Electrochemical hydrogen compressor

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrochemical hydrogen compressor (1) comprising at least one compressor unit (4), wherein an electrode arrangement (4c, 4d, 4e) which is disposed between two gas flow regions (4a, 4b) in the at least one compressor unit (4) comprises a gas-tight proton-permeable layer (4d) which is contacted by a gas-permeable cathode layer (4e) on one side of the layer, and which is contacted by a gas-permeable anode layer (4c) on the other side of the layer, wherein the at least one compressor unit (4) forms a compressor arrangement (3) which is arranged in a housing (2) around the interior of a hollow, preferably tubular, gas-permeable core element (5), wherein the interior of the core element (5) is fluidically connected to the radially innermost gas flow region (4b) of the compressor arrangement (3), and the interior of the housing (2) is fluidically connected to the radially outermost gas flow region (4b) of the compressor arrangement (3).

Description

[0001] Electrochemical hydrogen compressor

[0002] The invention relates to an electrochemical hydrogen compressor comprising at least one compressor unit, wherein in the at least one compressor unit between two gas flow regions an electrode arrangement is arranged, which comprises a gas-tight, proton-permeable layer which is contacted on one layer side by a gas-permeable cathode layer, in particular a catalytically active gas-permeable cathode layer, and which is contacted on the other layer side by a gas-permeable anode layer, in particular a catalytically active gas-permeable anode layer.

[0003] Such hydrogen compressors are known in the art, e.g., from publication US 2012 / 0129079 A1 or, for example, from Bouwman P. Electrochemical Hydrogen Compression (EHC) solutions for hydrogen infrastructure. Fuel Cells Bull 2014;2014:12-6. https: / / doi.org / 10.1016 / S1464-2859(14)70149-X or Langer SH, Hademan RG. ELECTROLYTIC HYDROGEN PURIFICATION AND RECOVERY OF SAME, 1969 or Middelman E, Middelman-Koornneef M. US 2012 / 0129079 A1 HIGH DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL COMPRISING A SPECIFIC MEMBRANE. 13 / 148,667, 2012.

[0004] Such hydrogen compressors and also the invention are based on the principle that after applying a potential difference between the anode layer and the cathode layer, which are supplied with electrical voltage by an energy source, hydrogen flowing towards the anode layer is ionized into protons in a first gas flow region. This can preferably be promoted by a catalytically active coating on the anode layer. Through the proton-permeable layer, which can be formed, for example, by a membrane, in particular a membrane acting as an electrolyte, e.g. a polymer membrane, the protons are driven by the potential difference to the cathode layer, where they recombine with electrons to form hydrogen. The proton-permeable layer is otherwise impermeable to gas, in particular hydrogen.

[0005] Unlike conventional membrane contactors, in which mass transfer by diffusion through a membrane is driven by the concentration gradient around the membrane or the differential partial pressure, in the invention the driving potential for the protons is given by the electrical potential difference between the anode layer and the cathode layer.

[0006] Due to the driving electrical potential, a higher hydrogen pressure can be achieved in the gas flow region on the cathode side than in the gas flow region on the anode side.

[0007] It is also known in the prior art to construct such electrochemical hydrogen compressors in a plate-like configuration and to stack them to increase the pressure-increasing effect. For this purpose, the stacked hydrogen compressors must usually be clamped between housing plates so that the structure can withstand the pressure buildup. Pressures of several hundred bar are thus possible.

[0008] In order to increase efficiency, the only possible option is to increase the surface area of ​​the proton-permeable layer and the electrode arrangements, thus the surface area of ​​the compressor units and / or to increase the number of stacked compressor units.

[0009] Such larger structures result in significantly more sealing points and electrical contacts, which complicates the design. An increase in surface area directly requires more installation space for a hydrogen compressor. Furthermore, the forces that must be counteracted by surrounding brackets / plates increase significantly. Furthermore, contact resistance can increase due to uneven contact pressure of the current sensors.

[0010] Against this background, it is an object of the invention to provide a more easily scalable design of a hydrogen compressor.

