the outer diameter of the washer 53 so that the washer 53 of the fastener 5 can be hooked to the first pressure plate 31.

[0027] The first pressure plate 31 includes a plurality of flow paths. In this embodiment, the first pressure plate 31 includes a first pure water flow path 313, a second pure water flow path 314, a hydrogen flow path 315, and an oxygen flow path 316. These flow paths are composed of through-paths that penetrate the first pressure plate 31 in the plate thickness direction, and branch paths that branch off from the through-paths radially outward of the first pressure plate 31 and open on the outer circumferential surface 312.

[0028] The first pure water flow path 313 and the second pure water flow path 314 are flow paths for supplying pure water to the electrolytic cell 21. The first pure water flow path 313 communicates with a first pure water inlet (inlet) 313A opening on the outer circumferential surface 312 of the first pressure plate 31. The second pure water flow path 314 communicates with a second pure water inlet (inlet) 314A opening on the outer circumferential surface 312 of the first pressure plate 31. The first pure water flow path 313 and the second pure water flow path 314 supply the pure water introduced from the first pure water inlet 313A and the second pure water inlet 314A to the anode side of the electrolytic cell 21.

[0029] When supplying pure water from the first pressure plate 31 to the electrolytic cell 21, the pure water may be introduced into at least one of the first pure water inlet 313A and the second pure water inlet 314A. For example, when pure water is introduced into only the first pure water inlet 313A of the first pure water inlet 313A and the second pure water inlet 314A, the pure water can be supplied to the multiple electrolytic cells 21 arranged on both sides of the first pressure plate 31 via the first pure water flow path 313.

[0030] The hydrogen flow path 315 is a flow path for discharging hydrogen and water generated in the electrolysis cell 21. The hydrogen flow path 315 communicates with a hydrogen outlet (discharge port) 315A that opens on the outer circumferential surface 312 of the first pressure plate 31. The hydrogen flow path 315 discharges hydrogen and water generated at the cathode of the electrolysis cell 21 from the hydrogen outlet 315A.

[0031] The oxygen flow path 316 is a flow path for discharging oxygen and excess water generated in the electrolytic cell 21. The oxygen flow path 316 communicates with an oxygen outlet 316A that opens on the outer circumferential surface 312 of the first pressure plate 31. The oxygen flow path 316 discharges oxygen generated at the anode of the electrolytic cell 21 and excess water from the oxygen outlet 316A.

[0032] The first pure water inlet 313A, the second pure water inlet 314A, the hydrogen outlet 315A and the oxygen outlet 316A are disposed on the outer circumferential surface 312 of the first pressure plate 31, for example, at equal intervals.

[0033] Fig. 6 is a plan view showing a configuration example of the second pressure plate 32 shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 6, the second pressure plate 32 has a circular shape, and a plurality of screw holes 321 for screwing with the fasteners 5 are provided in an outer edge portion 327. The screw holes 321 are provided concentrically at equal intervals and penetrate the second pressure plate 32 in the plate thickness direction.

[0034] The second pressure plate 32 includes a plurality of flow paths. In this embodiment, the second pressure plate 32 includes a first pure water flow path 323, a second pure water flow path 324, a hydrogen flow path 325, and an oxygen flow path 326. These flow paths are composed of through flow paths penetrating the second pressure plate 32 in the plate thickness direction, and branch flow paths branching from the through flow paths radially outward of the second pressure plate 32 and opening at the outer circumferential surface 322.

[0035] The first pure water flow path 323 and the second pure water flow path 324 are flow paths for supplying pure water to the electrolytic cell 21. The first pure water flow path 323 communicates with a first pure water inlet (inlet) 313A opening on the outer circumferential surface 322 of the second pressure plate 32. The second pure water flow path 324 communicates with a second pure water inlet (inlet) 324A opening on the outer circumferential surface 322 of the second pressure plate 32. The first pure water flow path 323 and the second pure water flow path 324 supply the pure water introduced from the first pure water inlet 323A and the second pure water inlet 324A to the anode side of the electrolytic cell 21.

