Device for electrochemical compression using PEM and aem

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for electrochemically compressing and / or purifying hydrogen, the device comprising a first cell stack (2) having a first electrochemical cell (3) with a first half-cell (4) and a second half-cell (5), wherein the first half-cell (4) and the second half-cell (5) are separated from one another by a first membrane (6), wherein the first membrane (6) comprises a semipermeable first membrane layer (9a) adjacent to the first half-cell (4), a semipermeable second membrane layer (10a) adjacent to the second half-cell (5), and a porous transport layer (11a), disposed in a sandwich-like manner between the first membrane layer (9a) and the second membrane layer (10a), for transporting water by capillary action, wherein the porous transport layer (11) is fluidically coupled to a water reservoir by means of a transport structure (12) such that the first membrane layer (9a) can be humidified with water from the water reservoir.

Description

[0001] DEVICE FOR ELECTROCHEMICAL COMPRESSION WITH PEM AND AEM

[0002] The invention relates to a device for the electrochemical compression and / or purification of hydrogen.

[0003] Prior art devices for the electrochemical compression of hydrogen have at least two electrodes separated by an electrolyte-filled membrane, each electrode being housed in a half-cell, with charge exchange taking place across the membrane. To avoid negatively impacting the process reliability and service life of an electrochemical compression device, the membrane must be kept moist with water to prevent damage from drying out and to ensure the effectiveness of the compression or purification process. Therefore, prior art methods for operating such a device have always required either a large quantity of water to be introduced into the half-cells, or...In particular, the hydrogen gas can be introduced into the half-cell of a pair of half-cells that has a higher pressure than the other half-cell, for example by flooding the half-cell with water into the half-cell with the lower pressure, or by using a conveying device for the targeted delivery of water into the half-cell with the lower pressure, which includes, for example, a pump, directly at or into the membrane, or by humidifying the hydrogen gas to be introduced. Operating the conveying device, for example, the pump, or actively humidifying the hydrogen gas intended for compression or purification requires additional equipment and energy.

[0004] The object of the present invention was to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a device and a method by which safe and efficient compression of hydrogen is made possible.

[0005] This task is solved by a device according to the claims.

[0006] The device according to the invention for the electrochemical compression and / or purification of hydrogen comprises a first cell stack with a first electrochemical cell having a first half-cell and a second half-cell, wherein the first half-cell and the second half-cell are separated from each other by means of a first membrane, wherein a first electrode is received in the first half-cell and a second electrode is received in the second half-cell, wherein the first membrane comprises a semipermeable first membrane layer closest to the first half-cell, a semipermeable second membrane layer closest to the second half-cell, and a porous transport layer sandwiched between the first membrane layer and the second membrane layer for the transport of water by means of capillary action, wherein the porous transport layer is fluidically coupled to a water reservoir by means of a transport structure.so that the first membrane layer can be moistened with water from the water reservoir.

[0007] In the context of the invention, a water reservoir can be understood to be either a water reservoir positioned externally to the device, for example a water supply device, or a water reservoir attributable within the device or the device, such as an area of ​​a half-cell or, in particular, the second half-cell or the half-cell closest to the second membrane layer.

