CN114525532A

CN114525532A - Water electrolytic tank and electrolytic hydrogen production system

Info

Publication number: CN114525532A
Application number: CN202210195563.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 杨勇智
Original assignee: Suzhou Xingran Technology Co ltd
Current assignee: Suzhou Xingran Technology Co ltd
Priority date: 2022-03-01
Filing date: 2022-03-01
Publication date: 2022-05-24
Anticipated expiration: 2042-03-01
Also published as: CN114525532B

Abstract

The application provides a water electrolyzer and an electrolytic hydrogen production system, which relate to the technical field of hydrogen energy, and comprise a membrane electrode, an anode flow field structure, a cathode flow field structure and a voltage detection circuit; the anode flow field structure comprises an anode conductive plate; the cathode flow field structure comprises a cathode conductive plate; the anode conductive plate and the cathode conductive plate are respectively arranged on two sides of the membrane electrode and are connected with the membrane electrode; and two ends of the voltage detection circuit are respectively connected with the anode conductive plate and the cathode conductive plate. The water electrolyzer and the electrolytic hydrogen production system can effectively monitor the running state of the water electrolyzer in real time, and the electrolytic hydrogen production system can realize remote hydrogen production control.

Description

Water electrolytic tank and electrolytic hydrogen production system

Technical Field

The application relates to the technical field of hydrogen energy, in particular to a water electrolyzer and an electrolytic hydrogen production system.

Background

Hydrogen energy is a secondary energy source, and hydrogen production by water is the most promising method in the long run.

The hydrogen production by utilizing the water of the electrolytic cell can effectively reduce the use of mineral energy and reduce the environmental pollution, the existing hydrogen production equipment of the water electrolytic cell generally assembles the electrolytic cell in a box body, is externally connected with a water source, and introduces water into the electrolytic cell to react to prepare hydrogen and oxygen. Thus, the operating conditions of a water electrolyzer directly determine the hydrogen production efficiency. And because each subassembly structure is all sealed including by both end plates in the water electrolysis trough, the staff is difficult to in time know when inside damage has appeared, is unfavorable for the maintenance of water electrolysis trough and the effective operation of brineelectrolysis hydrogen manufacturing technology.

Disclosure of Invention

The application aims to provide a water electrolyzer, which can effectively monitor the running state of the water electrolyzer in real time.

In another aspect, the present application also provides an electrolytic hydrogen production system.

In a first aspect, the present application provides a water electrolyzer comprising a membrane electrode, an anode flow field structure, a cathode flow field structure and a voltage detection circuit;

the anode flow field structure comprises an anode conductive plate;

the cathode flow field structure comprises a cathode conductive plate;

the anode conducting plate and the cathode conducting plate are respectively arranged on two sides of the membrane electrode and are connected with the membrane electrode; and two ends of the voltage detection circuit are respectively connected with the anode conductive plate and the cathode conductive plate.

Further, in some embodiments of the present application, the voltage detection circuit includes a voltage detector.

In a second aspect, the present application also provides an electrolytic hydrogen production system comprising:

at least one water electrolyser as provided in the first aspect;

the control system stores voltage data of the operation of each water electrolyzer; and the control system acquires the voltage information detected by each voltage detection circuit and controls the on-off of the circuit of each water electrolyzer according to the mapping relation between the voltage information and the voltage data.

Further, in some embodiments of the present application, controlling the on/off of the circuit of the water electrolyzer according to the mapping relationship between the voltage information and the voltage data includes:

when the voltage information falls into the range of the voltage data, the circuit of the water electrolysis cell is kept communicated;

when the voltage information falls out of the range of the voltage data, keeping the circuit of the water electrolysis cell disconnected;

the voltage data is a voltage range of the water electrolyzer during normal water electrolysis operation.

Further, in some embodiments of the present application, the electrolytic hydrogen production system further comprises:

the water purifier is externally connected with a water source; the water purifier is communicated with the water electrolyzer;

a purified water tank for storing water treated by the water purifier; one end of the water purifying tank is communicated with the water purifier, and the other end of the water purifying tank is communicated with the water electrolyzer; a water quality monitoring unit for monitoring water quality in real time is arranged in the water purifying tank; the water quality monitoring unit is electrically connected with the control system.

Further, in some embodiments of the present application, the water quality monitoring unit is a water quality resistivity meter;

the control system stores water resistance data of the operation of the water electrolyzer; and the control system acquires water resistance information of the water quality resistivity tester and controls the on-off of the water channel of the water purifier according to the mapping relation between the water resistance data and the water resistance information.

Further, in some embodiments of the present application, the water electrolyzer is provided with a water injection port, a water discharge and oxygen outlet, and a hydrogen outlet;

the water outlet and oxygen outlet are connected with a water outlet and oxygen outlet pipe, and the water injection port is connected with the water purification tank through a first water injection pipeline; the hydrogen outlet is connected with a hydrogen outlet pipeline; the water purifier is connected with the purified water tank through a second water injection pipeline;

flow monitoring units for monitoring flow are arranged on the water drainage oxygen outlet pipe, the first water injection pipeline, the second water injection pipeline and the hydrogen outlet pipeline; the flow monitoring unit is electrically connected with the control system.

Further, in some embodiments of the present application, a water-gas separator is disposed on the hydrogen outlet pipe; the oxygen outlet pipeline is connected with a hydrogen discharge pipeline on an exhaust port of the water-gas separator; a water outlet of the water-gas separator is connected with a circulating pipeline; the circulating pipeline is connected with the water purifier;

and the hydrogen discharge pipeline and the circulating pipeline are both provided with flow monitoring units electrically connected with the control system.

