Multi-section water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer, and method for adjusting load thereof

Abstract

Disclosed in the present invention are a multi-section water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer and a method for adjusting a load thereof. The multi-section water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer comprises a left electrode plate (5) and a right electrode plate (9) that are located at two ends, and at least one middle anode plate (7) and at least one middle cathode plate (8) that are located between the two electrode plates, wherein the middle anode plate (7) and the middle cathode plate (8) divide an electrolytic chamber into a plurality of electrolytic cell groups (24). In the present invention, the load power and start / stop of electrolytic cell groups (24) are group-controlled by controlling the magnitudes of a current flowing through a middle anode plate (7) and a voltage applied thereto, such that the change in the load power of the multi-section water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer is realized, and when the load power of some cell groups changes, the remaining cell groups produce hydrogen at an optimal load power.

Description

A multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer and a method for adjusting its load Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of water electrolysis hydrogen production, and more specifically to a multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer and a method for regulating its load. The present invention is particularly suitable for water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzers powered by wind farms and photovoltaic power plants. When power generation at a power plant is unstable, the load power of the water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer can be effectively varied to adapt to power fluctuations at the power plant. The electrolyzer can also maintain a high temperature and hot start state, thereby shortening the restart response time after a cell group is shut down. Background Art

[0002] Water electrolysis hydrogen production technology, used to produce green hydrogen, is crucial for achieving the dual carbon goals and plays a crucial role in improving resource utilization and grid peak regulation in wind and photovoltaic power plants. Wind and photovoltaic power plants suffer from unstable power generation. When power drops, the efficiency of water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzers is significantly impacted, leading to downtime and equipment damage in severe cases. To address the instability in production efficiency of electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzers powered by wind and photovoltaic power plants, there is an urgent need for a water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer with variable load power that can adapt to the instability of wind and photovoltaic power generation.

[0003] Currently, commonly used methods to solve the problem of unstable production efficiency of water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzers caused by unstable power generation from wind farms and photovoltaic farms include shutting down the electrolyzers in the system and adjusting the power supply load.

[0004] The system shuts down the electrolyzers. When power generation decreases, the water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzers are shut down to reduce the load power. When power generation recovers, the water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzers are restarted to restore the load power. This method has the following problems: 1. It reduces the number of electrolyzers operating and their operating hours, significantly impacting the equipment; 2. The electrolyzers' startup time at lower temperatures is much longer than at higher temperatures. After the electrolyzers are shut down, the temperature drops, making restarting them time-consuming.

[0005] The power supply load regulation method uses the electrolysis system's internal power supply to adjust the current intensity of the electrolyzer for hydrogen production by water electrolysis to regulate the load power. This method has the following problems: the electrolyzer has an optimal load power range for hydrogen production, but traditional electrolyzers have only a single intermediate plate connected to the positive terminal of the power supply, which can only regulate the current of the entire electrolyzer. As a result, when adjusting the current, the entire electrolyzer cannot operate at the optimal load power for hydrogen production. This method is not conducive to maintaining the production efficiency and energy conversion rate of the water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer.

[0006] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a load-variable water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer that can achieve hydrogen production without shutting down the electrolyzer in the hydrogen production system, has a short restart response time, and when the electrolyzer load power is adjusted, part of the cell body can be at the optimal load power.

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is proposed.

[0008] Summary of the Invention

[0009] The purpose of the present invention is to address the deficiencies of the prior art and provide a water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer with a variable load that can produce hydrogen without shutting down the electrolyzer in the hydrogen production system, with a short restart response time and a part of the cell body being at the optimal load power when the electrolyzer load power is adjusted, so as to solve the problem of unstable production efficiency of water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzers caused by unstable power generation of wind farms and photovoltaic power fields. Each middle anode plate of the multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer of the present invention is connected to the positive pole of an independent power supply in the electrolysis system. By adjusting the current and voltage flowing through the middle anode plate, the power and start and stop of the adjacent left and right chamber groups are adjusted to achieve the change of the electrolyzer power; all chamber groups share a set of electrolyte circulation system, so that all chamber groups always maintain a high temperature and hot start state.