[0008] In any case, the inventive design of the device ensures that the membrane, or the first membrane layer, is protected from drying out by humidification via the porous transport layer. This improves the operational reliability of the device, increases its efficiency through continuous humidification of the membrane, and consequently extends the device's service life. If the water reservoir is located in a portion of the half-cell closest to the second membrane layer, and this portion of the half-cell is thus fluidically coupled to the porous transport layer, the first half-cell is protected from drying out. Therefore, the hydrogen supplied to the first half-cell does not need to be additionally humidified, nor does it require the supply of moisture or humidity to the first half-cell by means of other technical devices.At the same time, process-related flooding of the half-cell closest to the second membrane layer is prevented. During the electrochemical compression of hydrogen, water can be transported through the membrane from the anode (the electrode closest to the first membrane layer) to the cathode (the electrode closest to the second membrane layer) and, consequently, into this half-cell. Without further measures, the anode-side half-cell would dry out, and the cathode-side half-cell could potentially flood. This is prevented by the device according to the invention.Furthermore, it may be advantageous if the first cell stack comprises a second electrochemical cell with a third half-cell and a fourth half-cell, wherein the third half-cell and the fourth half-cell are separated from each other by means of a second membrane, wherein a third electrode is included in the third half-cell and a fourth electrode is included in the fourth half-cell, wherein the second membrane comprises a semipermeable first membrane layer closest to the third half-cell, a semipermeable second membrane layer closest to the fourth half-cell, and a porous transport layer sandwiched between the first and second membrane layers for the transport of water by means of capillary action, wherein the first membrane is an anion exchange membrane (AEM), and wherein the second membrane is a proton exchange membrane (PEM).It is also possible to provide for the second and third half-cells to be fluidically coupled via a hydrogen transport channel, so that hydrogen can be compressed in the first electrochemical cell as the first compression stage and in the second electrochemical cell as the second compression stage. Through the fluidic coupling of the respective porous transport layer of the membranes with the transport structure, a balance in the water balance between the two electrochemical cells can be achieved, ensuring that neither the second nor the fourth half-cell dries out and that the respective first membrane layer of the membranes is always moistened.

[0009] Furthermore, the device may include a second cell stack with a third electrochemical cell comprising a fifth half-cell and a sixth half-cell, wherein the fifth half-cell and the sixth half-cell are separated from each other by means of a third membrane, wherein a fifth electrode is received in the fifth half-cell and a sixth electrode is received in the sixth half-cell, wherein the third membrane comprises a semipermeable first membrane layer closest to the fifth half-cell, a semipermeable second membrane layer closest to the sixth half-cell, and a porous transport layer sandwiched between the first and second membrane layers for the transport of water by means of capillary action, wherein the first membrane is an anion exchange membrane (AEM), and wherein the third membrane is a proton exchange membrane (PEM).It is also possible that the second half-cell and the fifth or sixth half-cell are fluidically coupled via a hydrogen transport channel, so that hydrogen can be compressed in the first cell stack as the first compression stage and in the second cell stack as the second compression stage. Through the fluidic coupling of the respective porous transport layer of the membranes with the transport structure, a balance in the water balance between the electrochemical cells of the first and second cell stacks can be achieved, ensuring that neither the half-cells closest to the first membrane layer dry out nor the respective first membrane layer of the membranes remains moistened.

[0010] Furthermore, it may be provided that the porous transport layer is formed from a porous foam enabling a capillary effect or from hollow fibers, in particular from polyethersulfone PESU, specifically from hollow fibers made of polyethersulfone PESU.

[0011] An advantageous embodiment is one in which the transport structure can be designed section by section as a fluid channel that fluidically couples the porous transport layers or each porous transport layer of the device, wherein the fluid channel is formed or filled with a porous foam enabling a capillary effect or with hollow fibers, in particular with polyethersulfone PESU, specifically with hollow fibers made of polyethersulfone PESU.

[0012] Alternative materials to polyethersulfone for porous capillaries in electrolysis applications include polysulfone, polyimide, mesoporous silicon dioxide, and mesoporous carbon. Polysulfone materials, especially when blended with polyimides, offer novel macro- and mesoporous structures with tunable pore sizes, making them suitable as porous transport layers or filler materials for transport structures. Furthermore, mesoporous silicon dioxide (MCM-41) and mesoporous carbon (CMK-3) have proven to be effective adsorbents with pronounced pore characteristics, advantageous for the removal of specific compounds such as dibenzothiophene and its sulfone derivatives. This demonstrates their versatility in adsorption and filtration processes, making them also suitable for use as porous transport layers or filler materials for transport structures.The combination of high surface area, adjustable pore sizes and chemical stability makes these materials promising alternatives to PESU for use in porous capillaries.