[0036] When pure water is supplied from the second pressure plate 32 to the electrolytic cell 21, the pure water may be introduced into at least one of the first pure water inlet 323A and the second pure water inlet 324A. For example, when pure water is introduced only into the first pure water inlet 323A, the pure water is supplied to the electrolytic cell 21 via the first pure water flow path 323.

[0037] The hydrogen flow path 325 is a flow path for discharging hydrogen and water generated in the electrolysis cell 21. The hydrogen flow path 325 communicates with a hydrogen outlet 325A that opens on the outer circumferential surface 322 of the second pressure plate 32. The hydrogen flow path 325 discharges hydrogen and water generated at the cathode of the electrolysis cell 21 from the hydrogen outlet 325A.

[0038] The oxygen flow path 326 is a flow path for discharging oxygen and excess water generated in the electrolytic cell 21. The oxygen flow path 326 communicates with an oxygen outlet 326A that opens on the outer circumferential surface 322 of the second pressure plate 32. The oxygen flow path 326 discharges oxygen generated at the anode of the electrolytic cell 21 and excess water from the oxygen outlet 326A.

[0039] In this way, the first pressure plate 31 has the first pure water inlet 313A, the second pure water inlet 314A, the hydrogen outlet 315A, and the oxygen outlet 316A on its outer circumferential surface 312. Similarly, the second pressure plate 32 has the first pure water inlet 323A, the second pure water inlet 324A, the hydrogen outlet 325A, and the oxygen outlet 326A on its outer circumferential surface 322. This allows the supply of pure water and the discharge of hydrogen and oxygen to be distributed for each pressure plate 3. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the diameter of the manifold used in the hydrogen generation device 1, and the hydrogen generation balance of each electrolysis cell 21 can be improved. In addition, since the supply of pure water and the discharge of hydrogen and oxygen are distributed for each pressure plate 3, the diameter of the above-mentioned through flow passage can be made smaller than in the past. Therefore, it is possible to secure a larger area available for electrolysis of water, that is, a larger radial area of ​​the pressure plate 3 on which the electrolysis cell 21 (substack 2) can be arranged, than in the past, and the hydrogen generation efficiency can be improved.

[0040] In this embodiment, the first pressure plate 31 has a gear shape and the second pressure plate 32 has a circular shape, but the shapes of the first pressure plate 31 and the second pressure plate 32 are not limited to these. The shapes of the first pressure plate 31 and the second pressure plate 32 can be appropriately changed depending on the shape of the electrolysis cell 21 to be used, and may be, for example, a polygonal shape or other shapes.

[0041] In addition, in this embodiment, the first pressure plate 31 and the second pressure plate 32 have different shapes, but the first pressure plate 31 and the second pressure plate 32 may have the same shape. For example, both the first pressure plate 31 and the second pressure plate 32 may have a gear shape or the like.

[0042] [Fastening structure of laminated structure 4] Next, a fastening structure for a laminated structure 4 using a fastener 5 will be described with reference to Figs. 7 and 8. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of a fastening structure for a laminated structure 4 using a fastener 5. As shown in Fig. 7, the fastener 5 is attached so as to connect between a first pressure plate 31 and a second pressure plate 32 adjacent to each other with one substack 2 sandwiched therebetween. By fastening a nut 52 of the fastener 5, pressure is applied to the substack 2 sandwiched between the first pressure plate 31 and the second pressure plate 32, and the substacks 2 are individually pressurized.

[0043] The fastener 5 is disposed such that the fastening bolt 51 passes through the groove 311 of the first pressure plate 31. The fastener 5 is configured such that the washer 53 is hooked to the first pressure plate 31 and the tip 51A of the fastening bolt 51 is screwed into the screw hole 321 provided in the second pressure plate 32. Therefore, for example, after the tip 51A of the fastening bolt 51 is released from the screw engagement with the screw hole 321 of the second pressure plate 32, the fastening bolt 51 can be pulled out from the groove 311 of the first pressure plate 31. Therefore, the fastener 5 can be easily attached to and detached from the first pressure plate 31 and the second pressure plate 32, and partial replacement of the electrolytic cell 21 can be performed on a sub-stack 2 basis.

[0044] It is preferable that the length L2 (see FIG. 4) of the fastening bolt 51 of the fastener 5 is smaller than the interval L1 (see FIG. 1) between adjacent second pressure plates 32 in the laminated structure 4. This makes it even easier to attach and detach the fastener 5 to the first pressure plate 31 and the second pressure plate 32.

