Electrolytic plate for hydrogen production and method for manufacturing the electrolytic plate

Abstract

The invention relates in particular to an electrolysis plate (1) for the electrolysis of water, comprising a rectangular contoured metal sheet (2) with two long sides (2a, 2b) and two short sides (2c, 2b), with an outer frame-like connection area (3) and a contoured area (4) located within said connection area, which is rectangular and has a non-square basic shape and forms an active area, the contoured area having a longitudinal direction (LR) defined by the non-square shape of the contoured area (4) and running parallel to the long sides (2a, 2b) and without overlapping or contacting, i.e. spaced apart, with the flow channels delimited by the surfaces of the contoured area (4). and an embossing pattern (8) on the contoured metal sheet (2) provided at least three times consecutively in the longitudinal direction (LR) of the contoured metal sheet (4), each embossing pattern (8) being formed by at least three individual embossing patterns (8a, 8b, 8c) positioned adjacent to one another, extending in the longitudinal direction (LR) and describing a zigzag or wave-like shape, wherein successive embossing patterns (8) are separated from one another by strip-shaped intermediate sections (9) having intermediate contour formations (10), each strip-shaped intermediate section (9) extending parallel to the short sides (2c, 2d).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrolysis plate suitable for use in a hydrogen production system. The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such an electrolysis plate.

Background Art

[0002] European Patent No. 1587760 discloses an electrolytic cell comprising a plurality of electrolysis plates. The electrolysis plates are fixed to a groove device in a housing. The housing of the known electrolytic cell has an inlet and an outlet that allow fluid to flow. Inside the housing, a plurality of disks are arranged in a stacked form.

[0003] The electrolysis plate described in German Patent Application Publication No. 19956787 consists of an outer non-conductive frame and a conductive bipolar graphite plate mounted therein. A plastic apron is provided to force the electrolyte solution into the electrolyte supply area.

[0004] European Patent No. 3725916 discloses an electrolysis plate for use in an apparatus for generating hydrogen, which has an opening for passing gas and the edge of the opening is covered with a non-conductive material.

[0005] Bipolar capacitors are known from European Patent No. 3575442 and are provided for hydrogen generation. The anode and / or cathode of the bipolar capacitor is configured as a porous electrode. The membrane of the bipolar container is a porous membrane having an inorganic component. The device according to European Patent No. 3575442 is said to be suitable for alkaline electrolysis.

[0006] The arrangement of the electrochemical cell known from German Patent Application Publication No. 102013225159 includes, for example, elements in the form of a flat structure that are provided for conducting water or an aqueous electrolyte and have a mesh structure or are formed from a porous material. Some elements are arranged one above the other, and the edge regions of the elements are connected in a liquid-tight manner using a filling composite.

[0007] Further configuration options for the electrochemical system are disclosed in the specifications of International Publication No. WO 2019 / 121947 and International Publication No. WO 2020 / 030644. The electrochemical systems each comprise a plurality of separator plates. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention is based, in particular with respect to the manufacturing and fluid aspects, on the aim of further developing an electrolysis plate suitable for hydrogen production as compared to the prior art described above. MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

[0009] This object is achieved according to the invention by an electrolysis plate having the features of claim 1, which is suitable for use in the electrolysis of water. This object is also achieved by a method for manufacturing such an electrolysis plate according to claim 9. The embodiments and advantages of the invention described below in connection with the manufacturing method apply, mutatis mutandis, also to the device, i.e. the electrolysis plate, and vice versa.

[0010] "Electrolysis plate" is understood to mean an electrode or electrode plate used as the anode or cathode of an electrolysis cell.

[0011] The electrolytic plate comprises a metal sheet formed into a rectangular contour having two long sides and two short sides. The metal sheet has an outer frame-shaped connection region and a region formed into a rectangle lying therein and having a non-square basic shape, which forms an active area. In particular, the electrolytic plate can be formed only from the metal sheet formed into a contour. The surface of the region formed into a contour defines the extent of the flow path within the fully assembled electrolysis device. The longitudinal direction LR of the flow path is non-square for the region formed into a contour and is given by the rectangular shape and extends parallel to the long side. The embossing pattern of the metal sheet formed into a contour is provided at least three times continuously in the longitudinal direction LR of the region formed into a contour without overlapping or contacting, that is, spaced apart. Each embossing pattern is formed from at least three individual embossing patterns positioned adjacent to each other and extending in the longitudinal direction LR, depicting a zigzag shape or a wavy shape. The consecutive embossing patterns are separated from each other by a strip-shaped intermediate section having an intermediate contour-forming portion, and each strip-shaped intermediate section extends parallel to the short side.

