Water electrolysis evaluation device, water electrolysis evaluation method and program for water electrolysis evaluation device

Abstract

To provide a water electrolysis evaluation device controlling a liquid level in a gas-liquid separation tank steady, while controlling the electric characteristics of an electrolytic solution.SOLUTION: There is provided a water electrolysis evaluation device comprising a gas-liquid separation tank connected to a test piece via an introduction line and separating a fluid led out of the test piece into oxygen gas or hydrogen gas and an electrolytic solution, an electric characteristics measurement unit for measuring electric characteristics indicating the conductivity or specific resistance of the electrolytic solution included in the fluid, a discharge line provided with a drainage amount adjustment device for discharging the electrolytic solution from the gas-liquid separation tank and adjusting a drainage amount of the electrolytic solution, a supply line provided with a supply amount adjustment device for supplying the gas-liquid separation tank with water of electric characteristics different from that of the electrolytic solution present in the gas-liquid separation tank and adjusting the supply amount of water, and a flow rate control unit for controlling the drainage amount adjustment device and the supply amount adjustment device based on the electric characteristics measured by the electric characteristics measurement unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a water electrolysis evaluation device, a water electrolysis device evaluation method, and a program for the water electrolysis evaluation device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional water electrolysis evaluation devices evaluate test specimens such as water electrolysis cells that generate oxygen gas and hydrogen gas by electrolyzing water, and specifically, evaluate the characteristics and / or reaction efficiency of the test specimens by arbitrarily controlling conditions such as pressure and / or the amount of electrolyte supplied. In the water electrolysis cell, a mixed gas of hydrogen gas and water vapor is generated on the cathode side, and a mixed gas of oxygen gas and water vapor is generated on the anode side.

[0003] As shown in Non-Patent Document 1, for example, this type of water electrolysis evaluation device includes a gas-liquid separation tank connected to the anode side of the water electrolysis cell via piping and separating a mixed gas of oxygen gas and water vapor into oxygen gas and electrolyte. The oxygen gas separated in the gas-liquid separation tank is analyzed by a gas analyzer provided downstream of the gas-liquid separation tank. The electrolyte separated in the gas-liquid separation tank is supplied to the water electrolysis cell via a pump.

[0004] To accurately evaluate a water electrolysis cell, it is necessary to maintain constant electrical properties of the electrolyte, such as conductivity or resistivity. One approach to maintaining a low electrolyte conductivity is to supply water to the gas-liquid separation tank. In this case, the liquid level in the gas-liquid separation tank rises, causing a change in the volume of oxygen gas inside the tank. This causes fluctuations in the pressure downstream of the test piece, making it impossible to maintain the initially set pressure conditions, potentially hindering proper evaluation of the test piece. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] Configuration of PEM-type water electrolysis evaluation equipment, Chino, [online], retrieved March 4, 2024, Internet<URL:https: / / www.chino.co.jp / wp / wp-content / themes / chino / pdf / fuelcell_selection.pdf> Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its main object to provide a water electrolysis evaluation device that controls the liquid level in the gas-liquid separation tank to be constant while controlling the electrical properties of the electrolyte. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] That is, the water electrolysis evaluation device of the present invention is a water electrolysis evaluation device for evaluating a test specimen that electrolyzes an electrolyte solution to produce oxygen gas and hydrogen gas, and is characterized by comprising: a gas-liquid separation tank connected to the test specimen via an inlet line and separating a fluid drawn out from the test specimen into the oxygen gas or the hydrogen gas and the electrolyte solution; an electrical property measurement unit that measures the electrical properties of the electrolyte solution contained in the fluid; a discharge line that discharges the electrolyte solution from the gas-liquid separation tank and is provided with a drainage amount adjustment device that adjusts the amount of the electrolyte solution drained; a supply line that supplies water having electrical properties different from those of the electrolyte solution in the gas-liquid separation tank to the gas-liquid separation tank and is provided with a supply amount adjustment device that adjusts the amount of water supplied; and a flow rate control unit that controls the drainage amount adjustment device and the supply amount adjustment device based on the electrical properties measured by the electrical property measurement unit.

[0008] With this configuration, the flow rate control unit controls the drainage rate adjustment device and the supply rate adjustment device based on the electrical characteristics measured by the electrical characteristic measurement unit, so that the amount of drainage from the gas-liquid separation tank and the amount of supply to the gas-liquid separation tank can be controlled. Therefore, the flow rate control unit can control the liquid level in the gas-liquid separation tank while controlling the electrical characteristics of the electrolyte.

[0009] It is preferable that the apparatus further includes a circulation line for supplying the electrolyte from the gas-liquid separation tank to the test specimen, the electrical property measuring unit is provided in the gas-liquid separation tank and / or the circulation line, and the flow rate control unit controls the drainage amount adjustment device and the supply amount adjustment device based on the electrical properties measured by the electrical property measuring unit.

[0010] With this configuration, the flow rate control unit controls the drainage rate adjustment device and the supply rate adjustment device based on the electrical characteristics of the electrolyte in the gas-liquid separation tank and / or the circulation line, thereby controlling the electrical characteristics of the electrolyte to be constant. Because the electrolyte with controlled electrical characteristics is supplied to the test specimen from the gas-liquid separation tank, the evaluation accuracy of the test specimen can be improved. Because the electrolyte with controlled electrical characteristics is supplied to the test specimen from the gas-liquid separation tank, the evaluation accuracy of the test specimen can be improved.

[0011] It is preferable that a plurality of the electrical property measuring units are provided in the circulation line and / or the gas-liquid separation tank, and the flow rate control unit controls the drainage volume adjustment device and the supply volume adjustment device based on the plurality of electrical properties measured by the plurality of electrical property measuring units.

[0012] With this configuration, since multiple electrical property measuring units are provided in the circulation line or the gas-liquid separation tank, it is possible to accurately measure an increase in electrical resistance due to metal ions in the circulation line or metal ions in the test specimen.The flow rate control unit controls the drainage rate adjusting device and the supply rate adjusting device based on the multiple electrical properties measured by the multiple electrical property measuring units, so it is possible to accurately control the electrical properties.

[0013] As a specific embodiment for controlling the liquid level in the gas-liquid separation tank to a constant level, it is preferable that the gas-liquid separation tank further includes a liquid level measuring unit that measures the liquid level of the electrolyte in the gas-liquid separation tank, and the flow rate control unit controls the drainage volume adjustment device and the supply volume adjustment device based on the electrical characteristics measured by the electrical characteristic measuring unit and the liquid level measured by the liquid level measuring unit.