[0013] According to further training, it is possible for the fluid channel to be fluidically coupled to the water reservoir, with the water reservoir being supplied to the device by means of a central water supply system. In this way, the humidification of the first membrane layer can be easily metered.

[0014] Furthermore, it can be advantageous for each half-cell closest to a second membrane layer of an electrochemical cell to be fluidically coupled to the transport structure. This prevents these half-cells from becoming flooded, even though excess water is generated in them through the electrochemical process of hydrogen compression. This excess water can then be used to moisten the membrane(s) via the transport layer.

[0015] Furthermore, it can be provided that each half-cell closest to a second membrane layer of the membrane of an electrochemical cell is fluidically coupled to the transport structure, with the water reservoir being formed exclusively by sub-regions of the half-cells coupled to the transport structure. In this way, the installation space of the device can be significantly reduced.

[0016] Furthermore, it can be provided that, by means of the transport structure, only the half-cell closest to the second membrane layer of an electrochemical cell is fluidically coupled to the porous transport structure of the same electrochemical cell, wherein only a portion of the half-cell closest to the second membrane layer of an electrochemical cell is designed as a water reservoir for moistening the porous transport layer of the respective electrochemical cell. This eliminates the need for channel structures connecting multiple electrochemical cells within or across a cell stack, while retaining the advantages of the device, namely preventing flooding of the half-cell closest to the first membrane layer and preventing the membrane from drying out. In any case, this significantly reduces the complexity of the device.

[0017] An advantageous embodiment also includes a transport structure with at least one opening through the second membrane layer, wherein a water collection area is formed as a water reservoir in the half-cell closest to the second membrane layer, or alternatively, in the second and fourth half-cells, respectively, as water reservoirs. Water can be absorbed by the porous transport layer through such an opening. It is also possible that the opening is filled with porous material. In any case, it is also advantageous to provide for such an opening to be located below a water level in the water reservoir, thus ensuring that water can be absorbed by the porous transport structure at any time during operation of the device.

[0018] According to a further development, it is possible for at least one penetration to be filled with a diffusion-permeable or a porous foam that allows a capillary effect, or with hollow fibers made of polyethersulfone (PESU). Furthermore, it may be advantageous for the porous transport layer to be made of polyethersulfone (PESU), in particular comprising hollow fibers made of PESU.

[0019] In particular, it can be advantageous if water from a sub-area of ​​the half-cell closest to the second membrane layer is taken up as a water reservoir by the porous transport layer through the capillary effect of the same via a fluid channel that fluidically couples the porous transport layer and the water reservoir or via a breakthrough that breaks through the second membrane layer, with the transport structure being formed by the breakthrough.

[0020] To better understand the invention, it is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

[0021] They each show, in a highly simplified, schematic representation:

[0022] Fig. 1 shows a cross-section through a possible first embodiment of the device for electrochemical compression;

[0023] Fig. 2 shows a cross-section through a possible second embodiment of the device for electrochemical compression.

[0024] It should be noted by way of introduction that in the differently described embodiments, identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals or component designations, whereby the disclosures contained in the entire description can be applied analogously to identical parts with the same reference numerals or component designations. Furthermore, the positional designations chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., refer to the figure directly described and illustrated, and these positional designations are to be applied analogously to the new position if the position is changed. Figure 1 shows a cross-section through a possible first embodiment of the device 1 for the electrochemical compression and / or purification of hydrogen in a highly simplified, schematic representation. The device 1 comprises a first cell stack 2 with a first electrochemical cell 3 with a first half-cell 4 and a second half-cell 5.wherein the first half-cell 4 and the second half-cell 5 are separated from each other by means of a first membrane 6, wherein a first electrode 7 is included in the first half-cell 4 and a second electrode 8 is included in the second half-cell 5, wherein the first membrane 6 comprises a semipermeable first membrane layer 9a closest to the first half-cell 4, a semipermeable second membrane layer 10a closest to the second half-cell 5, and a porous transport layer 11a sandwiched between the first membrane layer 9a and the second membrane layer 10a for the transport of water by means of capillary action, wherein the porous transport layer 11a is fluidically coupled to a water reservoir by means of a transport structure 12, such that the first membrane layer 9a can be moistened with water from the water reservoir.

