Evaluation device and evaluation method

Abstract

A first fluid F1 for circulating a specimen C flows through a fluid passage Lf of an evaluation device 100 that uses an evaluation unit M to evaluate performance of the specimen C. A pressure adjustment unit V that adjusts the pressure of the first fluid F1 is disposed in the fluid passage Lf. The pressure adjustment unit V has a pilot chamber 5323, a tank unit 54, and a pressure adjustment member 55. The pilot chamber 5323 accommodates a second fluid F2. The tank unit 54 communicates with the pilot chamber 5323 and accommodates the second fluid F2. The pressure adjustment member 55 adjusts the pressure of the first fluid F1 according to the pressure of the second fluid F2. The pressure adjustment member 55 is movable from one of the fluid passage Lf side and the pilot chamber 5323 side to the other according to the difference between the pressure of the first fluid F1 and the pressure of the second fluid F2.

Description

Evaluation device, evaluation method Cross-reference of related applications

[0001] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-19184, filed on 7 February 2025. The entirety of these disclosures, by reference, constitutes part of the disclosures of this Spec.

[0002] The present invention relates to an evaluation device and an evaluation method.

[0003] Conventionally, water (H) is decomposed by a decomposition reaction in an electrochemical cell. ２ O) to hydrogen (H ２ ) and oxygen (O ２ Systems are known that generate hydrogen, for example. For example, the water electrolysis system published in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-050348 comprises a water electrolysis device (a stack of water electrolysis cells) connected to a DC power supply. The water electrolysis device produces oxygen and hydrogen at a pressure higher than the oxygen pressure at atmospheric pressure by electrolyzing water (pure water). The oxygen is discharged along with unreacted water and leaked hydrogen. The hydrogen, which contains liquid water, is led from the water electrolysis device to a gas-liquid separator. In the gas-liquid separator, the liquid water is removed. The hydrogen discharged from the gas-liquid separator is filled into a hydrogen fuel tank, for example, via a hydrogen discharge pipe.

[0004] Furthermore, in recent years, evaluation devices have become known for evaluating the performance of test specimens (water electrolysis cells). The gas generated in the test specimen is discharged to a gas-liquid separation tank to remove the water contained in the gas. In such evaluation devices, the operating state of the test specimen is evaluated by measuring the amount of gas generated and consumed based on the gas pressure. In these evaluation tests, the pressure of the generated gas (oxygen, hydrogen, etc.) may be set higher than atmospheric pressure.

[0005] In the apparatus used to evaluate the performance of a test specimen as described above, the operating state of the specimen is evaluated by measuring the amount of gas generated or consumed based on the gas pressure. Therefore, it is important to precisely control the gas pressure and keep it constant according to the evaluation conditions.

[0006] However, the fluid levels in the gas-liquid separation tank located downstream of the test specimen and the humidification tank located upstream may fluctuate in accordance with the fluctuations in the amount of fluid supplied to these tanks. As a result, the volume of space in the tanks that can accommodate gas may fluctuate in accordance with the fluctuations in the amount of fluid supplied to these tanks. In addition, the fluid circulating through the tanks and electrodes of the test specimen by the pump may pulsate. Therefore, due to these factors, the pressure of the gas supplied to or discharged from the test specimen may fluctuate rapidly.

[0007] Furthermore, generally, gas pressure fluctuations are suppressed or prevented by installing pressure control valves, such as back pressure valves, in the piping. However, with typical pressure control valves, if the gas pressure fluctuates rapidly, the fluctuations may not be sufficiently suppressed due to insufficient volume in the pilot chamber for adjusting the fluctuating pressure.

[0008] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to suppress or prevent large pressure fluctuations in the fluid flowing through the test specimen.

[0009] To achieve the above objective, an evaluation device according to one aspect of the present invention is an evaluation device for evaluating the performance of a test specimen, comprising: a fluid passage through which a first fluid flowing through the test specimen flows; a pressure adjustment unit disposed in the fluid passage for adjusting the pressure of the first fluid; and an evaluation unit for evaluating the performance of the test specimen, wherein the pressure adjustment unit comprises: a pilot chamber containing a second fluid; a tank section communicating with the pilot chamber and containing the second fluid; and a pressure regulating member for adjusting the pressure of the first fluid according to the pressure of the second fluid, wherein the pressure regulating member is configured to be movable from one of the first fluid side and the second fluid side to the other according to the difference between the pressure of the first fluid and the pressure of the second fluid (first configuration).

[0010] According to the first configuration, the volume of the second fluid can be made larger, so even if the pressure in the fluid passage through which the first fluid flows fluctuates greatly, the fluctuation in the sum of the volume of the pilot chamber and the volume of the internal space of the tank is suppressed. In other words, the amount of fluctuation becomes smaller. Therefore, fluctuations in the internal pressure of the pilot chamber and the tank are also suppressed. Consequently, the evaluation device can accurately control the pressure of the pressure regulating valve even when large pressure fluctuations occur in the first fluid.

[0011] In the evaluation apparatus with the first configuration described above, the volume of the tank section may be greater than or equal to the volume of the pilot chamber (second configuration).

[0012] According to the second configuration, even if the pressure of the first fluid fluctuates, the fluctuation in the sum of the volumes of the pilot chamber and the tank section is further suppressed. Therefore, fluctuations in the internal pressure of the pilot chamber and the tank section are also further suppressed. Consequently, pressure control in the pressure adjustment section can be performed more easily and accurately.

[0013] In the evaluation apparatus of the first or second configuration described above, the pressing area of ​​the pressure regulating member by the second fluid may be wider than the pressing area of ​​the pressure regulating member by the first fluid (third configuration).

[0014] According to the third configuration, the force acting on the second fluid side of the pressure regulating member can be reduced. As a result, the amount of movement of the pressure regulating member of the first fluid can be reduced. This reduces the amount of fluctuation in the sum of the volume of the pilot chamber and the volume of the internal space of the tank section. In other words, fluctuations in the internal pressure of the pilot chamber and the tank section can be reduced. Therefore, the evaluation device can accurately control the pressure of the pressure regulating section even when there are large pressure fluctuations.

[0015] In the evaluation apparatus of any of the first to third configurations described above, the test specimen may be either an electrochemical cell or a gas adsorbent (fourth configuration).

[0016] According to the fourth configuration, the evaluation device can evaluate the performance of either the electrochemical cell or the gas adsorbent.

[0017] In the evaluation apparatus of any of the first to fourth configurations described above, a gas-liquid separation tank may be further provided for separating the gas-liquid mixed fluid containing the first fluid discharged from the test specimen, wherein the gas-liquid separation tank may be positioned between the test specimen and the pressure adjustment unit (fifth configuration).

[0018] According to the fifth configuration, even if the gas-liquid mixed fluid discharged from the test specimen contains a liquid component, this liquid component can be separated in the gas-liquid separation tank. Furthermore, if the amount of liquid component accumulating in the gas-liquid separation tank increases, the space through which the gaseous component (i.e., the first fluid) flows becomes narrower, which tends to increase the internal pressure of the gas-liquid separation tank. The pressure adjustment unit can adjust the internal pressure of the gas-liquid separation tank by adjusting the pressure of the first fluid, even if the internal pressure of the gas-liquid separation tank rises.

[0019] In the evaluation apparatus of any of the first to fifth configurations described above, the pressure adjustment unit may be configured to adjust the pressure of the first fluid with a predetermined constant pressure as the target (sixth configuration).

[0020] According to the sixth configuration, the internal pressure on at least the side of the first fluid passage of the specimen and the internal pressure of the first fluid passage can be adjusted to a predetermined constant pressure or near that pressure.

[0021] In any of the first to sixth configurations described above, the pressure adjustment unit may further include: a pressure measuring unit for detecting the internal pressure of the tank; and a discharge unit connected to the outlet of the tank for adjusting the discharge amount of the second fluid, wherein the discharge amount of the second fluid in the discharge unit is controlled based on the measurement value of the pressure measuring unit (seventh configuration).

[0022] According to the seventh configuration, the second fluid is supplied to and discharged from the pilot chamber through the tank section and the opening. Therefore, the internal pressure of the pilot chamber is the same as the internal pressure of the tank section. Consequently, the internal pressures of the tank section and the pilot chamber can be adjusted. Thus, even if sudden pressure fluctuations occur, the pressure of the fluid flowing through the test specimen can be controlled.

[0023] The evaluation device of the seventh configuration described above may further include a supply unit that supplies the second fluid to the tank unit, and the amount of the second fluid supplied in the supply unit is controlled based on the measurement value of the pressure measuring unit (eighth configuration).

[0024] According to the eighth configuration, the second fluid is supplied to and discharged from the pilot chamber through the tank section and the opening. Therefore, the internal pressure of the pilot chamber is the same as the internal pressure of the tank section. Accordingly, the internal pressure of the pilot chamber can be adjusted by adjusting the discharge amount of the second fluid by driving the supply section and adjusting the discharge amount by the discharge section.

[0025] In the evaluation apparatus of any of the first to eighth configurations described above, the pressure of the second fluid may be adjusted according to the pressure range set for the test specimen (ninth configuration).

[0026] According to the ninth configuration, not only the pressure of the second fluid but also the pressure of the first fluid can be adjusted on a scale corresponding to the dynamic range of the pressure set on the test specimen. For example, when the dynamic range of the pressure set on the test specimen increases, the pressure of the second fluid is adjusted on a larger scale corresponding to that dynamic range. As a result, the pressure of the first fluid is also adjusted on a larger scale. Conversely, when the dynamic range of the pressure set on the test specimen decreases, the pressure of the second fluid is adjusted on a smaller scale corresponding to that dynamic range. As a result, the pressure of the first fluid is also adjusted on a smaller scale. Therefore, the evaluation device can control the pressure of the first fluid discharged from the test specimen with greater precision.

[0027] In the evaluation apparatus of any of the first to sixth configurations described above, the test specimen is an electrochemical cell, the fluid passage has a cathode-side fluid passage through which a cathode-side fluid flowing on the cathode side of the electrochemical cell flows, and an anode-side fluid passage through which an anode-side fluid flowing on the anode side of the electrochemical cell flows, the pressure adjustment unit further has a cathode-side pilot chamber connected to the cathode-side fluid passage, an anode-side pilot chamber connected to the anode-side fluid passage, and a pressure regulating member that maintains a constant pressure ratio of the cathode-side fluid to the anode-side fluid, and the tank section may be configured to communicate with the cathode-side pilot chamber and the anode-side pilot chamber (10th configuration).

[0028] According to the tenth configuration, the pressure in the cathode-side fluid passage and the pressure in the anode-side fluid passage can be adjusted according to the generation ratio of each process gas in the test specimen. Therefore, pressure control can be performed in the pressure adjustment unit without changing the settings of the control parameters of the pressure adjustment unit. Thus, the evaluation device can accurately control the pressure in the pressure adjustment unit.

[0029] In any of the first to tenth configurations described above, the evaluation device may be configured such that the pressure adjustment unit is interchangeably positioned relative to the fluid passage (the eleventh configuration).

[0030] According to the 11th configuration, when performing evaluation tests on multiple different test specimens, the pressure regulating valves can be replaced and placed in the fluid passages in each evaluation test to match the pressure fluctuations in the fluid passages. This allows for adjustment of the dynamic range of internal pressure fluctuations in the pilot chamber and tank section, for example. Therefore, pressure control in the pressure regulating unit can be performed accurately without changing the settings of the control parameters of the pressure regulating unit.