[0014] It is desirable that the system further comprises a gas outlet line connected to the gas-liquid separation tank, through which the oxygen gas or the hydrogen gas separated in the gas-liquid separation tank is discharged, and a gas analyzer provided in the gas outlet line, for analyzing the oxygen gas or the hydrogen gas flowing through the gas outlet line.

[0015] With this configuration, the gas analysis unit can analyze oxygen gas or hydrogen gas while the volume of gas inside the gas-liquid separation tank is controlled to a constant level, so the gas analysis unit can analyze the oxygen gas or hydrogen gas extracted from the test specimen in real time.

[0016] Examples of the gas supply system include a pressure measuring unit that is provided in the inlet line, the gas-liquid separation tank, or the gas outlet line and that measures the pressure of the fluid that is discharged from the test piece, and a pressure control valve that is provided in the gas outlet line downstream of the pressure measuring unit and that controls the pressure of the oxygen gas or the hydrogen gas that flows through the gas outlet line based on the pressure measured by the pressure measuring unit.

[0017] With this configuration, the pressure control valve controls the pressure in the gas outlet line based on the pressure of the fluid delivered from the test specimen. Therefore, by controlling the pressure of the oxygen gas or hydrogen gas flowing through the gas analysis unit to a constant value, the accuracy of the gas analysis unit's real-time analysis of the oxygen gas or hydrogen gas delivered from the test specimen can be improved. In addition, since the pressure control valve is located downstream of the gas-liquid separation tank, it is possible to prevent a water hammer from occurring and the volume of gas in the gas-liquid separation tank from changing when the pressure is changed significantly by the pressure control valve.

[0018] It is preferable that the gas supply system further comprises a gas flow rate measuring unit that is provided in the gas outlet line downstream of the pressure control valve and that measures the flow rate of the oxygen gas or the hydrogen gas flowing through the gas outlet line.

[0019] With this configuration, the gas flow measuring unit is located downstream of the pressure control valve and measures the flow rate of the gas flowing through the gas outlet line, allowing the user to confirm whether the gas pressure is being properly controlled by the pressure control valve.

[0020] It is preferable that the gas supply system further comprises a temperature adjusting member provided in the gas outlet line for adjusting the temperature of the hydrogen gas and / or the oxygen gas flowing through the gas outlet line.

[0021] With this configuration, the temperature adjusting member adjusts the temperature of the oxygen gas or hydrogen gas flowing through the gas outlet line, thereby further improving the analytical accuracy in the gas analyzer.

[0022] A method for evaluating a water electrolysis device for evaluating a test specimen that electrolyzes an electrolyte solution to produce oxygen gas and hydrogen gas, the method comprising: separating a fluid drawn out from the test specimen into the oxygen gas or the hydrogen gas and the electrolyte solution, storing the separated fluid in a gas-liquid separation tank; measuring electrical characteristics of the electrolyte solution; and controlling, based on the measured electrical characteristics, an amount of the electrolyte solution discharged from the gas-liquid separation tank and an amount of water having electrical characteristics different from those of the electrolyte solution that is supplied to the gas-liquid separation tank. A water electrolysis evaluation device is provided for evaluating a test specimen that electrolyzes an electrolyte solution to produce oxygen gas and hydrogen gas. The water electrolysis evaluation device includes an electrical property measurement unit that measures the electrical properties of the electrolyte solution, and a gas-liquid separation tank that is connected to the test specimen and separates the electrolyte solution discharged from the test specimen into the oxygen gas or the hydrogen gas and the electrolyte solution. The program is used in the water electrolysis evaluation device, and is characterized in that the program causes a computer to function as a flow rate control unit that controls, based on the electrical properties measured by the electrical property measurement unit, the amount of the electrolyte solution discharged from the gas-liquid separation tank and the amount of water that has electrical properties different from those of the electrolyte solution and is supplied to the gas-liquid separation tank.

[0023] With this configuration, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the water electrolysis evaluation device described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a water electrolysis evaluation device that controls the liquid level in the gas-liquid separation tank to be constant while controlling the electrical properties of the electrolyte. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a water electrolysis evaluation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a water electrolysis evaluation device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional blocks of a control unit in the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a water electrolysis evaluation device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a water electrolysis evaluation device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing functional blocks of a control unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the time variations in electrical conductivity, supply amount, discharge amount, and liquid level in the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a water electrolysis evaluation device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a water electrolysis evaluation device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a water electrolysis evaluation device according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] First Embodiment A water electrolysis evaluation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that in any of the drawings shown below, some parts may be omitted or exaggerated for clarity. The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted accordingly.

[0027] <Device configuration> The water electrolysis evaluation device 100 of this embodiment evaluates a specimen C that electrolyzes an electrolyte solution to produce oxygen gas and hydrogen gas. The specimen C is, for example, a water electrolysis cell that electrolyzes an electrolyte solution, or a water electrolysis stack composed of multiple water electrolysis cells. In the specimen C of the first embodiment, a mixed fluid containing hydrogen gas flows from the cathode side, and a mixed fluid containing oxygen gas and an electrolyte solution flows from the anode side. That is, the water electrolysis evaluation device 100 of the first embodiment evaluates a PEM-type specimen C in which fluid flows only from the anode side, a specimen C using an alkaline solution (hereinafter also referred to as an alkaline type), and / or a specimen C using an anion exchange membrane (hereinafter also referred to as an AEM type). Note that the oxygen gas may contain low concentrations of hydrogen or carbon dioxide.

[0028] 1, the water electrolysis evaluation device 100 includes a hydrogen gas evaluation unit 10 that evaluates hydrogen gas delivered from the cathode side of the test specimen C, an oxygen gas evaluation unit 20 that evaluates oxygen gas delivered from the anode side of the test specimen C, and a control unit 30 that controls various devices constituting the hydrogen gas evaluation unit 10 and the oxygen gas evaluation unit 20. Note that, as shown in FIG. 2, the water electrolysis evaluation device 100 does not necessarily include the hydrogen gas evaluation unit 10.

[0029] The hydrogen gas evaluation unit 10 includes a hydrogen-side inlet line L11 through which a mixed fluid containing hydrogen gas generated on the cathode side of the specimen C is discharged, a hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11 that separates the mixed gas containing hydrogen gas discharged from the hydrogen-side inlet line L11 into hydrogen gas and electrolyte, a hydrogen-side discharge line L12 that discharges electrolyte from the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11, and a hydrogen gas discharge line L13 that discharges hydrogen gas from the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11. Here, the mixed fluid containing hydrogen gas is a fluid containing hydrogen gas, water vapor, and / or electrolyte generated on the cathode side.

