Electrode module and electrochemical system including same
The integrated electrode module addresses low capacity and inefficiency in high-temperature systems by incorporating a recuperator and heater for internal heat exchange, enhancing efficiency and reducing costs in solid oxide fuel cells and water electrolysis.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/KR2024/011475
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-02-01
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-05
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-07
AI Technical Summary
Existing high-temperature fuel cell and water electrolysis systems suffer from low capacity, significant heat loss, and inefficient hydrogen production due to external exposure, making them unsuitable for commercial applications.
An expandable electrode module integrating a manifold for parallel connection of solid oxide fuel cells or stacks, a high-temperature recuperator, and a heater, with internal heat exchange and insulation to minimize heat loss and enhance efficiency.
The integrated system significantly increases hydrogen production efficiency and reduces costs by maximizing thermal efficiency and insulation, enabling high-capacity solid oxide fuel cell or water electrolysis systems.
Smart Images

Figure KR2024011475_07082025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Electrode module and electrochemical system including same
[0001] An electrode module and an electrochemical system including the same are disclosed. More specifically, an expandable electrode module integrating a manifold for parallel connection of solid oxide fuel cells or stacks, a high-temperature recuperator for maintaining high-temperature operation, and a heater, and an electrochemical system including the same are disclosed.
[0002] There are many commercialized cases of existing high-temperature fuel cell hot boxes (which include natural / city gas reformers and burners), but they have the problem of being small in capacity and not being usable for pure hydrogen fuel cells or water electrolysis applications that do not include reformers and burners.
[0003] The current high-temperature stacks in the demonstration phase have capacities ranging from 3 to 10 kW, significantly lowering hydrogen productivity compared to low-temperature stacks with capacities of 1 to 10 MW. Furthermore, the capacities of high-temperature water electrolysis hot boxes currently in the demonstration phase are in the tens of kW range in Korea and hundreds of kW in other countries, falling far short of commercialization standards.
[0004] Since the recuperator and heater, including the high-temperature stack, are operated at high temperatures of 550 to 800°C, significant heat loss occurs when exposed to the outside air, resulting in a sharp drop in hydrogen production efficiency.
[0005] In addition, the hot boxes currently in use often have the recuperator, heater, and high-temperature piping network installed outside the insulation material, and thus do not have a hydrogen production efficiency at a level that is commercially feasible.
[0006] One embodiment of the present invention provides an expandable electrode module that integrates a manifold for parallel connection of solid oxide fuel cells or stacks, a high temperature recuperator for maintaining high temperature operation, and a heater.
[0007] Another embodiment of the present invention provides an electrochemical system comprising the electrode module.
[0008] One aspect of the present invention is:
[0009] Inlet of the first fluid;
[0010] A recuperator in fluid communication with the inlet of the first fluid;
[0011] A heater in fluid communication with the above-mentioned radiator;
[0012] A supply pipe of the first fluid in fluid communication with the above heater;
[0013] A stack mounting portion in fluid communication with the supply pipe of the first fluid;
[0014] A discharge means for a second fluid in fluid communication with the stack mounting portion; and
[0015] It includes a second fluid discharge port in fluid communication with the second fluid discharge means through the above-mentioned recuperator,
[0016] The above-mentioned heat exchanger provides an electrode module configured to exchange heat between the first fluid and the second fluid.
[0017] The inlet of the first fluid and the outlet of the second fluid can be arranged in close contact with each other and fluidically separated from each other.
[0018] The above stack mounting portions are plural, and in this case, the plural stack mounting portions are divided into stack mounting portions of a first row and stack mounting portions of a second row that are arranged symmetrically left and right, and a pair of supply pipes of the first fluid are arranged in parallel between the stack mounting portions of the first row and the stack mounting portions of the second row, and the discharge means of the second fluid can be arranged in parallel in a pair, one on the outer side of the stack mounting portions of the first row and one on the outer side of the stack mounting portions of the second row, when observed based on the supply pipe of the first fluid.
[0019] Another aspect of the present invention is:
[0020] The electrode module described above; and
[0021] An electrochemical system including a stack is provided.