[0025] The device 1 can further be configured such that the first cell stack 2 comprises a second electrochemical cell 13 with a third half-cell 14 and a fourth half-cell 15, wherein the third half-cell 14 and the fourth half-cell 15 are separated from each other by means of a second membrane 16, wherein a third electrode 19 is included in the third half-cell 14 and a fourth electrode 20 is included in the fourth half-cell 15, wherein the second membrane 16 comprises a semipermeable first membrane layer 9b closest to the third half-cell 14, a semipermeable second membrane layer 10b closest to the fourth half-cell 15, and a porous transport layer 11b sandwiched between the first membrane layer 9b and the second membrane layer 10b for the transport of water by means of capillary action, wherein the first membrane 6 is an anion exchange membrane (AEM), and wherein the second membrane 16 is a Proton exchanger membrane is PEM,wherein the porous transport layer 11b is fluidically coupled to the water reservoir by means of the transport structure 12, so that the first membrane layer 9b can be moistened with water from the water reservoir.

[0026] The reference symbols for the components of the second membrane 16 were deliberately given the index "b", although the basic structure of the second membrane 16 does not necessarily have to differ from that of the first membrane 6, since the components, i.e., the first membrane layer 9, the porous transport layer 11, and the second membrane layer 10, can be configured differently. For example, the first membrane 6 could be an anion exchange membrane (AEM), and the second membrane 16 a proton exchange membrane (PEM).

[0027] Figure 2 shows a further, and possibly independent, embodiment of the device 1 in a highly simplified, schematic representation, using the same reference numerals and component designations as in the preceding Figure 1. To avoid unnecessary repetition, reference is made to the detailed description in the preceding Figure 1.

[0028] The device 1 according to the possible second embodiment comprises a first cell stack 2 with a first electrochemical cell 3 having a first half-cell 4 and a second half-cell 5, wherein the first half-cell 4 and the second half-cell 5 are separated from each other by means of a first membrane 6, wherein a first electrode 7 is received in the first half-cell 4 and a second electrode 8 is received in the second half-cell 5, wherein the first membrane 6 comprises a semipermeable first membrane layer 9a nearest to the first half-cell 4, a semipermeable second membrane layer 10a nearest to the second half-cell 5 and a porous transport layer 1a sandwiched between the first membrane layer 9a and the second membrane layer 10a for transporting water by means of capillary action, wherein the porous transport layer 1a is fluidically coupled to a water reservoir by means of a transport structure 12.so that the first membrane layer 9a can be moistened with water from the water reservoir.

[0029] The device 1 according to the possible second embodiment can further be configured such that the device 1 comprises a second cell stack 21 with a third electrochemical cell 22 with a fifth half-cell 23 and a sixth half-cell 24, wherein the fifth half-cell 23 and the sixth half-cell 24 are separated from each other by means of a third membrane 25, wherein a fifth electrode 26 is received in the fifth half-cell 23 and a sixth electrode 27 is received in the sixth half-cell 24, wherein the third membrane 25 comprises a semipermeable first membrane layer 9c closest to the fifth half-cell 23, a semipermeable second membrane layer 10c closest to the sixth half-cell 24, and a porous transport layer 11c sandwiched between the first membrane layer 9c and the second membrane layer 10c for the transport of water by means of capillary action, wherein the first membrane 6 is an anion exchange membrane AEM. is,and wherein the third membrane 25 is a proton exchange membrane (PEM), wherein the porous transport layer 11c is fluidically coupled to the water reservoir by means of the transport structure 12, such that the first membrane layer 9c can be moistened with water from the water reservoir.