[0030] The hydrogen-side inlet line L11 is provided with a hydrogen-side pressure measuring unit P1 that measures the pressure of the mixed gas flowing through the hydrogen-side inlet line L11. The hydrogen-side pressure measuring unit P1 may be provided in any of the hydrogen-side inlet line L11, the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11, and the hydrogen gas outlet line L13.

[0031] The hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11 separates a gas mixture containing hydrogen gas into hydrogen gas and an electrolytic solution, and stores the hydrogen gas and the electrolytic solution. Note that the separated hydrogen gas may contain small amounts of substances other than hydrogen, such as water vapor and / or carbon dioxide.

[0032] An on-off valve V3 is provided on the hydrogen-side discharge line L12, and by opening the on-off valve V3, the electrolyte stored in the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11 is discharged.

[0033] The hydrogen gas outlet line L13 is provided with a hydrogen pressure control valve V1 that controls the pressure of the hydrogen gas flowing through the hydrogen gas outlet line L13, and a first gas analyzer 12 that analyzes the hydrogen gas.

[0034] The hydrogen-side pressure control valve V1 is provided downstream of the hydrogen-side pressure measurement unit P1 in the hydrogen gas discharge line L13, and controls the pressure of the hydrogen gas based on the pressure measured by the hydrogen-side pressure measurement unit P1. Specifically, the hydrogen-side pressure control valve V1 is controlled by feedback control of the pressure control unit 32, which will be described later, so that the pressure of the hydrogen gas remains constant.

[0035] The first gas analysis unit 12 has, for example, a hydrogen concentration meter that measures the concentration of hydrogen contained in the hydrogen gas.

[0036] The oxygen gas evaluation unit 20 includes an oxygen side inlet line L21 through which a mixed fluid containing oxygen gas generated on the anode side of the test specimen C and the electrolyte from the test specimen C is discharged, an oxygen side gas-liquid separation tank 21 that separates the mixed fluid and the electrolyte discharged from the oxygen side inlet line L21 into oxygen gas and electrolyte, an oxygen side discharge line L22 that discharges the electrolyte from the oxygen side gas-liquid separation tank 21, an oxygen side supply line L23 that supplies water having electrical properties different from those of the electrolyte in the oxygen side gas-liquid separation tank 21 to the oxygen side gas-liquid separation tank 21, an oxygen side circulation line L24 that supplies the electrolyte from the oxygen side gas-liquid separation tank 21 to the test specimen C, an oxygen gas discharge line L25 that discharges oxygen gas from the oxygen side gas-liquid separation tank 21, and an electrical property measurement unit D that measures the electrical properties of the electrolyte.

[0037] The oxygen-side inlet line L21 is a line through which a mixed fluid containing oxygen gas, water vapor, an electrolyte, leaked hydrogen, and / or carbon dioxide is introduced from the test specimen C. The oxygen-side inlet line L21 is provided with an oxygen-side pressure measuring unit P2 that measures the pressure of the mixed fluid flowing through the oxygen-side inlet line L21. The oxygen-side pressure measuring unit P2 may be provided in any of the oxygen-side inlet line L21, the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21, and the oxygen gas outlet line L25.

[0038] The oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21 separates the mixed fluid into oxygen gas and electrolyte, and stores the oxygen gas and electrolyte. The electrolyte referred to here is a liquid containing an electrolyte such as metal ions from the pipe constituting the oxygen-side inlet line L21 or the test specimen C, or a substance added in advance, and has a predetermined electrical resistance and is mainly composed of water. Note that the separated oxygen gas may contain small amounts of substances other than oxygen, such as water vapor, leaked hydrogen, and / or carbon dioxide.

[0039] The electrical characteristic measuring unit D measures the electrical characteristics of the electrolyte solution, such as the conductivity, resistivity, or pH of the electrolyte solution. In this embodiment, the electrical characteristic measuring unit D is, for example, a conductivity meter, but it may also be a resistivity meter or a pH meter. In this embodiment, the electrical characteristic measuring unit D is provided in the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21, but it may also be provided in the oxygen-side circulation line L24. Furthermore, only one electrical characteristic measuring unit D may be provided, or multiple electrical characteristic measuring units D may be provided.

[0040] The oxygen-side discharge line L22 is provided with a drainage amount adjusting device 22 that adjusts the amount of drainage of the electrolyte stored in the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21. In this embodiment, the drainage amount adjusting device 22 is a control valve controlled by a flow rate control unit 31, which will be described later, but is not limited to this. The drainage amount adjusting device 22 may be, for example, a pump or the like.

[0041] The oxygen side supply line L23 is provided with a water storage section 23 for storing water, and a supply amount adjustment device 24 for adjusting the amount of water stored in the water storage section 23 supplied to the oxygen side gas-liquid separation tank 21.

[0042] The water reservoir 23 stores water having a conductivity equal to or lower than that of the electrolyte stored in the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21. For example, the water may be pure water or ultrapure water.

[0043] The supply amount adjusting device 24 is, for example, a pump, and adjusts the supply amount of water stored in the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21. In this embodiment, the supply amount adjusting device 24 is controlled by a flow rate control unit 31, which will be described later, and adjusts the supply amount of water supplied from the water storage unit 23 to the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21.

[0044] The oxygen-side circulation line L24 is provided with a circulation pump 25, which is a fluid device that supplies the electrolyte stored in the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21 to the specimen C. In this embodiment, the circulation pump 25 is controlled by a flow rate control unit 31, which will be described later, to adjust the circulation rate of the electrolyte stored in the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21. Note that the fluid device provided in the oxygen-side circulation line L24 is not limited to a pump and may be, for example, a valve.

[0045] The oxygen gas discharge line L25 is provided with a condensation prevention unit 26 that prevents condensation of the oxygen gas flowing through the oxygen gas discharge line L25, an oxygen side pressure control valve V2 that controls the pressure of the oxygen gas flowing through the oxygen gas discharge line L25, a gas flow measurement unit F that measures the flow rate of the oxygen gas flowing through the oxygen gas discharge line L25, and a second gas analysis unit 27 that analyzes the oxygen gas.