[0031] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above objective, an evaluation device according to yet another aspect of the present invention is an evaluation device for evaluating the performance of an electrochemical cell, comprising: a cathode-side fluid passage through which a cathode-side fluid flowing on the cathode side of the electrochemical cell flows; an anode-side fluid passage through which an anode-side fluid flowing on the anode side of the electrochemical cell flows; a pressure adjustment unit arranged in the cathode-side fluid passage and the anode-side fluid passage to adjust and maintain a constant pressure ratio between the cathode-side fluid and the anode-side fluid; and an evaluation unit for evaluating the performance of the electrochemical cell (12th configuration).

[0032] According to the 12th configuration, the pressure in the cathode-side fluid passage and the pressure in the anode-side fluid passage can be adjusted according to the generation ratio of each process gas in the test specimen. Therefore, pressure control can be performed in the pressure adjustment unit without changing the settings of the control parameters of the pressure adjustment unit. Thus, the evaluation device can accurately control the pressure in the pressure adjustment unit.

[0033] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above objective, an evaluation method according to one aspect of the present invention is an evaluation method for evaluating the performance of a test specimen using an evaluation device with any of the first to twelfth configurations, comprising: a pressure adjustment step of adjusting the pressure of the first fluid flowing through the test specimen according to the pressure of the second fluid contained in a tank section communicating with a pilot chamber through which the second fluid is supplied and discharged; and an evaluation step of evaluating the performance of the test specimen in an evaluation section (the thirteenth configuration).

[0034] According to the 13th configuration, even if large pressure fluctuations occur in the first fluid, the performance of the test specimen can be evaluated while the pressure regulating valve is precisely controlled.

[0035] Further features and advantages of the present invention will be further revealed by the embodiments described below.

[0036] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an evaluation device that can accurately control the pressure even when there are large pressure fluctuations in the fluid flowing through the test specimen.

[0037] Conceptual diagram of the evaluation apparatus of the present invention. Schematic diagram showing a configuration example of the water electrolysis evaluation apparatus according to the first embodiment. Schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of the pressure regulating valve in the first embodiment. Schematic cross-sectional view showing a first modification of the configuration of the pressure regulating valve in the first embodiment. Schematic cross-sectional view showing a second modification of the configuration of the pressure regulating valve in the first embodiment. Schematic cross-sectional view showing another configuration example of the pressure regulating valve of the cathode side gas evaluation unit. Schematic cross-sectional view showing another configuration example of the pressure regulating valve of the anode side gas evaluation unit. Schematic diagram showing a configuration example of the water electrolysis evaluation apparatus according to the second embodiment. Schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of the pressure regulating valve in the second embodiment. Schematic cross-sectional view showing another configuration example of the pressure regulating valve in the second embodiment

[0038] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0039] <1. First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an evaluation apparatus 100 of the present invention. The evaluation apparatus 100 is an apparatus for evaluating the performance of a test specimen C. The evaluation apparatus 100 includes a fluid passage Lf, a pressure regulating valve V, an evaluation unit M, and a control unit 3. In the fluid passage Lf, fluids Fi and Fo through which the test specimen C flows circulate. The pressure regulating valve V is a pressure regulating unit disposed downstream of the test specimen C, and adjusts the pressure of the fluid Fo discharged from the test specimen C according to the control of the control unit 3. The evaluation unit M analyzes and evaluates the performance of the test specimen C. The control unit 3 can receive an operation input from an operator or the like and controls each component of the evaluation apparatus 100.

[0040] The fluid passage Lf has a fluid passage Li and a fluid passage Lo. The fluid passage Li is disposed upstream of the test specimen C and connected to the test specimen C, and supplies the fluid Fi to the test specimen C. The fluid passage Lo is disposed between the test specimen C and the evaluation unit M. The pressure regulating valve V is disposed in the fluid passage Lo, and the fluid Fo discharged from the test specimen C flows therethrough. The fluid passage Lo is connected to the evaluation unit M via the pressure regulating valve V and sends the fluid Fo to the evaluation unit M.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1, the evaluation unit M includes an analysis unit M1 and a measurement unit M2. The analysis unit M1 includes gas analysis units 17 and 27, which will be described later, and analyzes the types, contents, and / or mass fractions of the respective components contained in the fluid Fo.

[0042] The measurement unit M2 includes a plurality of sensors and detects the state of the specimen C itself, the environmental state of the specimen C, etc. However, this example does not exclude a configuration in which the measurement unit M2 includes only a single sensor. The analysis results of the analysis unit M1, the detection results of the measurement unit M2, etc. are output to the control unit 3.

[0043] <1-1. Water electrolysis evaluation apparatus 100> FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a water electrolysis evaluation apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. The water electrolysis evaluation apparatus 100 of the present embodiment is an example of the "evaluation apparatus 100" of the present invention and evaluates the performance of the specimen C. The specimen C is, for example, a water electrolysis cell that electrolyzes an electrolytic solution, or a water electrolysis stack (for example, a laminate of water electrolysis cells) composed of a plurality of water electrolysis cells. The specimen C electrolyzes the electrolytic solution to generate oxygen gas and hydrogen gas. In addition, the electrolytic solution in the present embodiment is a solution having electrical conductivity in which a predetermined concentration of ionic substance (electrolyte) is dissolved in a liquid containing water. However, this example does not exclude a configuration in which the liquid supplied to the specimen C is pure water, nor does it exclude a configuration in which the liquid is an electrolytic solution with a very low concentration of ionic substance.

[0044] Note that, for example, a PEM (proton exchange membrane) type, an alkaline type, and / or an AEM (anion exchange membrane) type are used for the water electrolysis cell. In the PEM type, the electrolytic solution is supplied from the anode Ea side. In the alkaline type, an alkaline solution is used as the electrolytic solution. In the AEM type, an anion exchange membrane is used.

[0045] The specimen C of the present embodiment is a so-called alkaline water electrolysis apparatus. Hydrogen gas and an alkaline solution flow from the cathode Ec side of the specimen C. Oxygen gas and an alkaline solution flow from the anode Ea side of the specimen C. The alkaline solution includes, for example, a potassium hydroxide solution, but is not limited thereto.

[0046] In the test specimen C of the first embodiment, a fluid containing hydrogen gas flows from the cathode Ec side, and a gas-liquid mixed fluid containing a gaseous component such as oxygen gas and a liquid component such as an electrolyte flows from the anode Ea side. The oxygen gas may contain low concentrations of hydrogen or carbon dioxide.

[0047] As shown in Figure 2, the water electrolysis evaluation apparatus 100 comprises a cathode-side gas evaluation unit 10, an anode-side gas evaluation unit 20, a control unit 3, a water storage unit 40, and a water supply line Lw. The cathode-side gas evaluation unit 10 separates gaseous components such as hydrogen gas from the gas-liquid mixed fluid discharged from the cathode Ec side of the test specimen C, and performs analysis and evaluation of the gaseous components. The anode-side gas evaluation unit 20 separates gaseous components such as oxygen gas from the gas-liquid mixed fluid discharged from the anode Ea side of the test specimen C, and analyzes and evaluates the gaseous components. The control unit 3 can receive operation input from an operator or the like, and controls each component of the water electrolysis evaluation apparatus 100. The water storage unit 40 stores water with low conductivity. This water may be, for example, pure water or highly purified industrial water. Preferably, the conductivity of this water is less than or equal to the conductivity of the electrolyte stored in the gas-liquid separation tanks 11 and 21, which will be described later.

[0048] However, the water storage units 40 are not limited to the examples given above, and there may be multiple water storage units 40, with some water storage units 40 storing water with low conductivity (or pure water) while other water storage units 40 store water with high conductivity (for example, an electrolyte with a high concentration of ionic substances). In this way, the water storage units 40 can supply water with low conductivity (or pure water) to the electrolyte supply source (for example, gas-liquid separation tanks 11, 21) when the concentration of the electrolyte supplied to the test specimen C is higher than a predetermined set value. On the other hand, the water storage units 40 can supply water with high conductivity (for example, an electrolyte with a high concentration of ionic substances) to the electrolyte supply source when the concentration of the electrolyte supplied to the test specimen C is lower than a predetermined set value. Therefore, the conductivity (in other words, ion concentration) of the electrolyte supplied to the test specimen C can be maintained near a predetermined set value.

[0049] <1-2. Cathode-side gas evaluation unit 10> The cathode-side gas evaluation unit 10 includes an introduction line L11, an exhaust line L12, a supply line L13, an outlet line L15, a circulation line L14, a gas-liquid separation tank 11, an electrical characteristic measurement unit 111, a gas analysis unit 17, a supply amount adjustment device 13, a circulation pump 14, and a pressure regulating valve Vc. The introduction line L11 and the outlet line L15 are flow paths Lc through which the cathode-side fluid Fc (i.e., hydrogen gas) that flows along the cathode Ec side of the test specimen C, including the process gas on the cathode Ec side of the test specimen C, flows. Hereinafter, the flow path Lc will be referred to as the "cathode-side fluid passage Lc".

[0050] The fluid discharged from the cathode Ec side of specimen C enters the introduction line L11. This fluid contains hydrogen gas generated on the cathode Ec side of specimen C. The fluid may also further contain water vapor and / or an electrolyte. In other words, the fluid may be a gas-liquid mixture containing gaseous and liquid components.

[0051] A pressure measuring unit P1 is provided in the introduction line L11. The pressure measuring unit P1 measures the pressure of the fluid flowing through the introduction line L11. However, the system is not limited to this example, and the pressure measuring unit P1 may be located in the gas-liquid separation tank 11 or the outlet line L15 instead of the introduction line L11. In the following, the pressure measuring unit P1 of the cathode-side gas evaluation unit 10 and the pressure measuring unit P2 of the anode-side gas evaluation unit 20, which will be described later, may be collectively referred to as "pressure measuring unit P".

[0052] The gas-liquid separation tank 11 separates the gas-liquid mixed fluid containing hydrogen gas discharged from the introduction line L11 into hydrogen gas and electrolyte. The separated hydrogen gas is discharged to the discharge line L15. The separated hydrogen gas may contain substances other than hydrogen (for example, water vapor). The separated electrolyte is stored in the gas-liquid separation tank 11. This electrolyte is a liquid whose main component is water, and it contains electrolytes such as substances that have been added in advance, and has a predetermined electrical resistance. This electrolyte may also contain metal ions dissolved from the piping that makes up the introduction line L11, or metal ions on the anode Ea side of the test specimen C.

[0053] In this embodiment, an electrical properties measuring unit 111 is also located in the gas-liquid separation tank 11. The electrical properties measuring unit 111 measures the electrical properties (e.g., conductivity, resistivity, pH, etc.) of the electrolyte separated in the gas-liquid separation tank 11. For example, in this embodiment, the electrical properties measuring unit 111 is a conductivity meter, but it may also be a resistivity meter or a pH meter. It should be noted that the electrical properties measuring unit 111 is not limited to the examples of this embodiment and may be located in locations other than the gas-liquid separation tank 11, for example, in the circulation line L14. Also, there may be one or more electrical properties measuring units 111.

[0054] The discharge line L12 is a drainage channel for discharging the electrolyte from the gas-liquid separation tank 11. A drainage volume adjustment device 12 is located in the discharge line L12. The drainage volume adjustment device 12 adjusts the amount of electrolyte discharged from inside the gas-liquid separation tank 11 to the outside via the discharge line L12. In this embodiment, the drainage volume adjustment device 12 is a control valve whose opening and closing is controlled by the control unit 33 (see Figure 2), which will be described later, of the control unit 3. However, it is not limited to this example, and the drainage volume adjustment device 12 may be a manually operated on / off valve, or a pump driven and controlled by the control unit 33.