[0011] This object is achieved in that the at least one compressor unit forms a compressor arrangement which is arranged in a housing around the interior of a hollow, preferably tubular, gas-permeable core element, wherein the interior of the core element is fluidically connected to the radially innermost gas flow region of the compressor arrangement and the interior of the housing is fluidically connected to the radially outermost gas flow region of the compressor arrangement.

[0012] In such an arrangement, the hydrogen is compressed in an at least substantially radial direction, preferably from the inside to the outside. However, the compression can also occur in the opposite direction, particularly depending on the polarity of the electrode layers.

[0013] For this purpose, hydrogen or at least hydrogen-containing gas can be fed into the hollow, preferably tubular, gas-permeable core element and from the interior of the core element into the gas flow region of the compressor arrangement, preferably on the anode side, which is arranged radially outwardly around the interior of the core element, preferably also around the core element itself.

[0014] For example, the hydrogen or the hydrogen-containing gas can be guided into the hollow core element and flow radially outwards through its wall, which can be porous or provided with passages, for example, and reach the gas flow region of the compressor arrangement, preferably on the anode side and radially surrounding the core element. Regions in the wall of the core element in which the hydrogen or the hydrogen-containing gas can flow, such as pores or passages in the wall, can also already form a gas flow region, preferably on the anode side, of the compressor arrangement or a compressor unit of the compressor arrangement. In this case, the gas flow region surrounds the interior of the core element, but not the core element itself, which is formed at least substantially by the wall surrounding the interior. In this case, the gas flow region, preferably on the anode side, is therefore already formed in the core element.

[0015] Preferably, at least the interior of the core element or the core element with its wall is led out of the housing so that its interior is accessible from outside the housing.

[0016] Within a compressor assembly according to the invention, radially acting forces are generated in the inventive design, which are easier to compensate for than with a flat compressor assembly design. For this purpose, it can preferably be provided that the housing absorbs the radially acting forces, in particular by supporting a compressor assembly from the radial outside.

[0017] In a first possible embodiment, the invention preferably provides that the compressor arrangement forms a compressor coil in which the at least one compressor unit is wound onto the hollow, preferably tubular, gas-permeable core element, in particular wound spirally, preferably with the radially superimposed gas flow regions within a compressor unit being separated in a gas-tight manner by at least one insulation layer. In this wound embodiment, the radially inner gas flow region, in particular the anode-side gas flow region, is preferably located around the core element.In particular, a wound compressor arrangement is understood to mean that a compressor unit is arranged by more than 360 degrees around the interior of the core element, in particular around the core element, and in this case comes to lie on itself at least in part, whereby layers of the compressor unit are formed whose radial distance from the core element or from the core element longitudinal axis increases with the number of layers and / or the winding angle. In this case, in a compressor unit, the anode-side and cathode-side gas flow regions are arranged radially opposite one another from the formation of a first layer. The aforementioned insulation layer, which can be arranged, for example, radially outward from the cathode-side gas flow region, prevents the transfer of gas between the two gas regions within a compressor unit.

[0018] Such a wound design has the advantage that very large-area proton-permeable layers and electrode arrangements can be accommodated in a comparatively small installation space thanks to the winding. In a design with multiple wound compressor units, these can preferably each have the same surface area for the electrode arrangement and gas flow areas.

[0019] In a second possible embodiment, the invention preferably provides that the compressor arrangement comprises at least one compressor unit, wherein the at least one compressor unit, in particular each respective compressor unit, is formed with a coaxial arrangement of gas flow regions and electrode arrangement.

[0020] In particular, this means that a compressor unit is arranged by no more than 360 degrees, in particular by exactly 360 degrees, around the interior of the core element or around the core element. In this embodiment, there are therefore no self-layered regions within a compressor unit. Each compressor unit is formed by a hollow, preferably tubular electrode arrangement which is surrounded radially inward and radially outward by a gas flow region. In particular, the radially inner gas flow region closest to the interior of the core element can preferably be formed in the wall of the core element, e.g. by flow-through pores or passages in the wall of the core element.