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0011] A first aspect of the present invention provides a multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer, which includes a left end plate 5 and a right end plate 9 located at both ends, and at least one middle anode plate 7 and at least one middle cathode plate 8 located therebetween, wherein the middle anode plate 7 and the middle cathode plate 8 divide the electrolysis chamber into multiple electrolysis chamber groups 24.

[0012] Preferably, the left end plate 5 and the right end plate 9 are respectively welded with an end transmission plate 6, and the end transmission plate 6 is connected to the negative electrode of the independent power supply in the electrolysis system;

[0013] Each of the middle cathode plates 8 is welded with a middle negative power transmission plate 17, and the middle cathode plate 8 is connected to the negative pole of the independent power supply in the electrolysis system through the middle negative power transmission plate 17; each of the middle anode plates 7 is welded with a middle positive power transmission plate 18, and the middle anode plate 7 is connected to the positive pole of the independent power supply in the electrolysis system through the middle positive power transmission plate 18.

[0014] Since each of the central anode plates 7 is welded with a central positive transmission plate 18, the central anode plate 7 is connected to the positive pole of the independent power supply in the electrolysis system through the central positive transmission plate 18. By adjusting the current and voltage flowing through a certain central anode plate 7, the load power and start and stop of the left and right electrolysis chamber groups 24 adjacent to the central anode plate 7 are adjusted to achieve changes in the load power of the electrolytic cell.

[0015] Preferably, it further includes a left end pressure plate 4 and a right end pressure plate 10, wherein the left end pressure plate 4 is located on the side of the left end plate 5 away from the electrolysis chamber, and the right end pressure plate 10 is located on the side of the right end plate 9 away from the electrolysis chamber.

[0016] Preferably, it also includes a pull rod 1, a nut 2 and a disc spring group 3, and the left end pressure plate 4 and the right end pressure plate 10 assemble and pressurize the left end electrode 5, the middle anode plate 7, the middle cathode plate 8, the right end electrode 9 and the multiple electrolysis chamber groups 24 through the pull rod 1.

[0017] Preferably, the pull rod 1 is provided with a nut 2 and a disc spring group 3, and the disc spring group 3 is located between the nut 2 and the left end pressure plate 4, and between the nut 2 and the right end pressure plate 10, and an axial preload is applied to the left end pressure plate 4 and the right end pressure plate 10 through the disc spring group 3.

[0018] Preferably, the multiple electrolysis chamber groups 24 share a set of alkali liquid circulation system including a hydrogen side alkali liquid outlet 19, an oxygen side alkali liquid outlet 20, an oxygen side alkali liquid inlet 21, and a hydrogen side alkali liquid inlet 22, so that the alkali liquid in the multiple electrolysis chamber groups 24 is in a high temperature and hot start state, and even after some electrolysis chamber groups 24 are shut down, the overall alkali liquid temperature will not decrease, so the restart response time is shortened.

[0019] Preferably, the chamber flow channels 23 on the front and back sides of the middle anode plate 7 are opened on the oxygen-side alkali solution outlet 20 and the oxygen-side alkali solution inlet 21 , providing channels for the alkali solution to enter and exit the electrolysis chamber group 24 .

[0020] Preferably, the chamber flow channels 23 on the front and back sides of the middle cathode plate 8 are opened on the hydrogen side alkali solution outlet 19 and the hydrogen side alkali solution inlet 22 to provide channels for the alkali solution to enter and exit the electrolysis chamber group 24 .

[0021] The second aspect of the present invention provides a method for adjusting the load of the multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer described in the first aspect of the present invention, wherein each of the central anode plates 7 is welded with a central positive transmission plate 18, and the central anode plates 7 are connected to the positive pole of an independent power supply in the electrolysis system through the central positive transmission plate 18. By adjusting the current and voltage flowing through a certain central anode plate 7, the load power and start and stop of the left and right electrolysis chamber groups 24 adjacent to the central anode plate 7 are adjusted, thereby realizing the change of the load power of the electrolyzer.

