Tubing for electrolysis or hydrolysis cells

Abstract

The present invention relates to tubing (10, 20) for an electrolysis or hydrolysis cell (2). The tubing (10, 20) is designed to be connected to an inlet or outlet nozzle (31, 32) of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell (2). The tubing (10, 20) comprises a first portion (11, 21) sized and shaped to be pulled over the exterior surface of the inlet or outlet nozzle (31, 32) of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell (2), and at least the first portion (11, 21) of the tubing (10, 20) is made of a heat-shrinkable material that has a shrinkage behavior such that, at the operating temperature of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell (2), a seal is formed between the first portion (11, 21) of the tubing (10, 20) and the inlet or outlet nozzle (31, 32) of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell (2) without fastening means.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to tubing for an electrolysis or hydrolysis cell, an electrolysis or hydrolysis cell comprising an inlet and outlet nozzle combined with tubing according to the invention, a method for manufacturing tubing according to the invention, and a method for sealing the connection between the inlet or outlet nozzle of an electrolysis or hydrolysis cell and tubing according to the invention without fastening means.

[0002] It is already known in the prior art that tubing for electrolysis or hydrolysis cells is connected to the inlet and outlet nozzles of said electrolysis or hydrolysis cells. However, the connection of the tubing to the nozzles in the prior art needs to be further reinforced by fixing means such as cuffs, brackets, etc. in order to provide a sealed and sufficiently rigid connection. This has the disadvantage of requiring additional components and additional assembly steps.

[0003] Furthermore, the prior art tubing still needs to be sized to fit tightly onto the respective inlet and outlet nozzles of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell for subsequent tight connection by the fastening means. Indeed, if the tubing is not precisely sized to fit tightly onto the inlet and outlet nozzles of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell, the seal may not be sufficient and / or the tubing may be damaged when the fastening means is tightened.

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to at least partially overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks.

[0005] In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide improved tubing for electrolysis or hydrolysis cells that can be easily attached and sealed to the inlet and / or outlet of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell without the use of additional tools.

[0006] It is a further object of the present invention to provide improved tubing for electrolysis or hydrolysis cells which can be manufactured with relaxed dimensional constraints than is the case in the prior art, and in particular which can be manufactured with larger openings facing the inlet and / or outlet of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell so that the tubing can be more easily fitted over the inlet and / or outlet and can be removed from the inlet and / or outlet if required, e.g. for replacement and maintenance purposes.

[0007] The above objects and further objects that will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a tubing having the features of claim 1, an electrolysis or hydrolysis cell comprising an inlet and outlet nozzle combined with a tubing according to the invention, a method for producing a heat-shrinkable tubing material having the features of claim 9, and a method for sealing a connection between an inlet or outlet nozzle and a tubing of an electrolysis or hydrolysis cell having the features of claim 15.

[0008] Further advantageous features are set out in the dependent claims.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the object of the present invention is solved by tubing for an electrolysis or hydrolysis cell, the tubing having a first portion designed to be directly connected to the external surface of an inlet or outlet nozzle of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell. The first portion of the tubing is sized and shaped to be pulled over the external surface of the inlet or outlet nozzle of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell. Furthermore, at least the first portion of the tubing is made of a heat-shrinkable material, which has a shrinkage behavior at the operating temperature of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell such that a seal is formed between the first portion of the tubing and the inlet or outlet nozzle of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell without fastening means. Advantageously, the first portion of the tubing has a larger opening facing the inlet and / or outlet nozzle of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell so that the first portion of the tubing can be more easily attached over the inlet and / or outlet nozzle and, if necessary, removed from the inlet and / or outlet nozzle, for example, for replacement and maintenance purposes.

