Organic hydride production device, organic hydride production system, and organic hydride production method

Abstract

An organic hydride production device provided with an electrolytic cell that has an electrolyte membrane, an anode chamber disposed on one side of the electrolyte membrane and accommodating an anode solution and an anode, and a cathode chamber disposed on the other side of the electrolytic membrane and accommodating a cathode, wherein the liquid level of the anode solution in the anode chamber is equal to or higher than the height of the upper end surface of the cathode.

Description

Organic hydride production apparatus, organic hydride production system, and organic hydride production method

[0001] The present invention relates to an organic hydride manufacturing apparatus, an organic hydride manufacturing system, and an organic hydride manufacturing method.

[0002] In recent years, the use of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal power has been expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions during the energy generation process. One example is a system that generates hydrogen by electrolyzing water using electricity derived from renewable energy. Organic hydride systems have also attracted attention as an energy carrier for the large-scale transport and storage of hydrogen derived from renewable energy.

[0003] For example, an organic hydride manufacturing apparatus is known that includes an electrolytic cell having an anode electrode that generates protons from water, a cathode electrode that hydrogenates an organic compound having an unsaturated bond (a substance to be hydrogenated), and a diaphragm that separates the anode electrode and the cathode electrode (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this organic hydride manufacturing apparatus, protons are generated by oxidation of water at the anode electrode, and these protons migrate to the cathode electrode side through the diaphragm, where the substance to be hydrogenated is hydrogenated by the protons, thereby producing an organic hydride.

[0004] International Publication No. 2012 / 091128

[0005] The organic hydride manufacturing apparatus described above can generate protons and hydrogenate the material to be hydrogenated in a single-stage process. Therefore, compared with a two-stage process in which hydrogen is produced by water electrolysis or the like and the material to be hydrogenated is chemically hydrogenated in a reactor at a plant or the like, the organic hydride manufacturing process can be simplified. Alternatively, the efficiency of organic hydride manufacturing can be improved. Furthermore, since a high-pressure vessel for storing hydrogen, which is required when producing hydrogen by water electrolysis or the like, can be omitted, a significant reduction in facility costs is expected.

[0006] As a result of extensive research into conventional organic hydride production apparatuses, the inventors have found that conventional organic hydride production apparatuses do not take into consideration the suppression of heat generation that exceeds the temperature range that can occur during normal operation of the organic hydride production apparatus, and that there is room for improvement.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and one of its objectives is to provide an organic hydride manufacturing apparatus that can suppress heat generation that exceeds the temperature range that can occur during normal operation.

[0008] An organic hydride manufacturing apparatus as an aspect of the present invention that solves the problem comprises an electrolytic cell having an electrolyte membrane and an anode chamber arranged on one side of the electrolyte membrane and accommodating an anolyte and an anode electrode, and a cathode chamber arranged on the other side of the electrolyte membrane and accommodating a cathode electrode, wherein the liquid level of the anolyte in the anode chamber is equal to or higher than the level of the upper surface of the cathode electrode.An organic hydride manufacturing system as an aspect of the present invention that solves the problem comprises an organic hydride manufacturing apparatus and a power supply device, wherein the organic hydride manufacturing apparatus comprises an electrolytic cell having an electrolyte membrane and an anode chamber arranged on one side of the electrolyte membrane and accommodating an anolyte and an anode electrode, and a cathode chamber arranged on the other side of the electrolyte membrane and accommodating a cathode electrode, wherein the liquid level of the anolyte in the anode chamber is equal to or higher than the level of the upper surface of the cathode electrode. An aspect of the present invention that solves the problems is an organic hydride production method that produces an organic hydride using an organic hydride production apparatus that includes an electrolytic cell having an electrolyte membrane, an anode chamber that is arranged on one side of the electrolyte membrane and contains an anolyte and an anode electrode, and a cathode chamber that is arranged on the other side of the electrolyte membrane and contains a cathode electrode, and the liquid level of the anolyte in the anode chamber is adjusted to be equal to or higher than the height of the upper end surface of the cathode electrode.

[0009] According to an aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an organic hydride manufacturing apparatus that can suppress heat generation exceeding the temperature range that can be reached during normal operation.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an organic hydride manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the structure of an electrolytic cell in an organic hydride manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment. Fig. 3 is a graph showing the results of the temperature profile in Example 1. Fig. 4 is a graph showing the results of the temperature profile in Comparative Example 1.

[0011] (Organic Hydride Manufacturing Apparatus and Organic Hydride Manufacturing Method) An organic hydride manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "the present embodiment") has an electrolyte membrane, an electrolytic cell having an anode chamber disposed on one side of the electrolyte membrane and accommodating an anolyte and an anode electrode, and a cathode chamber disposed on the other side of the electrolyte membrane and accommodating a cathode electrode, and may include other components as necessary. The organic hydride manufacturing method of the present embodiment is a method for manufacturing an organic hydride using an organic hydride manufacturing apparatus including an electrolytic cell having an electrolyte membrane, an anode chamber disposed on one side of the electrolyte membrane and accommodating an anolyte and an anode electrode, and a cathode chamber disposed on the other side of the electrolyte membrane and accommodating a cathode electrode, and is a method for adjusting the liquid level of the anolyte in the anode chamber to be equal to or higher than the height of the upper surface of the cathode electrode, and may include other steps as necessary.

[0012] Here, an embodiment of an organic hydride manufacturing apparatus and an organic hydride manufacturing method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment is merely an example and does not limit the invention, and all features and combinations thereof described in the embodiment are not necessarily essential to the invention. Identical or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in each drawing are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, the scale and shape of each part shown in each drawing are set for convenience to facilitate explanation and should not be interpreted as limiting unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, when terms such as "first" and "second" are used in this specification or claims, these terms do not indicate any order or importance, but are intended to distinguish one configuration from another. Furthermore, some components that are not important for explaining the embodiment are omitted in each drawing.

[0013] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an organic hydride manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the organic hydride manufacturing apparatus 1 mainly comprises an electrolytic cell 2, a power supply 4, an anolyte supply device 6, a catholyte supply device 8, and a control device 10.

[0014] <Electrolytic Cell> The electrolytic cell 2 hydrogenates the material to be hydrogenated, which is a dehydrogenated form of an organic hydride, by an electrochemical reduction reaction to produce the organic hydride. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the structure of the electrolytic cell in the organic hydride manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the electrolytic cell 2 has an anode electrode 12, a current collector 13, a cathode electrode 14, an anode chamber 16, a cathode chamber 18, and an electrolyte membrane 20.