[0021] In a compressor arrangement comprising multiple compressor units, although all are arranged around the interior of the core element, preferably also around the core element, in particular coaxially, only the radially innermost compressor unit contacts the core element with its radially inner gas flow region, or this is even formed in the wall of the core element. Compressor units located further outward radially, in contrast, contact the compressor unit located radially further below it.

[0022] In a possible preferred embodiment, the invention provides that the compressor arrangement comprises precisely one compressor unit. In the wound compressor arrangement, the compressor winding forming the compressor arrangement thus comprises precisely one wound compressor unit.

[0023] In order to achieve a greater increase in pressure, it can preferably also be provided that the compressor arrangement comprises at least two compressor units, in particular which are arranged around one another when viewed in the radial direction.

[0024] It is then preferably provided that the radially outermost gas flow region of a radially preceding compressor unit, in particular in the winding direction, is fluidly connected to the radially innermost gas flow region of a radially subsequent compressor unit, in particular in the winding direction. In the wound compressor arrangement, the compressor winding forming the compressor arrangement thus comprises at least two wound compressor units arranged one behind the other in the winding direction.

[0025] These two gas flow regions in fluidic contact with each other do not necessarily have to be separate, although this can be provided. It can also be provided that these two gas flow regions are formed by a common region in which the gas can flow. This is particularly preferred in radially stacked compressor units, especially in compressor units with a coaxial arrangement, especially in tubular compressor units.

[0026] For example, the hydrogen compressed in a cathode-side gas flow area is transferred to the radially outwardly following anode-side gas flow area of ​​the radially following compressor unit and can be further compressed in this, in particular up to the radially outermost compressor unit.

[0027] It is irrelevant whether the compressor units arranged radially around one another or radially “stacked” are each coaxial, preferably tubular or wound.

[0028] In a wound compressor arrangement, a respective compressor unit can, analogously to the prior art, initially be formed from planar components, e.g. from an outer anode-side gas flow region, in particular which is delimited to the outside by an insulation layer which is preferably at least partially gas-permeable or is open to the core element, a gas-permeable, preferably catalytically active anode layer, preferably which defines or delimits the anode-side gas flow region, a proton-permeable layer, a gas-permeable, preferably catalytically active cathode layer, preferably which defines or delimits the cathode-side gas flow region, and preferably an outer insulation layer of the cathode-side gas flow region, in particular which defines or delimits the cathode-side gas flow region.According to the invention, all of these components are so flexible that, after stacking on top of each other, they allow rolling up into a compressor coil around or onto a core element or around another compressor coil.

[0029] In the wound configuration, the invention preferably provides that all end face regions of such a stack or subsequent coil that extend along the coil axis or core element are sealed, so that no gas can escape from the stack or the subsequent coil at these longitudinal sides. In the flat, not yet wound configuration, these are two opposing end face regions parallel to the subsequent coil axis.

[0030] The invention preferably further provides that in a wound compressor arrangement, all end face regions of the compressor arrangement or of the compressor winding are sealed at the end axial end faces of the compressor arrangement or of the compressor winding relative to the winding axis, except for the end face regions of the cathode-side gas flow region, in particular of the only compressor unit or the compressor unit located radially furthest outwards of the compressor winding.

[0031] This ensures that the compressed hydrogen can escape from the compressor winding into the housing in an axial direction.

[0032] In a preferred development, the invention provides that the housing comprises at least two compressor arrangements, in particular compressor windings, wherein each compressor arrangement comprises at least one compressor unit, preferably wound compressor unit, and wherein each compressor arrangement is arranged on its own, hollow, preferably tubular, core element and the interior of the housing is fluidically connected to the radially outermost gas flow region of each of the compressor arrangements.

[0033] Thus, further scaling can be achieved by increasing the number of compressor arrangements in a housing, in particular regardless of whether the respective compressor arrangements are wound or coaxial, in particular tubular.