[0010] In the context of the present invention, "tubing" can be understood as a single continuous tube or a system comprising multiple connected tubes, with the former option being preferred. The term "external surface" can refer to the outer surface of an inlet or outlet nozzle facing the external environment. Connection to the external surface may be preferred to increase the throughput or flow rate through the inlet or outlet nozzle. The term "heat-shrinkable material" can refer to a material whose diameter decreases when a specific temperature is applied to the material for a sufficient time. The temperature can vary depending on the type of material used, such as polyolefin, fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The sufficient time can refer to the period required for the temperature of the tubing as a whole to become at least equal to the specific temperature. The specific temperature can be the operating temperature of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell. The operating temperature can be in the range of 90 to 130 degrees Celsius and can refer to the temperature of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell during operation. Due to the heat-induced shrinkage of the operating electrolysis or hydrolysis cell, the first section of tubing may close off the inlet or outlet nozzle, thus providing a sealed connection of the first section of tubing with the inlet or outlet nozzle. According to the present invention, this sealing between the first section of tubing and the inlet or outlet nozzle of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell is provided in advance to be self-sufficient, so that no additional fixing means, such as a cuff, are required for sealing purposes. In the context of the present invention, withstanding pressures up to a maximum pressure in the range of 500-900 mbar may be considered sufficient in terms of sealing.

[0011] Furthermore, in the context of the present invention, indefinite and definite articles or numerical designations, e.g., "one", "two", etc., should always be understood as designating "at least", unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, numerical designations and designations of process parameters and / or device parameters should be understood in the technical sense, i.e., with normal tolerances. Furthermore, it should not be concluded from explicit designations such as "at least" that a limitation, e.g., the meaning of "exactly one", should be implied by the mere use of the article or numerical designation, i.e., without a designation such as "at least".

[0012] The heat shrinkable material may advantageously comprise or be made entirely of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The entire tubing may advantageously be made of heat shrinkable material.

[0013] While PTFE is preferred, any different material may be used that serves the purposes of the present invention, i.e., provides a seal between the first section of tubing and the inlet or outlet nozzle of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell in a manner sufficient to avoid the need for additional fastening means such as a cuff, etc. Alternative materials include, for example, polyolefins, fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

[0014] In one embodiment, it may be preferred that the first portion of the tubing or the entire tubing is made of PTFE, which can be expanded during its gelling stage during manufacture, preferably at a temperature in the range of 250-400 degrees Celsius, more preferably at a temperature in the range of 300-350 degrees Celsius, and most preferably at a temperature of about 330 degrees Celsius.

[0015] In the context of the present invention, the gelling stage may be a stage occurring above the temperature at which the gelling point occurs, which may indicate an abrupt change in viscosity.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tubing further comprises a second portion adjacent to the first portion, the first portion of the tubing being for direct connection to an exterior surface of an inlet or outlet nozzle of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell, the first portion having a larger cross-sectional area than the second portion. By the term "directly," it is intended that no additional elements are interposed between the first portion of the tubing and the nozzle.

[0017] The transition between the first and second portions can be abrupt or gradual. The first and / or second portions can have the same cross-sectional area throughout the entire length of the first and / or second portions. A first portion having a larger cross-sectional area than a second portion can mean that a portion of the first portion has a larger cross-sectional area than the largest cross-sectional area of ​​the second portion, or that any portion of the first portion has a larger cross-sectional area than the largest cross-sectional area of ​​the second portion.

[0018] The first portion may be bell-shaped, with the cross-sectional area of ​​the bell increasing in the axial direction of the tubing toward the outer end of the tubing that directly connects to the exterior surface of the inlet or outlet nozzle of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell.

[0019] In the alternative, the cross-sectional area of ​​the first portion may increase only in some sections of the first portion in the axial direction of the tubing towards the outer end of the first portion.

[0020] It may be advantageous if the cross section of the tubing is at least partially cylindrical. It may be preferred if the tubing is entirely cylindrical. Alternatively, shapes such as ellipsoidal or polygonal shapes are also conceivable for the cross section of the tubing.

[0021] In a possible embodiment, the second section of the tubing is at least partially corrugated. A corrugated second section may provide the technical effect of increased flexibility. To further increase flexibility, the second section of the tubing may be entirely corrugated.

[0022] The tubing may further include a third portion adjacent to the second portion at an end of the second portion remote from the first portion, the third portion having a larger cross section than the second portion.

[0023] Although the third portion is shaped similarly to the first portion of the tubing, it is contemplated that the third portion may be shaped differently to allow connection to respective differently shaped ends.

[0024] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the object of the present invention is solved by an electrolysis or hydrolysis cell comprising an inlet and an outlet nozzle combined with a tubing according to the present invention, wherein a first portion of the tubing is connected to the inlet and / or outlet nozzle of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell.