[0022] Another aspect of the present invention is:
[0023] steam inlet;
[0024] A fuel electrode recuperator in fluid communication with the above steam inlet;
[0025] A fuel electrode heater in fluid communication with the above fuel electrode recuperator;
[0026] A steam supply pipe in fluid communication with the above fuel electrode heater;
[0027] A fuel electrode stack mounting portion fluidly connected to the above steam supply pipe;
[0028] A steam supply nozzle in fluid communication with the above fuel electrode stack mounting portion;
[0029] A hydrogen discharge nozzle in fluid communication with the above fuel electrode stack mounting portion;
[0030] A hydrogen discharge pipe in fluid communication with the above fuel electrode stack mounting portion; and
[0031] It includes a hydrogen discharge port fluidly connected to the hydrogen discharge pipe via the above fuel electrode recuperator,
[0032] The above fuel electrode recuperator provides an electrode module configured to heat exchange steam introduced through the steam inlet and hydrogen discharged from the hydrogen discharge pipe.
[0033] The above fuel electrode stack mounting portion may include a steam supply passage and a hydrogen discharge passage that are fluidly separated from each other, the steam supply passage being configured to connect the steam supply pipe and the steam supply nozzle to each other, and the hydrogen discharge passage being configured to connect the hydrogen discharge nozzle and the hydrogen discharge pipe to each other.
[0034] The above steam supply nozzle and the above hydrogen discharge nozzle may each be placed on the upper surface of the fuel electrode stack mounting portion.
[0035] Another aspect of the present invention is:
[0036] outside air inlet;
[0037] An air electrode recuperator in fluid communication with the above-mentioned outside air inlet;
[0038] An air electrode heater in fluid communication with the above air electrode recuperator;
[0039] An outside air supply pipe in fluid communication with the above air electrode heater;
[0040] An air electrode stack mounting portion fluidly connected to the above external air supply pipe;
[0041] An exhaust passage fluidly connected to the air electrode stack mounting portion; and
[0042] It includes an exhaust port fluidly connected to the exhaust passage through the air electrode recuperator,
[0043] The above-mentioned air electrode recuperator provides an electrode module configured to exchange heat between outside air introduced through the outside air inlet and exhaust air discharged from the exhaust passage.
[0044] The above air electrode stack mounting portions are plural, and in this case, the electrode module may further include a plurality of air guides configured to individually separate the plurality of air electrode stack mounting portions together with the external air supply pipe.
[0045] The above electrode module may further include a compression rod disposed between two adjacent air guides.
[0046] Another aspect of the present invention is:
[0047] A fuel cell module comprising the electrode module described above;
[0048] An air electrode module comprising another electrode module as described above; and
[0049] An electrochemical system including a stack is provided.
[0050] The air electrode module is disposed above the fuel electrode module, and the electrochemical system may further include a pair of side panels disposed above the fuel electrode module to cover one side and the other side of the air electrode module, respectively.
[0051] The above air electrode module may further include a compression rod arranged to penetrate both the air electrode module and the fuel electrode module.
[0052] The electrochemical system may further include a first nut coupled to one end of the compression rod on the air electrode module side, a spring coupled to the other end of the compression rod on the fuel electrode module side, and a second nut coupled to the other end of the compression rod to compress the spring.
[0053] The above electrochemical system may be a solid oxide fuel cell system or a solid oxide water electrolysis system.
[0054] An electrode module according to one embodiment of the present invention and an electrochemical system including the same can greatly reduce the cost of constructing a high-capacity solid oxide fuel cell or water electrolysis system by integrating a high-efficiency solid oxide fuel cell or water electrolysis technology, which is a high-temperature solid oxide fuel cell or water electrolysis system, and can also maximize the thermal efficiency of the solid oxide fuel cell or water electrolysis system by increasing the insulation effect due to integration.
[0055] In addition, the electrode module according to one embodiment of the present invention is manufactured in a platform form so that a plurality of stacks can be connected or stacked in series and / or parallel.
[0056] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a fuel electrode module as an electrode module according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0057] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an electrochemical system including a laminated structure of a fuel electrode module and an air electrode module as electrode modules according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0058] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an electrochemical system including a laminated structure of a fuel electrode module and an air electrode module as electrode modules according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0059] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an electrochemical system of FIG. 3 with an additional stack installed.
[0060] Figure 5 is a side view of the electrochemical system of Figure 4.
[0061] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing only the fuel electrode collectors, bus bars, and air electrode collectors extracted from the electrochemical system of FIG. 5.