Further, in some embodiments of the present application, the control system includes a current adjustment unit;

and the control system controls the running current of the water electrolysis cell according to the mapping relation between the running current data of the water electrolysis cell and the flow of the hydrogen in the hydrogen discharge pipeline.

Further, in some embodiments of the present application, the control system further comprises an operating platform comprising a display; the display is used for displaying the running state of the water electrolyzer. Further, in some embodiments of the present application, the circuits of a plurality of the water electrolyzers are connected in series in sequence;

the water passages of the water electrolysis tanks are connected in parallel.

The application provides a water electrolysis cell connects a voltage detection circuit on positive pole current conducting plate and negative pole current conducting plate for the circuit voltage of real-time supervision water electrolysis cell, according to the voltage value that voltage detection circuit real-time detection detected, can know whether normal the running state of water electrolysis cell. If the membrane electrode is damaged, the anode conductive plate and the cathode conductive plate are damaged, and other components in the water electrolyzer are damaged, the voltage information obtained by the voltage detection circuit can be obtained, so that the real-time monitoring of whether each component in the water electrolyzer normally operates or not can be realized through the voltage detection circuit.

The application also provides an electrolytic hydrogen production system, which adopts the voltage detection circuit and the control system to monitor the running state of the water electrolytic tank in the electrolytic hydrogen production system in real time, realizes the intelligent controllability of the electrolytic hydrogen production system, and improves the hydrogen production safety and the operation safety.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the detailed description of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings needed to be used in the detailed description of the present application or the prior art description will be briefly introduced below, and it is obvious that the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative efforts.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of an electrolytic hydrogen production system provided herein;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the connection structure of the water electrolyzer, the water purifier, the water purification tank, the water pump and the moisture separator in the electrolytic hydrogen production system provided by the present application;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a water electrolyzer in an electrolytic hydrogen production system provided by the present application;

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a first B gasket of a water electrolyzer in an electrolytic hydrogen production system provided by the present application;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the water pump and water purifier in the electrolytic hydrogen production system provided by the present application;

FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of an electric cabinet in the electrolytic hydrogen production system provided by the present application;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of an electrolytic hydrogen production system provided herein;

fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electrolytic hydrogen production system provided by the present application.

In the figure: 1-a water pump, 2-a water purifier, 3-a water purifying tank, 4-a water electrolyzer, 5-a water-gas separator, 6-a water discharging and oxygen discharging pipe, 610-a second main pipe, 620-a second branch pipe, 7-a hydrogen discharging pipe, 710-a third main pipe, 720-a third branch pipe, 8-a first water injecting pipe, 9-an electric control box, 91-a box body, 92-a control unit, 93-an electric control switch, 94-a signal receiver, 10-a second water injecting pipe, 110-a first main pipe, 120-a first branch pipe, 11-a hydrogen discharging pipe, 12-an oxygen discharging pipe, 15-a shell, 16-supporting legs, 17-an air exhausting hole, 18-a display screen, 20-a flow monitoring unit, 100-a controller and 200-a water quality monitoring unit, 300-a voltage detection circuit, 400-a current adjustment unit, 500-a power supply module, 600-an operation platform, 101-a membrane electrode, 21-an anode backing plate, 211-a titanium foam plate, 212-a mesh sheet, 22-a cathode backing plate, 31-an anode gasket, 311-a first ring piece, 312-a first chamber, 313-a first gasket A, 314-a first gasket B, 3141-a diversion hole, 3142-a flow channel, 315-a first gasket C, 32-a cathode gasket, 321-a second gasket A, 322-a second gasket B, 323-a second gasket C, 41-an anode conductive plate, 42-a conductive plate cathode, 51-an anode insulating plate, 52-a cathode insulating plate, 61-an anode end plate, 611-a water inlet hole, 612-a water drainage oxygen outlet, 62-a cathode end plate; 80-electromagnetic valve.

Detailed Description

The technical solutions of the present application will be described clearly and completely with reference to the following embodiments, and it should be understood that the described embodiments are some, but not all embodiments of the present application. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments given herein without making any creative effort, shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

In the description of the present application, it is to be understood that the terms "thickness", "upper", "lower", and the like, indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the drawings, are only for convenience in describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed in a specific orientation, and be operated, and thus, should not be construed as limiting the present application. Furthermore, the terms "first", "second" and "first" are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defined as "first", "second", may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the described features. In the description of the present application, "a plurality" means two or more unless specifically limited otherwise.

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples for implementing different features of the application. In order to simplify the disclosure of the present application, specific example components and arrangements are described below. Of course, they are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present application. Moreover, the present application may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples, such repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed. In addition, examples of various specific processes and materials are provided herein, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize applications of other processes and/or use of other materials.

In a first aspect, referring to fig. 1, the present application provides a water electrolyzer 4 comprising a membrane electrode 101, an anode flow field structure and a cathode flow field structure, and a voltage detection circuit 300;

the anode flow field structure includes an anode conductive plate 41;

the cathode flow field structure includes a cathode conductive plate 42;

the anode conductive plate 41 and the cathode conductive plate 42 are respectively arranged on two sides of the membrane electrode 101 and connected with the membrane electrode 101; both ends of the voltage detection circuit 300 are connected to the anode conductive plate 41 and the cathode conductive plate 42, respectively.