[0015] <<Anode Electrode>> The anode 12 oxidizes water in the anolyte to generate protons. The anode 12 may include an anode catalyst layer. For example, the anode catalyst layer may be disposed so as to be in contact with the electrolyte membrane 20.

[0016] The anode catalyst contained in the anode catalyst layer is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. Examples thereof include metals such as iridium (Ir), ruthenium (Ru), and platinum (Pt), and oxides of these metals.

[0017] The anode catalyst may be dispersed and supported on an electronically conductive substrate, or may be coated thereon. The substrate is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but is preferably made of a material containing a metal such as titanium (Ti) or stainless steel (SUS) as a main component. The substrate may be in the form of, for example, a woven or nonwoven sheet, a mesh, a porous sintered body, a foamed molded body (foam), or an expanded metal.

[0018] The current collector 13 is disposed so as to be in contact with the anode electrode 12. The structure of the current collector 13 is not particularly limited as long as it is electrically conductive, but it is preferable that it does not impede the supply of water to the anode electrode 12 or the flow of the anode fluid in the anode chamber, and it may have a porous structure. The current collector 13 is preferably elastic and tightly adheres to the anode electrode 12. For example, the current collector 13 may be attached to the tip of an elastic body such as a spring and pressed firmly against the anode electrode 12 to bring it into close contact, or the current collector 13 itself may be made of an elastic material and pressed against the anode electrode 12 to bring it into close contact.

[0019] The anode electrode 12 is housed in an anode chamber 16. The anode chamber 16 is defined by, for example, an electrolyte membrane 20, an end plate 22a, and a spacer 24a.

[0020] The end plate 22a is a plate made of a metal such as stainless steel or titanium, and is placed on the side of the anode 12 opposite the electrolyte membrane 20. As an example, the end plate 22a has a groove-shaped flow path on the main surface facing the anode 12. The anolyte supplied to the anode chamber 16 passes through this flow path to the anode 12 and is then discharged from the anode chamber 16 through this flow path.

[0021] The spacer 24a is a frame-shaped sealing material disposed between the electrolyte membrane 20 and the end plate 22a. The space in the anode chamber 16 excluding the anode electrode 12 and the current collector 13 forms a flow path for the anode fluid.

[0022] The end plate 22 a is provided with a first anode opening 26 and a second anode opening 28 that communicate between the inside and outside of the anode chamber 16 .

[0023] The first anode opening 26 is a so-called supply port through which the anolyte is supplied to the anode chamber 16. The second anode opening 28 is a so-called discharge port through which the anolyte is discharged from the anode chamber 16.

[0024] The position where the first anode opening 26 is provided is not limited to the surface of the end plate 22a facing the anode electrode 12 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , but is preferably provided in the lower part of the anode chamber 16, and may be provided in the bottom surface of the anode chamber 16.

[0025] The second anode opening 28 is preferably provided in the upper part of the anode chamber 16 , and more preferably at a position higher than the height of the upper end surface 14 a of the cathode electrode 14 .

[0026] In the organic hydride manufacturing apparatus 1, the amount of anolyte supplied into the anode chamber 16 is adjusted so that the liquid level of the anolyte in the anode chamber 16 is equal to or higher than the height of the upper end surface 14a of the cathode electrode 14. This configuration makes it possible to prevent heat generation that significantly exceeds the temperature range that can be reached during normal operation of the organic hydride manufacturing apparatus 1. Note that the "temperature range that can be reached during normal operation" in this specification refers to the surface temperature range that can be reached by the cathode electrode 14 or the cathode catalyst layer in the organic hydride manufacturing apparatus 1 during normal operation, and specifically, a temperature that is equal to or higher than 0°C and lower than 100°C, which is the boiling point of water.

[0027] In this specification, the "anode fluid level" is the level indicated by the symbol H in FIG. Ａ As shown in FIG. 2, the height is determined based on the bottom surface of the anode chamber 16. The "height of the upper end surface 14a of the cathode electrode" is indicated by the symbol H ＢAs shown by , this is the height when the bottom surface of the anode chamber 16 is used as the reference.

[0028] The mechanism is as follows.

[0029] Generally, during operation of an organic hydride production apparatus, water is oxidized in the anode chamber to generate protons and oxygen gas. Meanwhile, the cathode chamber is filled with a cathode solution containing a substance to be hydrided (e.g., toluene), and a large amount of the toluene adheres to the cathode catalyst layer. If a pinhole occurs in the electrolyte membrane during operation of the organic hydride production apparatus, and oxygen gas leaks from the anode to the cathode, the oxygen gas may undergo a combustion reaction with the hydrogen gas and toluene in the cathode chamber.

[0030] As described above, in the organic hydride production apparatus 1, the liquid level of the anolyte in the anode chamber 16 is adjusted to be equal to or higher than the upper end surface 14a of the cathode electrode 14. The combustion reaction between oxygen gas, hydrogen gas, and toluene, which occurs during operation of the organic hydride production apparatus 1, is affected by the dryness of the cathode electrode 14. Therefore, if the cathode electrode 14 is wet with liquid, the combustion reaction can be prevented, and as a result, abnormal heat generation can be suppressed. In this embodiment, by adjusting the liquid level of the anolyte in the anode chamber 16 to be equal to or higher than the upper end surface 14a of the cathode electrode 14, the entire cathode electrode 14 can be wetted via the electrolyte membrane 20, thereby suppressing the occurrence of a combustion reaction and heat generation that significantly exceeds the temperature range that can occur during normal operation. Furthermore, volatilization of the substance to be hydrided can be suppressed, contributing to improved organic hydride production efficiency.

[0031] The second anode opening 28 and the second anode pipe 42 communicating with the second anode opening 28 may be provided with a water volume sensor 29 as a detector for detecting the amount of anode fluid discharged from the anode chamber 16. The water volume sensor 29 detects the flow rate of water flowing through the second anode opening 28 and the second anode pipe 42. The water volume sensor 29 may be configured with a known flow meter.

[0032] By providing the water volume sensor 29, the amount of anolyte in the anode chamber 16 can be estimated based on the amount of anolyte discharged from the anode chamber 16. That is, the liquid level of the anolyte in the anode chamber 16 can be controlled to be equal to or higher than the upper surface of the cathode electrode 14 based on the amount of anolyte discharged from the anode chamber 16. If the amount of anolyte detected by the detector is less than a predetermined amount, the operation of the organic hydride manufacturing apparatus 1 may be controlled to stop. This control may be performed by a control device. Here, the "predetermined amount" is not particularly limited and can be set as appropriate depending on the structure and application of the organic hydride manufacturing apparatus 1 so that the liquid level of the anolyte in the anode chamber 16 is equal to or higher than the upper surface of the cathode electrode 14.