[0062] Fig. 7 is a drawing showing an electrochemical system of Fig. 4 with a side panel additionally installed.
[0063] Fig. 8 is a drawing showing an electrochemical system of Fig. 7 with a compression plate additionally installed.
[0064] Fig. 9 is a side view showing the electrochemical system of Fig. 8 compressed by a stack compression system.
[0065] Fig. 10 is a drawing showing a state in which only the stack is removed from the electrochemical system of Fig. 7, and is a drawing for explaining the flow of fluid in the air electrode module.
[0066] Fig. 11 is an enlarged drawing of the air guide installation part in the electrochemical system of Fig. 10.
[0067] FIG. 12 is a drawing showing several connection methods of an electrochemical system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0068] Hereinafter, an electrode module according to one embodiment of the present invention and an electrochemical system including the same will be described in detail.
[0069] In this specification, “outside air” means all air existing between the outside air inlet and the stack, and “exhaust air” means all air existing between the stack and the exhaust.
[0070] Also, in this specification, “fluid communication” means that two or more members are connected so that a fluid can flow therethrough.
[0071] Also, in this specification, “fluidly separated” means that two or more members are configured so that fluid does not flow from one member to the other.
[0072] Also, in this specification, “arranged in parallel” means that two or more members are arranged so that their smooth surfaces (widest surfaces) face each other with respect to an imaginary vertical line.
[0073] Also, in this specification, “series arrangement” means that two or more members are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction on the same straight line so as to extend in one direction.
[0074] Also, in this specification, “upper” means a part of an object that is relatively located in the opposite direction of gravity, and “lower” means a part of the object that is relatively located in the forward direction of gravity.
[0075] Also, in this specification, “top surface” means a surface visible when looking down at an object from above, and “bottom surface” means a surface visible when looking up at an object from below.
[0076] An electrode module according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an inlet for a first fluid, a recuperator, an electric heater, a supply pipe for a first fluid, a stack mounting portion, a discharge means for a second fluid, and an outlet for a second fluid.
[0077] The above-mentioned recuperator can be in fluid communication with the inlet of the first fluid.
[0078] Additionally, the recuperator may be configured to heat exchange the first fluid and the second fluid.
[0079] The above heater can be in fluid communication with the above heater.
[0080] The supply pipe of the above first fluid can be in fluid communication with the above heater.
[0081] The above stack mounting portion can be in fluid communication with the supply pipe of the first fluid.
[0082] In addition, there are a plurality of stack mounting portions, and in this case, the plurality of stack mounting portions can be divided into stack mounting portions of the first row and stack mounting portions of the second row that are arranged symmetrically left and right.
[0083] The stack mounting portions of the first row and the stack mounting portions of the second row may each include a plurality of stack mounting portions arranged in a single row. In this case, the supply pipes of the first fluid may be arranged in parallel in a pair between the stack mounting portions of the first row and the stack mounting portions of the second row. Also, in this case, the discharge means of the second fluid may be arranged in parallel in a pair, one on the outer side of the stack mounting portions of the first row and one on the outer side of the stack mounting portions of the second row, when observed based on the supply pipe of the first fluid.
[0084] The discharge means for the second fluid may be in fluid communication with the stack mounting portion.
[0085] In addition, the discharge port of the second fluid may be in fluid communication with the discharge means for the second fluid via the recuperator. Specifically, the discharge port of the second fluid may be in fluid communication with the recuperator and the recuperator may be in fluid communication with the discharge means for the second fluid, thereby resulting in the discharge port of the second fluid being in fluid communication with the discharge means for the second fluid.
[0086] The inlet of the first fluid and the outlet of the second fluid can be arranged in close contact with each other and fluidically separated from each other.
[0087] Another embodiment of the present invention provides an electrochemical system comprising the electrode module and stack described above.
[0088] The above electrode module may be an electrode module applicable to a solid oxide fuel cell system or a solid oxide electrolysis system, and the electrochemical system may be a solid oxide fuel cell system or a solid oxide electrolysis system. Hereinafter, the above-described electrode module is described in detail with reference to the drawings, based on the electrode module applicable to a solid oxide electrolysis system, but the above-described electrode module may be applied to a solid oxide fuel cell in substantially the same manner, which is apparent to a person skilled in the art.