It should be noted that, referring to fig. 3, the anode flow field structure further includes an anode end plate 61, an anode insulating plate 51, an anode gasket 31 and an anode backing plate 21; the anode insulating plate 51 is positioned between the anode end plate 61 and the anode conducting plate 41 and used for separating the anode end plate 61 from the anode conducting plate 41 to realize the insulation of the anode end plate 61; the anode backing plate 21 is positioned between the anode conductive plate 41 and the anode of the membrane electrode 101, and serves as an anode flow field; the anode gasket 31 is located between the anode conductive plate 41 and the anode of the membrane electrode 101 and surrounds the anode gasket 31, so that the anode conductive plate 41 and the membrane electrode 101 are hermetically connected. The cathode flow field structure further includes a cathode end plate 62, a cathode insulating plate 52, a cathode gasket 32, and a cathode backing plate 22; the cathode insulating plate 52 is positioned between the cathode end plate 62 and the cathode conductive plate 42 and is used for separating the cathode end plate 62 from the cathode conductive plate 42 to realize the insulation of the cathode end plate 62; the cathode backing plate 22 is positioned between the cathode conductive plate 42 and the cathode of the membrane electrode 101 as a cathode flow field; the cathode gasket 32 is located between the cathode conductive plate 42 and the cathode of the membrane electrode 101 and surrounds the cathode gasket 32, so that the cathode conductive plate 42 and the membrane electrode 101 are hermetically connected.

When the water electrolyzer 4 is assembled, the anode end plate 61, the anode insulating plate 51, the anode conducting plate 41, the anode gasket 31, the anode gasket 21, the membrane electrode 101, the cathode gasket 22, the cathode gasket 32, the cathode conducting plate 42, the cathode insulating plate 52 and the cathode end plate 62 are sequentially stacked; the anode conductive plate 41 and the cathode conductive plate 42 are used for an external power supply.

Since electrons flow from the anode conductive plate 41 to the cathode conductive plate 42 in the water electrolysis cell 4; therefore, when any one of the anode conductive plate 41, the anode gasket 31, the membrane electrode 101, the cathode gasket 32 or the cathode conductive plate 42 is damaged, the voltage on the water electrolyzer 4 fluctuates obviously; in addition, when the anode insulating plate 51 or the cathode insulating plate 52 is damaged, the flow of electrons in the water electrolyzer 4 is also changed, and the voltage across the anode conductive plate 41 and the cathode conductive plate 42 on the water electrolyzer 4 is changed, so that the voltage detection circuit 300 is connected to the anode conductive plate 41 and the cathode conductive plate 42, and the operation state of each component sealed between the anode end plate 61 and the cathode end plate 62 in the water electrolyzer 4 can be reflected, thereby realizing real-time monitoring of the operation state of the water electrolyzer 4.

In some embodiments, the voltage detection circuit 300 includes a voltage detector. The voltage detector can adopt any voltage testing instrument which is available in the market, can be used for detecting the circuit voltage and has proper measuring range and measuring precision, such as a voltmeter and a universal meter.

In the application, the positive end and the negative end of the voltage detector can be directly connected with the anode conducting plate 41 and the cathode conducting plate 42, and the voltage detector is simple in structure and low in cost. In some embodiments, a circuit protection element, such as a diode; the protection of the voltage detector is realized, and the circuit safety is improved.

In some embodiments, the anode gasket 21 and the cathode gasket 22 are tightly bonded to the membrane electrode 101 under a pressure of 5t to 10 t; the anode gasket 31 is tightly connected with the membrane electrode 101 under the pressure of 5-10 t; the cathode gasket 32 is tightly connected with the membrane electrode 101 under the pressure of 5-10 t;

the material of the anode gasket 31 and the cathode gasket 32 includes polytetrafluoroethylene.

It should be noted that the membrane electrode 101 includes an anode, a proton exchange membrane, and a cathode sequentially arranged; the anode and the cathode are respectively positioned on two sides of the proton exchange membrane; the anode backing plate 21 is limited in the space enclosed by the anode conducting plate 41, the anode gasket 31 and the anode to form a water sump; the cathode backing plate 22 is confined within the space enclosed by the cathode conductive plate 42, the cathode gasket 32 and the cathode, forming a gas pocket. The anode backing plate 21 is used as a water flow channel 3142, and the injected water is introduced into the anode surface of the membrane electrode 101, so that the water and the anode generate electrochemical reaction in the catalyst of the current and the anode to generate oxygen; the hydrogen ions undergo an electrochemical reaction at the cathode of the membrane electrode 101 under the catalytic action of the catalyst at the cathode through the proton exchange membrane to generate hydrogen gas.

In some embodiments, the anode backing plate 21 and the cathode backing plate 22 each comprise a titanium foam plate 211; the titanium foam plate 211 is provided with a plurality of micropores with the aperture of 5-300 μm;

the membrane electrode 101 surface is partially embedded in the micro-pores under the pressure.

The titanium foam plate 211 is a microporous filter plate made of pure titanium or titanium alloy powder as a raw material and subjected to static pressure forming such as screening and cooling, and then high-temperature and high-vacuum sintering, and has the advantages of high porosity, narrow pore size distribution, good chemical stability, acid-base corrosion resistance, oxidation resistance, no particle shedding, good mechanical properties and the like. In the present application, due to the characteristics of high porosity and uniform pore size of the titanium foam board 211, the water to be electrolyzed injected into the water electrolysis cell 4 can uniformly reach the surface of the membrane electrode 101 through the micropores on the titanium foam board 211 for performing an electrochemical reaction. Meanwhile, the foam titanium plate 211 has the characteristics of stability, oxidation resistance, corrosion resistance and the like, so that the service life of the backing plate can be prolonged, and the service life of the water electrolyzer 4 is prolonged; meanwhile, the phenomenon that the corroded falling objects block the channel of water reaching the surface of the membrane electrode 101 to pollute the membrane electrode 101 is avoided.