[0055] The supply line L13 connects the water storage unit 40 and the gas-liquid separation tank 11 to enable water supply. A supply amount adjustment device 13, controlled by the control unit 33, is located in the supply line L13. The supply amount adjustment device 13 has a pump or the like and supplies water supplied from the water storage unit 40 via the water supply line Lw to the gas-liquid separation tank 11. Furthermore, the supply amount adjustment device 13 adjusts the amount of water supplied to the gas-liquid separation tank 11.

[0056] Here, the control unit 33 controls the drainage volume adjustment device 12 and the supply volume adjustment device 13 based on the electrical characteristics measured by the electrical characteristics measurement unit 111. As a result, the electrolyte in the gas-liquid separation tank 11 maintains its electrical characteristics at the set value. For example, the control unit 33 opens the drainage volume adjustment device 12 to discharge the electrolyte from the gas-liquid separation tank 11. The control unit 33 also uses the supply volume adjustment device 13 to supply water from the water storage unit 40 to the gas-liquid separation tank 11.

[0057] The circulation line L14 connects the gas-liquid separation tank 11 to the cathode Ec side of the test specimen C, enabling water to be supplied between them. A circulation pump 14, controlled by the control unit 33, is located in the circulation line L14. The circulation pump 14 supplies the electrolyte stored in the gas-liquid separation tank 11 to the cathode Ec side of the test specimen C.

[0058] The discharge line L15 discharges the gaseous component of the mixed fluid separated in the gas-liquid separation tank 11 to the gas analysis unit 17. The gas analysis unit 17 analyzes the gas discharged from the discharge line L15. For example, the gas may contain hydrogen gas as well as other substances such as water vapor and carbon dioxide. The gas analysis unit 17 includes, for example, an infrared gas analyzer or a gas chromatograph, and identifies the substances contained in the gas as described above, as well as detecting the concentration of each substance and / or its change over time. In the following, the gas analysis unit 17 of the cathode-side gas evaluation unit 10 and the gas analysis unit 27 of the anode-side gas evaluation unit 20 may be collectively referred to as "analysis unit M1".

[0059] Furthermore, a pressure regulating valve Vc controlled by the control unit 33 is located in the outlet line L15. The pressure regulating valve Vc is a regulator located in the cathode-side fluid passage Lc and is a pressure regulating unit that adjusts the pressure of the fluid flowing on the cathode Ec side of the test specimen C according to the control of the control unit 33. For example, in the cathode-side gas evaluation unit 10, the pressure regulating valve Vc is located downstream of the pressure measurement unit P1 and is feedback-controlled by the pressure control unit 331, which will be described later, of the control unit 33. The pressure control unit 331 adjusts the fluid pressure upstream of the pressure regulating valve Vc in the cathode-side fluid passage Lc based on the pressure measured by the pressure measurement unit P1. Accordingly, the pressure regulating valve Vc can also adjust the internal pressure of the introduction line L11, the gas-liquid separation tank 11, and the gas pressure on the cathode Ec side of the test specimen C.

[0060] Furthermore, the pressure regulating valve Vc may be located upstream of the outlet line L15, as long as it is downstream of the pressure measuring unit P1. For example, the pressure regulating valve Vc may be located in the inlet line L11 and the gas-liquid separation tank 11, and the pressure of the gas-liquid mixed fluid may be adjusted in the same manner as described above.

[0061] Furthermore, in the following, the pressure regulating valve Vc of the cathode-side gas evaluation unit 10 and the pressure regulating valve Va of the anode-side gas evaluation unit 20 (described later) may be collectively referred to as "pressure regulating valve V".

[0062] <1-3. Anode-side gas evaluation unit 20> The anode-side gas evaluation unit 20 includes an introduction line L21, an outlet line L25, a discharge line L22, a supply line L23, a circulation line L24, a pressure regulating valve Va, a gas-liquid separation tank 21, an electrical characteristic measurement unit 211, a drainage volume adjustment device 22, a supply volume adjustment device 23, a circulation pump 24, a condensation prevention unit 25, a flow sensor 26, and a gas analysis unit 27. The introduction line L21 and the outlet line L25 are flow paths La through which the anode-side fluid Fa (i.e., oxygen gas) that flows through the anode Ea side of the test specimen C, including the process gas on the anode Ea side of the test specimen C, flows. Hereinafter, flow path La will be referred to as the "anode-side fluid passage La".

[0063] In the following, the cathode-side fluid Fc and the anode-side fluid Fa may be collectively referred to as "first fluid F1". Furthermore, the cathode-side fluid passage Lc and the anode-side fluid passage La may be collectively referred to as "fluid passage Lf".

[0064] A gas-liquid mixed fluid is discharged from the anode Ea side of specimen C into the introduction line L21. This gas-liquid mixed fluid contains oxygen gas generated at the anode Ea side of specimen C and the remaining electrolyte. The gas-liquid mixed fluid may also further contain water vapor, leaked hydrogen, and / or carbon dioxide.

[0065] A pressure measuring unit P2 is provided in the introduction line L21. The pressure measuring unit P2 measures the pressure of the fluid flowing through the introduction line L21. However, the system is not limited to this example, and the pressure measuring unit P1 may be located in the gas-liquid separation tank 21 or the outlet line L25 instead of the introduction line L21.

[0066] The gas-liquid separation tank 21 separates the gas-liquid mixed fluid discharged from the introduction line L21 into oxygen gas and the remaining electrolyte. The separated oxygen gas is discharged to the discharge line L25. The separated oxygen gas may contain substances other than oxygen (for example, water vapor, leaked hydrogen, carbon dioxide, etc.). The separated electrolyte is stored in the gas-liquid separation tank 21. This electrolyte is a liquid whose main component is water and contains electrolytes such as the piping constituting the introduction line L21, metal ions on the cathode Ec side of the test specimen C, and / or substances that have been added in advance. This electrolyte has a predetermined electrical resistance.

[0067] In this embodiment, an electrical properties measuring unit 211 is also located in the gas-liquid separation tank 21. The electrical properties measuring unit 211 measures the electrical properties (e.g., conductivity, resistivity, pH, etc.) of the electrolyte separated in the gas-liquid separation tank 21. For example, in this embodiment, the electrical properties measuring unit 211 is a conductivity meter, but it may also be a resistivity meter or a pH meter. It should be noted that the electrical properties measuring unit 211 is not limited to the examples of this embodiment and may be located in locations other than the gas-liquid separation tank 21, for example, in the circulation line L24. Also, there may be one or more electrical properties measuring units 211.

[0068] The discharge line L22 is a drainage channel for discharging the electrolyte from the gas-liquid separation tank 21. A drainage volume adjustment device 22 is located in the discharge line L22. The drainage volume adjustment device 22 adjusts the amount of electrolyte discharged from inside the gas-liquid separation tank 21 to the outside via the discharge line L22. In this embodiment, the drainage volume adjustment device 22 is a control valve whose opening and closing is controlled by the control unit 33. However, it is not limited to this example, and the drainage volume adjustment device 22 may be a manually operated on / off valve or a pump driven and controlled by the control unit 33.

[0069] The supply line L23 connects the water storage unit 40 and the gas-liquid separation tank 21 to enable water supply. A supply amount adjustment device 23, controlled by the control unit 33, is located in the supply line L23. The supply amount adjustment device 23 has a pump and other components and supplies water supplied from the water storage unit 40 via the water supply line Lw to the gas-liquid separation tank 21. Note that the electrical characteristics of this water are different from those of the electrolyte in the gas-liquid separation tank 21. Furthermore, the supply amount adjustment device 23 adjusts the amount of water supplied to the gas-liquid separation tank 21.

[0070] In this embodiment, the water storage section 40 is common to both the gas-liquid separation tanks 11 and 21, as shown in Figure 2. However, the system is not limited to this example, and the water supplied to the gas-liquid separation tank 11 on the cathode Ec side and the gas-liquid separation tank 21 on the anode Ea side may be supplied from separate water storage sections 40.

[0071] The circulation line L24 connects the gas-liquid separation tank 21 to the anode Ea side of the test specimen C, enabling the supply of water. A circulation pump 24, controlled by the control unit 33, is located in the circulation line L24. The circulation pump 24 supplies the electrolyte stored in the gas-liquid separation tank 21 to the anode Ea side of the test specimen C.

[0072] Here, the control unit 33 controls the drainage volume adjustment device 22 and the supply volume adjustment device 23 based on the electrical characteristics measured by the electrical characteristics measurement unit 211. As a result, the electrolyte in the gas-liquid separation tank 21 maintains its electrical characteristics at the set value. For example, the control unit 33 opens the drainage volume adjustment device 12 to discharge the electrolyte from the gas-liquid separation tank 11. The control unit 33 also uses the supply volume adjustment device 13 to supply water from the water storage unit 40 to the gas-liquid separation tank 11.

[0073] The discharge line L25 discharges the gaseous component of the mixed fluid separated in the gas-liquid separation tank 21 to the gas analysis unit 27. The gas analysis unit 27 analyzes the gaseous component of the mixed fluid discharged from the discharge line L25. For example, the gas may contain oxygen gas as well as other substances such as water vapor and hydrogen leaked from the cathode Ec side. The gas analysis unit 17 includes, for example, an infrared gas analyzer or a gas chromatograph, and identifies the substances contained in the gas as described above, as well as detecting the concentration of each substance and / or its change over time.

[0074] Furthermore, the outlet line L25 is equipped with a condensation prevention unit 25, a flow sensor 26, and a pressure regulating valve Va controlled by a control unit 33.

[0075] The condensation prevention unit 25 is located downstream of the gas-liquid separation tank 21 in the outlet line L25 and is controlled by the control unit 33 to prevent condensation in the outlet line L25 (especially the oxygen gas flowing inside it). The condensation prevention unit 25 may employ, for example, a cold trap, a heat exchanger, a heater for heating the outlet line L25, and / or an insulating material that surrounds and covers the outer surface of the outlet line L25.

[0076] The flow sensor 26 is located downstream of the pressure regulating valve Va in the outlet line L25 and measures the flow rate of oxygen gas that is supplied to the gas analysis unit 27.

[0077] The pressure regulating valve Va is a regulator located in the anode-side fluid passage La, and is a pressure regulating unit that adjusts the pressure of the fluid flowing through the anode Ea side of the test specimen C according to the control of the control unit 33. For example, in the anode-side gas evaluation unit 20, the pressure regulating valve Va is located downstream of the pressure measurement unit P2 and is feedback-controlled by the pressure control unit 331 of the control unit 33. The pressure control unit 331 adjusts the fluid pressure upstream of the pressure regulating valve Va in the anode-side fluid passage La based on the pressure measured by the pressure measurement unit P2. Accordingly, the pressure regulating valve Va can also adjust the internal pressure of the introduction line L21, the gas-liquid separation tank 21, and / or the gas pressure on the anode Ea side of the test specimen C.

[0078] Furthermore, the pressure regulating valve Va may be located upstream of the outlet line L25, as long as it is downstream of the pressure measuring unit P2. For example, the pressure regulating valve Va may be located in the introduction line L21 and the gas-liquid separation tank 21, and the pressure of the gas-liquid mixed fluid may be adjusted in the same manner as described above.

[0079] <1-4. Control Unit 3> The control unit 3 includes a calculation unit 30, an input unit 31, a storage unit 32, a control unit 33, and a display unit 34.