[0089] Fig. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a fuel electrode module (110) as an electrode module according to one embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 1, two fuel electrode modules (110) having the same configuration and function are arranged in opposite directions.
[0090] Referring to FIG. 1, the fuel electrode module (110) includes a steam inlet (111), a fuel electrode recuperator (112), a fuel electrode heater (113), a steam supply pipe (114), a fuel electrode stack mounting portion (STS1), a steam supply nozzle (N1), a hydrogen discharge nozzle (N2), a hydrogen discharge pipe (116), and a hydrogen discharge port (117).
[0091] The fuel electrode recuperator (112) can be in fluid communication with the steam inlet (111).
[0092] In addition, the fuel electrode recuperator (112) may be configured to heat-exchange steam introduced through the steam inlet (111) and hydrogen discharged from the hydrogen discharge pipe (116). Specifically, the fuel electrode recuperator (112) may be configured to heat the steam introduced through the steam inlet (111) and hydrogen discharged from the hydrogen discharge pipe (116) by heat-exchanging the steam introduced through the steam inlet (111) and hydrogen discharged from the hydrogen discharge pipe (116). Accordingly, energy efficiency can be maximized through heat exchange between the steam introduced through the steam inlet (111) and the hydrogen discharged from the hydrogen discharge pipe (116), and heat loss due to the outside air can be minimized by not discharging high-temperature fluid to the outside of the insulation material (200) described below.
[0093] The fuel electrode heater (113) may be in fluid communication with the fuel electrode recuperator (112). Specifically, the fuel electrode heater (113) may be configured to additionally heat steam supplied through the fuel electrode recuperator (112). More specifically, the fuel electrode heater (113) is built into the end of the fuel electrode recuperator (112) to maintain a uniform temperature of the fluid even under various operating conditions (heat generation / neutral / heat absorption) of the stack (130) described below, thereby actively controlling the temperature of the stack (130), thereby increasing the lifespan of the stack (130).
[0094] The steam supply pipe (114) may be in fluid communication with the fuel electrode heater (113). Specifically, the steam supply pipe (114) may be configured to resupply steam supplied through the fuel electrode heater (113) to the fuel electrode stack mounting portion (STS1).
[0095] The fuel electrode stack mounting portion (STS1) can be in fluid communication with the steam supply pipe (114).
[0096] In addition, there may be a plurality of fuel electrode stack mounting portions (STS1). In this case, the plurality of fuel electrode stack mounting portions (STS1) may be divided into a first row of fuel electrode stack mounting portions (STS1) and a second row of fuel electrode stack mounting portions (STS1) arranged symmetrically left and right.
[0097] The fuel electrode stack mounting portions (STS1) of the first row and the fuel electrode stack mounting portions (STS1) of the second row may each include a plurality of fuel electrode stack mounting portions (STS1) arranged in a single row. In this case, a pair of steam supply pipes (114) may be arranged in parallel between the fuel electrode stack mounting portions (STS1) of the first row and the fuel electrode stack mounting portions (STS1) of the second row. Also, in this case, a pair of hydrogen discharge pipes (116) may be arranged in parallel, one on the outside of the fuel electrode stack mounting portions (STS1) of the first row and one on the outside of the fuel electrode stack mounting portions (STS1) of the second row, when observed with respect to the steam supply pipe (114).
[0098] Additionally, the fuel electrode stack mounting portion (STS1) may include a steam supply passage (not shown) and a hydrogen discharge passage (not shown) that are fluidically separated from each other.
[0099] The above steam supply passage may be configured to connect the steam supply pipe (114) and the steam supply nozzle (N1) to each other. Accordingly, the steam supplied to the fuel electrode module (110) through the steam inlet (111) may sequentially pass through the fuel electrode recuperator (112), the fuel electrode heater (113), the steam supply pipe (114), and the steam supply passage formed in the fuel electrode stack mounting portion (STS1), and then be supplied to the stack (130) described below, which is arranged on the upper portion of the fuel electrode stack mounting portion (STS1), through the steam supply nozzle (N1) (see solid arrow in FIG. 1).