[0030] The reference symbols for the components of the third membrane 25 were deliberately given the index "c", although the basic structure of the third membrane 25 does not necessarily have to differ from that of the first membrane 6, since the components, i.e., the first membrane layer 9, the porous transport layer 11, and the second membrane layer 10, can be configured differently. For example, the first membrane 6 could be an anion exchange membrane (AEM), and the third membrane 25 a proton exchange membrane (PEM).

[0031] In particular, it may be provided for, or is not excluded by the possible second embodiment, that all membranes of the first cell stack 2 are designed as an anion exchange membrane AEM and that all membranes of the second cell stack 21 are designed as proton exchange membrane PEM.

[0032] In both embodiments, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the first electrochemical cell 3 and the second electrochemical cell 13, as well as each further electrochemical cell that is subsequently added to the first cell stack 2, can be separated by means of a bipolar plate 17. This is equally applicable to the second embodiment and the respective cell stacks 2 and 21.

[0033] For the transport of hydrogen between two adjacent or nearest electrochemical cells, such as from the second half-cell 4 of the first electrochemical cell 3 to the third half-cell 14 of the second electrochemical cell 13, a transport channel 18 can be provided for the fluidic coupling of two adjacent half-cells of two nearest electrochemical cells of a cell stack. This can be applied analogously to any cell stack and corresponding nearest electrochemical cells, as can be seen from the illustrations in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 for the possible embodiments of the devices 1.

[0034] As can be seen in both possible embodiments, it can be provided that the transport structure 12 is designed section by section as a fluidically coupling fluid channel 28 to each porous transport layer 11 of the device 1, wherein the fluid channel 28 is formed or filled with a porous foam enabling a capillary effect or with hollow fibers, in particular with polyethersulfone PESU, specifically with hollow fibers made of polyethersulfone PESU.

[0035] With regard to the humidification of the first membrane layer 9, it can be provided that the porous transport layer 11 is formed from a porous foam enabling a capillary effect or from a hollow fiber, in particular from polyethersulfone PESU, specifically from a hollow fiber made of polyethersulfone PESU.

[0036] Alternative materials to polyethersulfone for porous capillaries in electrolysis applications include polysulfone, polyimide, mesoporous silicon dioxide, and mesoporous carbon. Polysulfone materials, especially when blended with polyimides, offer novel macro- and mesoporous structures with tunable pore sizes, making them suitable as porous transport layers or filler materials for transport structures. Furthermore, mesoporous silicon dioxide (MCM-41) and mesoporous carbon (CMK-3) have proven to be effective adsorbents with pronounced pore characteristics, advantageous for the removal of specific compounds such as dibenzothiophene and its sulfone derivatives. This demonstrates their versatility in adsorption and filtration processes, making them also suitable for use as porous transport layers or filler materials for transport structures.The combination of high surface area, adjustable pore sizes and chemical stability makes these materials promising alternatives to PESU for use in porous capillaries.

[0037] With regard to the humidification of the first membrane layer 9, it can be provided that each half-cell 5 and / or 15 and / or 24 nearest to a second membrane layer 10 of the membrane 6 and / or 16 and / or 25 of an electrochemical cell 3 and / or 13 and / or 22 is fluidically coupled to the transport structure 12, such that, in particular, the respective half-cell 5 and / or 15 and / or 24 nearest to the second membrane layer 10 of the membrane 6 and / or 16 and / or 25 of an electrochemical cell 3 and / or 13 and / or 22, or at least a part thereof, is designed as a water reservoir for humidifying the first membrane layer 9. For coupling, a corresponding bore 29, as indicated in Fig. 2 for the possible second embodiment, can be provided. Thus, it can be provided, in particular, that the water reservoir is formed exclusively by sub-areas of the half-cells 5 and / or 15 and / or 24 coupled to the transport structure 12.