When the anode backing plate 21 and the cathode backing plate 22 are pressed against the surface of the membrane electrode 101 under pressure, due to the pressure action and the micropores on the titanium foam plate 211, the surface of the membrane electrode 101 is slightly deformed, and part of the surface is embedded into the micropores to contact with the side surfaces of the micropores, so that the contact area between the membrane electrode 101 and the anode backing plate 21 and the cathode backing plate 22 is increased, the resistance is reduced, and the effect of saving electricity consumption is achieved.

The pressure applied to the anode backing plate 21 and the cathode backing plate 22 should not be too large or too small, the too large pressure may cause the membrane electrode 101 to deform seriously, which affects the electrochemical reaction on the membrane electrode 101 and the service life of the membrane electrode 101, and the too large pressure may also cause the pressure applied to each layer in the water electrolyzer 4 to be larger, thereby improving the pressure resistance requirement of each layer, and causing the service life of the water electrolyzer 4 to be shortened or greatly increasing the cost; if the pressure is too small, the surface of the membrane electrode 101 is hard to deform slightly, and although the gap between the anode gasket 21 and the cathode gasket 22 and the membrane electrode 101 can be reduced and the sealing performance between the anode gasket 21 and the membrane electrode 101 can be improved, the contact area between the anode gasket 21 and the membrane electrode 101 and the contact area between the cathode gasket 22 and the membrane electrode 101 are not increased significantly, the resistance is not decreased significantly, and the effects of reducing the voltage and saving the power consumption are difficult to achieve.

In some embodiments, the anode backing plate 21 and the cathode backing plate 22 each comprise a mesh 212; the meshes 212 are uniformly distributed on one side of the titanium foam plate 211 away from the membrane electrode 101;

the mesh 212 is provided with a plurality of small holes with the aperture larger than the micropores, so that gradient water passing of water to be electrolyzed is realized, the water passing speed of the first gasket and the second gasket is faster, and the water to be electrolyzed can quickly reach the surface of the membrane electrode 101.

In some embodiments, the material of mesh 212 is stainless steel. Because the cost of the titanium foam plate 211 is high, a part of the titanium foam plate 211 is replaced by the mesh sheet 212 made of stainless steel with low cost, so that the cost is reduced, the thicknesses of the anode backing plate 21 and the cathode backing plate 22 can be increased, and water to be electrolyzed can be better received.

In some embodiments, the mesh 212 is not less thick than the titanium foam sheet 211, which allows it to better receive the water to be electrolyzed.

In some embodiments, the titanium foam sheet 211 has a thickness of 0.3 to 2.2 mm; and/or

The thickness of the mesh sheet 212 is 0.5 to 3.1 mm.

In some embodiments, the mesh 212 has small holes with a diameter of 0.8-4.5 mm.

It should be noted that the pore diameter of the small pores in the mesh 212 should not be too large or too small. The effect of gradient water passing is difficult to be achieved by too large or too small aperture, and the water passing rate of the anode backing plate 21 and the cathode backing plate 22 is not obviously improved.

In some embodiments, the anode gasket 31 and the cathode gasket 32 each comprise an annular member and a chamber defined by the annular member;

each annular piece is provided with an upper water guide part and a lower water guide part;

the upper water guide part and the lower water guide part respectively comprise a flow guide hole 3141 and a plurality of flow channels 3142; one end of the flow channel 3142 is communicated with the flow guide hole 3141, and the other end of the flow channel 3142 is communicated with the cavity; the flow passages 3142 are arranged in a fan shape from the diversion holes 3141 to the cavity;

the upper water guide part is positioned at the upper part of the anode gasket 31 or the cathode gasket 32; the lower water guide is located below the anode gasket 31 or the cathode gasket 32.

In some embodiments, referring to fig. 4, the anode gasket 31 is disposed on the anode side; the anode gasket 31 comprises a first ring-shaped member 311 and a first chamber 312 surrounded by the first ring-shaped member 311;

the first annular member 311 is provided with a first water guide part and a second water guide part;

the first water guide part and the second water guide part respectively comprise a flow guide hole 3141 and a plurality of flow channels 3142; one end of the flow channel 3142 is communicated with the flow guide hole 3141, and the other end is communicated with the first cavity 312; the flow passages 3142 are arranged in a fan shape from the diversion holes 3141 to the first chamber 312;

the first water guide part is positioned at the upper part of the anode gasket 31; the second water guide is located below the anode gasket 31.

The cathode pad 32 is disposed on the cathode side; the cathode gasket 32 comprises a second annular member and a second chamber enclosed by the second annular member;

the second annular piece is provided with a third water guide part and a fourth water guide part;

the third water guide part and the fourth water guide part respectively comprise a water guide hole and a plurality of flow channels 3142; one end of the flow channel 3142 is communicated with the water guide hole, and the other end of the flow channel 3142 is communicated with the second cavity; the flow channel 3142 is arranged in a fan shape from the water guide hole to the second chamber;

the third water guide part is positioned at the upper part of the cathode pad 32; the fourth water guide is located below the cathode pad 32.

When the water electrolyzer 4 electrolyzes water, the water to be electrolyzed is injected from the water guide holes of the first water guide part, is firstly shunted through the flow channels 3142 distributed in a fan shape, is uniformly injected into the first cavity 312 at one side of the anode, and then reaches the anode through the anode backing plate 21 to perform electrochemical reaction; the water that is not electrolyzed collects from the flow channel 3142 of the second water guide part and is then discharged through the water guide holes of the second water guide part.

In this application, first water guide portion and second water guide portion all set up on first gasket, have avoided water guide portion to need process the current conducting plate when setting up on the current conducting plate, have simplified the process of seting up of first water guide portion and second water guide portion, improve the efficiency of seting up and the cost of seting up of first water guide portion and second water guide portion, and then improve the production efficiency of water electrolyser 4. Meanwhile, in the application, because the first gasket is made of polytetrafluoroethylene, deformation of the first gasket is small under large pressure, and possibility is provided for arranging the first water guide part and the second water guide part on the gasket, so that the phenomenon that the flow channel 3142 of the first water guide part and the second water guide part is extruded to influence water inlet and water drainage due to large deformation of the traditional silica gel under large pressure is avoided.