[0100] The above hydrogen discharge passage may be configured to connect the hydrogen discharge nozzle (N2) and the hydrogen discharge pipe (116) to each other. Accordingly, hydrogen discharged from the stack (130) described below may sequentially pass through the hydrogen discharge passage, hydrogen discharge pipe (116), and fuel electrode recuperator (112) formed in the fuel electrode stack mounting portion (STS1) through the hydrogen discharge nozzle (N2), and then be discharged to the outside of the fuel electrode module (110) through the hydrogen discharge port (117) (see the dotted arrow in FIG. 1).
[0101] Additionally, the steam supply nozzle (N1) and the hydrogen discharge nozzle (N2) may each be arranged on the upper surface of the fuel electrode stack mounting portion (STS1). For example, a row of steam supply nozzles (N1) and a row of hydrogen discharge nozzles (N2) may be arranged alternately on the upper surface of the fuel electrode stack mounting portion (STS1).
[0102] Additionally, the fuel cell module (110) may further include a plurality of legs (118).
[0103] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an electrochemical system (100) including a laminated structure of a fuel electrode module (110) and an air electrode module (120) as electrode modules according to embodiments of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an electrochemical system (100) including a laminated structure of a fuel electrode module (110) and an air electrode module (120) as electrode modules according to embodiments of the present invention. In FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, two laminated structures (i.e., laminated structures of a fuel electrode module (110) and an air electrode module (120)) having the same configuration and function are arranged in opposite directions.
[0104] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the air electrode module (120) can be placed on the fuel electrode module (110).
[0105] In addition, the air electrode module (120) includes an outside air inlet (121), an air electrode recuperator (122), an air electrode heater (123), an outside air supply pipe (124), an air electrode stack mounting portion (STS2), an exhaust passage (126), and an exhaust port (127).
[0106] The air electrode recuperator (122) can be in fluid communication with the outside air inlet (121).
[0107] In addition, the air electrode recuperator (122) may be configured to heat-exchange the outside air introduced through the outside air inlet (121) and the exhaust exhaust discharged from the exhaust passage (126). Specifically, the air electrode recuperator (122) may be configured to heat-exchange the outside air introduced through the outside air inlet (121) and the exhaust exhaust discharged from the exhaust passage (126) to heat the outside air and cool the exhaust. Accordingly, energy efficiency can be maximized through heat exchange between the outside air introduced through the outside air inlet (121) and the exhaust exhaust discharged from the exhaust passage (126), and heat loss due to the outside air can be minimized by not discharging high-temperature fluid to the outside of the insulation material (200) described below.
[0108] The cathode heater (123) may be in fluid communication with the cathode recuperator (122). Specifically, the cathode heater (123) may be configured to additionally heat the outside air supplied through the cathode recuperator (122). More specifically, the cathode heater (123) may be built into the end of the cathode recuperator (122) to actively control the temperature of the stack (130) by maintaining the temperature of the fluid uniformly even under various operating conditions (heat generation / neutral / heat absorption) of the stack (130) described below, thereby increasing the lifespan of the stack (130).
[0109] The outside air supply pipe (124) may be in fluid communication with the air electrode heater (123). Specifically, the outside air supply pipe (124) may be configured to resupply the outside air supplied through the air electrode heater (123) to the air electrode stack mounting portion (STS2).
[0110] The air electrode stack mounting portion (STS2) can be in fluid communication with the outside air supply pipe (124).
[0111] In addition, there may be a plurality of air electrode stack mounting portions (STS2). In this case, each air electrode stack mounting portion (STS2) may be configured to accommodate one stack (130) as described below, as an internal space surrounded by a plurality of air guides (125) and an external air supply pipe (124).
[0112] In addition, the air electrode module (120) may include a plurality of air guides (125). These plurality of air guides (125) may be configured to individually separate a plurality of air electrode stack mounting portions (STS2) together with an outside air supply pipe (124). Accordingly, the air electrode stack mounting portions (STS2) may be divided into a first row of air electrode stack mounting portions (STS2) and a second row of air electrode stack mounting portions (STS2) that are arranged symmetrically left and right. In addition, the plurality of air guides (125) serve to evenly distribute outside air to the plurality of air electrode stack mounting portions (STS2).