[0012] The length H2 of the metal sheet formed into a rectangular contour is related to the width B2 of the metal sheet formed into a rectangular contour such that, in particular: H2 > 1.33B2.

[0013] The thickness of the flat metal sheet formed into a contour before punching the embossing pattern and the intermediate contour-forming portion is preferably 0.5 to 1 mm.

[0014] In the active area region (i.e., the contoured region), that is, the region of the plate where the chemical reaction occurs, the electrolytic plate evenly distributes the medium flowing in the longitudinal direction LR by means of existing embossing patterns spaced apart from each other. Although there is still a uniform medium distribution in the inflow region of the embossing pattern, the gaseous medium (here hydrogen or oxygen) is generated during electrolysis in the main laminar flow of the medium (here water) passing through the embossing pattern as a result of the chemical reaction. Therefore, there is non-uniformity in the outflow region from the embossing pattern in the fluid mixture, which may appear as non-uniform water-gas distribution, non-uniform temperature distribution, non-uniform pressure distribution, etc. The strip-shaped intermediate section adjacent to the embossing pattern helps to mix and homogenize the flowing medium or the fluid mixture of liquid and gas components. This is achieved by using the intermediate contour forming part to create turbulent flow and vortices. Therefore, a homogeneous or nearly homogenized medium or fluid mixture is present again in the inflow region of the adjacent embossing patterns seen in the longitudinal direction LR. This significantly improves the efficiency of the electrolysis process.

[0015] Therefore, it is characterized in that the preferred ratio of the length H9 of the intermediate section in the longitudinal direction LR to the length H8 of the embossing pattern in the longitudinal direction LR is in the range of H9 / H8 = 1 / 30 to 1 / 50. Therefore, the embossing pattern is configured to be significantly longer in the longitudinal direction LR than the intermediate section, which helps to homogenize the medium flowing along the embossing pattern.

[0016] The contour forming part of the electrolytic plate in the form of repeatedly forming embossing patterns at intervals from each other is also called a clustering contour forming part. The advantages of clustering are particularly demonstrated in large-capacity disks. The production of the electrolytic plate according to the present invention suitable for electrolysis, especially the electrolysis of water, comprises the following steps: - Providing a contoured metal sheet having a rectangular shape, wherein the outer frame-shaped region of the contoured metal sheet is defined as a connection region according to its function in the completed electrolytic cell. It is realized in the process of manufacturing at least three similar embossed patterns spaced apart from each other and a strip-shaped intermediate section within the contoured area of a metal sheet contoured by a connection area.

[0017] The clustering of embossed patterns is particularly suitable for contour formation in a continuous process. This is, for example, the roll embossing method. Alternatively, the electrolytic plates are manufactured individually using a press. A combination of continuous manufacturing techniques and discontinuous manufacturing techniques for forming the embossed patterns is also possible.

[0018] In any case, the clustering of embossed patterns can keep the labor during manufacturing within a reasonable range with respect to the size and complexity of the electrolytic plates. As far as the shape of the embossed pattern is concerned, there is further room for design, and the flow conditions given in individual cases, as well as the space available within a stack composed of a plurality of electrolytic plates, represent important boundary conditions. In particular, the embossed patterns can exist in the form of individual zigzag-shaped or wavy-shaped embossed patterns spaced apart from each other, that is, in the form of connected linear ridges and / or depressions. The agglomeration state of the medium flowing on the surface of the electrolytic plate is also affected. Therefore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the embossed pattern represents a zigzag or wavy basic pattern, and the arrangement of zigzag or wavy lines or embossed elements representing a zigzag shape or a wavy shape as a whole extends in the longitudinal direction LR of the contoured area.