[0034] Preferably, the core element, in particular the only core element of a single compressor arrangement, is led out of the housing or the core elements of several, in particular all, compressor arrangements are each led out of the housing individually or the plurality of core elements, in particular the interior spaces of the plurality of core elements, are combined within the housing to form a common fluid connection which is led out of the housing.

[0035] Preferably, it is further provided that contact elements for the respective contacting of the cathode layer and / or the anode layer of a respective compressor unit are led out of the compressor arrangement in the axial direction, in particular also out of the housing.

[0036] Such contact elements can then be arranged in a housing wall which is opposite an axial end face of the compressor arrangement.

[0037] Cathode-side and anode-side contact elements can, for example, be led out of the housing on different sides.

[0038] The invention preferably provides that the contact elements each comprise or are formed by an electrically conductive, flat contact element around which flow can occur at least axially and / or in the circumferential direction and / or in the winding direction, preferably a radially pressure-resistant contact element, in particular a net or fabric, which lies in a respective gas flow region adjacent to the cathode layer and / or anode layer, preferably over the entire axial length of the gas flow region, in particular in the wound compressor arrangement bridges the distance between the cathode layer and / or anode layer and an insulation layer radially opposite it.

[0039] Contact elements of the same pole from different compressor units are preferably combined to form a common electrical contact, in particular also led out of the housing as a common electrical contact.

[0040] Preferably, it is further provided that a respective gas flow region is filled with a respective radially pressure-resistant spacer, around which gas can flow in the axial direction and / or in the circumferential direction of the compressor arrangement or in the winding direction of the compressor winding. Particularly preferably, such a spacer is formed by an aforementioned contact element.

[0041] From a design perspective, it is preferred that each compressor assembly be supported radially and / or axially on an inner wall surface area of ​​the housing or an adjacent compressor assembly, in particular with a spacer that is pressure-resistant in the radial and / or axial direction. Thus, the housing and other compressor assemblies contribute to the statics of the entire hydrogen compressor.

[0042] The invention can preferably also provide for the housing wall to be double-walled at least in some areas, with a temperature control fluid being able to be conveyed in the cavity of a double-walled area. This makes it possible to operate the hydrogen compressor within a desired temperature range.

[0043] Furthermore, it is provided that the electrode arrangement has a radial thickness of less than 500 μm, preferably less than 120 μm. This results in good winding properties for the preferably provided wound design of the compressor arrangement.

[0044] The electrode arrangement preferably has a proton-permeable layer, which is preferably formed from a planar element and / or a membrane made of one of the following materials:

[0045] 1 . 2-[1 -[Difluoro[(trifluoroethenyl)oxy]methyl]-1 ,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy]-1 , 1 ,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonic acid (e.g. known under the brand name Nation), or

[0046] 2. sulfonated polyether-ether- ketones (e.g. known under the brand name Fumion),

[0047] 3. Tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoro(3-oxa-4-pentenesulfonic acid) copolymer (e.g. known under the brand name Aquivion),

[0048] 4. sulfonated or phosphonated polybenzimidazoles,

[0049] 5. sulfonated hydrocarbon pentablock terpolymers (e.g. known under the brand name Nexar), or

[0050] 6. a material with equivalent proton-permeable properties.

[0051] Furthermore, the electrode arrangement preferably has a gas-permeable anode layer and / or cathode layer which is formed from a planar conductive element and / or an electrode made of carbon or a material with equivalent gas diffusion properties, preferably which is coated with platinum or a material with equivalent electrocatalytic properties.

[0052] It can also be provided that the platinum is coated directly onto the membrane, especially in the case of a membrane thinner than 120pm.

[0053] Exemplary embodiments are explained with reference to the figures. Figure 1 shows an electrochemical hydrogen compressor 1 arranged in a housing 2, wherein the compressor arrangement 3, comprising at least one compressor unit 4, is arranged around a tubular, gas-permeable core element 5, which extends out of the housing 2 so that its interior is accessible from outside the housing. The core element 5 preferably has a circular cross-section in all possible embodiments and is formed coaxially around an axis 5a.