[0113] The first row of air electrode stack mounting portions (STS2) and the second row of air electrode stack mounting portions (STS2) may each include a plurality of air electrode stack mounting portions (STS2) arranged in a single row. In this case, an external air supply pipe (124) may be arranged in parallel in a pair between the first row of air electrode stack mounting portions (STS2) and the second row of air electrode stack mounting portions (STS2). Also, in this case, an exhaust passage (126) may be arranged in parallel in a pair, one on the outside of the first row of air electrode stack mounting portions (STS2) and one on the outside of the second row of air electrode stack mounting portions (STS2), when observed with respect to the external air supply pipe (124).
[0114] The exhaust passage (126) may be an internal space between the stack (130) and the side panel (150) described later (see FIGS. 2 to 4, FIGS. 7, 8, and 10).
[0115] Additionally, the air electrode module (120) may further include a compression rod (128). This compression rod (128) may be positioned between two adjacent air guides (125), and may be positioned to penetrate both the fuel electrode module (110) and the air electrode module (120).
[0116] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an electrochemical system (100) of FIG. 3 with a stack (130) additionally installed.
[0117] Referring to FIG. 4, the stack (130) can be mounted in an internal space surrounded by a fuel electrode stack mounting portion (STS1) of a fuel electrode module (110), a plurality of air guides (125), and an external air supply pipe (124). Consequently, a plurality of stacks (130) can be arranged in parallel in n rows (n is an integer greater than or equal to 1), and theoretically, an infinite number of stacks (130) can be arranged. Such a stack (130) can be a water electrolysis stack (see https: / en.wikipedia.org / wiki / Solid_oxide_electrolyzer_cell).
[0118] FIG. 5 is a side view of the electrochemical system (100) of FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a drawing showing only the fuel electrode current collectors (FCC), bus bars (140), and air electrode current collectors (ACC) extracted from the electrochemical system (100) of FIG. 5.
[0119] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the bus bars (140) serve to electrically connect the air electrode current collector (ACC) and the fuel electrode current collector (FCC) in a “Z” shape to prevent interference with the air electrode module (120) after installation of the air electrode module (120).
[0120] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing an electrochemical system (100) of FIG. 4 with a side panel (150) additionally installed.
[0121] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the electrochemical system (100) may further include a side panel (150).
[0122] A side panel (150) may be placed on the fuel electrode module (110) to cover one side and the other side of the air electrode module (120), respectively. This side panel (150) serves to block the interior of the stack (130) from the exterior.
[0123] FIG. 8 is a drawing showing an electrochemical system (100) of FIG. 7 with a compression plate (160) additionally installed.
[0124] Referring to FIG. 8 together with FIG. 7, a compression plate (160) may be positioned to cover the stack (130). This compression plate (160) serves to prevent damage to the stack (130) when the electrochemical system (100) is compressed vertically.
[0125] FIG. 9 is a side view showing a state in which the electrochemical system (100) of FIG. 8 is compressed by a stack compression system (128, 160, NT1, SP, NT2, etc.).
[0126] The stack compression system (128, 160, NT1, SP, NT2, etc.) provides compression force for sealing the stack (130) and its surroundings, thereby maintaining the durability of the stack (130) even when subjected to high temperature thermal expansion or contraction.
[0127] Referring to FIG. 9, the electrochemical system (100) may further include a first nut (NT1), a spring (SP), and a second nut (NT2).
[0128] The first nut (NT1) can be coupled to one end of the air electrode module (120) side of the compression rod (128).
[0129] The spring (SP) can be coupled to the other end of the fuel electrode module (110).
[0130] A second nut (NT2) can be coupled to the other end of the compression rod (128) to compress the spring (SP).
[0131] Specifically, in the electrochemical system (100) of FIG. 8, the fuel electrode module (110) and the air electrode module (120) are aligned, and then a washer (not shown) and a nut (NT1) are sequentially fastened to the upper portion of the compression rod (128), and a spring (SP), a washer (not shown), and a nut (NT2) are sequentially fastened to the lower portion of the compression rod (128) so that the electrochemical system (100) can be compressed vertically. By compressing the electrochemical system (100) with an appropriate compression force in this way, it is possible to prevent fluid from leaking from the inside of the stack (130) to the outside.
[0132] FIG. 10 is a drawing showing a state in which only the stack (130) is removed from the electrochemical system (100) of FIG. 7, and is a drawing for explaining the flow of fluid in the air electrode module (120).