[0033] The anode chamber 16 preferably has a gas retention section 17 at its upper portion. The gas retention section 17 is a space where gases such as oxygen gas, which are reaction by-products of the anode electrode 12, retain. The term "upper portion of the anode chamber" as used herein is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, it may refer to the space between the liquid surface of the anolyte and the ceiling of the anode chamber 16. The provision of the gas retention section 17 allows gases such as oxygen gas to retain at the upper portion of the anode chamber, thereby preventing the liquid surface of the anolyte from being depressed by the gas. Furthermore, the gas can be quickly discharged through the second anode opening 28. From the viewpoint of appropriately adjusting the anode fluid surface even if gas is generated in the anode chamber during the organic hydride production process, the gas retention section 17 is preferably provided above the height of the upper end surface of the cathode electrode in the anode chamber 16, and more preferably provided at a position higher than the height of the upper end surface of the cathode electrode in the anode chamber 16.

[0034] <<Cathode Electrode>> The cathode electrode 14 hydrogenates the substance to be hydrogenated in the cathode solution with protons generated at the anode electrode to produce an organic hydride. The cathode electrode 14 may include a cathode catalyst layer. For example, the cathode catalyst layer may be disposed so as to be in contact with the electrolyte membrane 20.

[0035] The cathode catalyst contained in the cathode catalyst layer is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, and examples thereof include platinum and ruthenium. The cathode catalyst may also be supported on a catalyst support having a porous structure. Examples of the catalyst support include electron-conductive materials such as porous carbon, porous metal, and porous metal oxide.

[0036] The cathode catalyst may be coated with an ionomer. For example, a catalyst support supporting the cathode catalyst is coated with an ionomer. The ionomer is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, and examples thereof include perfluorosulfonic acid polymers such as Nafion (registered trademark) and Flemion (registered trademark). It is preferable that the ionomer partially coats the cathode catalyst. This allows the three elements (substance to be hydrogenated, protons, and electrons) necessary for the electrochemical reaction in the cathode catalyst layer to be efficiently supplied to the reaction field.

[0037] A diffusion layer may be disposed in contact with the main surface of the cathode catalyst layer opposite to the electrolyte membrane 20. The diffusion layer uniformly diffuses the liquid substance to be hydrogenated, which is supplied from the outside, into the cathode catalyst layer. The organic hydride produced in the cathode catalyst layer is discharged to the outside of the cathode catalyst layer through the diffusion layer.

[0038] The material of the diffusion layer is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but conductive materials such as carbon and metal are preferred. The diffusion layer is preferably in the form of a porous body such as a sintered body of fibers or particles, or a foam molded body. Specific examples of the diffusion layer include woven carbon fabric (carbon cloth), nonwoven carbon fabric, and carbon paper.

[0039] The cathode electrode 14 is housed in a cathode chamber 18. The cathode chamber 18 is defined by, for example, an electrolyte membrane 20, an end plate 22b, and a spacer 24b.

[0040] The end plate 22b is a plate made of a metal such as stainless steel or titanium, and is placed on the opposite side of the cathode electrode 14 from the electrolyte membrane 20. As an example, the end plate 22b has a groove-shaped flow path on the main surface facing the cathode electrode 14. The catholyte supplied to the cathode chamber 18 passes through this flow path to the cathode electrode 14 and is discharged from the cathode chamber 18 through this flow path.

[0041] The spacer 24b is a frame-shaped sealing material disposed between the electrolyte membrane 20 and the end plate 22b. The space in the cathode chamber 18 excluding the cathode electrode 14 forms a flow path for the cathode fluid.

[0042] The end plate 22 b is provided with a first cathode opening 30 and a second cathode opening 32 that communicate between the inside and outside of the cathode chamber 18 .

[0043] The first cathode opening 30 is a so-called supply port that supplies the cathode fluid to the cathode chamber 18. The second cathode opening 32 is a so-called discharge port that discharges the cathode fluid from the cathode chamber 18. Note that the first cathode opening 30 may be a so-called discharge port that discharges the cathode fluid from the cathode chamber 18, and the second cathode opening 32 may be a so-called supply port that supplies the cathode fluid to the cathode chamber 18.

[0044] The location where the first cathode opening 30 is provided is not limited to the surface of the end plate 22b facing the cathode electrode 14 shown in Figures 1 and 2, but it is preferable that it be provided at the bottom of the cathode chamber 18, and it may also be provided on the bottom surface of the cathode chamber 18.

[0045] The location where the second cathode opening 32 is provided is not limited to the surface of the end plate 22b facing the cathode electrode 14 shown in Figures 1 and 2, but is preferably provided at the top of the cathode chamber 18, and may also be provided on the ceiling surface of the cathode chamber 18.

[0046] <<Electrolyte Membrane>> The anode chamber 16 and the cathode chamber 18 are separated by an electrolyte membrane 20. The electrolyte membrane 20 is sandwiched between the anode electrode 12 and the cathode electrode 14.

[0047] The electrolyte membrane 20 is made of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane having proton conductivity, and allows protons to move from the anode chamber 16 to the cathode chamber 18. The solid polymer electrolyte membrane is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose as long as it is made of a material that conducts protons, and examples thereof include a fluorine-based ion exchange membrane having sulfonic acid groups.

[0048] An anolyte is supplied to the anode chamber 16 by an anolyte supply device 6. The anolyte is not particularly limited as long as it contains water and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, and examples thereof include an aqueous sulfuric acid solution, an aqueous nitric acid solution, an aqueous hydrochloric acid solution, pure water, and ion-exchanged water.

[0049] A cathode fluid is supplied to the cathode chamber 18 by the cathode fluid supply device 8. The cathode fluid contains an organic hydride raw material (material to be hydrided) to be supplied to the cathode electrode 14. As an example, the cathode fluid does not contain any organic hydride before the organic hydride production apparatus 1 starts operating, and after the start of operation, the cathode fluid is mixed with organic hydride produced by electrolysis, thereby becoming a mixed liquid of the material to be hydrided and the organic hydride. The material to be hydrided and the organic hydride are preferably liquid at 20°C and 1 atmosphere.

[0050] The material to be hydrogenated and the organic hydride are not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, as long as they are organic compounds that can add / desorb hydrogen by reversibly causing a hydrogenation reaction / dehydrogenation reaction, and examples thereof include acetone-isopropanol based compounds, benzoquinone-hydroquinone based compounds, aromatic hydrocarbon based compounds, etc. Among these, aromatic hydrocarbon based compounds are preferred from the viewpoint of transportability during energy transportation, etc.