[0054] The interior of the core element 5 is fluidically connected to the radially innermost gas flow region 4a of a compressor unit 4 of the compressor arrangement 3, e.g., by a porous wall or formed passages, and the interior of the housing 2 is fluidically connected to the radially outermost gas flow region 4b of the same or another compressor unit 4 of the compressor arrangement 3. The innermost gas flow region 4a of a compressor unit 4 can also be formed by flow-through regions in the wall of the core element 5, e.g., by porous cavities in the wall.

[0055] Hydrogen or hydrogen-containing gas can thus be fed from outside the housing 2 into the radially innermost gas flow region 4a of a compressor unit 4 of the compressor arrangement 3, ionized into protons at the anode layer and driven by means of a potential difference between the electrodes of the electrode arrangement(s) in the direction of the radially outermost gas flow region 4b of the same or another compressor unit 4 of the compressor arrangement 3, in particular with multiple recombination and ionization if the compressor arrangement 3 comprises several compressor units 4.

[0056] The potential difference between a respective anode layer 7 and a cathode layer 8 can be applied via contacts 6a and 6b. The compressed hydrogen gas can be discharged from the housing 2 through openings 9, e.g., using a carrier gas. Figure 1 further shows that a spacer 10 can be arranged radially outside a compressor arrangement 3. This allows the pressures generated in the compressor arrangement 3 and the associated forces to be absorbed by the wall of the housing 2.

[0057] The compressor arrangement 3 can also be supported on the axial side on the housing 2, here in particular on its removable housing cover 2a, by means of an axial spacer 11.

[0058] Figure 2 shows an axial section through a first preferred embodiment of a compressor unit 4, one or more of which may be provided in a compressor arrangement 3. The compressor arrangement 3, designed as a compressor coil, preferably has exactly one compressor unit 4 in this example.

[0059] Viewed from radially inside to outside, the wound compressor unit 4 comprises the following components:

[0060] • an anode-side gas flow area 4a, which is formed by a pressure-resistant spacer 4a' around which gas can flow,

[0061] • An anode layer 4c, which may preferably have a catalytically active coating, e.g. made of platinum,

[0062] • A proton-conductive / permeable but otherwise gas-impermeable layer 4d, in particular which can be referred to as a membrane,

[0063] • A cathode layer 4e, which may preferably have a catalytically active coating, e.g. made of platinum,

[0064] • a cathode-side gas flow area 4b, which is formed by a pressure-resistant spacer 4b' around which gas can flow,

[0065] • an insulating layer 4f, which defines the cathode-side gas flow region 4b radially outward and forms a separation in the wound compressor unit 4 between the anode-side and cathode-side gas flow regions 4a, 4b, which are opposite one another in two adjacent layers of the winding.

[0066] The anode-side gas flow region 4a is gas-permeable in the radially inward direction and can thus be subjected to hydrogen or hydrogen-containing gas flow through the core element 5, e.g., through its wall. In this embodiment, the gas flow region 4a is thus located around the interior of the core element 5 and also around the core element 5 itself, i.e., around its wall. The gas is distributed both axially and spirally in the wound compressor unit 4.

[0067] The end-face areas 12, which extend along the core element 2 or from its axis 2a, are completely sealed with a sealant or in another way, so that the gas cannot escape from the wound compressor unit 4 at any point at these areas 12. The end of the last layer of the coil can also be attached to the previous layer with sealant or adhesive.

[0068] Figure 3 shows the same wound compressor unit 4 in a perspective view, whereby a radial distance is shown between the layers only for reasons of better clarity, which does not exist in reality.

[0069] It is particularly clear in the lower section that the gas in the anode-side gas flow region 4a is distributed in the winding direction and the ionized protons are driven in the radial direction by the potential difference between the anode layer 4c and the cathode layer 4e into the cathode-side gas flow region 4b, where the protons recombine and thus hydrogen is present under increased pressure compared to the anode side.