[0022] The specific adjustment method is: when the power generation power of the external power station that supplies power to the electrolysis system is reduced, the current and voltage flowing through each middle anode plate 7 are reduced respectively, so that the load power of the left and right chamber groups adjacent to each middle anode plate 7 is reduced; the reduction range of the current and voltage flowing through the corresponding middle anode plate 7 is controlled by an independent power supply in the electrolysis system, and then the load power reduction range and start and stop of the left and right chamber groups adjacent to each middle anode plate 7 are independently controlled to adapt to the reduction range of the power generation power of the external power station; when the power generation power of the external power station that supplies power to the electrolysis system returns to normal, the current and voltage flowing through the corresponding middle anode plate 7 are controlled by an independent power supply in the electrolysis system to return to normal, and then the load power of the left and right chamber groups adjacent to each middle anode plate 7 is restored to normal.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0024] 1. The present invention comprises multiple middle anode plates 7 and multiple middle cathode plates 8 between the left end plate 5 and the right end plate 9. The middle anode plates 7 and the middle cathode plates 8 divide the electrolysis chamber into multiple electrolysis chamber groups 24. By controlling the current and voltage flowing through the middle anode plates 7, the load power and start and stop of the electrolysis chamber groups 24 are controlled in groups, thereby achieving the change of the load power of the multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer. When the load power of some chamber groups changes, the remaining chamber groups can produce hydrogen at the optimal load power.

[0025] 2. The multiple electrolysis chamber groups 24 of the present invention share a set of alkali liquid circulation system consisting of a hydrogen side alkali liquid outlet 19, an oxygen side alkali liquid outlet 20, an oxygen side alkali liquid inlet 21, and a hydrogen side alkali liquid inlet 22, so that the alkali liquid in the multiple electrolysis chamber groups 24 is in a high temperature and hot start state. Even if some of the electrolysis chamber groups 24 are shut down, the overall alkali liquid temperature will not decrease, so the restart response time is shortened. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] FIG1 is a front view of a multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer according to the present invention;

[0027] FIG2 is a top view of a multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer according to the present invention;

[0028] FIG3 is a left side view of the multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer of the present invention;

[0029] FIG4 is a perspective view of a multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer according to the present invention;

[0030] FIG5 is a front view of the middle anode plate of the multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer of the present invention;

[0031] FIG6 is a rear view of the middle anode plate of the multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer of the present invention;

[0032] FIG7 is a front view of the cathode plate of the multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer of the present invention;

[0033] FIG8 is a rear view of the cathode plate of the multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer of the present invention;

[0034] The names of the accompanying drawings in the figure are: 1. pull rod, 2. nut, 3. disc spring group, 4. left end pressure plate, 5. left end plate, 6. end transmission plate, 7. middle anode plate, 8. middle cathode plate, 9. right end plate, 10. right end pressure plate, 11. left first chamber group, 12. right first chamber group, 13. left second chamber group, 14. right second chamber group, 15. left third chamber group, 16. right third chamber group, 17. middle negative transmission plate, 18. middle positive transmission plate, 19. hydrogen side alkali solution outlet, 20. oxygen side alkali solution outlet, 21. oxygen side alkali solution inlet, 22. hydrogen side alkali solution inlet, 23. chamber flow channel, 24. electrolysis chamber group. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The present invention is described in further detail below with reference to the embodiments.

[0036] Those skilled in the art will understand that the following examples are intended to illustrate the present invention only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Where specific techniques or conditions are not specified in the examples, the techniques or conditions described in the literature in the art or in the product specifications were used. Materials or equipment used without manufacturer identification are commercially available conventional products.

[0037] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, unless otherwise stated, the singular forms "a", "an", "said" and "the" used herein may also include plural forms. It should be further understood that the term "comprising" used in the specification of the present invention refers to the presence of the features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof. It should be understood that when we say that an element is "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element, or there can be intermediate elements. In addition, "connected" as used herein can include wireless connections.

[0038] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more. Terms such as "inner," "upper," and "lower" indicating positions or states are based on those shown in the accompanying drawings and are intended solely to facilitate and simplify the description of the present invention. They do not indicate or imply that the devices or components referred to must have, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation, and are therefore not to be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0039] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "provided with" should be understood broadly. For example, they may refer to fixed, detachable, or integral connections; mechanical or electrical connections; and direct or indirect connections through an intermediary. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on specific circumstances.

[0040] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art in the art to which the present invention pertains. It should also be understood that terms such as those defined in common dictionaries should be understood to have meanings consistent with their meanings in the context of the prior art and, unless defined as such herein, will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense.