[0051] The aromatic hydrocarbon compound is a compound containing at least one aromatic ring, and examples thereof include benzene, alkylbenzene, naphthalene, alkylnaphthalene, anthracene, and diphenylethane.

[0052] Alkylbenzenes include compounds in which 1 to 4 hydrogen atoms on an aromatic ring are substituted with a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include toluene, xylene, mesitylene, ethylbenzene, and diethylbenzene.

[0053] Alkylnaphthalenes include compounds in which 1 to 4 hydrogen atoms on the aromatic ring are substituted with a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include methylnaphthalene.

[0054] These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0055] The substance to be hydrogenated is preferably at least one of toluene and benzene. Nitrogen-containing heterocyclic aromatic compounds such as pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, quinoline, isoquinoline, N-alkylpyrrole, N-alkylindole, and N-alkyldibenzopyrrole can also be used as the substance to be hydrogenated.

[0056] The organic hydrides are those obtained by hydrogenating the above-mentioned compounds to be hydrogenated, and examples thereof include cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane, dimethylcyclohexane, and piperidine.

[0057] When toluene (TL) is used as an example of the substance to be hydrogenated, the following reaction occurs in the electrolytic cell 2. When toluene is used as the substance to be hydrogenated, the resulting organic hydride is methylcyclohexane (MCH).

[0058] [Electrode reaction at the anode electrode] (Equation 1) 3H ２ O → 3 / 2O ２ +6H ＋ +6e －

[0059] [Electrode reaction at the cathode electrode] (Equation 2) TL + 6H ＋ +6e － →MCH

[0060] An electrode reaction at the anode electrode 12 and an electrode reaction at the cathode electrode 14 proceed in parallel. Protons produced by electrolysis of water at the anode electrode 12 are supplied to the cathode electrode 14 via the electrolyte membrane 20. Electrons produced by electrolysis of water are supplied to the cathode electrode 14 via the end plate 22a, an external circuit, and the end plate 22b. The protons and electrons supplied to the cathode electrode 14 are used to hydrogenate toluene at the cathode electrode 14. As a result, methylcyclohexane is produced.

[0061] According to the organic hydride manufacturing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the electrolysis of water and the hydrogenation reaction of the material to be hydrogenated can be carried out in one step. Therefore, compared to conventional techniques for manufacturing organic hydrides using a two-stage process including a process for manufacturing hydrogen by water electrolysis or the like and a process for chemically hydrogenating the material to be hydrogenated in a reactor such as a plant, the efficiency of manufacturing organic hydrides can be improved. Furthermore, since a reactor for chemical hydrogenation and a high-pressure vessel for storing hydrogen produced by water electrolysis or the like are not required, the equipment costs can be significantly reduced.

[0062] At the cathode electrode 14, in addition to the main reaction of hydrogenation of the material to be hydrogenated, a side reaction of hydrogen gas generation described below may occur. As the amount of material to be hydrogenated supplied to the cathode electrode 14 becomes insufficient, this side reaction becomes more likely to occur.

[0063] [Side reactions that can occur at the cathode electrode] (Equation 3) 2H ＋ +2e － →H ２

[0064] 1 , the anode fluid supply device 6 supplies the anode fluid to the anode chamber 16. The anode fluid supply device 6 includes an anode fluid tank 36, a gas-liquid separator 38, a first anode pipe 40, a second anode pipe 42, a third anode pipe 44, a first anode pump 46, and a second anode pump 48.

[0065] The gas-liquid separation section 38 can be configured as a known gas-liquid separation tank.

[0066] The first anode pump 46 and the second anode pump 48 may be configured with known pumps such as a gear pump, a cylinder pump, etc. The anode fluid supply device 6 may circulate the anode fluid using a fluid delivery device other than a pump.

[0067] The anolyte tank 36 stores the anolyte to be supplied to the anode chamber 16. The anolyte tank 36 is connected to the anode chamber 16 by a first anode pipe 40. One end of the first anode pipe 40 is connected to the anolyte tank 36, and the other end is connected to the first anode opening 26. A first anode pump 46 is provided midway along the first anode pipe 40.

[0068] The gas-liquid separation unit 38 is connected to the anode chamber 16 by a second anode pipe 42. One end of the second anode pipe 42 is connected to the second anode opening 28, and the other end is connected to the gas-liquid separation unit 38. The gas-liquid separation unit 38 is connected to the anolyte tank 36 by a third anode pipe 44. A second anode pump 48 is provided midway along the third anode pipe 44.

[0069] The anode fluid in the anode fluid tank 36 flows into the anode chamber 16 from the first anode opening 26 via the first anode piping 40 by driving the first anode pump 46. The anode fluid is supplied to the anode chamber 16 by upflow and is used for the electrode reaction at the anode electrode 12. The anode fluid in the anode chamber 16 flows into the gas-liquid separator 38 via the second anode piping 42. Oxygen gas is generated by the electrode reaction at the anode electrode 12. Therefore, the anode fluid discharged from the anode chamber 16 contains oxygen gas. The gas-liquid separator 38 separates the oxygen gas in the anode fluid from the anode fluid and discharges it outside the system. The anode fluid from which the oxygen gas has been separated is returned to the anode fluid tank 36 via the third anode piping 44 by driving the second anode pump 48.

[0070] 1 , the cathode fluid supply device 8 supplies cathode fluid to the cathode chamber 18. The cathode fluid supply device 8 includes a cathode fluid tank 50, a gas-liquid separation unit 52, an oil-water separation unit 54, a gas tank 56, first to sixth cathode pipes 58 to 72, first to fourth cathode pumps 74 to 80, and first to fourth on-off valves 84 to 94.

[0071] The gas-liquid separation section 52 can be configured as a known gas-liquid separation tank.

[0072] The oil-water separation section 54 can be configured as a known oil-water separation tank.

[0073] The first to fourth cathode pumps 74 to 80 can be configured with known pumps such as gear pumps, cylinder pumps, etc. The cathode fluid supply device 8 may circulate the cathode fluid using a fluid delivery device other than a pump.

[0074] The first on-off valve 84 to the fourth on-off valve 94 can be configured by known valves such as electromagnetic valves or air-driven valves.

[0075] The cathode fluid tank 50 stores the cathode fluid to be supplied to the cathode chamber 18. The cathode fluid tank 50 is connected to the cathode chamber 18 by a first cathode piping 58. One end of the first cathode piping 58 is connected to the cathode fluid tank 50, and the other end is connected to the first cathode opening 30. A first cathode pump 74 and a first on-off valve 84 are provided in the first cathode piping 58. The first cathode pump 74 is disposed closer to the cathode chamber 18 than the first on-off valve 84.