[0038] Alternatively, or as a possible further development of the two embodiments already mentioned, the transport structure 12 can be formed by a penetration, wherein the penetration perforates the second membrane layer 10, so that water from the water reservoir can be supplied via the porous transport layer 11 to moisten the first membrane layer 9. This possible further development is not limited to the possible first embodiment, but can equally be designed as a possible further development of the possible second embodiment.

[0039] Finally, another possible embodiment is also possible, in which the transport structure 12 can be used to fluidically couple only the half-cell 4 and / or 14 and / or 23 closest to the first membrane layer 9 of the membrane 6 and / or 16 and / or 25 of an electrochemical cell 3 and / or 13 and / or 22 with the half-cell 5 and / or 15 and / or 24 closest to the second membrane layer 10 of the membrane 6 and / or 16 and / or 25 of an electrochemical cell 3 and / or 13 and / or 22, wherein only a partial area of ​​the half-cell 5 and / or 15 and / or 24 closest to the second membrane layer 10 of an electrochemical cell 3 and / or 13 and / or 22 serves as a water reservoir for moistening the porous transport layer 11 of the respective electrochemical cell. 3 and / or 13 and / or 22. This possible further embodiment is not shown in the illustrations.For better understanding, it should be noted that in this possible further embodiment, the two nearest half-cells of two adjacent cells of a cell stack are fluidically coupled to the transport structure 12. Thus, in this possible further embodiment, several such transport structures 12 must be present, namely at least a number of transport structures 12 equal to the number of electrochemical cells in a cell stack. In this sense, each electrochemical cell of a cell stack can comprise a transport structure 12 associated with it for the fluidic coupling of the porous transport structure and the half-cell of that electrochemical cell that is closest to the second membrane layer.

[0040] The exemplary embodiments show possible embodiment variants, whereby it should be noted at this point that the invention is not limited to the specifically illustrated embodiment variants, but rather various combinations of the individual embodiment variants are also possible and this possibility of variation lies within the skill of the person skilled in this technical field due to the teaching on technical action by the present invention.

[0041] The scope of protection is defined by the claims. However, the description and drawings must be consulted for the interpretation of the claims. Individual features or combinations of features from the different embodiments shown and described can, in themselves, represent independent inventive solutions. The problem underlying these independent inventive solutions can be found in the description.

[0042] All references to value ranges in this description are to be understood as encompassing any and all sub-ranges thereof, e.g., the reference 1 to 10 is to be understood as including all sub-ranges, starting from the lower limit 1 and the upper limit 10, i.e., all sub-ranges begin with a lower limit of 1 or greater and end with an upper limit of 10 or less, e.g., 1 to 1.7, or 3.2 to 8.1, or 5.5 to 10.

[0043] Finally, for the sake of clarity, it should be noted that, for a better understanding of the structure, some elements have been shown not to scale and / or enlarged and / or reduced in size.