[0133] Referring to FIG. 10, outside air supplied to the air electrode module (120) through the outside air inlet (121) may sequentially pass through the air electrode recuperator (122), the air electrode heater (123), the outside air supply pipe (124), and the air electrode stack mounting portion (STS2), and then be supplied to the stack (130) mounted on the air electrode stack mounting portion (STS2) (see solid arrow in FIG. 10).
[0134] In addition, the exhaust discharged from the stack (130) may pass through the air electrode stack mounting portion (STS2), exhaust passage (126), and air electrode recuperator (122) in sequence and then be discharged to the outside of the air electrode module (120) through the exhaust port (127) (see the dotted arrow in FIG. 10).
[0135] Fig. 11 is an enlarged drawing of the air guide installation part in the electrochemical system (100) of Fig. 10.
[0136] Referring to Fig. 11, air guides (125) are arranged in pairs, and two compression rods (128) can be arranged in the space between each pair of air guides (125). In addition, each air guide (125) can include a curved portion to secure installation space for the compression rods (128).
[0137] Additionally, although not shown in the drawing, the electrochemical system (100) may further include a power cable and a connection terminal for supplying power to the stack (130), and a sensing cable and a connection terminal for monitoring the stack (130).
[0138] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fuel electrode module (110), the air electrode module (120), and the electrochemical system (100) having the above-described configuration can maintain thermal homeostasis through integration of components, and are equipped with a piping network for equal fuel and air distribution between stacks (130). That is, the fuel electrode module (110), the air electrode module (120), and the electrochemical system (100) are configured so that the components are arranged in the smallest possible space for high-capacity integration, and are also easily mounted in an insulating material (200), and have a shape in which two or more can be stacked for future industrialization.
[0139] FIG. 12 is a drawing showing several connection methods of an electrochemical system (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 12, reference numeral "100" represents an electrochemical system, "N" represents a nozzle such as a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and "200" represents an insulating material.
[0140] Referring to (a) of Fig. 12, a pair of electrochemical systems (100) surrounded by an insulating material (200) are connected in series in opposite directions so that the nozzles (N) are positioned furthest from each other. Here, the insulating material (200) surrounds the electrochemical system (100) to minimize heat loss of the electrochemical system (100) and thermal shock of the stack (130) due to the outside air.
[0141] Referring to (b) of FIG. 12, a pair of electrochemical systems (100) surrounded by insulation (200) are connected in parallel.
[0142] Referring to (c) of FIG. 12, a pair of electrochemical systems (100) surrounded by an insulating material (200) are connected in series in opposite directions so that the nozzles (N) are positioned closest to each other.
[0143] Referring to (d) of FIG. 12, a pair of electrochemical systems (100) surrounded by insulation (200) are connected in series in opposite directions to share nozzles (N).
[0144] The electrochemical system (100) described above may be a solid oxide fuel cell system or a solid oxide water electrolysis system.
[0145] While the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings, these are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent implementations are possible. Therefore, the true scope of technical protection of the present invention should be determined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.
[0146] [Explanation of symbols]
[0147] 100: Electrochemical system 110: Fuel electrode module
[0148] 111: Steam inlet 112: Fuel electrode recuperator
[0149] 113: Fuel electrode heater 114: Steam supply pipe
[0150] 115: Stack connection 116: Hydrogen discharge pipe
[0151] 117: Hydrogen exhaust port 118: Bridge
[0152] 120: Air electrode module 121: Outdoor air inlet
[0153] 122: Air electrode recuperator 123: Air electrode heater
[0154] 124: Outside air supply pipe 125: Air guide
[0155] 126: Exhaust passage 127: Exhaust port
[0156] 128: Compressed load 130: Stack
[0157] 140: Busbar 150: Side panel
[0158] 160: Compression plate 200: Insulation
[0159] STS1, STS2: Stack mounting part N1: Hydrogen supply nozzle
[0160] N2: Hydrogen discharge nozzle NT1, NT2: Nut
[0161] N: Nozzle SP: Spring
[0162] ACC: Air electrode collector FCC: Fuel electrode collector
Claims
1. Inlet of the first fluid; A recuperator in fluid communication with the inlet of the first fluid; A heater in fluid communication with the above-mentioned radiator; A supply pipe of the first fluid in fluid communication with the above heater; A stack mounting portion in fluid communication with the supply pipe of the first fluid; A discharge means for a second fluid in fluid communication with the stack mounting portion; and It includes a second fluid discharge port in fluid communication with the second fluid discharge means through the above-mentioned recuperator, The above-mentioned heat exchanger is an electrode module configured to exchange heat between the first fluid and the second fluid.