[0076] The gas-liquid separation unit 52 is connected to the cathode chamber 18 by a second cathode piping 60. One end of the second cathode piping 60 is connected to the second cathode opening 32, and the other end is connected to the gas-liquid separation unit 52. A second on-off valve 86 is provided midway along the second cathode piping 60.

[0077] The oil-water separation unit 54 is connected to the gas-liquid separation unit 52 via a third cathode pipe 62. A second cathode pump 76 and a third on-off valve 88 are provided along the third cathode pipe 62. The second cathode pump 76 is disposed closer to the gas-liquid separation unit 52 than the third on-off valve 88. The oil-water separation unit 54 is connected to the cathode fluid tank 50 via a fourth cathode pipe 64. A third cathode pump 78 is provided along the fourth cathode pipe 64. A fifth cathode pipe 66 is connected to the oil-water separation unit 54. One end of the fifth cathode pipe 66 is connected to the oil-water separation unit 54, and the other end is connected to, for example, a wastewater tank (not shown). A fourth cathode pump 80 and a water volume sensor 96 are provided along the fifth cathode pipe 66. The water volume sensor 96 detects the flow rate of water flowing through the fifth cathode pipe 66. The water volume sensor 96 can be configured as a known flow meter.

[0078] The gas tank 56 is connected to the cathode chamber 18 by a sixth cathode pipe 72. One end of the sixth cathode pipe 72 is connected to the gas tank 56, and the other end is connected to the second cathode opening 32 via the second cathode pipe 60. A fourth on-off valve 94 is provided midway along the sixth cathode pipe 72. In the present embodiment, the other end of the sixth cathode pipe 72 is connected to a region of the second cathode pipe 60 that is closer to the cathode chamber 18 than the second on-off valve 86, and is thereby connected to the second cathode opening 32 via the second cathode pipe 60. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the sixth cathode pipe 72 may be connected directly to the second cathode opening 32.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 1 , the cathode fluid supply device 8 can form a first path for the cathode fluid by using the cathode fluid tank 50, the first cathode pipe 58, the cathode chamber 18, the second cathode pipe 60, the gas-liquid separation unit 52, the third cathode pipe 62, the oil-water separation unit 54, and the fourth cathode pipe 64. In the first path, an upflow of the cathode fluid is formed within the cathode chamber 18. In the present disclosure, the "upflow" of the cathode fluid refers to the flow of the cathode fluid into the cathode chamber 18 from the first cathode opening 30 located below and the discharge of the cathode fluid from the second cathode opening 32 located above. Note that a "downflow" may also be used, in which the cathode fluid flows into the cathode chamber 18 from the second cathode opening 32 located above and the discharge of the cathode fluid from the first cathode opening 30 located below.

[0080] Specifically, the cathode fluid in the cathode fluid tank 50 flows into the cathode chamber 18 from the first cathode opening 30 via the first cathode piping 58 by driving the first cathode pump 74. The first on-off valve 84 is in an open state, allowing the cathode fluid to flow from the cathode fluid tank 50 to the first cathode opening 30. The cathode fluid is supplied to the cathode chamber 18 by an upflow.

[0081] The cathode fluid in the cathode chamber 18 flows into the gas-liquid separation unit 52 via the second cathode piping 60. The second on-off valve 86 is open, allowing the cathode fluid to flow from the second cathode opening 32 to the gas-liquid separation unit 52. The fourth on-off valve 94 is closed, blocking the flow of the cathode fluid from the second cathode opening 32 to the gas tank 56. As described above, hydrogen gas is generated by a side reaction at the cathode electrode 14. Therefore, hydrogen gas is mixed into the cathode fluid discharged from the cathode chamber 18. The gas-liquid separation unit 52 separates the hydrogen gas in the cathode fluid from the cathode fluid and discharges it to the outside of the system.

[0082] The cathode fluid from which the hydrogen gas has been separated flows into the oil-water separation section 54 via the third cathode piping 62 by driving the second cathode pump 76. The third on-off valve 88 is in an open state, allowing the cathode fluid to flow from the gas-liquid separation section 52 to the oil-water separation section 54.

[0083] Water may migrate from the anode electrode 12 to the cathode electrode 14 along with protons, and as a result, water may be mixed into the cathode fluid discharged from the cathode chamber 18. The oil-water separator 54 separates the water in the cathode fluid from the cathode fluid. The separated water is discharged to a wastewater tank via the fifth cathode piping 66 by driving the fourth cathode pump 80. The amount of water separated from the cathode fluid by the oil-water separator 54, in other words, the amount of water discharged from the cathode chamber 18, is detected by a water volume sensor 96. The cathode fluid from which water has been separated is returned to the cathode fluid tank 50 via the fourth cathode piping 64 by driving the third cathode pump 78.

[0084] 1 shows only one electrolytic cell 2, the organic hydride manufacturing apparatus 1 may have a plurality of electrolytic cells 2. In this case, the electrolytic cells 2 are aligned, for example, so that the anode chambers 16 and cathode chambers 18 are aligned in the same direction, and are stacked with a current-carrying plate sandwiched between adjacent electrolytic cells 2. As a result, the electrolytic cells 2 are electrically connected in series. The current-carrying plate is made of, for example, a conductive material such as metal. The electrolytic cells 2 may be connected in parallel, or a combination of series and parallel connections may be used.

[0085] <Power supply> The power supply 4 is a DC power supply that supplies power to the electrolytic cell 2. When power is supplied from the power supply 4 to the electrolytic cell 2, a predetermined electrolysis voltage is applied between the anode electrode 12 and the cathode electrode 14 of the electrolytic cell 2, causing an electrolysis current to flow. The power supply 4 receives power from a power supply device 34 and supplies power to the electrolytic cell 2.

[0086] The power supply device 34 is a power supply device that supplies DC power to the power source 4 of the organic hydride manufacturing apparatus 1, and includes at least one of a first power supply device 341 and a second power supply device 342. The power supply device 34 may also include a power conversion unit that converts the output voltage of the first power supply device 341 into a predetermined voltage.

[0087] The first power supply device 341 may be, for example, a power generation device that generates electricity from renewable energy sources, such as a wind power generation device, a solar power generation device, a hydroelectric power generation device, a geothermal power generation device, a wave power generation device, a temperature difference power generation device, or a biomass power generation device.

[0088] The power conversion unit converts the output voltage of the first power supply device 341 into a predetermined voltage. For example, a DC / DC converter or the like is used as the power conversion unit. When AC power is input from the first power supply device 341, the power conversion unit converts the voltage using a transformer, rectifies the voltage using a bridge-type diode, smooths the voltage using a smoothing electrolytic capacitor, and supplies the power from the output terminal to the electrolytic cell 2. The power conversion unit may also convert the output voltage of the second power supply device 342 into a predetermined voltage.