[0019] The embossed patterns of the contoured metal sheet are preferably provided at least four times continuously in the longitudinal direction LR of the contoured area.

[0020] According to the concept of the present invention, there is a strip-shaped intermediate contour forming part between sections of a contoured area where an embossing pattern is formed. In particular, a kind of bypass can be formed by the intermediate contour forming part. Regardless of the geometric design of the intermediate contour forming part, it can overlap with two adjacent embossing patterns in the longitudinal direction of the contoured area, which is advantageous in that it conducts the medium as a target from one embossing pattern to the next embossing pattern.

[0021] The intermediate contour forming part is preferably configured as an individual facade of a circle, ellipse, rectangle, or triangle, or is formed from a combination or group of such identical or different individual facades. In principle, as long as the laminar flow is disrupted and the fluid mixture flowing out of the embossing pattern forms a vortex, other forms of intermediate contour forming parts such as star-shaped, twisted, or irregularly shaped discrete ridges are also possible. Therefore, different individual facades can be provided in the strip-shaped intermediate section. Furthermore, one or more rows of identical or different intermediate contour forming parts can be arranged in the strip-shaped intermediate section.

[0022] In a further preferred embodiment, the intermediate contour forming part overlaps with at least one of two adjacent embossing patterns in the longitudinal direction LR of the contoured area. The overlapping area is preferably less than 20% of the length H9 of the strip-shaped intermediate section in the longitudinal direction LR.

[0023] The measured height h of the intermediate contour forming part perpendicular to the metal surface of the flat and undeformed sheet is preferably in the range of h = 2s to 6s (where s = 0.5 to 1.0 mm). Each intermediate contour forming part has a rising side surface and a falling side surface when viewed from the longitudinal direction LR, forming an individual facade. The rising side surface and the falling side surface preferably enclose an angle α in the range of 50° to 62° when measured in the longitudinal direction LR. This is particularly preferred for a contoured metal sheet made of titanium or stainless steel.

[0024] However, metal sheet with a profiled contour made of other metals or metal alloys can also be used. Furthermore, the profiled metal sheet to be used can be coated on one or both sides.

[0025] According to a possible development, the profiled region includes at least one subcluster of a similar embossing pattern, as well as at least one embossing pattern that is different and is upstream or downstream in the longitudinal direction. The embossing pattern deviating from the subcluster in the region upstream or downstream of the subcluster in the flow direction can, for example, serve the purpose of stationary the flow in the corresponding region. This can be done, for example, by obliquely arranging elongated individual embossing patterns that form embossing patterns at a larger angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the profiled region within the subcluster than outside the subcluster.

[0026] It is also possible for the strip-shaped intermediate section between the embossing patterns to be identical or at least partially different with respect to their intermediate profiling. Therefore, different individual elevations can be provided within the strip-shaped intermediate section.

[0027] In the frame-shaped connection region surrounding the profiled region, there may be a number of openings for the passage of the medium and / or the insertion of connection elements, in particular support anchors. Or, usually, there is a sealing portion in the connection region. For this purpose, a groove-shaped recess provided for inserting the sealing portion may optionally be present in the connection region. Similarly, the sealing portion can contact the planar section of the connection region. The connection region may also be held by a separate frame made of, for example, plastic or carbon plastic composite. In such a case, the sealing portion can also be arranged in the region of this frame.

[0028] Some exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. The figures are partially simplified.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

[0030] Unless otherwise specified, the following description relates to all exemplary embodiments. Parts or outlines that correspond to each other or have basically the same effect are given the same reference numeral in all the figures.

[0031] An electrolysis plate generally designated by reference numeral 1 is provided for use in a hydrogen electrolysis system. For the basic function of the electrolysis plate 1, reference is made to the prior art cited at the beginning.

[0032] In all embodiments, the electrolysis plate 1 is configured as a contoured metal sheet 2 having a frame-like connection region 3 and a rectangular contoured region 4 located within this region 3. The contoured metal sheet 2 is here specifically a steel sheet that can be coated on one or both sides.

[0033] A medium, in particular an acidic or alkaline aqueous liquid, flows essentially in the longitudinal direction LR of the contoured metal sheet 2 over the surface of the contoured region 4. The width of the contoured metal sheet 2 is denoted by B2, and the height of the contoured metal sheet 2 is denoted by H2. The contoured region 4 has a width B4 and a height H4.