[0070] It is also clear that the axial end face 13 of the compressor unit 4 is sealed with a sealant in all surface areas except the cathode-side gas flow area 4b and, if applicable, the insulating layer 4f. This allows the hydrogen to escape from this surface area in the axial direction from the wound compressor unit into the interior of the housing 2.

[0071] In a compressor arrangement 3 with several compressor units 4, the axial end face 13 of the entire compressor arrangement 3 is closed with a sealant in all surface areas except the cathode-side gas flow area 4b of the radially outwardly last compressor unit 4 of the compressor arrangement 3 and, if applicable, its insulating layer 4f, e.g. with a sealant.

[0072] Figure 4 shows a compressor arrangement with several, here, for example, three wound compressor units 4.1, 4.2, 4.3. The radially outer cathode-side gas flow region 4b of a radially preceding compressor unit 4, e.g., compressor unit 4.1, and the radially inner anode-side gas flow region 4a of a radially following compressor unit, e.g., compressor unit 4.2, are fluidically connected to one another.

[0073] Compressed hydrogen flowing out of the first compressor unit 4.1, which forms the first compression stage, enters the subsequent compressor unit 4.2 and is further compressed there. This process is repeated again with compressor unit 4.3. The number of wound compressor units 4 connected in series is, of course, not limited to the example of three units. The compressed hydrogen gas then exits the radially last compressor unit.

[0074] Figure 5 shows a possible design for contacting the anode layer 4c or cathode layer 4e. The contact, or the anode layer 4c or cathode layer 4e itself, can be formed, for example, from an electrically conductive mesh, fabric, or braid. Contact elements 14 of the anode layer 4c or the cathode layer 4e can thus be led axially out of the winding of the compressor unit 4. Figure 5b illustrates that contact elements of the same polarity can be combined to form a common contact 14' and led out of the housing.

[0075] Figure 6 shows the axial end configuration of the housing 2 with a housing cover 2a having a gas outlet opening 9 and tightly secured to a flange of the housing 2 by a seal 15. The contact elements 14 emerging axially from the wound compressor arrangement 3, here, for example, from the anode layer, are preferably connected to a common contact 14' and guided as a common contact into an externally accessible contact element 6a / 6b. The hollow core element 5 is also tightly guided through the housing cover 2a, for example, integrally connected to it on one side of the housing.

[0076] Figure 7 shows the axial end design of the housing 2 with a housing cover 2a on the opposite housing side, wherein here, for example, the cathode-side contacts 14 are guided in the same way as shown in Figure 6. The designs of Figures 6 and 7 are identical except for the sealing of the core element 5 in the housing cover 2a, which here is achieved, for example, with a seal 16. Thus, on one side of the housing there can be a firmly sealed connection from the core element 5 to the housing cover 2a, as shown in Figure 6, and on the other side there can be a loose or at least detachable sealed connection between the core element 5 and the housing cover 2a.

[0077] Figure 8 shows an axial spacer 11, which is already shown in cross-section in Figure 1. It has a central passage through which the core element can be guided. Passages around it serve, for example, to lead through contact elements 14. The spacer 11 has an axial length such that the axial end faces of a compressor arrangement 3 can be supported via the spacer on the inner surface of a housing cover 2a. Figure 9 illustrates a possible embodiment of the housing 2, according to which the housing wall can be double-walled in order to be able to conduct a temperature control fluid in the housing wall. Appropriate connections are provided in order to be able to introduce the temperature control fluid into and out of the housing wall.

[0078] Figure 10 shows an embodiment in which several compressor assemblies 3 are formed in a housing 2. In principle, these compressor assemblies 3 can each comprise at least one wound compressor unit 4.

[0079] Preferably, however, the compressor arrangements 3 have at least one, in particular exactly one tubular compressor unit 4, which is tubular with a coaxial arrangement of gas flow regions and electrode arrangement.

[0080] In general, an element or arrangement is preferably understood to be tubular if it surrounds a cylindrical cavity, in particular here the interior of the core element.