It should be noted that the cathode gasket 32 includes a second annular member and a second chamber surrounded by the second annular member. The thickness of the anode gasket 31 is equal or nearly equal to the thickness of the anode backing plate 21 in order to receive the water to be electrolyzed; the thickness of the cathode gasket 32 is equal or nearly equal to the thickness of the cathode gasket 22, such that the anode gasket 21 completely fills the first chamber 312 and the cathode gasket 22 completely fills the second chamber, better receiving the water to be electrolyzed.

Therefore, in some embodiments, the thickness of the anode pad 31 and the cathode pad 32 is 2 to 3mm, respectively. Preferably, the thickness of the anode gasket 31 and the cathode gasket 32 is slightly lower than the thickness of the anode backing plate 21 and the cathode backing plate 22, respectively, so that they are interference-fitted.

In some embodiments, the anode pad 31 includes a first a pad 313, a first B pad 314, and a first C pad 315; the first A gasket 313 is connected with the membrane electrode 101; the first and second water guides are disposed on the first B gasket 314;

the cathode gasket 32 comprises a second gasket A321, a second gasket B322 and a second gasket C323 which are arranged in sequence; the second a gasket 321 is connected to the membrane electrode 101.

In some embodiments, the water electrolyser 4 further comprises a first conductive plate and a second conductive plate respectively located on either side of the membrane electrode 101; the first conductive plate is connected with one side of the anode gasket 31 away from the membrane electrode 101; the second conductive plate is connected with one side of the cathode gasket 32 far away from the membrane electrode 101;

the first conductive plate is provided with a first water guide hole communicated with the water guide part on the anode gasket 31;

the second conductive plate is provided with a second water guide hole communicated with the water guide part on the cathode gasket 32;

and the first current-conducting plate and the second current-conducting plate are both provided with a current-conducting lug of an external power supply.

It should be noted that the first C pad 315 and the second C pad 323 are respectively located between the first B pad 314 and the first conductive plate, and between the second B pad 322 and the second conductive plate; in the process of pressing the water electrolyzer 4, the first conductive plate and the first B gasket 314, and the second conductive plate and the second B gasket 322 are tightly pressed, so that the first conductive plate and the first B gasket 314, and the second conductive plate and the second B gasket 322 are hermetically connected. The first a gasket 313 and the second a gasket 321 are connected with two sides of the membrane electrode 101 in advance to be integrated, so that the membrane electrode 101 is fixed, and the first B gasket 314 and the membrane electrode 101, and the second B gasket 322 and the membrane electrode 101 are connected in a sealing manner by pressure. First gasket and second gasket all adopt three gasket combination to form, compare in single gasket, it is inseparabler after the pressurized, can better reduce the condition of leaking, also be convenient for set up runner 3142 on first B gasket 314.

In some embodiments, the thicknesses of the first C gasket 315 and the second C gasket 323 are 0.1-0.2 mm respectively; and/or

The thicknesses of the first B gasket 314 and the second D gasket 322 are respectively 2-4 mm; and/or

The thicknesses of the first A gasket 313 and the second A gasket 321 are 0.1mm to 0.2mm, respectively.

In some embodiments, the water electrolyzer 4 further comprises a first end plate and a second end plate respectively located on both sides of the membrane electrode 101;

the first end plate is positioned on one side of the first conductive plate far away from the membrane electrode 101; a first insulating plate is arranged between the first end plate and the first conducting plate;

the second end plate is positioned on the side of the second conductive plate away from the membrane electrode 101; a second insulating plate is arranged between the second end plate and the second conductive plate;

the first end plate is provided with a water inlet hole 611, and the water inlet hole 611 is communicated with the first water guide hole.

In the present application, the first end plate is located on the anode side of the membrane electrode 101, and the second end plate is located on the cathode side of the membrane electrode 101. The first end plate is also provided with a water discharge oxygen outlet, and oxygen generated after water electrolysis and water which is not electrolyzed are discharged out of the electrolytic bath through the water discharge oxygen outlet; the second end plate is provided with a hydrogen outlet hole, and hydrogen generated after water electrolysis is discharged out of the electrolytic cell from the hydrogen outlet hole, so that hydrogen gas can be collected conveniently.

The first insulating gasket and the second insulating gasket are insulating plates which are made of insulating materials and can play an insulating role, and are respectively positioned between the first end plate and the first conducting plate as well as between the second end plate and the second conducting plate to separate the first end plate from the first conducting plate as well as between the second end plate and the second conducting plate, so that the first end plate and the second end plate are prevented from being electrified, and the hydrogen production safety is improved; at the same time, the direction of the electron flow in the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate can be single, and the stable and continuous current of the water electrolysis bath 4 can be kept.

In some embodiments, the first insulating plate and the second insulating plate are made of the same material as the first gasket and the second gasket, and are made of polytetrafluoroethylene as a main raw material.

In some embodiments, the first end plate, first insulating plate, first conductive plate, anode backing plate 21, cathode backing plate 22, second conductive plate, second insulating plate, and second end plate are connected by a plurality of fasteners;

spring gaskets are arranged between the fastening piece and the first end plate and between the fastening piece and the second end plate; the spring spacer remains compressed when the fastener is attached to the first and second end plates.

In some embodiments the fastener is a bolt and a nut threadedly coupled to the bolt.

