High-Pressure Hydrogen Production Apparatus with Barrier Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydrogen production apparatuses experience significant hydrogen gas leakage towards the anode side through the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, especially when the apparatus halts operation, due to increasing hydrogen gas pressure on the cathode side.
Innovation Solution
A high-pressure hydrogen production apparatus with a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, cathode and anode side power feeders, and separators, featuring a high-pressure vessel with a barrier member and hydrogen gas guide channel to separate and manage high-pressure hydrogen gas, preventing leakage by maintaining intimate contact between power feeders and the membrane using a barrier member pressed by the gas pressure and optionally aided by auxiliary elastic means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If water is supplied to the anode side and electrolysis is performed to generate hydrogen gas on the cathode side, then hydrogen production efficiency is improved, but hydrogen gas leaks toward the anode side via the solid polymer electrolyte membrane when pressure increases
Solution Approach 1:
A barrier member is introduced as an intermediary component between the cathode side and anode side compartments. This barrier member selectively prevents hydrogen gas from penetrating through the solid polymer electrolyte membrane to the anode side, while allowing water to pass through to the cathode side for electrolysis. The barrier member thus mediates the conflict between maintaining high hydrogen production efficiency and preventing hydrogen leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal structure of the pressure vessel is segmented into distinct functional zones: a cathode side compartment for hydrogen generation, an anode side compartment for water supply, and a barrier member zone that separates these compartments. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each zone's function while preventing harmful interactions, specifically preventing hydrogen gas from the cathode side from reaching the anode side through the electrolyte membrane.
2Loss of energy
If the apparatus halts operation, then energy consumption is reduced, but hydrogen gas pressure builds up on the cathode side causing increased leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier member serves as a passive intermediary that continuously prevents hydrogen gas leakage regardless of operational state. During halt periods when no active pumping or pressure regulation is occurring, the barrier member's selective permeability properties automatically prevent pressure buildup on the anode side, eliminating the need for energy-consuming active management systems.
3Manufacturing precision
If the barrier member is pressed by high-pressure hydrogen gas, then gas-liquid separation is improved, but the barrier member may deform or fail under continuous high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier member's physical parameters are specifically optimized to withstand high pressure environments. By selecting materials and designing structural parameters (such as thickness, porosity, and mechanical strength) that are appropriate for high-pressure conditions, the barrier member can effectively separate hydrogen gas from water while maintaining long-term reliability under continuous high-pressure operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively prevents hydrogen gas leakage from the cathode side to the anode side, maintaining high electrolytic efficiency and reducing electrolytic voltage, with a significant reduction in hydrogen gas leakage from 0.2 ml/min-cm2 to 0.01 ml/min-cm2 or less, and allows for downsizing by integrating gas-liquid separation within the apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
The hydrogen ions accompanied by water molecules pass through the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 2 and move toward the cathode side
Implementation Method 2
water which has been supplied to the fluid channel 10 is electrolyzed at the catalyst electrode layer provided on the anode side of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 2, and then hydrogen ions, electrons, and oxygen gas are generated
Implementation Method 3
then receive electrons from a catalyst electrode layer on the cathode side to convert to hydrogen gas
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a high-pressure hydrogen production apparatus for preventing hydrogen gas from leaking toward an anode side and for obtaining excellent electrolytic efficiency. The apparatus includes a single cell having a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, power feeders, separators, and fluid channels provided in respective separators. High-pressure hydrogen gas accompanied by water is obtained in the fluid channel by supplying water to the fluid channel and applying current to each power feeder to electrolyze water. The obtained hydrogen gas and water are subjected to gas-liquid separation in a second compartment of a high-pressure vessel, and hydrogen gas thus separated is used to press a barrier member towards the single cell. The separated water is supplied to the fluid channel through the hydrogen gas guide channel.