[0080] The calculation unit 30 performs various calculations based on the evaluation results from the evaluation unit M, the operation input received by the input unit 31, and / or the control of the control unit 33. The evaluation results from the evaluation unit M include the analysis results from the analysis unit M1 and the measurement results from the measurement unit M2. The calculation unit 30 is also read-write to the storage unit 32 and performs calculations based on the information stored in the storage unit 32, and stores the calculation results in the storage unit 32. The calculation results of the calculation unit 30 can be displayed on the display unit 34, as described later. However, this embodiment is not limited to the examples, and at least a portion of the calculations performed by the calculation unit 30 may be performed, for example, by the evaluation unit M and / or the control unit 33. Also, at least a portion of the calculations related to the analysis results of the analysis unit M1 may be performed by the analysis unit M1 and / or the control unit 33, etc. Also, at least a portion of the calculations related to the measurement results of the measurement unit M2 may be performed by the measurement unit M2 and / or the control unit 33, etc.

[0081] The input unit 31 receives operation input and outputs said operation input to the control unit 33.

[0082] The memory unit 32 is a non-transient memory medium that retains data even when the power supply is interrupted. The memory unit 32 stores information necessary for each component of the water electrolysis evaluation device 100, such as programs and data used by the control unit 33. The memory unit 32 also stores control data for the water electrolysis evaluation device 100, experimental data obtained from evaluation experiments of test specimen C, and so on.

[0083] The control unit 33 controls the components of the water electrolysis evaluation device 100 that require control, based on the detection results of various sensors and other devices provided by the water electrolysis evaluation device 100, and the data stored in the storage unit 32. The control unit 33 comprises a CPU, memory, A / D converter, D / A converter, and various input / output devices, and constitutes a so-called computer.

[0084] The display unit 34 informs the viewer of information by displaying various information on the display screen. In this embodiment, the display unit 34 displays the performance evaluation results of the test specimen C. The display unit 34 displays, for example, the evaluation results from the evaluation unit M (for example, the analysis results from the analysis unit M1 and / or the measurement results from the measurement unit M2).

[0085] <1-4-1. Control Unit 33> The control unit 33 includes a pressure control unit 331 and a display control unit 332.

[0086] The pressure control unit 331 controls the pressure regulating valve V based on the measurement results of the pressure measuring unit P, and in particular controls the second fluid supply unit 544 and the control valve 546 (see Figure 3 below), which will be described later. For example, the pressure control unit 331 controls the pressure regulating valve Vc based on the measurement results of the pressure measuring unit P1, and controls the pressure regulating valve Va based on the measurement results of the pressure measuring unit P2. The control method for the pressure regulating valve V is not particularly limited. For example, the pressure control unit 331 may implement feedback control such as PID control, feedforward control, or sequence control on the pressure regulating valve V.

[0087] The display control unit 332 controls the display unit 34. For example, the display control unit 332 displays the evaluation results of the test specimen C on the display unit 34 based on the evaluation results from the evaluation unit M. The evaluation results of the performance of the test specimen C include the type of gas generated at each electrode of the test specimen C, the concentration and / or amount of each gas generated, the reaction efficiency of the test specimen C, and / or the change in the performance of the test specimen C when a durability test is performed.

[0088] The types of gases and / or the concentrations and / or amounts of each gas are calculated based on the analysis results from the analysis unit M1, the measurement results from the flow sensor located in the outlet line L15, and / or the measurement results from the flow sensor 26 located in the outlet line L25.

[0089] Furthermore, the reaction efficiency of test specimen C is calculated based on the amount of gas generated and / or the measurement results of the flow sensor mentioned above. For example, the reaction efficiency at the cathode Ec of the water electrolysis cell is calculated based on the hydrogen (H) mentioned above. ２ The reaction efficiency is calculated based on the calculated amount of gases such as oxygen (O) and carbon monoxide (CO) and / or the measurement results of the flow sensor. If gases other than carbon monoxide (CO) are discharged from the cathode Ec side, the calculated amount of gases and / or the measurement results of the flow sensor can also be taken into account when calculating the reaction efficiency. The reaction efficiency at the anode Ea is calculated based on the above-mentioned oxygen (O) ２ ) (and / or cross-leaked hydrogen (H ２ It is calculated based on the calculated amount of )) and / or the measurement results of the flow sensor, etc.

[0090] Furthermore, the performance changes of the water electrolysis cell during various durability tests are calculated based on the concentrations of various gases generated at each electrode of the water electrolysis cell, the voltage and current between the cathode Ec and anode Ea of the water electrolysis cell measured by a voltmeter and ammeter (not shown), etc. These durability tests are conducted, for example, by continuously applying a constant voltage or current to the water electrolysis cell.

[0091] In addition, the display control unit 332 can also display on the display unit 34 the changes in conductivity and pH of the electrolyte in the gas-liquid separation tanks 11 and 21, as measured by conductivity sensors and pH meters (not shown), and the detection results of each sensor located in the water electrolysis evaluation device 100.

[0092] In this embodiment, the above-mentioned matters to be displayed on the display unit 34 by the display control unit 332 are calculated by the calculation unit 30. However, the system is not limited to this example, and at least a part of the above-mentioned matters may be calculated by a unit other than the calculation unit 30, for example, by the evaluation unit M and / or the control unit 33.

[0093] <1-5. Other Additional Components> In addition, the water electrolysis evaluation apparatus 100 may further include a temperature control member. The temperature control member adjusts the temperature of the fluid flowing through each of the lines L11-L15 and L21-L25. The temperature control member may cool the fluid, heat the fluid, or maintain the fluid's temperature. The temperature control member may be placed in a part of each of the lines L11-L15 and L21-L25, or it may be placed throughout each of the lines L11-L15 and L21-L25. The temperature control member may also be provided upstream of the test specimen C to heat the fluid flowing into the test specimen C. A preheating tank may also be placed upstream of the test specimen C. This preheating tank stores and preheats the fluid flowing into the test specimen C. This preheating tank may also be heated by the temperature control member. This allows the water electrolysis evaluation device 100 to supply heated circulating water to the test specimen C. This example does not exclude configurations in which the water electrolysis evaluation device 100 does not have a preheating tank, nor does it exclude configurations in which the water electrolysis evaluation device 100 does not have a temperature control component.

[0094] <1-6. Pressure Regulating Valve V> Next, an example of the configuration of the pressure regulating valve V will be described. In this embodiment, both pressure regulating valves Vc and Va are electro-pneumatic regulators that adjust the internal pressure of the piping using gas pressure. Furthermore, their configurations are the same. However, this example does not exclude configurations in which the configuration of one of the pressure regulating valves Vc or Va differs from the configuration of the other, nor does it exclude configurations in which either of the pressure regulating valves Vc or Va is not an electro-pneumatic regulator. For example, either of the pressure regulating valves Vc or Va may be a pressure regulating valve other than an electro-pneumatic regulator.

[0095] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the pressure regulating valve V in the first embodiment. In Figure 3, direction D is the direction from one of the joint portion 51 and the pilot portion 53, which will be described later, to the other. Also in Figure 3, of the directions D, the direction from the pilot portion 53 toward the joint portion 51 is called "direction D1", and the direction from the joint portion 51 toward the pilot portion 53 is called "direction D2".

[0096] As shown in Figure 3, the pressure regulating valve V is positioned in the fluid passage Lf and adjusts the pressure of the first fluid F1 flowing through the fluid passage Lf. The pressure regulating valve V includes a joint 51, a support member 52, a pilot 53, a tank 54, a pressure regulating member 55, and elastic members 561 and 562.

[0097] The joint portion 51 is positioned in the fluid passage Lf. The joint portion 51 has a cylindrical portion 511. The cylindrical portion 511 is connected in the middle of the fluid passage Lf. For example, one end of the cylindrical portion 511 (port 5111) is connected to the end of the fluid passage Lf on the specimen C side. The other end of the cylindrical portion 511 (port 5112) is connected to the end of the fluid passage Lf on the gas analysis unit 27 side.

[0098] The joint portion 51 further includes a recess 512 and an opening 513. The recess 512 is located on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 511 and is recessed radially inward (i.e., from the outside to the inside of the cylindrical portion 511). The opening 513 is located on the bottom surface of the recess 512 (i.e., the inner surface facing the outside of the cylindrical portion 511) and penetrates the cylindrical portion 511 radially inward. Therefore, the recess 512 is connected to the space inside the cylindrical portion 511 via the opening 513.

[0099] The support member 52 supports the pilot portion 53 on the outside of the joint portion 51. The support member 52 has a main body portion 521, a recess 522, and an opening 523. The main body portion 521 is positioned on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 511 and covers the recess 512 of the joint portion 51. The recess 522 of the support member 52 is positioned on the outer surface of the main body portion 521 facing the joint portion 51 and recesses inward toward the main body portion 521. The recess 522 of the support member 52, together with the recess 512 of the joint portion 51, constitutes a columnar space 50. This space 50 extends in direction D. The opening 523 is positioned on the bottom surface of the recess 522 (i.e., the inner surface facing the cylindrical portion 511) and penetrates the main body portion 521. The recess 522 is connected to the internal space of the pilot portion 53 via the opening 523.

[0100] The pilot unit 53 includes a first pilot unit 531, a second pilot unit 532, and a diaphragm 533.

[0101] The first pilot section 531 is a covered cylindrical shape in which the end of the first cylindrical section (reference numeral omitted) on the joint section 51 side is closed by a first lid section (reference numeral omitted), and is supported by a support member 52. The first pilot section 531 has an opening 5311 and a flange section 5312. The opening 5311 is located in the first lid section of the first pilot section 531 and penetrates the first lid section. The flange section 5312 extends radially outward from the end of the first cylindrical section of the first pilot section 531 on the second pilot section 532 side (i.e., from the inside to the outside of the first cylindrical section) and extends along the outer surface of the first cylindrical section.

[0102] The second pilot section 532 is a covered cylindrical shape in which the end of the second cylindrical section (reference numeral omitted) on the tank section 54 side is closed by a second lid section (reference numeral omitted), and is supported by a support member 52 which is located on the tank section 54 side of the first pilot section 531. The second pilot section 532 has an opening 5321 and a flange section 5322. The opening 5321 is located on the second lid section of the second pilot section 532 and penetrates the second lid section. The flange section 5322 extends radially outward from the end of the second cylindrical section of the second pilot section 532 on the first pilot section 531 side (i.e., from the inside to the outside of the second cylindrical section) and extends along the outer surface of the second cylindrical section.

[0103] The diaphragm 533 is a flexible, membrane-like member and is positioned between the first pilot section 531 and the second pilot section 532. Furthermore, the outer edge of the diaphragm 533 is sandwiched between the flange 5312 of the first pilot section 531 and the flange 5322 of the second pilot section 532. In this way, the diaphragm 533 divides the internal space of the pilot section 53 into space 5313 and pilot chamber 5323. Space 5313 is the space enclosed by the inner surface of the first pilot section 531 and the diaphragm 533 and is connected to space 50 via openings 523 and 5311. Pilot chamber 5323 is the space enclosed by the inner surface of the second pilot section 532 and the diaphragm 533 and is connected to the internal space 540 of the tank section 54 via opening 5321.

[0104] The tank section 54 communicates with the pilot chamber 5323 and contains the second fluid F2 supplied to and discharged from the pilot chamber 5323 in its internal space 540. For example, the tank section 54 is connected to the second pilot section 532. The tank section 54 has an opening 541 that connects the inside and outside of the tank section 54. The internal space 540 of the tank section 54 communicates with the pilot chamber 5323 via the openings 541 and 5321. The pilot chamber 5323 contains the second fluid F2. For example, the second fluid F2 is supplied to and discharged from the tank section 54 through the openings 541 and 5321 into the pilot chamber 5323.

[0105] Furthermore, a supply pipe 542 and a discharge pipe 545 are connected to the tank section 54.