[0046] The condensation prevention unit 26 is provided in the oxygen gas discharge line L25 downstream of the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21. To perform the analysis by the second gas analyzer 27 with high accuracy, the condensation prevention unit 26 is preferably a gas-liquid separation tank provided separately from the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21, but is not limited to this. The condensation prevention unit 26 may be, for example, a cold trap, a heat exchanger, a heater, or a heat insulator. In this embodiment, the condensation prevention unit 26 is provided in the oxygen gas discharge line L25, but it may be provided throughout each line or in part of each line.

[0047] The oxygen-side pressure control valve V2 is provided in the oxygen gas discharge line L25 downstream of the oxygen-side pressure measurement unit P2, and controls the pressure of the oxygen gas based on the pressure measured by the oxygen-side pressure measurement unit P2. Specifically, the oxygen-side pressure control valve V2 is controlled by feedback control of the pressure control unit 32, which will be described later, so that the pressure of the oxygen gas is constant.

[0048] The gas flow rate measuring unit F measures the mass flow rate of oxygen gas flowing through the oxygen gas discharge line L25. Specifically, the gas flow rate measuring unit F is, for example, a thermal flow rate sensor. In this embodiment, the gas flow rate measuring unit F is provided downstream of the oxygen-side pressure control valve V2 in the oxygen gas discharge line L25. Note that the flow rate measured by the gas flow rate measuring unit F is not limited to the mass flow rate, and may be a volumetric flow rate.

[0049] The second gas analysis unit 27 has a hydrogen analyzer that analyzes the concentration of low-concentration hydrogen contained in oxygen gas and / or an oxygen analyzer that analyzes the concentration of oxygen contained in oxygen gas. The hydrogen analyzer is, for example, a mass spectrometer, a thermal conductivity hydrogen meter, and / or an absorption spectrometer. The oxygen analyzer is, for example, a zirconia oxygen meter and / or a magnetic oxygen meter. Note that, in order to analyze the reaction efficiency between the catalyst and oxygen in the test specimen C or the deterioration state of the catalyst in the test specimen C, the second gas analysis unit 27 may further have a carbon dioxide analyzer that analyzes the concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the oxygen gas. The carbon dioxide analyzer is, for example, an infrared absorption spectrometer.

[0050] The control unit 30 constitutes a so-called computer equipped with a CPU, memory, A / D converter, D / A converter, and various input / output devices, and as shown in FIG. 1, it functions as a flow rate control unit 31 and a pressure control unit 32.

[0051] The flow rate control unit 31 controls at least the waste liquid amount adjustment device 22 and the supply amount adjustment device 24 based on the electrical characteristics measured by the electrical characteristic measurement unit D. Specifically, the flow rate control unit 31 feedback-controls the waste liquid amount adjustment device 22 and the supply amount adjustment device 24 using the electrical characteristics measured by the electrical characteristic measurement unit D so that the electrolyte supplied from the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21 to the test piece C is controlled to have set values ​​for the electrical characteristics, and so that the liquid level in the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21 is controlled to have set values ​​for the liquid level.

[0052] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 , the flow rate control unit 31 receives a set value of the electrical property and a measured value of the electrical property, and performs PID control of the drainage rate of the drainage rate adjustment device 22 and the supply rate of the supply rate adjustment device 24 based on the deviation between the set value and the measured value. Here, the flow rate control unit 31 may control the drainage rate of the drainage rate adjustment device 22 and the supply rate of the supply rate adjustment device 24 to be approximately equal, or may control the drainage rate of the drainage rate adjustment device 22 and the supply rate of the supply rate adjustment device 24 by calculating a control value for one of the drainage rate and the supply rate from a control value for the other using a correlation coefficient that correlates the drainage rate of the drainage rate adjustment device 22 and the supply rate of the supply rate adjustment device 24. This controls the liquid level in the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21 to a set value, preferably a constant value. Here, the set value of the electrical property may be, for example, the conductivity or resistivity of the electrolyte stored in the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21 in an initial state, which is immediately after the water electrolysis evaluation device 100 starts evaluation of the test piece C, or may be a value arbitrarily set by an operator.

[0053] If a plurality of electrical characteristic measuring units D are provided, the flow rate control unit 31 may use the measured values ​​of the electrical characteristics measured by the plurality of electrical characteristic measuring units D to control the drainage rate of the drainage rate adjustment device 22 and the supply rate of the supply rate adjustment device 24. For example, the flow rate control unit 31 may average the measured values ​​of the electrical characteristics measured by the plurality of electrical characteristic measuring units D and perform feedback control of the supply rate adjustment device 24 based on the deviation between the set value of the electrical characteristic and the average measured value of the electrical characteristic. If the measured values ​​of the electrical characteristics measured by the plurality of electrical characteristic measuring units D are used, the plurality of measured values ​​may be weighted according to the position of the measuring unit, or the maximum or minimum value of the plurality of measured values ​​may be used to perform feedback control of the supply rate adjustment device 24.

[0054] The pressure control unit 32 controls the hydrogen-side pressure control valve V1 based on the pressure measured by the hydrogen-side pressure measurement unit P1, and controls the oxygen-side pressure control valve V2 based on the pressure measured by the oxygen-side pressure measurement unit P2. Specifically, the pressure control unit 32 feedback-controls the hydrogen-side pressure control valve V1 so that the pressure of hydrogen gas remains constant. The pressure control unit 32 also feedback-controls the oxygen-side pressure control valve V2 so that the pressure of oxygen gas remains constant.

[0055] The water electrolysis evaluation apparatus 100 may further include a temperature control member that controls the temperature of the fluid flowing through each line. The temperature control member referred to here may be a member that cools, heats, or keeps the fluid warm. The temperature control member may be provided in a portion of each line or may be provided throughout each line. The temperature control member may be provided upstream of the test specimen C to heat the circulating water flowing into the test specimen C. A preheat tank for storing and preheating the circulating water flowing into the test specimen C may be provided upstream of the test specimen C, and the temperature control member may heat the preheat tank. This allows heated circulating water to be supplied to the test specimen C.

[0056] The hydrogen gas evaluation unit 10 and / or the oxygen gas evaluation unit 20 may be called gas evaluation units. Similarly, the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11 and / or the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21 may be called gas-liquid separation tanks. The hydrogen-side inlet line L11 and / or the oxygen-side inlet line L21 may be called inlet lines. The hydrogen-side discharge line L12 and / or the oxygen-side discharge line L22 may be called discharge lines. The oxygen-side supply line L23 may be called a supply line. The oxygen-side circulation line L24 may be called a circulation line. The oxygen gas outlet line L25 may be called a gas outlet line.