[0045] Moreover, the multiple fasteners 5 are preferably arranged in a staggered manner along the stacking direction (X direction) of the laminated structure 4. In other words, the multiple fasteners 5 are preferably arranged such that the fasteners 5 located on both sides of one pressure plate 3 are attached with a shift in the circumferential and / or radial directions of the pressure plate 3, so that the fasteners 5 adjacent in the stacking direction are not aligned in a row but are arranged alternately along the stacking direction. This allows the multiple fasteners 5 to be attached to the laminated structure 4 stacked in the X direction without interfering with each other, and the fasteners 5 can fasten the pressure plate 3.

[0046] Fig. 8 is a side view showing a part of the fastening structure of the laminated structure 4 using the fastener 5 shown in Fig. 7. In Fig. 8, the second pressure plate 32 adjacent to the first pressure plate 31 on the anode side (one side) in the X direction is represented as the second pressure plate 32A, and the fastener 5 connecting the first pressure plate 31 and the second pressure plate 32A is represented as the first fastener 5A. In addition, the second pressure plate 32 adjacent to the first pressure plate 31 on the cathode side (the other side) in the X direction is represented as the second pressure plate 32B, and the fastener 5 connecting the first pressure plate 31 and the second pressure plate 32B is represented as the second fastener 5B.

[0047] 8, the first fastener 5A and the second fastener 5B are attached to the pressure plate 3 in opposite directions. Specifically, the first fastener 5A is attached to the pressure plate 3 in an orientation in which a washer 53 is hooked onto the cathode side surface of the first pressure plate 31 and a fastening bolt 51 is screwed into the anode side second pressure plate 32A. On the other hand, the second fastener 5B is attached to the pressure plate 3 in an orientation in which a washer 53 is hooked onto the anode side surface of the first pressure plate 31 and a fastening bolt 51 is screwed into the cathode side second pressure plate 32B.

[0048] These first fastening tools 5A and second fastening tools 5B are arranged alternately and at equal intervals on the outer peripheral surface 312 of the first pressure plate 31. As a result, a fastening force (tensile force) is applied to the pressure plate 3 from both sides in the X direction, so that the fastening force acting on the pressure plate 3 tends to be constant. By reducing the deflection of the pressure plate 3, the sub-stack 2 sandwiched between the first pressure plate 31 and the second pressure plate 32 can be evenly pressed.

[0049] [Effects of Hydrogen Generator 1] As described above, the hydrogen generation device 1 according to this embodiment includes a stacked structure 4 in which substacks 2 in which a plurality of electrolytic cells 21 are connected in series and pressure plates 3 that pressurize the substacks 2 are alternately stacked, and fasteners 5 that fasten the pressure plates 3 between every two adjacent pressure plates 3 that sandwich the substack 2.

[0050] According to the hydrogen generation device 1, each of two adjacent pressure plates 3 sandwiching one sub-stack 2 therebetween is individually fastened by a fastener 5, so that partial replacement of the electrolytic cell 21 can be performed on a sub-stack 2 basis.

[0051] According to the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to partially replace the electrolysis cell in the hydrogen generation device. Such an effect contributes to the achievement of, for example, Goal 7 and Goal 12 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the United Nations.

[0052] [Modifications] (Variation 1) Fig. 9 is a side view showing a modified example of the fastening structure of the laminated structure 4 shown in Fig. 7. As in the fastening structure of the laminated structure 41 shown in Fig. 9, the fasteners 5 may be attached so as to be alternately oriented in opposite directions along the circumferential direction of the first pressure plate 31, and may also be attached so that the fasteners 5 oriented in the same direction are arranged in a staggered manner along the X direction. For example, the first fasteners 5A among the fasteners 5 may be arranged in the same direction so that the first fasteners 5A are arranged in a staggered manner along the X direction, and the second fasteners 5B among the fasteners 5 may be arranged in the same direction so that the second fasteners 5B are arranged in a staggered manner along the X direction.