[0089] The second power supply device 342 can be, for example, a storage battery or a thermal power plant that burns fossil fuels such as natural gas and coal. The power of the second power supply device 342 may be used as a secondary power when the power supplied from the first power supply device 341 is insufficient. As a result, the organic hydride manufacturing apparatus 1 can operate stably by supplying power from the second power supply device 342 to the electrolytic cell 2 in addition to the first power supply device 341. Furthermore, if the second power supply device 342 is configured as a storage battery, the second power supply device 342 is charged by receiving power from the first power supply device 341, thereby reducing the CO2 generated by the power supply device 341. ２ The second power supply device 342 may supply power to the power source 4 independently of the first power supply device 341. The second power supply device 342 may supply power to the power source unit 22 based on the control of the control device 10.

[0090] In addition, the power supply device 34 may be equipped with a storage battery, store the electricity generated by at least one of the first power supply device 341 and the second power supply device 342, and supply electricity from the storage battery to the organic hydride manufacturing apparatus 1 as needed.

[0091] <Controller> The controller 10 controls the supply of power from the power source 4 to the electrolytic cell 2. The potentials of the anode electrode 12 and the cathode electrode 14 are controlled by the controller 10. The controller 10 is realized as a hardware configuration by elements and circuits such as a computer CPU and memory, and as a software configuration by a computer program, etc., but in Figure 1 it is depicted as a functional block realized by the cooperation of these. It will naturally be understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various ways by combining hardware and software.

[0092] At least one of a signal indicating the voltage of the electrolytic cell 2, a signal indicating the potential of the anode electrode 12, and a signal indicating the potential of the cathode electrode 14 is input to the control device 10 from a detection unit 98 provided in the electrolytic cell 2. The detection unit 98 can detect the potential of each electrode and the voltage of the electrolytic cell 2 using a known method. The detection unit 98 has, for example, a known voltmeter.

[0093] When the detection unit 98 detects the potential of the anode electrode 12 or the cathode electrode 14, a reference electrode is provided on the electrolyte membrane 20. The reference electrode is maintained at a reference electrode potential. For example, the reference electrode is a reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE). One terminal of the detection unit 98 is connected to the reference electrode, and the other terminal is connected to the electrode to be detected, thereby detecting the potential of the electrode relative to the reference electrode. When the detection unit 98 detects the voltage of the electrolytic cell 2, one terminal of the detection unit 98 is connected to the anode electrode 12, and the other terminal is connected to the cathode electrode 14, thereby detecting the potential difference between the two electrodes, i.e., the voltage. The detection unit 98 transmits a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 10.

[0094] The detection unit 98 includes a current detection unit that detects the current flowing between the anode electrode 12 and the cathode electrode 14. The current detection unit is configured with, for example, a known ammeter. The current value detected by the current detection unit is input to the control device 10.

[0095] The control device 10 may store information on the current-voltage characteristics (IV characteristics) of the electrolytic cell 2 in advance. When the control device 10 stores information on the IV characteristics, this information may be updateable as needed. The IV characteristics of the electrolytic cell 2 are determined depending on the catalyst composition of each electrode, the type of diffusion layer and substrate, the type of electrolyte membrane 20, the flow path structure of the anolyte and catholyte in the electrolytic cell 2, the dimensions of each part, and the like, and can be measured and determined in advance. In this case, the control device 10 receives a signal indicating the amount of power supplied from the power supply device 34, thereby determining the amount of power that can be supplied to the electrolytic cell 2 from the power source 4, and can calculate the voltage value to be applied to the electrolytic cell 2 from the IV characteristics, i.e., control the value of the current flowing through the electrolytic cell 2.

[0096] The control device 10 controls the anode fluid supply device 6 and the cathode fluid supply device 8. Specifically, the control device 10 controls the driving of the first anode pump 46, the second anode pump 48, and the first cathode pump 74 to the fourth cathode pump 80. The control device 10 also controls the opening and closing of the first on-off valve 84 to the fourth on-off valve 94. The control device 10 also receives signals indicating the detection results from the water volume sensors 29 and 96.

[0097] As described above, at the cathode electrode 14, a hydrogenation reaction of the material to be hydrogenated occurs as a main reaction, and a hydrogen generation reaction may occur as a side reaction. The occurrence of a side reaction leads to a decrease in the faradaic efficiency of the organic hydride manufacturing apparatus 1. Furthermore, protons, accompanied by water, may move from the anode electrode 12 side to the cathode electrode 14 side, causing water to accumulate in the cathode chamber 18. Because water inhibits the flow of the material to be hydrogenated, if a large amount of water accumulates in the cathode chamber 18, the amount of material to be hydrogenated supplied to the reaction site of the cathode electrode 14 decreases, making the side reaction more likely to proceed. Furthermore, hydrogen gas generated by the side reaction also inhibits the flow of the material to be hydrogenated, making the side reaction more likely to occur. Therefore, it is preferable to discharge the hydrogen gas and water remaining in the cathode chamber 18 from the cathode chamber 18.

[0098] (Organic Hydride Manufacturing System) An organic hydride manufacturing system including an organic hydride manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, an organic hydride manufacturing system 3 of the present invention includes an organic hydride manufacturing apparatus 1 and a power supply device 34. Note that a description of the configuration of the organic hydride manufacturing system 3 that overlaps with that of the above-described (organic hydride manufacturing apparatus) will be omitted.

[0099] The organic hydride production system 3 includes an organic hydride production apparatus 1 and, as a power supply device 34, at least one of a first power supply device that supplies electricity derived from renewable energy to the power supply of the organic hydride production apparatus 1 and a second power supply device that supplies electricity derived from fossil fuels to the power supply of the organic hydride production apparatus 1.

[0100] For example, the organic hydride production system 3 includes the above-described organic hydride production apparatus 1 and a first power supply device 341. As a result, the organic hydride production system 3 can efficiently produce organic hydride by producing organic hydride in the organic hydride production apparatus 1 using electricity derived from renewable energy supplied from the first power supply device 341.

[0101] The organic hydride production system 3 can produce organic hydride using electricity derived from renewable energy generated by the first power supply device 341, thereby reducing the consumption of fossil fuels involved in hydrogen production and CO ２ It can reduce emissions.

[0102] In the organic hydride production system 3, when the power supplied from the first power supply device 341 to the electrolytic cell 2 of the organic hydride production apparatus 1 is insufficient, the organic hydride production system 3 can stably operate the organic hydride production apparatus 1 by supplying the power generated by the second power supply device 342 to the electrolytic cell 2. This allows the organic hydride production system 3 to stably produce organic hydride in the organic hydride production apparatus 1.