[0057] <Water electrolysis evaluation method> Next, a water electrolysis evaluation method using the water electrolysis evaluation device 100 according to this embodiment will be described. The water electrolysis evaluation method in the oxygen gas evaluation unit 20 will be described below.

[0058] As the specimen C electrolyzes the electrolyte, a mixed fluid containing hydrogen gas flows from the cathode side of the specimen C, and a mixed fluid containing oxygen gas and the electrolyte flows from the anode side of the specimen C. Then, the mixed fluid containing oxygen gas and the electrolyte is introduced from the oxygen-side introduction line L21.

[0059] When the mixed fluid reaches the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21, the mixed fluid is separated into oxygen gas and electrolyte in the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21. The separated oxygen gas is discharged from the oxygen gas discharge line L25, and the oxygen-side pressure control valve V2 controls the pressure of the oxygen gas.

[0060] The separated electrolyte solution is supplied from the oxygen-side circulation line L24 to the specimen C. In this state, the electrical characteristic measuring unit D measures the electrical characteristics of the electrolyte solution.

[0061] The flow rate control unit 31 controls the waste liquid amount adjusting device 22 and the supply amount adjusting device 24 so that the electrical characteristics of the electrolyte become set values ​​based on the electrical characteristics measured by the electrical characteristic measuring unit D. As a result, the waste liquid amount adjusting device 22 discharges the electrolyte from the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21. In addition, the supply amount adjusting device 24 supplies water from the water storage unit 23 to the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21.

[0062] With the electrical characteristics controlled to set values ​​and the liquid level in the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21 controlled to set values, the second gas analyzer 27 analyzes the oxygen gas, thereby causing the water electrolysis evaluation device 100 to evaluate the degree of deterioration of the test specimen C. For example, the second gas analyzer 27 may analyze the amount of leaked hydrogen contained in the oxygen gas, thereby causing the water electrolysis evaluation device 100 to evaluate the deterioration state of the catalyst in the test specimen C. Alternatively, the second gas analyzer 27 may analyze the amount of carbon dioxide contained in the oxygen gas, thereby causing the water electrolysis evaluation device 100 to evaluate the deterioration state of the catalyst in the test specimen C.

[0063] <Effects of the first embodiment> With this configuration, the flow rate control unit 31 controls the drainage rate adjustment device 22 and the supply rate adjustment device 24 based on the electrical characteristics measured by the electrical characteristics measurement unit D, making it possible to control the amount of water drained from the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21 and the amount of water supplied to the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21. Therefore, the flow rate control unit 31 can control the liquid level in the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21 while controlling the electrical characteristics of the electrolyte.

[0064] Second Embodiment A water electrolysis evaluation device 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that in all of the drawings shown below, some parts may be omitted or exaggerated as appropriate for ease of understanding. Identical components will be assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0065] 4 and 5, the water electrolysis evaluation device 200 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it includes a liquid level measuring unit S that measures the liquid level of the electrolyte in the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21. As in the first embodiment, the water electrolysis evaluation device 200 of the second embodiment may also be configured without the hydrogen gas evaluation unit 10, as shown in FIG.

[0066] In the second embodiment, the liquid level measuring unit S is, for example, a water level sensor, but is not limited to a water level sensor. For example, the liquid level measuring unit S may be a float switch that includes a float body that is held so as to be movable up and down within a predetermined height range, and detects whether the float body is floating due to buoyancy from the electrolyte in the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21.

[0067] In the second embodiment, the flow rate control unit 31 controls the drainage rate adjustment device 22 and the supply rate adjustment device 24 based on the electrical characteristics measured by the electrical characteristic measurement unit D and the liquid level measured by the liquid level measurement unit S. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6 , the flow rate control unit 31 controls the supply rate of the supply rate adjustment device 24 based on the electrical characteristics measured by the electrical characteristic measurement unit D, and controls the drainage rate of the drainage rate adjustment device 22 based on the liquid level measured by the liquid level measurement unit S. Note that the flow rate control unit 31 may also control the drainage rate of the drainage rate adjustment device 22 based on the electrical characteristics measured by the electrical characteristic measurement unit D, and control the supply rate of the supply rate adjustment device 24 based on the liquid level measured by the liquid level measurement unit S. Alternatively, the flow rate control unit 31 may control the drainage rate of the drainage rate adjustment device 22 and the supply rate of the supply rate adjustment device 24 based on the electrical characteristics measured by the electrical characteristic measurement unit D. Alternatively, the amount of drainage from the drainage amount adjusting device 22 and the amount of supply from the supply amount adjusting device 24 may be controlled based on the liquid level measured by the liquid level measuring unit S.

[0068] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the flow rate control unit 31 receives the set value of the electrical characteristic and the measured value of the electrical characteristic, and performs PID control of the supply rate of the supply rate adjustment device 24 based on the deviation between the set value and the measured value.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 6 , the flow rate control unit 31 receives a measured value of the electrolyte level and a set value of the electrolyte level, and performs PID control of the amount of drainage from the drainage rate adjustment device 22 based on the deviation between the set value and the measured value. The set value of the electrolyte level is, for example, the liquid level in the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21 in the initial state immediately after the water electrolysis evaluation device 100 starts evaluating the test piece C. The set value of the electrolyte level may be the liquid level of the electrolyte stored in the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21 in the initial state immediately after the water electrolysis evaluation device 100 starts evaluating the test piece C, or may be a value arbitrarily set by an operator. As shown in FIG. 5 , the flow rate control unit 31 may include a drainage rate control unit 31 a that controls the amount of drainage from the drainage rate adjustment device 22 and a supply rate control unit 31 b that controls the supply rate from the supply rate adjustment device 24.

[0070] Next, the relationship between the control of each adjusting device by the flow rate control unit 31 in this embodiment and the change over time of each controlled variable will be described with reference to FIG.

[0071] 7 , for example, before starting an evaluation test of the test specimen C using the water electrolysis evaluation device 100, an operator sets a set value for the electrical property. Then, after starting the evaluation test of the test specimen C using the water electrolysis evaluation device 100, the electrical property measurement unit D measures the electrical property of the electrolyte in the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21. If the measured value of the electrical property is greater than the set value, the flow rate control unit 31 performs PID control of the supply amount of the supply amount adjustment device 24 based on the deviation between the set value of the electrical property and the measured value of the electrical property so that the measured value of the electrical property becomes the set value.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 7 , the supply amount adjusting device 24 supplies water to the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21, causing the liquid level of the electrolyte in the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21 to rise. Based on the deviation between the set value of the liquid level and the measured value, the flow rate control unit 31 PID-controls the amount of drainage from the drainage amount adjusting device 22 so that the measured liquid level becomes the set value. As a result, the supply amount of water from the supply amount adjusting device 24 and the drainage amount of the electrolyte from the drainage amount adjusting device 22 are supplied to the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21. As shown in FIG. 6 , the supply amount from the supply amount adjusting device 24 and the drainage amount from the drainage amount adjusting device 22 converge to stable values, the electrical characteristics of the electrolyte in the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21 are controlled to the set values, and the liquid level of the electrolyte in the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21 is controlled to a constant value. While the set values ​​of the electrical characteristics are constant in FIG. 7 , depending on the test conditions, the set values ​​of the electrical characteristics may be changeable during testing, for example, by an operator or a computer.