[0053] In the illustrated example, the first fastener 5A and the second fastener 5B are disposed facing each other across one second pressure plate 32. In this case, for example, the tip portion 51A of the first fastener 5A and the tip portion 51A of the second fastener 5B may be inserted into a screw hole 321 of the second pressure plate 32 from both sides in the X direction, and each tip portion 51A may be screwed into a common screw hole 321.

[0054] (Variation 2) FIG. 10 is a side view showing another modified example of the fastening structure of the laminated structure 4 shown in FIG. 7. As in the fastening structure of the laminated structure 42 shown in FIG. 10, the number of the pressure plates 3 may be at least three or more. In the illustrated example, the first pressure plates 31 are arranged facing each other on both sides in the X direction with one second pressure plate 32 sandwiched therebetween. However, the second pressure plates 32 may be arranged facing each other on both sides in the X direction with one first pressure plate 31 sandwiched therebetween. As described above, if the number of pressure plates 3 is at least three or more, the electrolysis cell 21 can be partially replaced in units of the sub-stack 2 sandwiched between the first pressure plate 31 and the second pressure plate 32.

[0055] (Variation 3) Fig. 11 is a side view showing yet another modified example of the fastening structure of the laminated structure 4 shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 12 is a plan view showing an example of the pressure plate 3 shown in Fig. 11. In Fig. 12, reference numeral 1201 is a plan view showing an outline of the first pressure plate 30A, reference numeral 1202 is a plan view showing an outline of the second pressure plate 30B, and reference numeral 1203 is a plan view showing an example of the arrangement of the first pressure plate 30A and the second pressure plate 30B.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 11, the fasteners 5 are arranged in a staggered pattern along the X direction, with the tip 51A of each fastening bolt 51 facing the cathode side (or the anode side). , each may be attached to the laminated structure 43 in the same orientation.

[0057] As shown by reference numerals 1201 and 1202 in FIG. 12, the pressure plate 3 of the laminated structure 43 includes a gear-shaped first pressure plate 30A and a gear-shaped second pressure plate 30B. The first pressure plate 30A and the second pressure plate 30B have the same shape, and a plurality of grooves 311 through which the fastener 5 passes are provided on the outer peripheral surfaces 312 and 322 of each of them. In addition, the first pressure plate 30A and the second pressure plate 30B have a plurality of screw holes 321 that screw into the fastener 5 on the outer peripheral portions 317 and 327 of each of them. These screw holes 321 are provided so that one screw hole 321 is located between two grooves 311 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. In this way, the pressure plate 3 may have the same shape (outer shape) for the first pressure plate 30A and the second pressure plate 30B.

[0058] 12, the first pressure plate 30A and the second pressure plate 30B are arranged with an angle shifted around the axis so that the groove 311 of one plate is located in the screw hole 321 of the other plate when viewed from the X direction. This allows the fastener 5 to be attached so as to connect between the gear-shaped first pressure plate 30A and the gear-shaped second pressure plate 30B.

[0059] 〔summary〕 The hydrogen generation device according to aspect 1 of the present invention includes a laminated structure in which a substack in which a plurality of electrolytic cells are connected in series and pressure plates that pressurize the substack are alternately stacked, and fasteners that fasten the pressure plates between each two adjacent pressure plates sandwiching the substack.

[0060] According to the above-mentioned configuration, each of two adjacent pressure plates sandwiching one sub-stack therebetween is individually fastened by a fastener, so that partial replacement of the electrolytic cells can be performed on a sub-stack basis.

[0061] In the hydrogen generation device according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the fasteners may be arranged in a staggered manner along the stacking direction of the stacked structure.

[0062] According to this configuration, a plurality of fasteners can be arranged in the stacking direction without the fasteners interfering with each other.

[0063] In a hydrogen generation device according to aspect 3 of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the pressure plate includes a first pressure plate having a plurality of grooves on its outer peripheral surface for passing the fastener therethrough, and a second pressure plate, and the first pressure plate and the second pressure plate may be arranged alternately in the stacking direction of the laminated structure.

[0064] According to the above configuration, the fastener is positioned through a groove provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first pressure plate, which is adjacent to a first pressure plate and a second pressure plate sandwiching one sub-stack therebetween, thereby making it easy to attach and detach the fastener to the first pressure plate and the second pressure plate.