[0103] In the organic hydride manufacturing system 3, when the power supply device 34 supplies power from the first power supply device 341, i.e., power generated by the first power supply device 341, to the electrolytic cell 2 of the organic hydride manufacturing apparatus 1, the organic hydride manufacturing apparatus 1 operates, and when power from the first power supply device 341 is not supplied to the electrolytic cell 2, the organic hydride manufacturing apparatus 1 may stop operating.

[0104] The term "operation" refers to the time when the organic hydride manufacturing apparatus 1 is producing an organic hydride, which is the main purpose of the organic hydride manufacturing apparatus 1. Therefore, even when the operation of the organic hydride manufacturing apparatus 1 is stopped, power may be supplied to the organic hydride manufacturing apparatus 1 from the second power supply device 342.

[0105] As described above, the organic hydride production system 3 can efficiently produce organic hydride directly from energy such as renewable energy using a material to be hydrided, without passing through hydrogen gas, as an energy carrier for transporting and storing energy-derived hydrogen. Therefore, the organic hydride production system 3 can be effectively used as a system for producing energy carriers used for transporting and storing electric power generated by the first power supply device 341 and the second power supply device 342. In particular, the organic hydride production system 3 can transport and store renewable energy via organic hydride, thereby enabling efficient use of renewable energy without waste. Therefore, the organic hydride production system 3 can be suitably used for producing energy carriers for transporting and storing renewable energy.

[0106] The above describes the embodiments of the present invention in detail. The above-described embodiments merely illustrate specific examples of implementing the present invention. The content of the embodiments does not limit the technical scope of the present invention, and many design modifications, such as changing, adding, or deleting components, are possible within the scope of the inventive concept defined in the claims. A new embodiment with design modifications will combine the effects of the combined embodiments and modifications. In the above-described embodiments, the contents for which such design modifications are possible are emphasized by using notations such as "in this embodiment" or "in this embodiment," but design modifications are also permitted even in contents without such notations. Any combination of the above-described components is also valid as an aspect of the present invention.

[0107] The present embodiment will be specifically described below with reference to examples, but the present embodiment is not limited to these examples.

[0108] Example 1 Preparation of Cathode-Electrolyte Membrane Composite A cathode catalyst layer was spray-coated on one side of an N117 (manufactured by Chemours, thickness 180 μm) electrolyte membrane to obtain a cathode-electrolyte membrane composite. Specifically, ionomer Nafion® dispersion DE2020 (manufactured by Chemours) was added to PtRu / C catalyst TEC61E54 (manufactured by Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K., catalytic metal 54 wt %, Pt:Ru ratio (molar ratio) 1:2) powder. The ionomer Nafion® dispersion DE2020 (manufactured by Chemours) was added so that the weight ratio of the ionomer Nafion® dispersion DE2020 (manufactured by Chemours) to the carbon weight in the catalyst was 1:2 after drying. Subsequently, a solvent (a mixture of 1-propanol and water) was added as needed to prepare an ink. The resulting ink was spray-coated on the N117. At this time, the total weight of Pt and Ru in the catalyst was 1.0 mg / cm per electrode area of ​​the cathode-electrolyte membrane composite. ２The ink was then applied so that the ink would be uniformly dispersed. The solvent component in the ink was then dried at 80°C to obtain a cathode catalyst layer. A cathode diffusion layer SIGRACET (registered trademark) 39BC (manufactured by SGL Carbon) cut to fit the electrode surface was attached to the surface of the cathode catalyst layer. A sheathed T thermocouple (manufactured by Hayashi Denko Co., Ltd., D-ST6T-10-300) was inserted between the cathode catalyst layer and the cathode diffusion layer to measure the surface temperature of the cathode catalyst layer. The thermocouples were installed at three locations: near the entrance, center, and exit of the cathode chamber. A through-hole with a diameter of 0.2 mm was also drilled in the center of the N117 to simulate a pinhole.

[0109] <Preparation of Anode> The surface of an expanded mesh (short mesh center distance: 3.5 mm, long mesh center distance: 6.0 mm, plate thickness: 1.0 mm, pitch width: 1.1 mm, aperture ratio: 42%) used as an anode substrate was dry blasted, and then washed in a 20% aqueous sulfuric acid solution. Thereafter, the anode substrate surface was ion-plated using an arc ion plating device and a JIS Class 1 titanium disk target made of pure titanium at a substrate temperature of 150°C and a vacuum of 1.0 × 10 －２ The anode substrate was coated with an iridium tetrachloride aqueous solution at 200 Torr and a coating thickness of 2 μm. The anode substrate was then heat-treated at 550°C in an electric furnace, and this process was repeated several times to obtain an anode. At this time, the anode electrode catalyst layer of iridium oxide was formed in an amount of 12 g / m2 in terms of the amount of Ir metal per electrode area. ２ The anode was formed so as to have the following structure.

[0110] <Preparation of current collector> The current collector was an elastic body formed by processing a 0.3 mm thick Ti plate and having a shape of an array of flat springs with a 10 mm pitch. A small amount of platinum layer was formed on the part of the elastic body that came into contact with the anode.

[0111] <Preparation of electrolytic cell> An electrolytic cell was prepared by laminating a cathode-electrolyte membrane composite, an anode spacer (EPDM rubber sheet), an anode, a current collector, and an end plate (gold-plated SUS plate, 1.0 mm thick) in this order, and pressing the layers together to form an intimate contact. The thickness of the anode spacer, i.e., the gap between the electrolyte membrane and the anode, was 0.05 mm.

[0112] <Preparation of Organic Hydride Production Apparatus> Toluene was introduced as a cathode solution into the cathode chamber of the obtained electrolytic cell at a rate of 0.8 mL / min / cm ２ Similarly, a 1 mol / L diluted sulfuric acid solution was passed through the anode chamber of the obtained electrolytic cell as an anode solution at a flow rate of 0.8 mL / min / cm. ２ The anolyte was passed through the anode chamber at a flow rate of 0.4 A / cm. The liquid level of the anolyte in the anode chamber was adjusted to be higher than the height of the upper end surface of the cathode electrode. ２ The electrolysis operation was carried out by controlling the temperature so that

[0113] FIG. 3 shows the temperature profile of the cathode catalyst layer surface during electrolysis operation of the organic hydride manufacturing apparatus.

[0114] In Example 1, the liquid level of the anolyte in the anode chamber was higher than the height of the upper end surface of the cathode electrode, and the cathode electrode was kept constantly wet with the anolyte, thereby suppressing an increase in the cell temperature.