[0106] The supply pipe 542 connects the internal space 540 of the tank section 54 to the second fluid supply section 544. The second fluid supply section 544 is the source of the second fluid F2 and supplies and stops the second fluid F2 to the internal space 540 according to the control of the control unit 33. The second fluid F2 is not particularly limited and may be a gas. Furthermore, the second fluid F2 may be an instrumentation gas such as nitrogen, oxygen, or air. In this case, the pressure regulating valve V can adjust the pressure of the first fluid F1 by adjusting the pressure of the instrumentation gas. In this case, a line for introducing the above-mentioned instrumentation gas is connected to the supply pipe 542 of the tank section 54. The second fluid F2 may also be discharged to the outside via a check valve 546 from a discharge pipe 545 (see Figure 3). Alternatively, the second fluid F2 may be non-dischargeable (see Figures 4A and 4B described later). Alternatively, the second fluid F2 may be either a gas-liquid mixture or a liquid.

[0107] The discharge pipe 545 is a pipe for discharging the second fluid F2 to the outside. A control valve 546 is located in the discharge pipe 545. The control valve 546 is a discharge unit connected to the outlet of the tank section 54 (the discharge pipe 545) and adjusts the discharge amount of the second fluid F2. The control valve 546 is opened and closed according to the control of the control unit 33. For example, the control valve 546 is closed when the second fluid F2 is supplied into the tank section 54 and opened when the second fluid F2 is discharged from the tank section 54. Furthermore, the degree to which the control valve 546 is opened can also be adjusted according to the control unit 33. In this way, the control unit 33 can adjust the amount of the second fluid F2 discharged through the control valve 546, thereby also adjusting the internal pressure of the tank section 54 and the pilot chamber 5323. Furthermore, the control unit 33 may adjust the degree of opening of at least one of the control valves 546 of the pressure regulating valve Vc and the pressure regulating valve Va to set the pressure of the cathode-side fluid Fc (i.e., the internal pressure of the cathode Ec of the specimen C) and the pressure of the anode-side fluid Fa (i.e., the internal pressure of the anode Ea of the specimen C) to a predetermined ratio. The cathode-side fluid Fc mainly contains hydrogen, and the anode-side fluid Fa mainly contains oxygen. The control unit 33 may, for example, adjust the pressure ratio of the two to set the pressure of the anode-side fluid Fa to half the pressure of the cathode-side fluid Fc.

[0108] Preferably, the internal pressure of the tank section 54 (i.e., the pressure of the second fluid F2) is feedback-controlled, for example, by PID control, based on the measurement value of the pressure gauge 543. More preferably, the internal pressure of the tank section 54 is adjusted to target a predetermined constant pressure. In this way, by adjusting the pressure of the second fluid F2 to a predetermined constant pressure or near it, the pressure of the first fluid F1 discharged from the test specimen C can also be adjusted to a predetermined constant pressure or near it. Therefore, pressure fluctuations of the first fluid F1 can be suppressed or prevented.

[0109] Preferably, the internal pressure of the tank section 54 (i.e., the pressure of the second fluid F2) is adjusted according to the pressure range set for the test specimen C. In this way, not only the pressure of the second fluid F2 but also the pressure of the first fluid F1 can be adjusted on a scale corresponding to the dynamic range of the pressure set for the test specimen C. For example, if the dynamic range of the pressure set for the test specimen C is large, the internal pressure of the tank section 54 (i.e., the pressure of the second fluid F2) is adjusted on a large scale corresponding to that dynamic range. As a result, the pressure of the first fluid is also adjusted on a larger scale. Conversely, if the dynamic range of the pressure set for the test specimen C is small, the internal pressure of the tank section 54 (i.e., the pressure of the second fluid F2) is adjusted on a small scale corresponding to that dynamic range. As a result, the pressure of the first fluid is also adjusted on a smaller scale. Therefore, the water electrolysis evaluation device 100 can control the pressure of the first fluid F1 discharged from the test specimen C with greater precision.

[0110] Furthermore, a pressure gauge 543 is positioned in the supply pipe 542. The pressure gauge 543 is a pressure measuring unit that detects the pressure inside the supply pipe 542 and outputs the detection result to the control unit 33. The pressure inside the supply pipe 542 is the same as the internal pressure of the tank section 54. The second fluid F2 is supplied to and discharged from the pilot chamber 5323 via the tank section 54 and the openings 541 and 5321. Therefore, the internal pressure of the pilot chamber 5323 is the same as the internal pressure of the tank section 54. Accordingly, the control unit 33 can adjust the internal pressure of the pilot chamber 5323 by driving the second fluid supply unit 544 and switching the opening and closing of the control valve 546.

[0111] In detail, the control unit 33 controls the amount of second fluid F2 supplied in the second fluid supply unit 544 based on the measurement value of the pressure gauge 543, and / or the control unit 33 controls the discharge amount of second fluid F2 in the control valve 546. Since the second fluid F2 is supplied to and discharged from the pilot chamber 5323 via the tank section 54 and the opening 541, the internal pressure of the pilot chamber 5323 is the same as the internal pressure of the tank section 54. Therefore, the internal pressures of the tank section 54 and the pilot chamber 5323 can be adjusted. Thus, even if a sudden pressure fluctuation occurs, the pressure of the fluid flowing through the test specimen C can be controlled.

[0112] The pressure regulating member 55 is positioned in the internal spaces of the spaces 50, 5313 and the cylindrical portion 511, and adjusts the pressure of the fluid F1 flowing through the fluid passage Lf on the test specimen C side according to the pressure of the second fluid F2 in the pilot chamber 5323. For example, the pressure regulating member 55 is movable from one side (fluid passage Lf side) to the other (i.e., direction D) according to the difference between the pressure of the first fluid F1 and the pressure of the second fluid F2. In other words, the pressure regulating member 55 is movable according to the balance between the pressure of the first fluid F1 and the pressure of the second fluid F2. The portion of the shaft member 551 on the joint portion 51 side is positioned in the space 50 and the openings 523 and 5311. The portion of the shaft member 551 on the pilot portion 53 side is positioned in the space 5313.

[0113] The pressure regulating member 55 includes a shaft member 551, a flow path side pressure regulating section 552, a flange section 553, and a pilot side pressure regulating section 554.

[0114] The shaft member 551 is a columnar member extending in direction D in Figure 3 and is inserted through the openings 523 and 5311. Preferably, the shaft member 551 is in contact with the edge of the main body portion 521 of the support member 52 along the opening 523 and the edge of the first pilot portion 531 along the opening 5311, and is slidable in direction D with respect to the aforementioned edges in Figure 3.

[0115] The flow path side pressure regulating section 552 is a columnar member positioned at the end of the shaft member 551 on the joint portion 51 side and extending in direction D. At least the portion of the flow path side pressure regulating section 552 on the direction D2 side is positioned within the space 50. The flow path side pressure regulating section 552 is in contact with the edge of the cylindrical portion 511 along the opening 513 and is slidable in direction D relative to the aforementioned edge in Figure 3. Furthermore, the pressure regulating member 55, including the flow path side pressure regulating section 552, is movable in direction D in accordance with the pressure acting on the end face of the flow path side pressure regulating section 552 on the direction D1 side. In other words, the portion of the flow path side pressure regulating section 552 on the direction D1 side can protrude into the inside of the cylindrical portion 511.

[0116] The flange portion 553 extends from the outer surface of the flow path side pressure regulating portion 552 in a direction intersecting direction D (for example, radially) and extends circumferentially along the outer surface of the flow path side pressure regulating portion 552. In Figure 3, the flange portion 553 is located on the outer surface of the flow path side pressure regulating portion 552, at the end on the pilot portion 53 side in direction D, but this example is not limiting, and it is sufficient to have it located anywhere other than the joint portion 51 side in direction D. The flange portion 553 is located within the space 50 between the edge portion of the cylindrical portion 511 along the opening 513 and the edge portion of the support member 52 (its main body portion 521) along the opening 523. The flange portion 553, together with the flow path side pressure regulating portion 552, is movable in direction D in Figure 3.

[0117] The pilot-side pressure regulating section 554 is positioned at the end of the shaft member 551 on the pilot section 53 side and extends in a direction intersecting direction D. The pilot-side pressure regulating section 554 is in contact with the surface of the diaphragm 533 facing the joint section 51 side and is preferably fixed to the diaphragm 533. The pressure regulating member 55, including the pilot-side pressure regulating section 554, is movable in direction D in response to the pressure acting on the end face of the pilot-side pressure regulating section 554 on the direction D2 side, or in other words, it is movable in direction D in response to the deformation (bending) of the diaphragm 533 in direction D.

[0118] The elastic members 561 and 562 are members that are highly elastic in at least direction D and are arranged within the space 50. In this embodiment, the elastic members 561 and 562 are spring coils. However, the elastic members 561 and 562 are not limited to this example, and may be other than spring coils, for example, cylindrical rubber. The elastic member 561 is arranged between the end of the flange portion 553 and / or the flow path side pressure regulating portion 552 on the direction D2 side and the edge portion of the main body portion 521 along the outer edge of the opening 5311, and biases the flange portion 553 and the flow path side pressure regulating portion 552 in direction D1. The elastic member 562 is arranged between the flange portion 553 and the edge portion of the cylindrical portion 511 along the outer edge of the opening 513, and together with the flow path side pressure regulating portion 552, biases the flange portion 553 in direction D2. Note that the elastic members 561 and 562 are optional.

[0119] In Figure 3, the sum of the volume of the pilot chamber 5323 and the volume of the internal space 540 of the tank section 54 is greater than the volume of the space 5313 enclosed by the first pilot section 531 and the diaphragm 533. The former "sum of volumes" also includes the volume of the opening 5321 of the second pilot section 532 and the volume of the opening 541 of the tank section 54.

[0120] In this way, even if the internal pressure of the fluid passage Lf on the test specimen C side fluctuates significantly, and the pressure regulating member 55 (particularly the pilot-side pressure regulating section 554) moves in direction D2 as a result, the fluctuation in the sum of the volume of the pilot chamber 5323 and the volume of the internal space 540 of the tank section 54 is suppressed. In other words, the amount of fluctuation becomes small. Therefore, the fluctuation in the internal pressure of the pilot chamber 5323 and the tank section 54 at this time is also suppressed. Consequently, the water electrolysis evaluation device 100 can accurately control the pressure of the pressure regulating valve V even when large pressure fluctuations occur in the first fluid F1.

[0121] In this case, preferably, the volume of the tank section 54 (i.e., the internal space 540) is greater than or equal to the volume of the pilot chamber 5323. For example, the size of the internal space 540 in direction D may be larger than that of the pilot chamber 5323. And / or, the size of the internal space 540 in a direction perpendicular to direction D may be larger than that of the pilot chamber 5323.

[0122] In this way, even if the pressure regulating member 55 (particularly the pilot-side pressure regulating section 554) moves toward direction D2, fluctuations in the sum of the volume of the pilot chamber 5323 and the volume of the internal space 540 of the tank section 54 are further suppressed. Therefore, fluctuations in the internal pressure of the pilot chamber 5323 and the tank section 54 are also further suppressed. Consequently, the control unit 33 can perform pressure control at the pressure regulating valve V more easily and accurately.