[0041] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the present invention is a multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer, whose structure mainly includes a pull rod 1, a nut 2, a disc spring group 3, a left end pressure plate 4, a left end plate 5, an end transmission plate 6, a middle anode plate 7, a middle cathode plate 8, a right end plate 9, a right end pressure plate 10, a left first chamber group 11, a right first chamber group 12, a left second chamber group 13, a right second chamber group 14, a left third chamber group 15, a right third chamber group 16, a middle negative transmission plate 17, Zhongzheng transmission board 18, hydrogen side alkali solution outlet 19, oxygen side alkali solution outlet 20, oxygen side alkali solution inlet 21, hydrogen side alkali solution inlet 22, chamber flow channel 23, electrolysis chamber group 24; the left end pressure plate 4 and the right end pressure plate 10 use the pull rod 1 to connect the left end plate 5, the left first chamber group 11, the middle anode plate 7, the right first chamber group 12, the middle cathode plate 8, the left second chamber group 13, the middle anode plate 7, the right second chamber group 14, the middle cathode plate 8, The left three-chamber group 15, the middle anode plate 7, the right three-chamber group 16, and the right end pressure plate 10 are assembled in series from left to right and tightened; a number of nuts 2 and disc spring groups 3 are provided at both ends of the pull rod 1, and the pull rod 1, nuts 2 and disc spring group 3 apply axial preload force to the left end pressure plate 4 and the right end pressure plate 10; the left end plate 5 and the right end plate 9 are respectively welded with an end transmission plate 6, and the end transmission plate 6 is connected to the negative pole of the independent power supply in the electrolysis system; the middle cathode plate 8 is welded with a middle negative transmission plate 17, and each middle cathode plate 8 is connected to the negative pole of the independent power supply in the electrolysis system through the middle negative transmission plate 17; the middle anode plate 7 is welded with a middle positive transmission plate 18, and each middle anode plate 7 is connected to the positive pole of the independent power supply in the electrolysis system through the middle positive transmission plate 18; by adjusting the current and voltage flowing through each middle anode plate 7, the load power and start and stop of the adjacent left and right chamber groups are adjusted to achieve changes in the load power of the electrolytic cell.

[0042] Among them, the left first chamber group 11, the right first chamber group 12, the left second chamber group 13, the right second chamber group 14, the left third chamber group 15, and the right third chamber group 16 all belong to the electrolysis chamber group 24. When the number of anode plates 7 and cathode plates 8 continues to increase, there will also be a left fourth chamber group, a right fourth chamber group, a left fifth chamber group, a right fifth chamber group, etc.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer has a central anode plate 7 welded with a central transmission plate 18. Each central anode plate 7 is connected to the positive pole of an independent power supply in the electrolysis system through the central transmission plate 18. The current and voltage flowing through each central anode plate 7 can be independently controlled by the independent power supply in the electrolysis system. When the power generation power of the external power station supplying power to the electrolysis system is reduced, the current and voltage flowing through each central anode plate 7 are reduced respectively, so that the load power of the left and right chamber groups adjacent to each central anode plate 7 is reduced. The independent power supply in the system controls the current and voltage reduction amplitude flowing through the corresponding middle anode plate 7, and further independently controls the load power reduction amplitude and start and stop amplitude of the left and right chamber groups adjacent to each middle anode plate 7 to adapt to the reduction amplitude of the power generation power of the external power station; when the power generation power of the external power station supplying power to the electrolysis system returns to normal, the independent power supply in the electrolysis system controls the current and voltage flowing through the corresponding middle anode plate 7 to return to normal, and further restores the load power of the left and right chamber groups adjacent to each middle anode plate 7 to normal.

[0044] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer is grouped by the middle anode plate 7; the load power and start and stop of the left chamber group 11, the right chamber group 12, the left second chamber group 13, the right second chamber group 14, the left third chamber group 15, and the right third chamber group 16 are grouped and controlled by controlling the current and voltage flowing through the middle anode plate 7, thereby realizing the change of the load power of the multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer, and realizing that when the load power of some chamber groups changes, the remaining chamber groups produce hydrogen at the optimal load power.