[0034] In the connection area 3, there is an opening 6 that allows the passage of the medium. There are smaller holes 5 compared to the circular opening 6, and a support anchor (not shown) can be inserted there to mechanically connect a number of electrolytic plates 1 in the stack.

[0035] A contour forming part in the form of a cluster 7 is formed in the contoured area 4. The contour forming part configured as the cluster 7 has an aerodynamic function and also enhances the mechanical stability of the electrolytic plate 1 compared to a flat plate. In the cluster 7, several embossing patterns 8 separated from each other are seen, each including three or more individual embossing patterns 8a, 8b, 8c arranged adjacent to each other, extending in the longitudinal direction LR, depicting a zigzag shape or a wavy shape, and each embossing pattern 8 as a whole has a rectangular shape. Two sections of the cluster 7 where the embossing pattern 8 is located are separated from each other by a strip-shaped intermediate section 9.

[0036] The width of the embossing pattern 8 and the intermediate section 9, and thus the width of the entire embossing pattern cluster 7, is the same as the width B4 of the contoured area 4. The length of each embossing pattern 8 (viewed in the longitudinal direction LR) is indicated by H8, and the length of each intermediate section 9 is indicated by H9. The length H8 is preferably 30 times or more and 50 times or less the length H9. There is no overlapping portion between the embossing patterns 8 following each other in the longitudinal direction LR, that is, the flow direction. The intermediate contour forming part 10 exists within the strip-shaped intermediate section 9. The configuration of the intermediate section 9 having a circular intermediate contour forming part 14 is shown in FIG. 1, and the configuration of the intermediate section 9 having a triangular intermediate contour forming part 12 is shown in FIG. 2. Different configurations of different intermediate sections 9 within the same electrolytic plate 1 are also possible.

[0037] In both the embodiment according to FIG. 1 and the embodiment according to FIG. 2, the embossing pattern 8 is in the form of individual zigzag-shaped or wavy-shaped embossing elements 8a, 8b, 8c, which are arranged adjacent to each other and extend entirely in the longitudinal direction LR.

[0038] Such a circular intermediate contour forming part 14 also exists in the figure of the strip-shaped intermediate section 9 according to FIG. 3. In this case, the intermediate section 9 is formed from an oval intermediate contour forming part 13 and a circular intermediate contour forming part 14. A particular advantage of this configuration is the high feasibility of the forming technology.

[0039] The zigzag-shaped embossing pattern 8 shown not only in the embodiments according to FIGS. 1 and 2 but also in the variant according to FIG. 4 can also be manufactured using forming technology, and the transition of the sharp edges within the zigzag pattern is shown idealized in the figure. This also applies to the rectangle, in particular the diamond-shaped intermediate contour forming part 15, which can be seen in FIG. 4 for forming the intermediate contour forming part 10 in this specification. In the case of FIG. 4, an overlapping region 16 is formed between the embossing pattern 8 and the intermediate section 9. A part of the rectangular intermediate contour forming part 15 protrudes into the region between two individual embossing patterns 8a, 8b, 8c (compare with FIG. 1) of two adjacent embossing patterns 8 when viewed in the longitudinal direction LR.

[0040] According to FIG. 5, different intermediate contour forming parts 10 are shown in the strip-shaped intermediate section 9. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, there are oval intermediate contour forming parts 13 on the left side of the image, and these are configured to be inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction LR. Here, the arrangement of the oval intermediate contour forming parts 13 is alternating, resulting in an overall zigzag arrangement. As can be further seen from FIG. 5, circular intermediate contour forming parts 14 follow on the right side, along with further inclined oval intermediate contour forming parts 13. Also shown are circular intermediate contour forming parts 14' arranged in two groups, and on the right side thereof, oval intermediate contour forming parts 13 that are not inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction LR.

[0041] The shapes of the intermediate contour forming parts 10, 12, 13, 14, 14', 15 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 are shown by way of example only and can be changed and / or combined with each other as desired within the strip-shaped intermediate section 9.