[0123] Preferably, the pressing area of ​​the pressure regulating member 55 by the second fluid F2 is larger than the pressing area of ​​the pressure regulating member 55 by the first fluid F1 flowing through the fluid passage Lf. For example, when viewed from direction D, the end face of the pilot-side pressure regulating section 554 on the direction D2 side is larger than the end face of the flow path-side pressure regulating section 552 on the direction D1 side. In this case, the housing portion and opening 541 surrounding the internal space 540 of the tank section 54 and the opening 5321 of the second pilot section 532 may be omitted. For example, the supply pipe 542 and the discharge pipe 545 may be directly connected to the second pilot section 532 and directly communicate with the pilot chamber 5323.

[0124] This reduces the pressure exerted by the end face of the pilot-side pressure regulating unit 554 on the direction D2 side against the diaphragm 533. As a result, the amount of deformation (bend) of the diaphragm 533 in direction D can be reduced. This reduces the amount of fluctuation in the sum of the volume of the pilot chamber 5323 and the volume of the internal space 540 of the tank section 54. In other words, the fluctuation in the internal pressure of the pilot chamber 5323 and the tank section 54 can be reduced. Therefore, the water electrolysis evaluation device 100 can accurately control the pressure of the pressure regulating valve V even when there are large pressure fluctuations. However, the above example does not exclude a configuration in which the volume of the tank section 54 (i.e., the internal space 540) is less than the volume of the pilot chamber 5323.

[0125] Preferably, the pressure regulating valve V is positioned interchangeably with respect to the fluid passage Lf. This allows for the replacement and placement of a pressure regulating valve V in the fluid passage Lf for each evaluation test, matching the pressure fluctuations in the fluid passage Lf. Consequently, the control unit 33 can accurately control the pressure in the pressure regulating valve V without changing the settings of the control parameters of the pressure regulating valve V.

[0126] More preferably, the pressure regulating valve V is equipped with a replaceable pressure regulating member 55. This eliminates the need for a separate pressure regulating valve V for each different water electrolysis evaluation device 100, and the pressure regulating valve V does not need to be replaced. For example, in this case, the pressure regulating member 55 may be selected and replaced according to the pressure range set for the test specimen C. For example, to double the pressure range, the area receiving pressure from the first fluid F1 side can be doubled by replacing it with a different type of pressure regulating member 55, or the area receiving pressure from the second fluid F2 side can be halved. In Figure 3, in the former case, the end face on the direction D1 side of the flow path side pressure regulating unit 552 can be replaced with a pressure regulating member 55 that is twice the size. In the latter case, the end face on the direction D2 side of the pilot side pressure regulating unit 554 can be replaced with a pressure regulating member 55 that is half the size. This makes it possible to double the pressure range without changing the control parameters of the second fluid supply unit 544 and / or the control valve 546. The dynamic range of pressure regulation in the pressure regulating valve V can be easily and inexpensively implemented.

[0127] However, the above examples do not exclude a configuration in which the volume of the tank section 54 (i.e., the internal space 540) is less than the volume of the pilot chamber 5323, nor do they exclude a configuration (the latter configuration) in which the pressing area of ​​the pressure regulating member 55 by the second fluid F2 is less than or equal to the pressing area of ​​the pressure regulating member 55 by the first fluid F1 flowing through the fluid passage Lf. Furthermore, the above examples do not exclude a configuration in the latter configuration in which the housing section surrounding the internal space 540 and the opening 541 and the opening 5321 of the second pilot section 532 are not omitted.

[0128] <1-7. Example of operation of pressure regulating valve V> Next, an example of operation of the pressure regulating valve V will be explained. The pressure regulating valve V adjusts the pressure of the first fluid F1 flowing through the test specimen C according to the pressure of the second fluid F2 contained in the tank section 54, which is in communication with the pilot chamber 5323 through which the second fluid F2 is supplied and discharged.

[0129] For example, when the pressure of the first fluid F1 flowing through the fluid passage Lf increases, and the force acting on the end face of the pressure regulating member 55 on the direction D1 side (i.e., the fluid passage Lf side) becomes greater than the force acting on the end face of the pressure regulating member 55 on the direction D2 side (i.e., the pilot chamber 5323 side), the pressure regulating member 55 moves in direction D2 according to the difference between the two forces. At this time, the volume of the portion of the fluid passage Lf that the end face of the pressure regulating member 55 on the direction D1 side faces increases. Therefore, the increase in the internal pressure of the fluid passage Lf is suppressed, and it can be reduced and maintained at a predetermined pressure. On the other hand, although the total volume of the pilot chamber 5323 and the tank section 54 decreases, the rate of fluctuation is small. Therefore, fluctuations in the internal pressure of the pilot chamber 5323 and the tank section 54 are suppressed or do not fluctuate. Note that the total volume of the pilot chamber 5323 and the tank section 54 is sufficiently larger than the volume of the portion of the fluid passage Lf that the end face of the pressure regulating member 55 on the direction D1 side faces. Therefore, the pressure regulating valve V can maintain the internal pressure of the fluid passage Lf at a predetermined level even if the pressure of the first fluid F1 rises rapidly.

[0130] Furthermore, as the pressure of the first fluid F1 flowing through the fluid passage Lf decreases, the force acting on the end face of the pressure regulating member 55 on the direction D2 side (i.e., the pilot chamber 5323 side) becomes greater than the force acting on the end face of the pressure regulating member 55 on the direction D1 side (i.e., the fluid passage Lf side). In accordance with the difference between these forces, the pressure regulating member 55 moves in direction D1. This reduces the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the fluid passage Lf. As a result, the flow rate of the first fluid F1 decreases. However, the first fluid F1 accumulates upstream of the pressure regulating valve V. Therefore, the pressure of the first fluid F1 begins to rise, and the pressure difference between the first fluid F1 side and the second fluid side gradually decreases. When the pressure on the first fluid F1 side becomes equal to or greater than the pressure on the second fluid side, the pressure regulating member 55 begins to move in direction D2. Then, as the pressure regulating member 55 moves so that the pressure on the first fluid F1 side and the pressure on the second fluid side balance each other, the pressure on the first fluid F1 side can be maintained at a constant level.

[0131] In Figure 3, the second fluid F2 is supplied from the second fluid supply unit 544 to the internal space 540 of the tank unit 54 and discharged to the outside of the tank unit 54 through the discharge pipe 545. However, the invention is not limited to this example, and the second fluid F2 may be supplied from the second fluid supply unit 544 to the internal space 540, but may not be discharged to the outside of the tank unit 54, for example, as shown in Figure 4A. Figure 4A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a first modified example of the configuration of the pressure regulating valve V in the first embodiment. In the tank unit 54 of Figure 4A, the discharge pipe 545 and the control valve 546 are omitted. Therefore, the tank unit 54 cannot discharge the second fluid F2 to the outside.

[0132] Alternatively, the second fluid F2 does not have to be drawn in or discharged into the internal space 540, for example, as shown in Figure 4B. Figure 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a second modified example of the configuration of the pressure regulating valve V in the first embodiment. In the tank section 54 of Figure 4B, the supply pipe 542, pressure gauge 543, second fluid supply section 544, discharge pipe 545, and control valve 546 are omitted. Therefore, the second fluid F2 cannot be supplied to the tank section 54. Furthermore, the tank section 54 cannot discharge the second fluid F2 to the outside.

[0133] <1-8. Other Configuration Examples of Pressure Regulating Valve V> In the pressure regulating valve V shown in Figure 3, the pressure in the internal space 540 (i.e., the pilot chamber 5323) of the tank section 54 is the same as the supply pressure of the second fluid F2 supplied from the second fluid supply section 544 to the tank section 54. However, the example is not limited to this, and the pressure in the internal space 540 (i.e., the pilot chamber 5323) may be the same as the pressure of fluids other than the fluid supplied from the second fluid supply section 544. For example, the pressure in the internal space 540 (i.e., the pilot chamber 5323) may be the same as the pressure of the fluid Fo flowing through the evaluation section M.

[0134] <1-8-1. Other Configuration Examples of Pressure Regulating Valve Vc> As an example, the pressure regulating valve Vc of the cathode-side gas evaluation unit 10 may adjust the pressure based on the pressure of the anode-side fluid Fa. Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another configuration example of the pressure regulating valve Vc of the cathode-side gas evaluation unit 10. In Figure 5, the supply pipe 542 of the pressure regulating valve Vc connects the internal space 540 of the tank section 54 and the upper space of the gas-liquid separation tank 21 of the anode-side gas evaluation unit 20. The anode-side fluid Fa, from which the liquid component has been separated in the gas-liquid separation tank 21, flows into the internal space 540 via the supply pipe 542.

[0135] The discharge pipe 545 is connected via a control valve 546 and a check valve 547 to the outlet line L25 of the anode-side gas evaluation unit 20, downstream of the gas-liquid separation tank 21 and upstream of the gas analysis unit 27. By configuring the pressure regulating valve Vc as shown in Figure 5, the pressure in the internal space 540 (i.e., the pilot chamber 5323) can be made the same as the pressure of the anode-side fluid Fa. By utilizing the pressure of the anode-side fluid Fa, the pressure regulating valve Vc can be operated with a simple configuration without having to arrange a second fluid supply unit 544.

[0136] Furthermore, the discharge pipe 545 may be connected to the outlet line L25 of the anode-side gas evaluation unit 20 downstream of the gas-liquid separation tank 21 and upstream of the gas analysis unit 27 via a control valve 546 in addition to the check valve 547. The control valve 546 is opened and closed according to the control of the control unit 33 to adjust the discharge amount of the second fluid F2 (anode-side fluid Fa). For example, the control valve 546 may be closed when the second fluid F2 is supplied into the tank unit 54. Also, the control valve 546 may be opened when the second fluid F2 is discharged from the tank unit 54. Furthermore, the degree to which the control valve 546 is opened may also be adjustable according to the control unit 33. In this way, the control unit 33 can adjust the discharge amount of the second fluid F2 at the control valve 546, thereby also adjusting the internal pressure of the tank unit 54 and the pilot chamber 5323. Furthermore, the check valve 547 prevents the backflow of the anode-side fluid Fa from the outlet line L25 to the internal space 540. For example, the check valve 547 allows fluid to flow from the internal space 540 to the outlet line L25, but does not allow fluid to flow from the outlet line L25 to the internal space 540. However, this example does not exclude configurations in which the control valve 546 is omitted.

[0137] <1-8-2. Other Configuration Examples of Pressure Regulating Valve Va> As another example, the pressure regulating valve Va of the anode-side gas evaluation unit 20 may adjust the pressure based on the pressure of the cathode-side fluid Fc. Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another configuration example of the pressure regulating valve Va of the anode-side gas evaluation unit 20. In Figure 6, the supply pipe 542 of the pressure regulating valve Va connects the internal space 540 of the tank section 54 and the upper space of the gas-liquid separation tank 11 of the cathode-side gas evaluation unit 10. The cathode-side fluid Fc, from which the liquid component has been separated in the gas-liquid separation tank 11, flows into the internal space 540 via the supply pipe 542.

[0138] The discharge pipe 545 is connected to the outlet line L15 of the cathode-side gas evaluation unit 10 downstream of the gas-liquid separation tank 11 and upstream of the gas analysis unit 17 via a control valve 546 and a check valve 547. The control valve 546 is opened and closed according to the control of the control unit 33 to adjust the discharge amount of the second fluid F2 (cathode-side fluid Fc). For example, the control valve 546 is closed when the second fluid F2 is supplied into the tank section 54 and opened when the second fluid F2 is discharged from the tank section 54. Furthermore, the degree to which the control valve 546 is opened can also be adjusted according to the control unit 33. In this way, the control unit 33 can adjust the discharge amount of the second fluid F2 at the control valve 546, thereby also adjusting the internal pressure of the tank section 54 and the pilot chamber 5323. The check valve 547 prevents backflow of the cathode-side fluid Fc from the outlet line L15 into the internal space 540. For example, the check valve 547 allows fluid to flow from the internal space 540 to the outlet line L15, but does not allow fluid to flow from the outlet line L15 to the internal space 540.