[0073] <Effects of the second embodiment> With this configuration, the flow control unit 31 controls the amount of discharged liquid from the discharged liquid amount adjustment device 22 based on the liquid level measured by the liquid level measurement unit S, so that the liquid level of the electrolyte in the oxygen side gas-liquid separation tank 21 can be controlled to a constant level. Furthermore, since the object controlled based on the liquid level is the drainage volume adjustment device 22 and the object controlled based on the conductivity is the supply volume adjustment device 24, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the controlled object and the explanatory variable, and the drainage volume adjustment device 22 and the supply volume adjustment device 24 can be easily controlled.

[0074] <Third embodiment> A water electrolysis evaluation device 300 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that in all of the drawings shown below, some parts may be omitted or exaggerated as appropriate for ease of understanding. Identical components will be assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0075] In the third embodiment, specimen C is a so-called alkaline water electrolysis device in which hydrogen gas and an alkaline solution flow from the cathode side and oxygen gas and an alkaline solution flow from the anode side. The alkaline solution may be, for example, but is not limited to, a potassium hydroxide solution.

[0076] In the third embodiment, unlike the first embodiment (in which only the oxygen gas evaluation unit 20 is provided with the oxygen-side supply line L23 and the oxygen-side circulation line L24), as shown in FIG. 8, the hydrogen gas evaluation unit 10 also includes a hydrogen-side supply line L14 that supplies water to the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11 and a hydrogen-side circulation line L15 that supplies the electrolyte from the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11 to the test piece C. In the hydrogen gas evaluation unit 10, the electrical characteristic measurement unit D may be provided in the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11, in the hydrogen-side circulation line L15, or in either the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11 or the hydrogen-side circulation line L15. In addition, the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11 may be provided with a liquid level measurement unit S that measures the liquid level of the electrolyte in the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11, or the configuration may not include the liquid level measurement unit S.

[0077] The hydrogen-side supply line L14 is provided with a hydrogen-side supply amount regulator 13 that regulates the amount of water stored in the water reservoir 23 supplied to the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11. As shown in FIG. 8 , the water reservoir 23 is common to the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11 and the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21, but water may be supplied from separate water reservoirs to the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11 and the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21. The hydrogen-side supply amount regulator 13 is, for example, a pump, similar to the oxygen-side supply amount regulator 24, and is controlled by a flow rate control unit 31. The hydrogen-side supply line L14 and / or the oxygen-side supply line L23 may also be referred to as supply lines.

[0078] The hydrogen-side circulation line L15 is provided with a hydrogen-side circulation pump 14 that supplies the electrolyte stored in the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11 to the specimen C. The hydrogen-side circulation pump 14 may be controlled by the flow rate control unit 31, similarly to the oxygen-side circulation pump 25. The hydrogen-side circulation line L15 and / or the oxygen-side circulation line L24 may also be referred to as circulation lines.

[0079] Next, a water electrolysis evaluation method using the water electrolysis evaluation device 300 of this embodiment will be described. Note that the water electrolysis evaluation method in the oxygen gas evaluation unit 20 is the same as in the first embodiment, so the water electrolysis evaluation method in the hydrogen gas evaluation unit 10 will be described below.

[0080] As the specimen C electrolyzes water, a mixed fluid of hydrogen gas and electrolyte flows from the cathode side of the specimen C, and a mixed fluid of oxygen gas and electrolyte flows from the anode side of the specimen C. The mixed fluid of hydrogen gas and electrolyte is then introduced from the hydrogen-side introduction line L11.

[0081] When the mixed fluid reaches the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11, the mixed fluid is separated into hydrogen gas and electrolyte within the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11. The separated hydrogen gas is discharged from the hydrogen gas discharge line L13, and the hydrogen-side pressure control valve V1 controls the pressure of the hydrogen gas.

[0082] The separated electrolyte solution is supplied from the hydrogen-side circulation line L15 to the specimen C. In this state, the electrical characteristic measuring unit D measures the electrical characteristics of the electrolyte solution.

[0083] As in the first embodiment, the flow rate control unit 31 controls the hydrogen-side effluent amount adjustment device V3 and the hydrogen-side supply amount adjustment device 13 based on the electrical characteristics measured by the electrical characteristic measurement unit D so that the electrical characteristics of the electrolytic solution become set values. As a result, the hydrogen-side effluent amount adjustment device V3 discharges the electrolytic solution from the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11. Furthermore, the hydrogen-side supply amount adjustment device 13 supplies water from the water storage unit 23 to the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11. The hydrogen-side effluent amount adjustment device may be, for example, an on-off valve.

[0084] In addition, when a liquid level measuring unit S is provided in the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11, the flow control unit 31 controls the hydrogen-side discharge liquid volume adjusting device V3 and the hydrogen-side supply volume adjusting device 13 based on the electrical characteristics measured by the electrical characteristics measuring unit D and the liquid level measured by the liquid level measuring unit S, as in the second embodiment.

[0085] With the electrical characteristics controlled to set values ​​and the liquid level in the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11 controlled to set values, the first gas analyzer 12 analyzes the hydrogen gas.

[0086] <Effects of the third embodiment> With this configuration, even in the hydrogen gas evaluation unit 10, the flow rate control unit 31 controls the drainage rate adjustment device V3 and the supply rate adjustment device 13 based on the electrical characteristics measured by the electrical characteristics measurement unit D, making it possible to control the amount of drainage from the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11 and the amount of supply to the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11. Therefore, the flow rate control unit 31 can control the liquid level in the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11 while controlling the electrical characteristics of the electrolyte in the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11.