[0115] In Comparative Example 1, an organic hydride manufacturing apparatus was fabricated in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the amount of the anolyte in the anode chamber was adjusted so that the liquid level was lower than the height of the upper end surface of the cathode electrode, and the temperature profile was measured. The results are shown in Figure 4.

[0116] In Comparative Example 1, the liquid level of the anode fluid in the anode chamber was lower than the height of the upper surface of the cathode electrode, so part of the cathode electrode was in a dry state. A combustion reaction occurred between oxygen gas leaked from a pinhole in the electrolyte membrane, toluene adhering to the cathode electrode, and hydrogen gas filled in the cathode chamber.

[0117] This embodiment may be characterized by the following features. [Item 1] An organic hydride manufacturing apparatus (1) comprising an electrolytic cell (2) having an electrolyte membrane (20), an anode chamber (16) disposed on one side of the electrolyte membrane (20) and accommodating an anolyte and an anode electrode (12), and a cathode chamber (18) disposed on the other side of the electrolyte membrane (20) and accommodating a cathode electrode (14), wherein the liquid level of the anolyte in the anode chamber (16) is equal to or higher than the height of an upper end surface of the cathode electrode (14). [Item 2] The organic hydride manufacturing apparatus (1) according to Item 1, wherein the anode chamber (16) has a gas retention section (17) above the anode chamber (16). [Item 3] The organic hydride manufacturing apparatus (1) according to Item 2, wherein the gas retention section (17) is provided at a position higher than the height of an upper end surface of the cathode electrode (14). [Item 4] The organic hydride manufacturing apparatus (1) according to item 1 or 2, wherein the anode chamber (16) has a detection unit (29) that detects the anolyte discharged from the anode chamber (16). [Item 5] The organic hydride manufacturing apparatus (1) according to item 4, wherein the detection unit (29) is a flow meter. [Item 6] The organic hydride manufacturing apparatus (1) according to item 4, wherein, when the amount of the anolyte detected by the detection unit (29) is less than a predetermined amount, control is performed to stop operation of the organic hydride manufacturing apparatus (1). [Item 7] The organic hydride manufacturing apparatus (1) according to item 1 or 2, wherein the anode chamber (16) has a second anode opening (28) provided at a position higher than the height of an upper end surface of the cathode electrode (14). [Item 8] An organic hydride production system (3) comprising an organic hydride production apparatus (1) and a power supply device (34), wherein the organic hydride production apparatus (1) has an electrolyte membrane (20), an electrolytic cell (2) having an anode chamber (16) disposed on one side of the electrolyte membrane (20) and accommodating an anolyte and an anode electrode (12), and a cathode chamber (18) disposed on the other side of the electrolyte membrane (20) and accommodating a cathode electrode (14), and wherein the liquid level of the anolyte in the anode chamber (16) is equal to or higher than the height of an upper end surface of the cathode electrode (14).[Item 9] The organic hydride production system (3) according to Item 8, wherein the power supply device (34) comprises at least one of a first power supply device (341) that supplies renewable energy-derived power to a power source of the organic hydride production apparatus and a second power supply device (342) that supplies fossil fuel-derived power to the power source of the organic hydride production apparatus. [Item 10] The organic hydride production system (3) according to Item 9, comprising the first power supply device (341) and the second power supply device (342). [Item 11] A method for producing an organic hydride using an organic hydride producing apparatus (1) including an electrolytic cell (2) having an electrolyte membrane (20), an anode chamber (16) disposed on one side of the electrolyte membrane (20) and accommodating an anolyte and an anode electrode (12), and a cathode chamber (18) disposed on the other side of the electrolyte membrane (20) and accommodating a cathode electrode (14), wherein the liquid level of the anolyte in the anode chamber (16) is adjusted to be equal to or higher than the height of an upper end surface of the cathode electrode (14).

[0118] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-072860, filed with the Japan Patent Office on April 26, 2024, and incorporates the entire contents of said application by reference.

[0119] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Organic hydride production apparatus 2 Electrolytic cell 3 Organic hydride production system 4 Power supply 8 Catholyte supply device 10 Control device 12 Anode electrode 14 Cathode electrode 16 Anode chamber 18 Cathode chamber 20 Electrolyte membrane

Claims

1. An organic hydride manufacturing apparatus comprising: an electrolytic cell having an electrolyte membrane; an anode chamber disposed on one side of the electrolyte membrane and accommodating an anolyte and an anode electrode; and a cathode chamber disposed on the other side of the electrolyte membrane and accommodating a cathode electrode, wherein the liquid level of the anolyte in the anode chamber is equal to or higher than the height of an upper end surface of the cathode electrode.

2. The organic hydride manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the anode chamber has a gas retention section at an upper portion of the anode chamber.

3. The organic hydride manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the gas retention section is provided at a position higher than the height of the upper end surface of the cathode electrode.

4. An organic hydride manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the anode chamber has a detection unit that detects the anolyte discharged from the anode chamber.

5. The organic hydride manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the detection unit is a flow meter.

6. An organic hydride manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein when the amount of the anolyte detected by the detection unit is less than a predetermined amount, the operation of the organic hydride manufacturing apparatus is controlled to be stopped.

7. An organic hydride manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the anode chamber has a second anode opening provided at a position higher than the height of the upper end surface of the cathode electrode.

8. An organic hydride production system comprising: an organic hydride production apparatus; and a power supply device, wherein the organic hydride production apparatus has an electrolytic cell having an electrolyte membrane, an anode chamber disposed on one side of the electrolyte membrane and accommodating an anolyte and an anode electrode, and a cathode chamber disposed on the other side of the electrolyte membrane and accommodating a cathode electrode, and wherein the liquid level of the anolyte in the anode chamber is equal to or higher than the height of the upper end surface of the cathode electrode.

9. The organic hydride manufacturing system described in claim 8, wherein the power supply device comprises at least one of a first power supply device that supplies electricity derived from renewable energy to a power source of the organic hydride manufacturing apparatus, and a second power supply device that supplies electricity derived from fossil fuels to the power source of the organic hydride manufacturing apparatus.

10. The organic hydride manufacturing system according to claim 9, comprising the first power supply device and the second power supply device.

11. A method for producing an organic hydride using an organic hydride production apparatus including an electrolytic cell having an electrolyte membrane, an anode chamber disposed on one side of the electrolyte membrane and accommodating an anolyte and an anode electrode, and a cathode chamber disposed on the other side of the electrolyte membrane and accommodating a cathode electrode, wherein the liquid level of the anolyte in the anode chamber is adjusted to be equal to or higher than the height of the upper end surface of the cathode electrode.

Images