[0139] By configuring the pressure regulating valve Va as shown in Figure 6, the pressure in the internal space 540 (i.e., the pilot chamber 5323) can be made the same as the pressure of the cathode-side fluid Fc. By utilizing the pressure of the cathode-side fluid Fc, the pressure regulating valve Va can be operated with a simple configuration without having to arrange the second fluid supply unit 544.

[0140] <1-8-3. Modified Examples> In Figures 5 and 6, the fluid Fo flows from the evaluation unit M into the internal space 540 of the tank unit 54 and is returned to the evaluation unit M from the discharge pipe 545. However, the system is not limited to these examples, and the pressure of the fluid Fo flowing through the evaluation unit M may be transmitted to the internal space 540 (and pilot chamber 5323) of the tank unit 54, while the fluid Fo itself may not circulate within the tank unit 54. For example, in the pressure regulating valve Vc, the pressure of the anode-side fluid Fa flowing through the anode-side gas evaluation unit 20 may be transmitted to the internal space 540 (and pilot chamber 5323) of the tank unit 54, while the anode-side fluid Fa itself may not circulate within the tank unit 54. Furthermore, in the pressure regulating valve Va, the pressure of the cathode-side fluid Fc flowing through the cathode-side gas evaluation unit 10 is transmitted to the internal space 540 (and pilot chamber 5323) of the tank section 54, while the cathode-side fluid Fc itself may not flow through the tank section 54.

[0141] <2. Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the cathode-side gas evaluation unit 10 and the anode-side gas evaluation unit 20 each use the same pressure regulating valve Vh to adjust the pressure of the fluids (hydrogen gas, oxygen gas) supplied to the gas analysis units 17 and 27. Below, a configuration that differs from the first embodiment in the second embodiment will be described. Also, in the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for components similar to those in the first embodiment described above, and their descriptions may be omitted.

[0142] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the water electrolysis evaluation apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Figure 7, the water electrolysis evaluation apparatus 100 has a pressure regulating valve Vh. The configuration of the other components is the same as in the first embodiment (see Figure 2). Therefore, the explanation of at least some of the configurations of each similar component may be omitted.

[0143] The pressure regulating valve Vh is located in the outlet line L15 of the cathode-side gas evaluation unit 10 and adjusts the pressure applied to the cathode Ec side of the test specimen C. The outlet line L15 is the first fluid passage through which hydrogen gas, which is supplied to the gas analysis unit 17 on the cathode-side gas evaluation unit 10 side, flows. This hydrogen gas is the cathode-side fluid Fc that flows through the cathode Ec side of the test specimen C.

[0144] Furthermore, the pressure regulating valve Vh is located in the outlet line L25 of the anode-side gas evaluation unit 20 to adjust the pressure applied to the anode Ea side of the test specimen C. The outlet line L25 is a second fluid passage through which oxygen gas, which is supplied to the gas analysis unit 27 on the anode-side gas evaluation unit 20 side, flows. This oxygen gas is the anode-side fluid Fa that flows through the anode Ea side of the test specimen C.

[0145] <2-1. Pressure Regulating Valve Vh> Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the pressure regulating valve Vh of the second embodiment.

[0146] In Figure 8, direction Da is the direction from one of the joint section 51a and the tank section 54, which will be described later, to the other. Of the directions Da, the direction from the tank section 54 to the joint section 51a is called "direction Da1", and the direction from the joint section 51a to the tank section 54 is called "direction Da2".

[0147] Furthermore, in Figure 8, direction Dc is the direction from one of the joint section 51c and the tank section 54, which will be described later, to the other. Of the directions Dc, the direction from the tank section 54 to the joint section 51c is called "direction Dc1", and the direction from the joint section 51c to the tank section 54 is called "direction Dc2".

[0148] Direction Da may be parallel to direction Dc. Alternatively, direction Da may not be parallel to direction Dc, but may intersect it, for example.

[0149] As shown in Figure 8, the pressure regulating valve Vh includes joint sections 51c, 51a, support members 52c, 52a, pilot sections 53c, 53a, tank section 54, pressure regulating members 55c, 55a, and elastic members 561c, 562c, 561a, 562a.

[0150] Furthermore, the configurations of the joints 51c, 51a, support members 52c, 52a, pilot parts 53c, 53a, pressure regulating members 55c, 55a, and elastic members 561c, 562c, 561a, 562a in Figure 8 are the same as the configurations of the joints 51, support members 52, pilot parts 53, pressure regulating members 55, and elastic members 561, 562 in Figure 3, respectively, by replacing "direction Dc" in Figure 8 with "direction D" in Figure 3. Also, the configuration of the tank section 54 in Figure 8 is the same as the configuration of the tank section 54 in Figure 3, except that the tank section 54 has two openings 541c, 541a. Therefore, the explanation of at least some of the configurations of each similar component may be omitted.

[0151] <2-1-1. Cathode Ec side> In Figure 8, the joint 51c, support member 52c, pilot unit 53c, tank unit 54, pressure regulating member 55c, and elastic members 561c and 562c adjust the pressure of the cathode-side fluid Fc (for example, hydrogen gas) discharged from the specimen C to the cathode-side fluid passage Lc.

[0152] The joint portion 51c is positioned in the cathode-side fluid passage Lc. More specifically, the cylindrical portion 511 of the joint portion 51c is connected to the middle of the cathode-side fluid passage Lc. One end of the cylindrical portion 511c (port 5111c) is connected to the end of the cathode-side fluid passage Lc on the specimen C side. The other end of the cylindrical portion 511c (port 5112c) is connected to the end of the cathode-side fluid passage Lc on the gas analysis unit 17 side.

[0153] In the pilot section 53c, the flexible membrane-like diaphragm 533c divides the internal space of the pilot section 53c into a space 5313c on the direction Dc1 side and a cathode-side pilot chamber 5323c on the direction Dc2 side. The cathode-side pilot chamber 5323c is a space enclosed by the inner surface of the second pilot section 532c and the diaphragm 533c, and communicates with the internal space 540 of the tank section 54 via an opening 5321c.

[0154] The pressure regulating member 55c is positioned in the internal space of the spaces 50c, 5313c and the cylindrical portion 511c, and is movable in direction Dc. In the pressure regulating member 55c, the end face of the flow path side pressure regulating portion 552c on the direction Dc1 side is in contact with the cathode side fluid Fc that is led from the cathode side fluid passage Lc on the specimen C side into the interior of the cylindrical portion 511c, and is pressed in the direction Dc2 by the cathode side fluid Fc. On the other hand, the end face of the pilot side pressure regulating portion 554c on the direction Dc2 side is in contact with the surface of the diaphragm 533c facing the joint portion 51c side. Preferably, the pilot side pressure regulating portion 554c is fixed to the diaphragm 533c. The end face of the pilot side pressure regulating portion 554c on the direction Dc2 side is pressed in direction Dc1 in accordance with the deformation (bending) of the diaphragm 533c due to the pressing of the second fluid F2.

[0155] The pressure regulating member 55c, including the flow path side pressure regulating section 552c and the pilot side pressure regulating section 554c, moves in direction Dc in accordance with the balance between the force acting on the flow path side pressure regulating section 552c in direction Dc2 and the force acting on the pilot side pressure regulating section 554c in direction Dc1. The force acting on the flow path side pressure regulating section 552c can be calculated by the product of the pressure exerted by the cathode side fluid Fc on the end face of the flow path side pressure regulating section 552c on the direction Dc1 side (in direction Dc2) and the contact area between the two (i.e., the end face of the flow path side pressure regulating section 552c on the direction Dc1 side and the cathode side fluid Fc). Furthermore, the force acting on the pilot-side pressure regulating section 554c can be calculated by multiplying the pressure exerted by the second fluid F2 on the end face of the pilot-side pressure regulating section 554c on the direction Dc2 side (direction Dc1) via the diaphragm 533c by the contact area between the diaphragm 533c and the end face of the pilot-side pressure regulating section 554c on the direction Dc2 side. As a result, the pressure regulating member 55c equalizes the pressure of the cathode-side fluid Fc flowing in the cathode-side fluid passage Lc on the test specimen C side with the pressure of the second fluid F2 in the cathode-side pilot chamber 5323c.

[0156] <2-1-2. Anode Ea side> In Figure 8, the joint 51a, support member 52a, pilot section 53a, tank section 54, pressure regulating member 55a, and elastic members 561a and 562a adjust the pressure of the anode-side fluid Fa (for example, hydrogen gas) discharged from the specimen C to the anode-side fluid passage La.

[0157] The joint portion 51a is positioned in the anode-side fluid passage La. More specifically, the cylindrical portion 511 of the joint portion 51a is connected to the middle of the anode-side fluid passage La. One end of the cylindrical portion 511a (port 5111a) is connected to the end of the anode-side fluid passage La on the specimen C side. The other end of the cylindrical portion 511a (port 5112a) is connected to the end of the anode-side fluid passage La on the gas analysis unit 27 side.

[0158] In the pilot section 53a, the flexible membrane-like diaphragm 533a divides the internal space of the pilot section 53a into a space 5313a on the direction Da1 side and an anode-side pilot chamber 5323a on the direction Da2 side. The anode-side pilot chamber 5323a is a space enclosed by the inner surface of the second pilot section 532a and the diaphragm 533a, and communicates with the internal space 540 of the tank section 54 via an opening 5321a.

[0159] The pressure regulating member 55a is positioned in the internal space of the spaces 50a, 5313a and the cylindrical portion 511a, and is movable in direction Da. In the pressure regulating member 55a, the end face of the flow path side pressure regulating portion 552a on the Da1 direction side is in contact with the anode side fluid Fa that is led from the anode side fluid passage La on the specimen C side into the interior of the cylindrical portion 511a, and is pressed in the Da2 direction by the anode side fluid Fa. On the other hand, the end face of the pilot side pressure regulating portion 554a on the Da2 direction side is in contact with the surface of the diaphragm 533a facing the joint portion 51a side. Preferably, the pilot side pressure regulating portion 554a is fixed to the diaphragm 533a. The end face of the pilot side pressure regulating portion 554a on the Da2 direction side is pressed in direction Da1 in accordance with the deformation (bending) of the diaphragm 533a due to the pressing of the second fluid F2.

[0160] The pressure regulating member 55a, including the flow path side pressure regulating section 552a and the pilot side pressure regulating section 554a, moves in direction Da in accordance with the balance between the force acting on the flow path side pressure regulating section 552a in direction Da2 and the force acting on the pilot side pressure regulating section 554a in direction Da1. The force acting on the flow path side pressure regulating section 552a can be calculated by the product of the pressure exerted by the anode side fluid Fa on the end face of the flow path side pressure regulating section 552a on the direction Da1 side (in direction Da2) and the contact area between the two (i.e., the end face of the flow path side pressure regulating section 552a on the direction Da1 side and the anode side fluid Fa). Furthermore, the force acting on the pilot-side pressure regulating section 554a can be calculated by multiplying the pressure exerted by the second fluid F2 on the Da2-side end face of the pilot-side pressure regulating section 554a via the diaphragm 533a (in the Da1 direction) by the contact area between the diaphragm 533a and the Da2-side end face of the pilot-side pressure regulating section 554a. As a result, the pressure regulating member 55a equalizes the pressure of the anode-side fluid Fa flowing in the anode-side fluid passage La on the test specimen C side with the pressure of the second fluid F2 in the anode-side pilot chamber 5323a.