[0087] <Fourth embodiment> A water electrolysis evaluation device 400 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that in all of the drawings shown below, some parts may be omitted or exaggerated as appropriate for ease of understanding. Identical components will be assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0088] In the fourth embodiment, unlike the third embodiment (in which circulation pumps 14 and 25 are provided in the hydrogen-side circulation line L15 and the oxygen-side circulation line L24, respectively), as shown in Figure 9, the electrolyte stored in the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11 and the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21 is supplied to the test piece C by a single shared circulation pump 40.

[0089] Specifically, the water electrolysis evaluation apparatus 400 includes a shared circulation line L3 that circulates the electrolyte stored in the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11 and the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21 and is equipped with a shared circulation pump 40. The shared circulation line L3 connects the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11 and the suction side of the shared circulation pump 40 via a pipe. The shared circulation line L3 also connects the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21 and the suction side of the shared circulation pump 40 via a pipe. However, the configuration of the shared circulation line L3 is not limited to this. For example, a junction may be provided where the electrolytes stored in the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11 and the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21 join upstream of the shared circulation pump 40, and the shared circulation pump 40 may be provided downstream of the junction.

[0090] The discharge side of the common circulation pump 40 is connected via piping to the anode side and cathode side of the specimen C. Specifically, the piping on the discharge side of the common circulation pump 40 branches between the discharge side of the common circulation pump 40 and the specimen C, and the branched piping is connected to the anode side and cathode side of the specimen C, respectively. An electrical characteristic measuring unit D may be provided on the piping on the discharge side of the common circulation pump 40.

[0091] The flow rate control unit 31 controls the hydrogen-side supply rate adjustment device 13 and the oxygen-side supply rate adjustment device 24 based on the respective electrical characteristics measured by the electrical characteristic measurement unit D. When a plurality of electrical characteristic measurement units D are provided, the flow rate control unit 31 may average the measured values ​​of the respective electrical characteristics measured by the plurality of electrical characteristic measurement units D, and control the hydrogen-side supply rate adjustment device 13 and the oxygen-side supply rate adjustment device 24 based on the deviation between the set value of the electrical characteristic and the average measured value of the electrical characteristic. In this case, in addition to the average value of the measured values ​​of the respective electrical characteristics, a weighted average of the measured values ​​of the respective electrical characteristics, or the minimum or maximum value of the measured values ​​of the respective electrical characteristics may also be used.

[0092] <Effects of the Fourth Embodiment> With this configuration, one shared circulation pump 40 supplies the electrolyte stored in the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11 and the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21 to the test specimen C, thereby reducing equipment costs and making the circulation line smaller compared to a configuration using multiple circulation pumps.

[0093] <Other embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0094] In this embodiment, the flow rate control unit 31 performs feedback control of each adjustment device. However, it may also perform feedforward control in addition to feedback control. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, for example, the supply rate control unit 31b outputs supply information, which is information about the supply rate or the set flow rate of the supply rate adjustment device 24, to the drainage rate control unit 31a, and the drainage rate control unit 31a controls the drainage rate adjustment device 22 based on the supply information in addition to the measured value of the liquid level measured by the liquid level measurement unit S. Furthermore, the flow rate control unit 31 may perform feedforward control of the drainage rate adjustment device 22 or V3 and / or the supply rate adjustment device 24 or 13 using values ​​such as the operating efficiency of the test piece C, the current value flowing through the test piece C, the voltage applied to the test piece C, and the gas concentration measured by the first gas analysis unit 12 or the second gas analysis unit 27 in addition to the measured value of the electrical characteristic measurement unit D and / or the measured value of the liquid level measurement unit S. The drainage volume control unit 31a may perform feedback control of the drainage volume adjustment device based on the liquid level measured by the liquid level measurement unit S provided in the gas-liquid separation tank so that the liquid level in the gas-liquid separation tank is constant.

[0095] In the first embodiment, the flow rate control unit 31 controls the amount of water supply and the amount of drainage so that the electrical characteristics are constant, but it may also control the amount of water supply and the amount of drainage so that the water level is constant in real time, or it may perform other control. For example, when the electrical characteristics of the electrolyte exceed a predetermined threshold, the flow rate control unit 31 may control the amount of drainage so that the amount of drainage becomes a preset value. In this case, the preset value of the amount of drainage may be smaller than the amount of water supply.

[0096] In the third and fourth embodiments, the water electrolysis evaluation apparatus may further include an alkaline solution supply line (not shown) provided with an alkaline solution adjuster that supplies an alkaline solution to the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11 and / or the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21 and adjusts the amount of alkaline solution supplied. In this case, when the electrical characteristics measured by the electrical characteristic measurement unit D are equal to or greater than a threshold, the flow rate control unit 31 may control the supply rate adjuster to lower the measured value of the electrical characteristics, thereby supplying water to the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11 and / or the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21. When the electrical characteristics measured by the electrical characteristic measurement unit D are less than the threshold, the flow rate control unit 31 may control the alkaline solution adjuster to supply an alkaline solution to the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separation tank 11 and / or the oxygen-side gas-liquid separation tank 21.

[0097] In each of the above embodiments, the flow rate control unit 31 controls at least the drainage rate adjustment device and the supply rate adjustment device, but may also control the circulation pump. For example, the flow rate control unit 31 may control the flow rate in the circulation line by the circulation pump so that the conductivity of the electrolyte and the liquid level in each gas-liquid separation tank are controlled to be constant.

[0098] In each of the above embodiments, a plurality of electrical characteristic measuring units D are provided, but it is sufficient to provide at least one. Furthermore, the electrical characteristic measuring unit D may be provided in the gas-liquid separation tank and the circulation line, as well as in the inlet line, outlet line, and / or gas outlet line.

[0099] In each of the above embodiments, when there is no need to measure the gas concentration and / or gas flow rate, and the test specimen C is evaluated based on another evaluation item, such as the value of the current flowing through the device or the heat generation amount of the device, the water electrolysis evaluation device does not need to include a gas analysis unit, a pressure measurement unit, a pressure control valve, and / or a gas flow rate measurement unit.

[0100] The water electrolysis evaluation device 100 in the first embodiment is configured such that only the oxygen gas evaluation unit 20 is provided with the oxygen-side supply line L23 and the oxygen-side circulation line L24, but may also be configured such that only the hydrogen gas evaluation unit 10 is provided with a supply line and a circulation line.

[0101] In each of the above embodiments, the water electrolysis evaluation device may further include a host control device (not shown) that controls the evaluation conditions of the test piece C (e.g., the voltage value of the test piece C, the current value of the test piece C, the ambient temperature of the test piece C, and / or the continuous operation time of the test piece C), and in this case, the control unit 30 may be provided in the host control device.