In some embodiments, at least 4 threaded holes are correspondingly formed in the first end plate and the second end plate, respectively, and the first end plate and the second end plate and each component between the first end plate and the second end plate are fixed through bolts and nuts, wherein the bolts are in threaded connection with the threaded holes, and the nuts are in threaded connection with the bolts.

In some embodiments, a metal gasket is padded between the head of the bolt and the first/second end plate; the metal gasket is arranged between the nut and the second end plate/the first end plate in a cushioning mode, the spring gasket is located between the head of the metal gasket and the bolt and between the metal gasket and the nut, all the parts are fixed together through bolts penetrating through the first end plate, the first insulating plate, the first conducting plate, the anode base plate 21, the cathode base plate 22, the second conducting plate, the second insulating plate and the second end plate, and the first insulating plate, the first conducting plate, the anode base plate 21, the cathode base plate 22, the second conducting plate, the second insulating plate and the second end plate are tightly attached after high pressure. Meanwhile, the spring washer which is kept in a compressed state can also keep the first insulating plate, the first conducting plate, the anode backing plate 21, the cathode backing plate 22, the second conducting plate, the second insulating plate and the second end plate in a compressed state all the time, and keep the compression stability of the water electrolysis bath 4.

In a second aspect, the present application also provides an electrolytic hydrogen production system, with reference to fig. 7, comprising:

at least one water electrolyser 4 as provided in the first aspect;

a control system for storing voltage data of each water electrolyser 4 operation; the control system obtains the voltage information detected by each voltage detection circuit 300, and controls the on-off of the circuit of each water electrolyzer 4 according to the mapping relation between the voltage information and the voltage data.

It should be noted that the control system includes a controller 100, a power module 500, a communication module, an operation platform 600, a data processing module, and a storage module. The power module 500 is electrically connected with the controller 100, the communication module, the operation platform 600, the data processing module, the storage module and the water electrolyzer 4, and is used for controlling the power supply of the controller 100, the communication module, the operation platform 600, the data processing module, the storage module and the water electrolyzer 4. The communication module is electrically connected with the controller 100, the storage module and the data processing module, and is used for receiving or sending signals. The communication module is preferably a wireless communication module, and realizes remote wireless control of each module by the controller 100. The operation platform 600 is electrically connected to the controller 100, and a display and operation buttons are disposed on the operation platform 600 for viewing and performing various control operations through the operation platform 600. The data processing module is electrically connected with each detection element in the water electrolyzer 4 and is used for collecting and processing the information collected in each detection element and receiving and processing each information sent by the controller 100. The storage module is electrically connected with the controller 100, the communication module and the data processing module and is used for storing various information collected by the control system. In the present application, the detecting element is a detecting device in the water electrolyzer 4 for collecting various information of the water electrolyzer 4, such as a voltage detector, a water quality resistivity meter, and a flow rate monitoring unit 20.

When the electrolytic hydrogen production system operates, the anode conductive plate 41 and the cathode conductive plate 42 of the water electrolyzer 4 are connected with direct current; when the water electrolyzer 4 normally operates, the voltage displayed by the voltage detector in the voltage detection circuit 300 is stable; when a certain part in the water electrolysis bath 4 is damaged or fails, the voltage displayed by the voltage detector fluctuates obviously, so that the control system can judge whether the water electrolysis bath 4 operates normally according to the voltage signal obtained by the voltage detector, and the on-off of the circuit of the water electrolysis bath 4 is controlled according to the voltage signal, so that the staff can find and treat the voltage signal in time, the hydrogen production safety is improved, and the loss is reduced. Meanwhile, the control system can also be used for timely turning off the power supply of each module in the electrolytic hydrogen production system when the water electrolyzer 4 is not in operation, thereby reducing the waste of electric power or the occurrence of safety accidents.

In some embodiments, referring to fig. 6, the control system further comprises an electric cabinet 9, the electric cabinet 9 comprising a cabinet 91 and a control unit 92, an electric control switch 93 and a signal transceiver 94 mounted in the cabinet 91; the control unit 92, the electronic control switch 93 and the signal receiver 94 are electrically connected to the control system. The control unit 92 is electrically connected with the electric control switch 93 and the signal receiver 94; the electric control switch 93 is used for controlling the on-off of the circuit of the water electrolyzer 4; signal receiver 94 is used for receiving information sent by operation platform 600 or sending information to operation platform 600, and signal receiver 94 can also receive signals of each component in the hydrogen production system and send signals to each component in the hydrogen production system. The electric cabinet 9 sets up in the region that is close to water electrolysis trough 4, and the staff can carry out automatically controlled operation on the spot in real time, and the equipment maintenance of being convenient for is overhauld, is maintained.

In some embodiments, the box 91 of the electric cabinet 9 is further provided with a display screen 18 and an operation button electrically connected with the electric control switch 93, and the display screen 18 is used for displaying the working state of the water electrolyzer 4; the operation button is used to perform an operation of the electric control switch 93.

In some embodiments, controlling the on/off of the circuit of the water electrolyzer 4 according to the mapping relationship between the voltage information and the voltage data comprises:

when the voltage information falls within the range of the voltage data, the circuit of the water electrolyzer 4 is kept connected;

when the voltage information falls outside the range of the voltage data, keeping the circuit of the water electrolysis bath 4 disconnected;

the voltage data is a voltage range in which the water electrolyzer 4 normally electrolyzes water.

It should be noted that the voltage data may be preset in the control system before the water electrolyzer 4 is operated and stored in the memory module of the control system.

In some embodiments, referring to fig. 2, 5, the electrolytic hydrogen production system further comprises:

the water purifier 2 is externally connected with a water source; the water purifier 2 is communicated with a water discharge and oxygen outlet 612 of the water electrolyzer 4;

a clean water tank 3 for storing water treated by the water purifier 2; one end of the water purifying tank 3 is communicated with the water purifier 2, and the other end of the water purifying tank is communicated with a water filling port of the water electrolysis tank 4; a water quality monitoring unit for monitoring water quality in real time is arranged in the water purification tank 3; the water quality monitoring unit 200 is electrically connected with the control system.