[0161] <2-1-3. Tank section 54> The tank section 54 communicates with the cathode-side pilot chamber 5323c and the anode-side pilot chamber 5323a, and houses the second fluid F2 supplied to and discharged from both in its internal space 540.

[0162] For example, the tank section 54 is connected to the second pilot section 532c on the cathode Ec side. The tank section 54 has an opening 541c that connects the inside and outside of the tank section 54. The internal space 540 of the tank section 54 communicates with the cathode-side pilot chamber 5323c via the openings 541c and 5321c. In other words, the second fluid F2 is supplied to and discharged from the cathode-side pilot chamber 5323c via the openings 541c and 5321c.

[0163] Furthermore, the tank section 54 is connected to the second pilot section 532a on the anode Ea side. The tank section 54 further has an opening 541a that connects the inside and outside of the tank section 54. The internal space 540 of the tank section 54 communicates with the anode-side pilot chamber 5323a via the openings 541a and 5321a. In other words, the second fluid F2 is supplied to and discharged from the anode-side pilot chamber 5323a via the openings 541a and 5321a.

[0164] The control unit 33 controls the amount of second fluid F2 supplied from the second fluid supply unit 544 to the internal space 540 and the opening and closing of the control valve 546 based on the detection results of the pressure gauge 543. As a result, the control unit 33 can adjust the internal pressure of the cathode-side pilot chamber 5323c and the anode-side pilot chamber 5323a, and further adjust the internal pressure of the cathode-side fluid passage Lc and the anode-side fluid passage La.

[0165] <2-1-4. Pressure Regulating Members 55c, 55a> Preferably, the pressure regulating members 55c and 55a maintain a constant pressure ratio rp of the cathode-side fluid Fc to the anode-side fluid Fa. This allows the pressure Pc in the cathode-side fluid passage Lc and the pressure Pa in the anode-side fluid passage La to be adjusted according to the generation ratio rg of each process gas in the test specimen C. Therefore, the control unit 33 can perform pressure control at the pressure regulating valve Vh without changing the setting of the control parameters of the pressure regulating valve Vh. Thus, the water electrolysis evaluation device 100 can accurately control the pressure of the pressure regulating valve V.

[0166] In detail, Figure 8 shows that the respective areas Sc1, Sc2, Sa1, Sa2, and / or their area ratios rc, ra, rs in the pressure regulating members 55c and 55a are appropriately set according to the generation ratio of the process gas described above. This ensures that the pressure ratio rp of the cathode-side fluid Fc pressure Pa to the anode-side fluid Fa pressure Pc is kept constant.

[0167] The area ratio rc mentioned above is the ratio of the area Sc1 of the end face on the direction Dc1 side of the flow path side pressure regulating section 552c in the pressure regulating member 55c to the area Sc2 of the end face on the direction Dc2 side of the pilot side pressure regulating section 554c. The area ratio ra mentioned above is the ratio of the area Sa1 of the end face on the direction Da1 side of the flow path side pressure regulating section 552a in the pressure regulating member 55a to the area Sa2 of the end face on the direction Da2 side of the pilot side pressure regulating section 554a. The area ratio rs mentioned above is the ratio of the area Sc2 of the end face on the direction Dc2 side of the pilot side pressure regulating section 554a in the pressure regulating member 55c to the area Sa2 of the end face on the direction Da2 side of the pilot side pressure regulating section 554a in the pressure regulating member 55a.

[0168] Further, the pressure Pc is the pressure of the cathode-side fluid Fc applied to the end face on the direction Dc1 side of the flow path-side pressure regulating portion 552a of the pressure regulating member 55c. The pressure Pa is the pressure of the anode-side fluid Fa applied to the end face on the direction Da1 side of the flow path-side pressure regulating portion 552a of the pressure regulating member 55a.

[0169] For example, by making all of the following mathematical formulas hold, the pressure ratio rp = (Pc / Pa) is kept constant. (Formula 1) rc = (Sc2 / Sc1) (Formula 2) ra = (Sa2 / Sa1) (Formula 3) rs = (Sc2 / Sa2) = {(rc × Sa1) / (ra × Sc1)} (Formula 4) (Pc / rc) = (Pa / ra)

[0170] For example, the generation amount of the process gas (mainly hydrogen gas; H ２ ) on the cathode Ec side of the test specimen C which is a water electrolysis cell is twice the generation amount of the process gas (mainly oxygen gas; O ２ ) on the anode Ea side of the test specimen C (that is, H ２ : O ２ = 2:1). Therefore, the pressure Pc of the cathode-side fluid Fc flowing through the cathode-side fluid passage Lc on the test specimen C side is about twice the pressure Pa of the anode-side fluid Fa flowing through the anode-side fluid passage La on the test specimen C side (that is, rp ≈ 2). Accordingly, when the area Sc1 on the pressure regulating member 55c side is equal to the area Sa1 on the pressure regulating member 55a side (that is, Sc1 = Sa1), by setting the area Sa2 on the pressure regulating member 55a side to be twice the area Sc2 on the pressure regulating member 55c side (2 × Sc2 = Sa2), the pressure ratio rp is kept at a value corresponding to the generation ratio rg of the process gas in the test specimen C.

[0171] <2-1-5. Modified Examples of Pressure Regulating Valve V> In the above example, the pressure regulating valve V has a tank section 54. However, this example does not exclude configurations in which the pressure regulating valve V does not have at least a part of the tank section 54. For example, in the configuration of Figure 8, a configuration in which the housing portion and openings 541c, 541a surrounding the internal space 540 and the openings 5321c, 5321a of the second pilot sections 532c, 532a are not omitted is not excluded. In this case, the supply pipe 542 and the discharge pipe 545 may be connected to the second pilot sections 532c, 532a. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 9, the entire tank section 54 may be omitted. In this case, the openings 5321c, 5321a of the second pilot sections 532c, 532a may be directly connected to each other, or the second pilot sections 532c, 532a may be configured as a single unit.

[0172] <4. Other Embodiments> For example, in the first embodiment (see Figures 2 to 6) and the second embodiment (see Figures 7 to 9) described above, the present invention is applied to a water electrolysis evaluation apparatus 100 in which an electrochemical cell such as a water electrolysis cell or a cell stack thereof is used as the test specimen C. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples and can also be applied to a carbon dioxide co-electrolysis evaluation apparatus in which a carbon dioxide co-electrolysis cell is used as the test specimen C, and a fuel cell evaluation apparatus in which a fuel cell is used as the test specimen C. Furthermore, the present invention may also be applied to an adsorbent evaluation apparatus. An adsorbent evaluation apparatus is an evaluation apparatus for the adsorption performance of process gases (carbon dioxide, oxygen, etc.) on a gas adsorbent. In this adsorbent evaluation apparatus, the test specimen C is an adsorbent such as a porous material such as zeolite or activated carbon.

[0173] <5. Remarks> Embodiments of the present invention have been described above. The above embodiments are illustrative, and various modifications are possible in the combination of each component and each process, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these modifications fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0174] This invention is useful for devices that use an electrochemical cell to produce water and hydrogen or oxygen from one of them through an electrochemical reaction.

[0175] 100...Water electrolysis evaluation device (evaluation device), 10...Cathode side gas evaluation unit, 11...Gas-liquid separation tank, 20...Anode side gas evaluation unit, 21...Gas-liquid separation tank, 5323...Pilot chamber, 5323c...Cathode side pilot chamber, 5323a...Anode side pilot chamber, 54...Tank section, 543...Pressure gauge (pressure measurement unit), 544...Second fluid supply unit (supply unit), 546...Control valve (discharge unit), 55, 55c, 55a...Pressure regulating member, 71...Pressure adjustment unit, Sp...Pilot chamber, C...Test specimen, 201...Electrochemical cell, F1...First fluid, F2...Second fluid, Lf, Li, Lo...Fluid passage, Lc...Cathode side fluid passage, La...Anode side fluid passage, P, P1, P2...Pressure measurement unit, V, Vc, Va, Vh...Pressure regulating valve (pressure adjustment unit), M...Evaluation unit

Claims

1. An evaluation device for evaluating the performance of a test specimen, comprising: a fluid passage through which a first fluid flowing through the test specimen flows; a pressure adjustment unit disposed in the fluid passage for adjusting the pressure of the first fluid; and an evaluation unit for evaluating the performance of the test specimen, wherein the pressure adjustment unit comprises: a pilot chamber containing a second fluid; a tank section communicating with the pilot chamber for containing the second fluid; and a pressure regulating member for adjusting the pressure of the first fluid according to the pressure of the second fluid, wherein the pressure regulating member is movable from one side of the fluid passage and the other side according to the difference between the pressure of the first fluid and the pressure of the second fluid.

2. The evaluation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the volume of the tank section is greater than or equal to the volume of the pilot chamber.

3. The evaluation apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the pressing area of ​​the pressure regulating member by the second fluid is larger than the pressing area of ​​the pressure regulating member by the first fluid.

4. The evaluation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the test specimen is either an electrochemical cell or a gas adsorbent.

5. An evaluation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a gas-liquid separation tank for separating the gas-liquid mixed fluid containing the first fluid discharged from the test specimen, wherein the gas-liquid separation tank is disposed between the test specimen and the pressure adjustment unit.

6. The evaluation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pressure adjustment unit adjusts the pressure of the first fluid with a predetermined constant pressure as the target.

7. The evaluation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the pressure adjustment unit further comprises a pressure measuring unit for detecting the internal pressure of the tank section, and a discharge unit connected to the discharge port of the tank section for adjusting the discharge amount of the second fluid, and the discharge amount of the second fluid in the discharge unit is controlled based on the measurement value of the pressure measuring unit.

8. The evaluation device according to claim 7, wherein the pressure adjustment unit further comprises a supply unit for supplying the second fluid to the tank unit, and the amount of the second fluid supplied in the supply unit is controlled based on the measurement value of the pressure measuring unit.

9. The evaluation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the pressure of the second fluid is adjusted according to a pressure range set on the specimen.

10. The evaluation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the test specimen is an electrochemical cell, the fluid passage comprises a cathode-side fluid passage through which a cathode-side fluid flowing on the cathode side of the electrochemical cell flows, and an anode-side fluid passage through which an anode-side fluid flowing on the anode side of the electrochemical cell flows, the pressure adjustment unit further comprises a cathode-side pilot chamber connected to the cathode-side fluid passage, an anode-side pilot chamber connected to the anode-side fluid passage, and a pressure regulating member that maintains a constant pressure ratio of the cathode-side fluid to the anode-side fluid, and the tank section communicates with the cathode-side pilot chamber and the anode-side pilot chamber.

11. The evaluation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the pressure adjustment unit is interchangeably arranged with respect to the fluid passage.

12. An evaluation device for evaluating the performance of an electrochemical cell, comprising: a cathode-side fluid passage through which a cathode-side fluid flowing on the cathode side of the electrochemical cell flows; an anode-side fluid passage through which an anode-side fluid flowing on the anode side of the electrochemical cell flows; a pressure adjustment unit disposed in the cathode-side fluid passage and the anode-side fluid passage for adjusting and maintaining a constant pressure ratio between the cathode-side fluid and the anode-side fluid; and an evaluation unit for evaluating the performance of the electrochemical cell.

13. An evaluation method for evaluating the performance of a test specimen using an evaluation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising: a pressure adjustment step of adjusting the pressure of the first fluid flowing through the test specimen according to the pressure of the second fluid contained in a tank section communicating with a pilot chamber through which the second fluid is supplied and discharged; and an evaluation step of evaluating the performance of the test specimen in an evaluation section.

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