[0102] In each of the above-described embodiments, the set values ​​of the electrical characteristics and the liquid level may be predetermined fixed values ​​or may be values ​​within a predetermined range.

[0103] In each of the above embodiments, the water electrolysis evaluation apparatus may further include a display unit, such as a display, that displays data related to the testing of the specimen C. Here, the data displayed on the display unit may be the set value of the electrical property, the set value of the liquid level, the measured value of the electrical property, the measured value of the liquid level, and / or other measured values ​​(e.g., gas concentration, gas flow rate, amount of gas generated, pressure of the specimen C, temperature of the specimen C, measurement time of the above measured values, and / or data indicating changes in the above measured values ​​over time), or other data. In this case, the control unit 30 or a higher-level control device may output various data to the display unit.

[0104] In addition, the present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 100...Water electrolysis evaluation device 10 Hydrogen gas evaluation section 11 Hydrogen gas-liquid separation tank L11: Hydrogen inlet line L12 Hydrogen side discharge line L13: Hydrogen gas discharge line L14 Hydrogen supply line L15 Hydrogen circulation line 20 Oxygen gas evaluation section 21 Oxygen side gas-liquid separation tank 22 Drainage volume adjustment device 23 Water storage section 24 ···Supply amount adjustment equipment 25 Circulation pump 26...Condensation prevention part 27 Oxygen gas analyzer 30 Control unit 31 Flow control section 32 Pressure control section L21: Oxygen inlet line L22: Oxygen discharge line L23: Oxygen supply line L24: Oxygen circulation line L25: Oxygen gas discharge line F Gas flow measurement unit S...Liquid level measurement section D Electrical characteristics measurement section V1: Hydrogen side pressure control valve V2: Oxygen side pressure control valve P1: Hydrogen pressure measurement section P2: Oxygen side pressure measurement section C...Specimen

Claims

1. A water electrolysis evaluation device for evaluating a test specimen that electrolyzes an electrolyte solution to produce oxygen gas and hydrogen gas, a gas-liquid separation tank connected to the specimen via an introduction line, which separates a fluid discharged from the specimen into the oxygen gas or the hydrogen gas and the electrolyte; an electrical characteristic measuring unit for measuring electrical characteristics of the electrolyte solution contained in the fluid; a discharge line that discharges the electrolytic solution from the gas-liquid separation tank and is provided with a discharge amount adjusting device that adjusts the amount of the electrolytic solution discharged; a supply line that supplies water having electrical properties different from those of the electrolyte in the gas-liquid separation tank to the gas-liquid separation tank and is provided with a supply amount adjusting device that adjusts the amount of the water supplied; a flow rate control unit that controls the wastewater rate adjusting device and the supply rate adjusting device based on the electrical characteristics measured by the electrical characteristic measuring unit.

2. a circulation line for supplying the electrolyte from the gas-liquid separation tank to the specimen; the electrical characteristic measuring unit is provided in the gas-liquid separation tank and / or the circulation line, The water electrolysis evaluation device according to claim 1 , wherein the flow rate control unit controls the wastewater amount adjusting device and the supply amount adjusting device based on the electrical characteristics measured by the electrical characteristic measuring unit.

3. a plurality of the electrical characteristic measuring units are provided in the circulation line and / or the gas-liquid separation tank, 3. The water electrolysis evaluation device according to claim 1, wherein the flow rate control unit controls the wastewater rate adjustment device and the supply rate adjustment device based on the plurality of electrical characteristics measured by the plurality of electrical characteristic measurement units.

4. a liquid level measuring unit for measuring the liquid level of the electrolyte in the gas-liquid separation tank; 4. The water electrolysis evaluation device according to claim 1, wherein the flow rate control unit controls the drainage rate adjustment device and the supply rate adjustment device based on the electrical characteristic measured by the electrical characteristic measurement unit and the liquid level measured by the liquid level measurement unit.

5. a gas outlet line connected to the gas-liquid separation tank, through which the oxygen gas or the hydrogen gas separated in the gas-liquid separation tank is discharged; The water electrolysis evaluation device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a gas analyzer provided in the gas outlet line, the gas analyzer analyzing the oxygen gas or the hydrogen gas flowing through the gas outlet line.

6. a pressure measuring unit provided in the inlet line, the gas-liquid separation tank, and / or the gas outlet line, for measuring the pressure of the fluid discharged from the test piece; 6. The water electrolysis evaluation device according to claim 5, further comprising: a pressure control valve that is provided in the gas outlet line downstream of the pressure measurement unit and that controls a pressure of the oxygen gas or the hydrogen gas flowing through the gas outlet line based on the pressure measured by the pressure measurement unit.

7. 7. The water electrolysis evaluation device according to claim 6, further comprising a gas flow rate measuring unit that is provided in the gas outlet line downstream of the pressure control valve and that measures a flow rate of the oxygen gas or the hydrogen gas flowing through the gas outlet line.

8. The water electrolysis evaluation device according to claim 5 , further comprising a temperature adjusting member provided in the gas outlet line to adjust a temperature of the hydrogen gas and / or the oxygen gas flowing through the gas outlet line.

9. 1. A method for evaluating a water electrolysis device that evaluates a test specimen that electrolyzes an electrolyte solution to produce oxygen gas and hydrogen gas, comprising: separating the fluid discharged from the test specimen into the oxygen gas or the hydrogen gas and the electrolyte, and storing the separated fluid in a gas-liquid separation tank; measuring the electrical properties of the electrolyte; a discharge amount of the electrolytic solution discharged from the gas-liquid separation tank and a supply amount of water having electrical properties different from those of the electrolytic solution supplied to the gas-liquid separation tank, based on the measured electrical properties.

10. A water electrolysis evaluation device for evaluating a test specimen that electrolyzes an electrolytic solution to produce oxygen gas and hydrogen gas, the water electrolysis evaluation device including: an electrical characteristic measurement unit that measures electrical characteristics of the electrolytic solution; and a gas-liquid separation tank that is connected to the test specimen and separates the electrolytic solution that is drawn out from the test specimen into the oxygen gas or the hydrogen gas and the electrolytic solution, the program being used in the water electrolysis evaluation device, a program for a water electrolysis evaluation apparatus that causes a computer to function as a flow rate control unit that controls, based on the electrical characteristics measured by the electrical characteristic measurement unit, an amount of the electrolytic solution discharged from the gas-liquid separation tank and an amount of water having electrical characteristics different from that of the electrolytic solution that is supplied to the gas-liquid separation tank.

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