[0025] According to a third aspect of the present invention, the object of the present invention is solved by a method for producing a heat-shrinkable tubing section or entire tubing, wherein the tubing section is preferably the previously described first tubing section or entire tubing for connection to the inlet and / or outlet of a nozzle of an electrolysis or hydrolysis cell. The method comprises the step of providing a raw material for the tubing section or entire tubing, followed by the step of extruding the raw material to form the tubing section or entire tubing. The extruding step is followed by the step of heating the extruded tubing section or entire tubing at or above its gelation temperature. The heating step is followed by the step of stretching the tubing section or entire tubing. Finally, the stretched tubing section or entire tubing is cooled.

[0026] Preferably, the raw material comprises or consists solely of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

[0027] It may be preferred that the stretching step is carried out under pressure, preferably by blow molding, and / or at a pressure preferably in the range of 5 to 20 bar, more preferably in the range of 5 to 15 bar. It may be advantageous that the cooling step is also carried out under pressure, preferably at the same pressure as in the stretching step.

[0028] The heating step may be carried out at a temperature in the range of 250-400 degrees Celsius, preferably in the range of 300-350 degrees Celsius, and more preferably at a temperature of about 330 degrees Celsius or about 324 degrees Celsius.

[0029] The cooling step can be performed so that the tubing section or the entire tubing reaches room temperature. The cooling step can be performed actively by using a cooling means, or can be performed passively by simply allowing the tubing section or the entire tubing to reach room temperature.

[0030] The extruding step may be followed by a sintering step, and advantageously the sintering step is further followed by a heating step.

[0031] If the steps of stretching and cooling the tubing section or the entire tubing are performed in a blow mold, the following steps may be performed in the blow mold: Inserting the heated tubing section or the entire tubing into a blow mold; Closing the blow mold around the tubing section or the entire tubing; applying a pressure in the range of 5 to 20 bar, preferably in the range of 5 to 15 bar, to the inside of the tubing section or the entire tubing so that the tubing section or the entire tubing expands; Cooling the tubing section or the entire tubing under pressure to room temperature; opening the blow mold and removing the expanded tubing section or the entire tubing; can be carried out.

[0032] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the object is solved by a method for sealing, without fastening means, a connection between an inlet or outlet nozzle of an electrolysis or hydrolysis cell and a first piece of tubing according to the present invention, the method comprising the steps of sliding the first piece of tubing over the inlet and / or outlet nozzle of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell and shrinking the first piece of tubing over the inlet and / or outlet nozzle of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell so as to form a seal between the first piece of tubing and the inlet and / or outlet nozzle of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell at the operating temperature of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell.

[0033] The above and other features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, given as non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of an embodiment of the tubing of the present invention, devised as an inlet tubing connectable to the inlet of an electrolysis or hydrolysis cell, with the inlet tubing in an unconnected state. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the overall perspective view of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the inlet tubing of FIG. 1 plugged over the inlet of an electrolysis or hydrolysis cell but not heat-shrunk. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a view of the inlet tubing of FIG. 3 shown in cross section. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of FIG. 4 showing the connection section between the inlet tubing and the inlet of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 corresponds to FIG. 5, with the inlet tubing plugged over the inlet of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell and heat shrunk over the inlet of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of an embodiment of a tubing of the present invention contemplated as outlet tubing connectable to the outlet of an electrolysis or hydrolysis cell, the outlet tubing being pulled over the outlet of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell but not yet heat shrunk. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the overall perspective view of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a view of the inlet tubing of FIG. 8 shown in cross section. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 corresponds to FIG. 9, with the outlet tubing plugged over the outlet of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell and heat shrunk over the outlet of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a general diagram showing a possible embodiment of an electrolysis or hydrolysis cell, in which inlet and outlet tubing according to the present invention is connected to the respective inlet and outlet nozzles of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a detailed enlarged view of FIG.

[0035] 1-6 and 11-12, a tubing embodiment of the present invention embodied as heat shrinkable inlet tubing 10 is described.

[0036] The inlet tubing 10 comprises a first portion 11 and a second portion 12 adjacent to the first portion 11, the first portion 11 being intended for connection to the exterior surface of the inlet nozzle 31 of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell 2. At least the first portion 11 of the inlet tubing 10 is made of a heat-shrinkable material. However, according to the invention, the complete inlet tubing 10 may also be made of a heat-shrinkable material. The second portion 12 of the inlet tubing 10 is preferably at least partially corrugated.