In some embodiments, the water purifier 2 is provided with a first water inlet, a second water inlet and a water outlet; the first water inlet is communicated with a water pump 1 for pumping the water pump 1 into the water purifier 2 and is used for being externally connected with a water source; the second water inlet is communicated with the water and oxygen outlet 612 of the water electrolyzer 4 and is used for recovering the water which is not electrolyzed by the water electrolyzer 4 to realize the recycling of the water; the water outlet is communicated with the water purifying tank 3 and is used for injecting water to be electrolyzed into the water purifying tank 3.

In some embodiments, the outlet end of clean water tank 3 is provided with an adjustable first flow valve for adjusting the flow of water to be fed into water electrolyzer 4. The first flow valve is a solenoid valve electrically connected to the controller 100 so as to implement remote control of the first flow valve.

A water quality monitoring unit for monitoring water quality in real time is arranged in the water purification tank 3 and can be used for monitoring the water quality in the water purification tank 3 in real time, so that the water quality in the water purification tank 3 is prevented from changing and the operation of the water electrolysis tank 4 is prevented from being influenced. In addition, the water purifier 2 is used for purifying the water injected into the purified water tank 3, so that the water quality of the water injected into the water electrolysis tank 4 is stable, and the influence on the efficiency and the service life of the water electrolysis tank 4 due to the change of the water quality is avoided. In addition, the water quality monitoring unit can also be as the monitoring facilities of water purifier 2, when water purifier 2 descends or the damage appears to the throughput of water, the quality of water that gets into in water purification case 3 then can change, consequently not only can monitor the quality of water change of the water in water purification case 3 through the water quality monitoring unit who sets up in water purification case 3, can also monitor the running state of water purifier 2 and water purification case 3, for water purifier 2, the maintenance and the maintenance of water purification case 3 provide the warning.

In some embodiments, the water quality monitoring unit 200 is a water resistivity meter;

the control system stores water resistance data of the operation of the water electrolyzer 4; and the control system acquires water resistance information of the water quality resistivity tester and controls the on-off of the water channel of the water purifier 2 according to the mapping relation between the water resistance data and the water resistance information.

In the electrolytic hydrogen production process, in order to avoid damage of each suspended particle and mineral ion in water to the membrane electrode 101, the water used in the electrolytic hydrogen production is usually pure water. Therefore, whether the water quality of the water for electrolytic hydrogen production meets the requirements of electrolytic hydrogen production can be determined by measuring the resistivity of the water.

Because, water purifier 2 passes through the external water source of water pump 1, consequently when water quality monitoring unit monitors the water quality change, can be through cutting off the interior rivers of the pipeline that water purifier 2 and water pump 1 are connected, can realize that the water route in the whole electrolytic hydrogen production system cuts off, the staff of being convenient for overhauls. In some embodiments, the water electrolyzer 4 is provided with a water filling port, a water drainage oxygen outlet 612 and a hydrogen outlet;

the water drainage and oxygen outlet 612 is connected with a water drainage and oxygen outlet pipe 6, and the water injection port is connected with the purified water tank 3 through a first water injection pipeline 8; the hydrogen outlet is connected with a hydrogen outlet pipeline 7; the water purifier 2 is connected with the purified water tank 3 through a second water injection pipeline 10;

flow monitoring units 20 for monitoring flow are arranged on the exhaust oxygen outlet pipe 6, the first water injection pipeline 8, the second water injection pipeline 10 and the hydrogen outlet pipeline 7; the flow monitoring unit 20 is electrically connected to the control system.

In the present application, the flow monitoring unit 20 may be a commercially available gas flow meter or liquid flow meter for monitoring the flow rate of fluid in a pipeline.

In some embodiments, the water-gas separator 5 is arranged on the hydrogen outlet pipeline 7 of the water-gas outlet pipe 6 and the water-gas separator 5; an oxygen outlet pipeline 12 of the water-gas separator 5 is connected with a hydrogen exhaust pipeline 11 on an exhaust port of the water-gas separator 5; a water outlet of the water-gas separator 5 is connected with a circulating pipeline; the circulating pipeline is connected with the water purifier 2;

and the hydrogen discharge pipeline 11 and the circulating pipeline are both provided with flow monitoring units 20 electrically connected with the control system.

The water-gas separator 5 is used for separating water vapor from hydrogen, so that the purity of the hydrogen is improved; the water purifier 2 is connected to a water discharge oxygen pipe 6. It should be noted that the oxygen outlet pipe 12 and the hydrogen outlet may be respectively connected to a gas storage device for respectively storing oxygen and hydrogen, so as to facilitate the subsequent use of hydrogen and oxygen.

In some embodiments, the oxygen outlet pipe 12, the circulation pipe, the first water injection pipe 8, the second water injection pipe 10, and the hydrogen discharge pipe 11 are all provided with a flow monitoring unit 20 for respectively monitoring the flow and flow rate of water, the flow and flow rate of hydrogen, and the flow and flow rate of oxygen, so as to obtain the hydrogen production efficiency of the electrolytic hydrogen production system, and the oxygen outlet pipe 12, the circulation pipe, the first water injection pipe 8, the second water injection pipe 10, and the hydrogen discharge pipe 11/the hydrogen discharge pipe 7 can be respectively provided with a control valve for controlling and adjusting the flow rate thereof, so as to adjust the efficiency of the electrolytic hydrogen production system and control the hydrogen production amount. These control valves may be solenoid valves electrically connected to the controller 100, among other things, to facilitate remote control and viewing of the control system. When the hydrogen production amount of the water electrolysis tank 4 reaches the required yield, the control system can realize suspension of hydrogen production by cutting off the power supply of the water electrolysis tank 4 and various control valves and flow valves.