[0065] In a hydrogen generation apparatus according to aspect 4 of the present invention, in aspect 3, the multiple fasteners include a first fastener connecting the first pressure plate to the second pressure plate adjacent to the first pressure plate on one side of the stacking direction, and a second fastener connecting the first pressure plate to which the first fastener is attached to the second pressure plate adjacent to the first pressure plate on the other side of the stacking direction, and the first fastener and the second fastener may be arranged alternately in the circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface.

[0066] In the above-described configuration, since a clamping force (tensile force) is applied to the pressure plate from both sides in the stacking direction, the clamping force acting on the pressure plate tends to be constant. Therefore, according to the above-described configuration, it is possible to reduce the deflection of the pressure plate and apply pressure evenly to the sub-stack.

[0067] In a hydrogen generation apparatus according to aspect 5 of the present invention, in aspect 3 or 4, the fastener includes a shaft portion and a large diameter portion provided on the shaft portion and having a larger diameter than the shaft portion, the large diameter portion being hooked to the first pressure plate, and the tip portion of the shaft portion may be screwed into a screw hole provided in the second pressure plate.

[0068] In the above configuration, the fastener is hooked to the first pressure plate by the large diameter portion and is screwed into the second pressure plate. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the fastener can be easily removed from the first pressure plate and the second pressure plate by, for example, releasing the screw engagement between the tip of the fastener and the screw hole of the second pressure plate and then pulling the fastener out of the groove of the first pressure plate.

[0069] In a hydrogen generation device according to aspect 6 of the present invention, in any one of aspects 1 to 5, the pressure plate may have an inlet through which water to be supplied to the sub-stack is introduced, and an outlet through which hydrogen generated in the sub-stack is discharged.

[0070] In the above-described configuration, the supply of water and the discharge of hydrogen can be distributed to each pressure plate, making it possible to reduce the manifold diameter and improve the balance of hydrogen generation in each electrolysis cell.

[0071] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1: Hydrogen generator 2. Substack 3: Pressure plate 4, 41, 42, 43: Laminated structure 5: Fastener 5A: 1st fastener 5B:Second fastener 21: Electrolysis cell 30A, 31: First pressure plate 30B, 32, 32A, 32B: second pressure plate 51: Fastening bolt (shaft) 52: Nut (large diameter part) 53: Washer (large diameter part) 311: Groove 313A: 1st pure water inlet (inlet) 314A: 2nd pure water inlet (inlet) 315A: Hydrogen exhaust port (exhaust port) 321: Screw hole 323A: 1st pure water inlet (inlet) 324A: 2nd pure water inlet (inlet) 325A: Hydrogen exhaust port (exhaust port) X: Stacking direction

Claims

1. a laminated structure in which substacks in which a plurality of electrolysis cells are connected in series and pressure plates for pressing the substacks are alternately laminated; and a fastener for fastening each of two adjacent pressure plates sandwiching the substack therebetween.

2. The hydrogen generation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the fasteners are arranged in a staggered pattern along a stacking direction of the stacked structure.

3. The pressure plate includes a first pressure plate having a plurality of grooves on an outer circumferential surface thereof through which the fastener passes, and a second pressure plate, 3. The hydrogen generation device according to claim 1, wherein the first pressure plates and the second pressure plates are arranged alternately in a stacking direction of the stacked structure.

4. The plurality of fasteners include a first fastener that connects the first pressure plate and the second pressure plate adjacent to the first pressure plate on one side in the stacking direction; a second fastener that connects the first pressure plate to which the first fastener is attached and the second pressure plate adjacent to the first pressure plate on the other side in the stacking direction, The hydrogen generation apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the first fasteners and the second fasteners are arranged alternately in a circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface.

5. The fastener includes a shaft portion and a large diameter portion provided on the shaft portion and having a diameter larger than that of the shaft portion, The large diameter portion is hooked to the first pressure plate, The hydrogen generation apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein a tip end of the shaft portion is screwed into a screw hole provided in the second pressure plate.

6. 3. The hydrogen generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure plate has an inlet through which water to be supplied to the sub-stack is introduced, and an outlet through which hydrogen generated in the sub-stack is discharged.

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