[0037] The electrolysis or hydrolysis cell 2 is of a conventional type and may be embodied as an electrolysis cell as described in EP 3688206, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference. Nevertheless, those skilled in the art will understand that any conventional electrolysis or hydrolysis cell is contemplated in the context of the present invention, so long as it has inlet and outlet nozzle dimensions that cooperate with the tubing of the present invention. In addition, those skilled in the art will understand that the inlet and outlet nozzles are designed to withstand the electrolyte flowing into the cell and the exhaust fluids flowing out of the cell. Furthermore, the inlet and outlet nozzles of the cell are preferably not heat-shrinkable and substantially maintain their cross-sectional area with temperature changes. Preferred materials for the inlet and outlet nozzles of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell are plastic, glass, or metal.

[0038] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first portion 11 of the inlet tubing 10 has a larger cross section than the second portion 12 thereof.

[0039] More preferably, the first portion 11 of the inlet tubing 10 is bell-shaped, with the cross-sectional area of ​​the bell increasing in the axial direction of the inlet tubing 10 toward the outer end 14 of the inlet tubing 10, which directly connects to the exterior surface of the inlet nozzle 31 of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell 2.

[0040] From a manufacturing standpoint, it is advantageous for the cross section of the inlet tubing 10 to be at least partially cylindrical.

[0041] Optionally, inlet tubing 10 further includes a third portion 13 adjacent second portion 12 at an end of second portion 12 remote from first portion 11, third portion 13 advantageously having a larger cross-sectional area than second portion 12. Third portion 13 may have a smaller cross-sectional area than second portion 12 depending on the application of inlet tubing 10. Third portion 13 may be corrugated.

[0042] 7-12, a tubing embodiment of the present invention embodied as heat shrinkable outlet tubing 20 is illustrated.

[0043] The outlet tubing 20 comprises a first portion 21 and a second portion 22 adjacent to the first portion 21, the first portion 21 being intended for connection to the exterior surface of the outlet nozzle 32 of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell 2. At least the first portion 21 of the outlet tubing 20 is made of a heat-shrinkable material. However, according to the invention, the complete outlet tubing 20 may also be made of a heat-shrinkable material. The second portion 22 of the outlet tubing 20 is preferably at least partially corrugated.

[0044] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first portion 21 of the outlet tube 20 has a larger cross section than the second portion 22 thereof.

[0045] More preferably, the first portion 21 of the outlet tubing 20 is likewise bell-shaped, with the cross-sectional area of ​​the bell increasing in the axial direction of the outlet tubing 20 towards the outer end 24 of the outlet tubing 20 which directly connects to the exterior surface of the outlet nozzle 32 of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell 2.

[0046] From a manufacturing standpoint, it is advantageous for the cross section of the outlet tubing 20 to be at least partially cylindrical.

[0047] Optionally, the outlet tubing 20 further includes a third portion 23 adjacent to the second portion 22 at an end of the second portion 22 remote from the first portion 21 of the outlet tubing 20, the third portion 23 advantageously having a larger cross-sectional area than the second portion 22. The third portion 23 may also have a smaller cross-sectional area than the second portion 22, depending on the application of the outlet tubing 20. In particular, the third portion 23 of the outlet tubing 20 also has a bell-shaped end, which facilitates connection to a collection pipe (not shown) of the cell system. Similarly, the third portion 13 of the inlet tubing 10 may also be bell-shaped.

[0048] In an electrolysis or hydrolysis cell 2 having inlet and outlet nozzles 31, 32, the tubing according to the invention comprises a first portion of the inlet tubing 10 connected directly to the exterior surface of the inlet nozzle 31 of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell 2, and a first portion 21 of the outlet tubing 20 connected directly to the exterior surface of the outlet nozzle 32 of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell 2. The inlet and / or outlet tubing 10, 20, in particular its respective first portion 11, 21, may preferably be additionally fixed to the exterior surface of the respective inlet and outlet nozzles 31, 32 of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell 2 by respective flanges (not shown), which are configured to exert a force on the respective inlet or outlet tubing 10, 20 in order to avoid accidental separation of the inlet or outlet tubing 10, 20 from the respective outlet nozzle 31, 32 of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell 2 due to mechanical pulling on the inlet or outlet tubing 10, 20 in the longitudinal direction by an operator of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell 2.

