Form-Fitting Electrolysis Cell Sealing for Liquid-Gas Tightness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing arrangements for electrolysis cells in electrolysis devices face challenges in achieving both liquid-tight and gas-tight sealing with low leakage rates, particularly under varying pressure and temperature conditions, and have limited service life.
Innovation Solution
A sealing arrangement comprising a form-fitting design with inner and outer sealing elements connected via positive connections, such as buttonhole or dovetail joints, to prevent relative movement and enhance sealing, using materials with specific mechanical properties to adapt to electrolysis conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sealing arrangements are used, then the sealing structure is simple, but the liquid-tight and gas-tight sealing performance is insufficient with higher leakage rates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing arrangement is divided into multiple sealing elements (first sealing element, second sealing element, third sealing element) with distinct functions. The first sealing element seals the electrolyte, the second seals the gas outlet, and the third seals the gas inlet. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized for its specific sealing requirement, achieving low leakage rates for both liquid and gas while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through modular design.
2Reliability
If sealing elements are allowed to move relative to each other, then the sealing arrangement is easy to assemble, but the sealing effectiveness deteriorates under pressure and temperature variations
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing elements are pre-configured with specific geometric features (protrusions, recesses, L-shaped profiles) that automatically guide their relative positioning during assembly. The first sealing element's protrusion fits into the second sealing element's recess, and the L-shaped profiles are pre-oriented to engage with the electrolysis cell's sealing surface. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the components are assembled, they automatically achieve the correct relative positions and orientations, maintaining sealing effectiveness under pressure and temperature variations while preserving assembly ease.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If a single sealing element is used, then the device complexity is low, but the service life is limited under cyclic loading and temperature variations
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing elements are designed with different material properties and geometric parameters to withstand various operating conditions. The first sealing element contacting the electrolyte is made from materials resistant to chemical corrosion, while the second and third sealing elements handling gases are designed with different mechanical properties. The L-shaped profiles and varying thicknesses (first thickness, second thickness, third thickness) are specifically dimensioned to distribute stress during cyclic loading and thermal expansion, significantly extending service life under alkaline or acidic electrolysis conditions.
4Reliability
If sealing elements are positively connected, then the relative movement is blocked and sealing is improved, but the assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing elements are designed with nested geometric features where protrusions of one element fit into recesses of another, creating a form-fitting connection. The first sealing element's protrusion is nested within the second sealing element's recess, and the L-shaped profiles are nested against the electrolysis cell's sealing surface. This nesting approach provides positive mechanical connection that blocks relative movement and ensures sealing stability, while the self-aligning nature of the nested features keeps the assembly process relatively simple.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a sealing arrangement for sealing electrolysis cells in an electrolysis device, in particular in an alkaline pressure electrolysis, with an outer sealing element (8) and an inner sealing element (7) which are arranged in a form-fitting manner with respect to one another.