Description of the Reference Numerals

[0042] 1 Electrolytic plate 2 Contoured metal sheets 2a, 2b long sides 2c, 2d short sides 3 Connection area 4 Contoured area 5 Hole 6 Opening 7 Cluster 8 Emboss pattern 8a, 8b, 8c individual emboss patterns 9 Intermediate section 10 Intermediate contour forming part 11 Sub - cluster 12 Triangular intermediate contour forming part 13 Elliptical intermediate contour forming part 14 Circular intermediate contour forming part 14’ Circular intermediate contour forming parts grouped in double arrangement 15 Rectangular intermediate contour forming part 16 Overlapping area B2 Width of the contoured metal sheet B4 Width of the contoured area H2 Length of the contoured metal sheet H4 Length in the longitudinal direction LR of the contoured area H8 Length in the longitudinal direction LR of the emboss pattern H9 Longitudinal length LR of the intermediate section LR Longitudinal direction

Claims

1. An electrolytic plate (1), comprising a metal sheet (2) having a rectangular contour formed by two long sides (2a, 2b) and two short sides (2c, 2b), the metal sheet (2) having a contoured region (4) which is rectangular and has a non-square basic shape and forms an active area, and a frame-shaped connection region (3) surrounding the outside of the contoured region (4); a flow path defined by the surface of the contoured region (4), the longitudinal direction (LR) of the flow path being imparted by the non-square shape of the contoured region (4) and extending parallel to the long sides (2a, 2b); an embossing pattern (8) of the contoured metal sheet (2) provided at least three times continuously in the longitudinal direction (LR) of the contoured region (4) without overlapping or contacting, i.e., spaced apart, each of the embossing patterns (8) being formed by at least three individual embossing patterns (8a, 8b, 8c) which are positioned adjacent to each other, extend in the longitudinal direction (LR), and depict a zigzag shape or a wavy shape; and the continuous embossing patterns (8) being separated from each other by strip-shaped intermediate sections (9) having intermediate contour-forming portions (10, 12, 13, 14, 14', 15), each strip-shaped intermediate section (9) being arranged to extend parallel to the short sides (2c, 2b). The electrolytic plate (1), wherein the intermediate contour-forming portions (10, 12, 13, 14, 14', 15) are formed by arranging a plurality of individual elevations having at least one of a circular, elliptical, rectangular, and triangular shape spaced apart in the short direction.

2. The electrolytic plate according to claim 1, characterized in that the embossing pattern (8) of the contoured metal sheet (2) is provided at least four times continuously in the longitudinal direction (LR) of the contoured region (4).

3. The electrolytic plate according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the intermediate contour-forming portions (10, 12, 13, 14, 14', 15) overlap at least one of two adjacent embossing patterns (8) in the longitudinal direction (LR) of the contoured region (4).

4. The length (H ９ ) of the intermediate section (9) in the longitudinal direction (LR), and the length (H ８ ) of the emboss pattern (8) in the longitudinal direction (LR), the ratio of which is H ９ / H ８ = 1 / 30 to 1 / 50, and the electrolytic sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that.

5. The electrolytic sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the contoured region (4) includes at least one subcluster (11) having a similar embossed pattern (8), and at least one embossed pattern (8) that is upstream or downstream in the longitudinal direction (LR) with respect to the at least one subcluster (11) and has a different shape from the similar embossed pattern (8), and / or the intermediate contour forming portions (10) in a plurality of the intermediate sections (9) between the embossed patterns (8) are at least partially different.

6. The electrolytic sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the frame-shaped connection region (3) has a number of openings (5, 6) for the passage of a medium and / or the insertion of connection elements.

7. Use of the electrolytic sheet (1) according to claim 1 in an electrolysis system for generating hydrogen.

8. A method for manufacturing the electrolytic sheet (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising the following steps: - providing a contoured metal sheet (2) having a rectangular shape, wherein an outer frame-shaped region of the contoured metal sheet (2) is defined as the connection region (3); - manufacturing at least three of the embossed patterns (8) spaced apart from each other and the strip-shaped intermediate sections (9) within the contoured region (4) of the contoured metal sheet (2) surrounded by the connection region (3).

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the embossed pattern (8) is manufactured in a continuous manner.

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