[0049] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the heat shrinkable material of each first tubing portion 11, 21 includes or is polytetrafluoroethylene PTFE. Furthermore, the entire tubing 10, 20 may be made of a heat shrinkable material, where the heat shrinkable material includes or is polytetrafluoroethylene PTFE.

[0050] Advantageously, the shrinkage of the material is set to occur when the operating temperature of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell 2 is in the range of 90-130 degrees Celsius, and advantageously the shrinkage of the heat-shrinkable material at the operating temperature is such that an effective seal is formed between the respective first tubing portion 11, 21 and the inlet or outlet nozzle 31, 32 of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell 2 up to a maximum pressure in the range of 500-900 mbar without fastening means.

[0051] Generally speaking, the amount of shrinkage of the tubing can be controlled by the initial temperature applied to the tubing in its initial state, and the tubing will stop shrinking when the temperature returns to a value below a preset value, which can be, for example, within the operating temperature range described above. The shrinkage is not reversible with decreasing temperature, and the snug fit will persist even if the tubing is allowed to return to room temperature.

[0052] In view of the above, those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the tightness of the snug fit may be controlled by initial heating of the tubing in its initial state to achieve a particular amount of shrinkage that controls the tightness of the seal (and hence the snug fit) formed between the respective first tubing section 11, 21 and the inlet or outlet nozzle 31, 32. Thus, heating the tubing to a temperature above the operating temperature range or above a given operating temperature provides a better seal or snug fit that is irreversible as the temperature decreases.

[0053] The present invention provides a method for manufacturing heat shrinkable tubing sections or entire tubing, comprising the following steps: Providing an extrudable raw material; extruding the raw material to form a tubing section or an entire tubing; Optionally, sintering the extruded tubing section or the entire tubing; heating the extruded (and optionally sintered) tubing section or the entire tubing at or above its gelling temperature; stretching the heated tubing section or the entire tubing; cooling the stretched tubing section or the entire tubing; Also provided is a method comprising:

[0054] In the above-described method, the raw material also comprises or consists solely of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

[0055] The stretching step may be carried out by pressure, preferably in the range of 5 to 20 bar, more preferably in the range of 5 to 15 bar. Advantageously, a blow mould may be used to provide the pressure in the stretching step.

[0056] The cooling step may be performed by cooling the tubing section or the entire tubing to room temperature. The cooling step may be performed actively by using active cooling means such as a blower or fan, or may be performed passively by simply allowing the tubing section or the entire tubing to reach room temperature. The cooling step may be performed under pressure, particularly at the pressures mentioned above, or may be performed at normal atmospheric pressure.

[0057] The stretching and cooling steps may advantageously be carried out in a blow mould and comprise the following steps: Inserting the heated tubing section or the entire tubing into a blow mold; Closing the blow mold around the tubing section or the entire tubing; applying a pressure in the range of 5 to 20 bar, preferably in the range of 5 to 15 bar, to the inside of the tubing section or the entire tubing so that the tubing section or the entire tubing expands; Cooling the tubing section or the entire tubing under pressure to room temperature; opening the blow mold and removing the expanded tubing section or the entire tubing; can be carried out.

[0058] The heating step may be carried out at a temperature in the range of 250-400 degrees Celsius, preferably in the range of 300-350 degrees Celsius, and more preferably at a temperature of about 330 degrees Celsius or about 324 degrees Celsius. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the temperature range will depend on the gelling temperature of the tubing material.