[0081] In the illustrated embodiment, the compressor units 4 are connected to each other and to the housing inner wall at their axial ends with a sealing means 16. This creates respective housing chambers at their axial ends, into which the interior of the core elements 5 opens. The interior of the core elements is thus led out of the housing via the common fluid connection 17, preferably on both sides.

[0082] Between the end seals 16, the interior of the housing is connected to the radially outermost gas flow area of ​​the single or the radially outermost compressor unit 4 of a respective compressor arrangement 3. Thus, compressed hydrogen can be flushed out of the housing 2 through the inlets / outlets 9, e.g., with a carrier gas.

[0083] Preferably, a support 18 can be provided axially centrally of a respective compressor unit 4, in particular one which is gas-permeable.

[0084] Figure 11 shows a possible embodiment of a respective compressor arrangement 3, here consisting of a single compressor unit 4.

[0085] The compressor unit 4 comprises an electrically conductive, tubular porous core element 5, into the interior of which hydrogen or a hydrogen-containing gas can be guided, in particular through the fluid guide in a housing according to Figure 10. The core element 5 itself forms an electrode of the electrode arrangement, e.g. with its surface the anode layer 4c.

[0086] The compressor unit 4 according to the invention here has a radially inner, in particular anode-side, gas flow region 4a, which is formed in the wall, in particular by the pore cavities or other passages in the wall of the core element 5. Thus, in this embodiment, the gas flow region 4a surrounds the interior of the core element 5, but not the core element itself, because it is formed in the core element 5. The electrically conductive surface of the core element 5, which forms the anode layer 4c, can have a catalytically active coating, e.g., made of platinum. It can also be provided to apply an electrically conductive, gas-permeable anode layer to the surface of the core element 5. In this case, the core element 5 itself does not have to be conductive.

[0087] Around the core element 5, the gas flow region 4a formed thereby and the anode layer 4c formed thereby, all of which, in particular tubularly coaxially surround the core element axis, there is arranged a proton-permeable, but in particular otherwise non-gas-permeable layer 4d, which in turn is surrounded by a gas-permeable, preferably porous, electrically conductive cathode layer 4e.

[0088] The cathode-side gas flow region 4b is formed by the environment around the cathode layer 4e and / or by its pores and is thus also tubularly formed around the interior of the core element 5. From the pores of the cathode layer 4e, the compressed hydrogen preferably flows directly into the interior of the housing 2. The required potentials are applied to the anode layer 4c and the cathode layer 4e using contact elements not shown here.

Claims

Patent claims 1. An electrochemical hydrogen compressor (1) comprising at least one compressor unit (4), wherein in the at least one compressor unit (4) between two gas flow regions (4a, 4b) an electrode arrangement (4c, 4d, 4e) is arranged, which comprises a gas-tight, proton-permeable layer (4d) which is contacted on one side by a gas-permeable cathode layer (4e), in particular a catalytically active gas-permeable cathode layer (4e), and which is contacted on the other side by a gas-permeable anode layer (4c), in particular a catalytically active gas-permeable anode layer (4c), characterized in that the at least one compressor unit (4) forms a compressor arrangement (3) which is arranged in a housing (2) around the interior of a hollow, preferably tubular, gas-permeable core element (5),wherein the interior of the core element (5) is fluidically connected to the radially innermost gas flow region (4b) of the compressor arrangement (3) and the interior of the housing (2) is fluidically connected to the radially outermost gas flow region (4b) of the compressor arrangement (3).

2. Hydrogen compressor according to claim 1, characterized in that the compressor arrangement (3) forms a compressor winding in which the at least one compressor unit (4) is wound onto the hollow, preferably tubular, gas-permeable core element (5), in particular wound spirally, preferably wherein the radially superimposed gas flow regions (4a, 4b) within a compressor unit (4) are separated in a gas-tight manner by at least one insulation layer (4f).

3. Hydrogen compressor according to claim 1, characterized in that the compressor arrangement (3) comprises at least one compressor unit (4), wherein the at least one compressor unit (4), in particular each respective Compressor unit (4) with a coaxial arrangement of gas flow areas (4a, 4b) and electrode arrangement (4c, 4d, 4e).