[0044] Reference numeral list

[0045] device

[0046] First cell stack

[0047] First electrochemical cell

[0048] First half-cell

[0049] Second half-cell

[0050] First membrane

[0051] First electrode

[0052] Second electrode

[0053] First membrane layer

[0054] Second membrane layer

[0055] Porous transport layer

[0056] Transport structure

[0057] Second electrochemical cell

[0058] Third half-cell

[0059] Fourth half-cell

[0060] Second membrane

[0061] Bipolar plate

[0062] Transport channel

[0063] electrode

[0064] electrode

[0065] Second cell stack

[0066] Third cell

[0067] Fifth half-cell

[0068] Sixth half-cell

[0069] Third membrane

[0070] Fifth electrode

[0071] Sixth electrode

[0072] Fluid channel

[0073] Drilling

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device (1) for electrochemical compression and / or purification of hydrogen comprising a first cell stack (2) with a first electrochemical cell (3) with a first half-cell (4) and a second half-cell (5), wherein the first half-cell (4) and the second half-cell (5) are separated from each other by means of a first membrane (6), wherein the first membrane (6) comprises a semipermeable first membrane layer (9a) closest to the first half-cell (4), a semipermeable second membrane layer (10a) closest to the second half-cell (5), and a porous transport layer (11a) sandwiched between the first membrane layer (9a) and the second membrane layer (10a) for the transport of water by means of capillary action, characterized in that the porous transport layer (11) is fluidically coupled to a water reservoir by means of a transport structure (12), so that the first membrane layer (9) can be moistened with water from the water reservoir.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first cell stack (2) comprises a second electrochemical cell (13) with a third half-cell (14) and a fourth half-cell (15), wherein the third half-cell (14) and the fourth half-cell (15) are separated from each other by means of a second membrane (16), wherein the second membrane (16) comprises a semipermeable first membrane layer (9b) closest to the third half-cell (14), a semipermeable second membrane layer (10b) closest to the fourth half-cell (15), and a porous transport layer (11b) sandwiched between the first membrane layer (9b) and the second membrane layer (10b) for transporting water by means of capillary action, wherein the first membrane (6) is an anion exchange membrane (AEM), and wherein the second membrane (16) is a proton exchange membrane (PEM).

3. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (1) comprises a second cell stack (21) with a third electrochemical cell (22) with a fifth half-cell (23) and a sixth half-cell (24), wherein the fifth half-cell (23) and the sixth half-cell (24) are separated from each other by means of a third membrane (25), wherein the third membrane (25) is a semipermeable membrane closest to the fifth half-cell (23). The first membrane layer (9c) comprises a semipermeable second membrane layer (10c) closest to the sixth half-cell (24) and a porous transport layer (11c) sandwiched between the first membrane layer (9c) and the second membrane layer (10c) for the transport of water by means of capillary action, wherein the first membrane (6) is an anion exchange membrane AEM, and wherein the third membrane (25) is a proton exchange membrane PEM.

4. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the porous transport layer (11) is formed from a porous foam enabling a capillary effect or from hollow fibers, in particular from polyethersulfone PESU, specifically from hollow fibers made of polyethersulfone PESU.

5. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport structure (12) is sectionally formed as a fluid channel (28) that fluidically couples each porous transport layer (11) of the device (1), wherein the fluid channel (28) is formed or filled with a porous foam enabling a capillary effect or with hollow fibers, in particular with polyethersulfone PESU, specifically with hollow fibers made of polyethersulfone PESU.

6. Device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the fluid channel (28) is fluidically coupled to the water reservoir, wherein the water reservoir is provided for the device (1) by means of a central water supply device.

7. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each half-cell (5 and / or 15 and / or 24) nearest to a second membrane layer (10) of the membrane (6 and / or 16 and / or 25) of an electrochemical cell (3 and / or 13 and / or 22) is fluidically coupled to the transport structure (12).

8. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each half-cell (5 and / or 15 and / or 24) nearest to a second membrane layer (10) of the membrane (6 and / or 16 and / or 25) of an electrochemical cell (3 and / or 13 and / or 22) is fluidically coupled to the transport structure (12), wherein the The water reservoir is formed exclusively by sub-areas of the half-cells (5 and / or 15 and / or 24) coupled to the transport structure (12).

9. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, by means of the transport structure (12), only the half-cell (5 and / or 15 and / or 24) closest to the second membrane layer (10) of the membrane (6 and / or 16 and / or 25) of an electrochemical cell (3 and / or 13 and / or 22) is fluidically coupled to the porous transport layer (11) of the same electrochemical cell (3 and / or 13 and / or 22), wherein only a partial region of the second membrane layer is fluidly coupled. (10) the nearest half-cell (5 and / or 15 and / or 24) to an electrochemical cell (3 and / or 13 and / or 22) as a water reservoir for moistening the porous transport layer (11) of the respective electrochemical cell (3 and / or 13 and / or 22).

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