[0059] The present invention relates to a method for sealing the connection between an inlet or outlet nozzle 31, 32 of an electrolysis or hydrolysis cell 2 and the tubing 10, 20 disclosed above without fastening means and / or for sealing the connection between an inlet or outlet nozzle 31, 32 of an electrolysis or hydrolysis cell 2 and the tubing 10, 20 produced as described above, comprising: sliding the first portion 11, 21 of the tubing 10, 20 over the inlet and / or outlet nozzles 31, 32 of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell 2; shrinking the first portion 11, 21 of the tubing 10, 20 onto the inlet and / or outlet nozzles 31, 32 of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell 2 so as to form a seal between the first portion 11, 21 of the tubing 10, 20 and the inlet and / or outlet nozzles 31, 32 of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell 2 at the operating temperature of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell 2, the operating temperature being preferably in the range of 90-130 degrees Celsius, and / or the shrinkage of the heat shrinkable material at the operating temperature is such that a seal is formed between the first portion 11, 21 of the tubing 10, 20 and the inlet or outlet nozzles 31, 32 of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell 2 that is effective against pressures up to a maximum pressure in the range of 500-900 mbar without fastening means; Also provided is a method comprising:

[0060] The tubing of the present invention fully achieves the objectives of the present invention, since the heat-shrinkable tubing can simply be pulled over the inlet and / or outlet nozzles of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell, and a seal can be established at the nozzles at the operating temperature of the cell without additional means such as flanges, etc. In this way, the operation of installing the tubing is simplified, and this also applies to the operation of removing the tubing.

[0061] This disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by this disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein.

[0062] Where a reference sign is placed after a technical feature stated in any claim, the reference sign is included only for the purpose of enhancing the clarity of the claim, and therefore the reference sign or the absence of a reference sign does not have any limiting effect on the scope of the technical feature described above or any claim element.

[0063] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the disclosure and its essential characteristics. Accordingly, the above-described embodiments are considered in all respects to be illustrative and not limiting on the disclosure described herein. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced within their scope. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 10. Inlet Tubing 11 First section of inlet tubing 12 Second section of inlet tubing 13 Third section of inlet tubing 14 Outer end of inlet tubing 20 Exit Tubing 21 First section of outlet tubing 22 Second section of outlet tubing 23 Third section of outlet tubing 24 Outer end of outlet tubing 30 Electrolysis or Hydrolysis Cell 31 Inlet nozzle of electrolysis or hydrolysis cell 32 Exit nozzle of electrolysis or hydrolysis cell

Claims

1. Tubing (10, 20) for an electrolysis or hydrolysis cell (2), said tubing (10, 20) being designed to be connected to an inlet or outlet nozzle (31, 32) of said electrolysis or hydrolysis cell (2); the tubing (10, 20) comprises a first portion (11, 21) sized and shaped to be pulled over an exterior surface of the inlet or outlet nozzle (31, 32) of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell (2); tubing (10, 20), wherein at least the first portion (11, 21) of the tubing (10, 20) is made of a heat-shrinkable material, the heat-shrinkable material having a shrinkage behavior such that, at the operating temperature of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell (2), a seal is formed between the first portion (11, 21) of the tubing (10, 20) and the inlet or outlet nozzle (31, 32) of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell (2) without any fastening means.

2. 10. The tubing (10, 20) of claim 1, wherein the heat-shrinkable material includes or is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and / or the entire tubing (10, 20) is made of the heat-shrinkable material.

3. 3. The tubing (10, 20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operating temperature is in the range of 90 to 130 degrees Celsius, and / or the shrinkage of the heat-shrinkable material at the operating temperature is such that an effective seal is formed between the first portion (11, 21) of the tubing (10, 20) and the inlet or outlet nozzle (31, 32) of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell (2) up to a maximum pressure in the range of 500 to 900 mbar without fastening means.

4. 4. The tubing (10, 20) according to claim 1, further comprising a second portion (12, 22) adjacent to the first portion (11, 21), the first portion (11, 21) being for connection to the external surface of the inlet or outlet nozzle (31, 32) of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell (2), the first portion (11, 21) having a larger cross-sectional area than the second portion (12, 22).

5. 5. The tubing (10, 20) according to claim 1, wherein the first portion (11, 21) is bell-shaped, the cross-sectional area of ​​the bell increasing in the axial direction of the tubing (10, 20) towards an outer end (14, 24) of the tubing (10, 20) that is directly connected to the external surface of the inlet or outlet nozzle (31, 32) of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell (2).

6. The tubing (10, 20) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the cross section of the tubing (10, 20) is at least partially cylindrical.