[0045] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer, the left first chamber group 11, the right first chamber group 12, the left second chamber group 13, the right second chamber group 14, the left third chamber group 15, and the right third chamber group 16 share a set of alkali liquid circulation system consisting of a hydrogen side alkali liquid outlet 19, an oxygen side alkali liquid outlet 20, an oxygen side alkali liquid inlet 21, and a hydrogen side alkali liquid inlet 22, so that the left first chamber group 11, the right first chamber group 12, the left second chamber group 13, the right second chamber group 14, the left third chamber group 15, and the right third chamber group 16 are in a high temperature and hot start state, thereby shortening the response time for restarting after the chamber group is shut down.

[0046] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, in the multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolytic cell, the chamber flow channels 23 on the front and back sides of the anode plate 7 are opened on the oxygen side alkali solution outlet 20 and the oxygen side alkali solution inlet 21, providing channels for the alkali solution to enter and exit the electrolysis chamber group 24.

[0047] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, in the multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolytic cell, the chamber flow channels 23 on the front and back sides of the cathode plate 8 are opened on the hydrogen side alkali solution outlet 19 and the hydrogen side alkali solution inlet 22, providing channels for the alkali solution to enter and exit the electrolysis chamber group 24.

Claims

1. A multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer, characterized in that: It comprises a left end plate (5) and a right end plate (9) located at both ends, and at least one middle anode plate (7) and at least one middle cathode plate (8) located therebetween. The middle anode plate (7) and the middle cathode plate (8) divide the electrolysis chamber into a plurality of electrolysis chamber groups (24).

2. The multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The left end plate (5) and the right end plate (9) are respectively welded with an end power transmission plate (6), and the end power transmission plate (6) is connected to the negative electrode of an independent power supply in the electrolysis system.

3. The multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the middle cathode plates (8) is welded with a middle negative power transmission plate (17), and the middle cathode plate (8) is connected to the negative pole of an independent power supply in the electrolysis system via the middle negative power transmission plate (17); each of the middle anode plates (7) is welded with a middle positive power transmission plate (18), and the middle anode plates (7) are connected to the positive pole of an independent power supply in the electrolysis system via the middle positive power transmission plate (18).

4. The multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a left end pressure plate (4) and a right end pressure plate (10), wherein the left end pressure plate (4) is located on the side of the left end plate (5) away from the electrolysis chamber, and the right end pressure plate (10) is located on the side of the right end plate (9) away from the electrolysis chamber.

5. The multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a pull rod (1), a nut (2) and a disc spring group (3), and the left end pressure plate (4) and the right end pressure plate (10) assemble and press the left end electrode plate (5), the middle anode plate (7), the middle cathode plate (8), the right end electrode plate (9) and the plurality of electrolysis chamber groups (24) through the pull rod (1).

6. The multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer according to claim 5, characterized in that: The pull rod (1) is provided with a nut (2) and a disc spring group (3), and the disc spring group (3) is located between the nut (2) and the left end pressure plate (4), and between the nut (2) and the right end pressure plate (10), and an axial preload is applied to the left end pressure plate (4) and the right end pressure plate (10) through the disc spring group (3).

7. The multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of electrolysis chamber groups (24) share a set of alkali solution circulation system including a hydrogen side alkali solution outlet (19), an oxygen side alkali solution outlet (20), an oxygen side alkali solution inlet (21), and a hydrogen side alkali solution inlet (22).

8. The multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer according to claim 7, characterized in that: The chamber flow channels (23) on the front and back sides of the middle anode plate (7) are opened on the oxygen side alkali solution outlet (20) and the oxygen side alkali solution inlet (21), providing a channel for the alkali solution to enter and exit the electrolysis chamber group (24).

9. The multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer according to claim 7, characterized in that: The chamber flow channels (23) on the front and back sides of the middle cathode plate (8) are opened on the hydrogen side alkali solution outlet (19) and the hydrogen side alkali solution inlet (22), providing a channel for the alkali solution to enter and exit the electrolysis chamber group (24).

10. A method for adjusting load of a multi-stage water electrolysis hydrogen production electrolyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: By adjusting the current and voltage flowing through a certain middle anode plate (7), the load power and start and stop of the two left and right electrolytic chamber groups (24) adjacent to the middle anode plate (7) are adjusted to achieve the change of the load power of the electrolytic cell.

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