2. In paragraph 1, An electrode module in which the inlet of the first fluid and the outlet of the second fluid are fluidically separated from each other and placed in close contact.
3. In paragraph 1, The above stack mounting portions are a plurality, and in this case, the plurality of stack mounting portions are divided into stack mounting portions of a first row and stack mounting portions of a second row that are arranged symmetrically left and right, and the supply pipes of the first fluid are arranged in parallel in a pair between the stack mounting portions of the first row and the stack mounting portions of the second row, and the discharge means of the second fluid are arranged in parallel in a pair on the outer side of the stack mounting portions of the first row and the outer side of the stack mounting portions of the second row when observed based on the supply pipes of the first fluid.
4. An electrode module according to any one of clauses 1 to 3; and An electrochemical system comprising a stack.
5. Steam inlet; A fuel electrode recuperator in fluid communication with the above steam inlet; A fuel electrode heater in fluid communication with the above fuel electrode recuperator; A steam supply pipe in fluid communication with the above fuel electrode heater; A fuel electrode stack mounting portion fluidly connected to the above steam supply pipe; A steam supply nozzle in fluid communication with the above fuel electrode stack mounting portion; A hydrogen discharge nozzle in fluid communication with the above fuel electrode stack mounting portion; A hydrogen discharge pipe in fluid communication with the above fuel electrode stack mounting portion; and It includes a hydrogen discharge port fluidly connected to the hydrogen discharge pipe via the above fuel electrode recuperator, The above fuel electrode recuperator is an electrode module configured to exchange heat between steam introduced through the steam inlet and hydrogen discharged from the hydrogen discharge pipe.
6. In paragraph 5, An electrode module in which the fuel electrode stack mounting portion includes a steam supply passage and a hydrogen discharge passage that are fluidly separated from each other, the steam supply passage being configured to connect the steam supply pipe and the steam supply nozzle to each other, and the hydrogen discharge passage being configured to connect the hydrogen discharge nozzle and the hydrogen discharge pipe to each other.
7. In paragraph 6, The above steam supply nozzle and the above hydrogen discharge nozzle are electrode modules each disposed on the upper surface of the fuel electrode stack mounting portion.
8. Outdoor air inlet; An air electrode recuperator in fluid communication with the above-mentioned outside air inlet; An air electrode heater in fluid communication with the above air electrode recuperator; An outside air supply pipe in fluid communication with the above air electrode heater; An air electrode stack mounting portion fluidly connected to the above external air supply pipe; An exhaust passage fluidly connected to the air electrode stack mounting portion; and It includes an exhaust port fluidly connected to the exhaust passage through the air electrode recuperator, The above air electrode recuperator is an electrode module configured to exchange heat between outside air introduced through the outside air inlet and exhaust air discharged from the exhaust passage.
9. In paragraph 8, An electrode module having a plurality of air electrode stack mounting portions, and in this case, further including a plurality of air guides configured to individually separate the plurality of air electrode stack mounting portions together with the external air supply pipe.
10. In paragraph 9, An electrode module further comprising a compression rod positioned between two adjacent air guides.
11. A fuel electrode module comprising an electrode module according to Article 5; An air electrode module comprising an electrode module according to Article 8; and An electrochemical system comprising a stack.
12. In paragraph 11, An electrochemical system wherein the air electrode module is disposed above the fuel electrode module, and further includes a pair of side panels disposed above the fuel electrode module to cover one side and the other side of the air electrode module, respectively.
13. In paragraph 12, An electrochemical system wherein the air electrode module further includes a compression rod arranged to penetrate both the air electrode module and the fuel electrode module.
14. In paragraph 13, An electrochemical system further comprising a first nut coupled to one end of the compression rod on the air electrode module side, a spring coupled to the other end of the compression rod on the fuel electrode module side, and a second nut coupled to the other end of the compression rod to compress the spring.
15. In paragraph 11, The above electrochemical system is an electrochemical system that is a solid oxide fuel cell system or a solid oxide water electrolysis system.
Citation Information
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