7. 7. The tubing (10, 20) according to claim 4, wherein the second portion (12, 22) is at least partially corrugated, and the tubing (10, 20) preferably further comprises a third portion (13, 23) adjacent to the second portion (12, 22) at an end of the second portion (12, 22) remote from the first portion (11, 21), the third portion (13, 23) having a larger cross-sectional area than the second portion (12, 22).

8. 10. The tubing (10, 20) according to claim 1, in combination with an electrolysis or hydrolysis cell (2) having inlet and outlet nozzles (31, 32), wherein the tubing (10, 20) comprises an inlet tubing (10) connected at its first portion (11) to the outer surface of the inlet nozzle (31) of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell (2), and the tubing (10, 20) comprises an outlet tubing (20) connected at its first portion (21) to the outer surface of the inlet nozzle (32) of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell (2), and the inlet and / or the outlet tubing (10, 20) are connected to the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell (2).

8. The tubing (10, 20) according to claim 1, wherein the tubing (10, 20) is preferably fixed to the outer surface of the inlet and outlet nozzles (31, 32) of each of the decomposition cells (2) by means of respective flanges, the flanges being configured to exert a force on the respective inlet or outlet tubing (10, 20) to avoid accidental separation of the inlet or outlet tubing (10, 20) from the respective outlet nozzles (31, 32) of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell (2) due to mechanical pulling of the inlet or outlet tubing (10, 20) in the longitudinal direction by an operator of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell (2).

9. A method for manufacturing a heat-shrinkable tubing section or entire tubing, preferably a first tubing section or entire tubing according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, said method comprising: Providing an extrudable raw material; extruding the raw material to form the tubing section or the entire tubing; heating the extruded tubing section or the entire tubing at or above its gelling temperature; stretching the heated tubing section or the entire tubing; cooling the stretched tubing section or the entire tubing; A method comprising:

10. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the raw material comprises or is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

11. 11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the stretching step is performed by pressure, preferably by blow moulding, said pressure preferably being in the range of 5 to 20 bar, more preferably in the range of 5 to 15 bar.

12. The stretching and cooling steps are carried out in a blow mold and include the following steps: inserting the heated tubing section or the entire tubing into the blow mold; closing the blow mold around the tubing portion or the entire tubing; applying a pressure in the range of 5 to 20 bar, preferably in the range of 5 to 15 bar, inside the tubing section or the entire tubing so that the tubing section or the entire tubing expands; cooling the tubing section or the entire tubing under the pressure to room temperature; opening the blow mold and removing the expanded tubing section or the entire tubing; 11. The method of claim 9 or 10, comprising:

13. 13. The method according to one or more of claims 9 to 12, wherein the heating step is carried out at a temperature in the range of 250 to 400 degrees Celsius, preferably in the range of 300 to 350 degrees Celsius, more preferably at a temperature of about 330 degrees Celsius or about 324 degrees Celsius.

14. 14. The method according to one or more of claims 9 to 13, wherein the cooling step is performed so that the tubing section or the entire tubing reaches room temperature, and / or further comprising a step of sintering after the extruding step and before the heating step.

15. 15. A method for sealing a connection between an inlet or outlet nozzle (31, 32) of an electrolysis or hydrolysis cell (2) and a tubing (10, 20) according to one or more of claims 1 to 8 without fastening means and / or a method for sealing a connection between the inlet or outlet nozzle (31, 32) of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell (2) and a tubing (10, 20) manufactured according to the method according to one or more of claims 9 to 14, comprising: sliding the first portion (11, 21) of the tubing (10, 20) over the inlet and / or outlet nozzles (31, 32) of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell (2); shrinking the first portion (11, 21) of the tubing (10, 20) onto the inlet and / or outlet nozzles (31, 32) of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell (2) so as to form a seal between the first portion (11, 21) of the tubing (10, 20) and the inlet and / or outlet nozzles (31, 32) of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell (2) at the operating temperature of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell (2), wherein the operating temperature is preferably in the range of 90 to 130 degrees Celsius and / or the shrinkage of the heat-shrinkable material at the operating temperature is such that a seal is formed between the first portion (11, 21) of the tubing (10, 20) and the inlet or outlet nozzles (31, 32) of the electrolysis or hydrolysis cell (2) effective against pressures up to a maximum pressure in the range of 500 to 900 mbar without fastening means; A method comprising:

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