4. Hydrogen compressor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the radially outermost gas flow region (4b) of a radially preceding compressor unit (4), in particular in the winding direction, is fluidically connected to the radially innermost gas flow region (4a) of a radially following compressor unit (4), in particular in the winding direction.

5. Hydrogen compressor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (2) comprises at least two compressor assemblies (3), in particular compressor windings, wherein each compressor assembly (3) comprises at least one compressor unit (4), preferably a wound compressor unit (4), and wherein each compressor assembly (3) is arranged on its own hollow, preferably tubular, core element (5) and the interior of the housing (2) is fluidically connected to the radially outermost gas flow region (4b) of each of the compressor assemblies (3).

6. Hydrogen compressor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the core element (5), in particular the only core element (5) is led out of the housing (2) or the core elements (5) of several, in particular all, compressor arrangements (3) a. are each led out individually from the housing (2), or b. are brought together within the housing (2) to form a common fluid connection (17) which is led out of the housing (2).

7. Hydrogen compressor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that contact elements (14) for the respective contacting of the cathode layer (4e) and / or the anode layer (4c) of a respective compressor unit (4) are led out of the compressor arrangement (3) in the axial direction, in particular also out of the housing (2).

8. Hydrogen compressor according to claim 7, characterized in that the contact elements (14) comprise or are formed by an electrically conductive, flat contact element around which flow can take place at least axially and / or in the circumferential direction and / or in the winding direction, preferably a radially pressure-resistant contact element, in particular a net or fabric, which lies in a respective gas flow region (4a, 4b) adjacent to the cathode layer (4e) and / or anode layer (4c), preferably over the entire axial length of the gas flow region (4a, 4b), in particular in the wound compressor arrangement bridges the distance between the cathode layer (4e) and / or anode layer (4c) and an insulation layer (4f) radially opposite it.

9. Hydrogen compressor according to one of the preceding claims 7 or 8, characterized in that contact elements (14) of the same pole from different compressor units (3) are combined to form a common electrical contact (14'), in particular are led out of the housing (2) as a common electrical contact (14').

10. Hydrogen compressor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a respective gas flow region (4a, 4b) is filled with a respective spacer (10) which is pressure-resistant in the radial direction and around which gas can flow in the axial direction and / or in the circumferential direction of the compressor arrangement or in the winding direction of the compressor winding, preferably wherein the respective spacer (10) is formed by a contact element (14) according to claim 8 or 9.

11. Hydrogen compressor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a respective compressor arrangement (3) is supported in the radial and / or axial direction on an inner wall surface region of the housing (2) or an adjacent compressor arrangement (3), in particular with a spacer which is pressure-resistant in the radial and / or axial direction.

12. Hydrogen compressor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall of the housing (2) at least is designed to be double-walled in some areas, wherein a temperature control fluid can be guided in the cavity of a double-walled area.

13. Hydrogen compressor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrode arrangement has a radial thickness of less than 500 pm, preferably less than 120 pm.

14. Hydrogen compressor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrode arrangement (4c, 4d, 4e) has a proton-permeable layer (4d) which is formed from a flat element and / or a membrane made of one of the following materials: a. 2-[1-[difluoro[(trifluoroethenyl)oxy]methyl]-1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy]-1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonic acid, or b. sulfonated polyether-ether-ketones, or c. tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoro(3-oxa-4-pentenesulfonic acid) copolymer, or d. sulfonated or phosphonated polybenzimidazoles, or e. sulfonated hydrocarbon pentablock terpolymers, or f. a material with equivalent proton-permeable properties 15. Hydrogen compressor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrode arrangement (4c, 4d, 4e) has a gas-permeable anode layer (4c) and / or cathode layer (4e) which is formed from a flat conductive element and / or an electrode made of carbon or a material with equivalent gas diffusion properties, preferably coated with platinum or a material with equivalent electrocatalytic properties.

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