In some embodiments, the control system includes a current adjustment unit 400; the control system controls the running current of the water electrolyzer 4 according to the mapping relation between the running current data of the water electrolyzer 4 and the flow of the hydrogen in the hydrogen outlet pipeline 7, namely the hydrogen production rate of the water electrolyzer 4 can be adjusted.

In the present application, the current adjustment means 400 can adjust the magnitude of the current of the water electrolyzer 4. The hydrogen production rate of the water electrolyser 4 can be adjusted according to the corresponding relationship between the current in the water electrolyser 4 and the hydrogen production rate.

The corresponding relation between the current in the water electrolyzer 4 and the hydrogen production amount is as follows: 1A ═ 7ml of hydrogen;

in some embodiments, the current adjusting unit 400 may be an adjustable resistor connected in series with the circuit of the water electrolyzer 4 to adjust the current.

In some embodiments, the electrolytic hydrogen production system further comprises a housing 15; the water electrolyzer 4, the water purifier 2, the purified water tank 3 and the water pump 1 are all arranged in the shell 15;

the bottom surface of the housing 15 is provided with at least three support legs.

The casing 15 protects each component in the casing 15, avoids each component to receive external colliding with, causes the damage, and supporting legs 16 leaves casing 15 and component ground, avoids weing.

It should be noted that the housing 15 is provided with an exhaust hole for the oxygen outlet pipe 12 and the hydrogen exhaust pipe 11 to extend out of the housing 15 to connect with the gas storage device.

In some embodiments, the housing 15 is further provided with an air exhaust hole 17.

In some embodiments, the operation platform 600 is additionally configured, so that a worker can remotely observe real-time monitoring data of each component in real time, and the worker can perform real-time operation on the operation platform 600 to control and adjust the operation state of each component.

In some embodiments, referring to fig. 8, the electrolytic hydrogen production system includes a plurality of water electrolyzers 4; the circuits of the water electrolysis baths 4 are connected in series in sequence; the water passages of the plurality of water electrolyzers 4 are connected in parallel.

Note that, in the present application: the "electric circuit of the water electrolyzer 4" means an electric circuit in which the anode conductive plate 41 and the cathode conductive plate 42 of the water electrolyzer 4 are connected. Therefore, the sequential series connection of the circuits of the plurality of water electrolyzers 4 should be understood as: the plurality of water electrolyzers 4 are respectively connected in series by a wire as an element in one circuit through the anode conductive plate 41 and the cathode conductive plate 42 thereof.

Wherein, each water electrolyzer 4 is connected in parallel with a voltage detection circuit which is used for independently detecting the voltage information of each water electrolyzer 4.

In the present application, the "water path of the water electrolyzer 4" refers to a passage for water injection and discharge and gas discharge in the water electrolyzer 4. Therefore, the water paths of the water electrolyzers 4 connected in parallel with each other should be understood as follows: the water feeding ends of the plurality of water electrolysis cells 4 are connected to each other, the water discharging ends of the plurality of water electrolysis cells 4 are connected to each other, and the gas discharging ends of the plurality of water electrolysis cells 4 are connected to each other.

A water filling port and a water discharging and oxygen discharging port 612 are arranged on one side of the anode of each water electrolysis cell 4; one side of the cathode of each water electrolyzer 4 is provided with a hydrogen outlet; the second water injection pipeline 10 connected with each water injection port is provided with an electromagnetic valve 80 electrically connected with the control system; the water discharge oxygen outlet pipeline 6 connected with each water discharge oxygen outlet 612 is also provided with an electromagnetic valve 80 electrically connected with the control system; the hydrogen outlet pipeline 7 connected with each hydrogen outlet is also provided with an electromagnetic valve 80 electrically connected with the control system; the control system respectively and independently controls the on-off of each electromagnetic valve 80 so as to control the operation of each water electrolyzer 4; when a water electrolyzer 4 is overhauled and replaced, the operation of other water electrolyzers 4 is not influenced, and each water electrolyzer 4 is modularized, so that the modularized management of the electrolytic hydrogen production system is realized.

In some embodiments, a plurality of water electrolysers 4 are arranged in an array; the second water injection pipeline 10 includes a first main pipeline 110 and a plurality of first branch pipelines 120; one end of the first main pipe 110 is communicated with the purified water tank 3, and the other end is communicated with each water filling port through a plurality of first branch pipes 120. The drain oxygen discharge pipe 6 includes a second main pipe 610 and a second branch pipe 620; one end of the second main pipe 610 is communicated with the water purifier 2, and the other end is communicated with each of the drainage oxygen outlets 612 through a second branch pipe 620. The hydrogen outlet pipe 7 includes a third main pipe 710 and a third branch pipe 720, one end of the third main pipe 710 is communicated with a container for storing hydrogen gas, and the other end is communicated with each hydrogen outlet through the third branch pipe 720.

In some embodiments, a moisture separator is connected to the third main conduit for separating hydrogen and water.

In some embodiments, a flow monitoring unit is disposed on each of the first branch conduit, the second branch conduit and the third branch conduit for monitoring the hydrogen production rate of each water electrolyzer 4.

In some embodiments, the flow monitoring units are arranged on the first main pipe, the second main pipe and the third main pipe, so that the number of the flow monitoring units is reduced, and the cost is reduced.

When the electrolytic hydrogen production system runs, the voltage detectors, the water quality monitoring unit 200 and the flow monitoring unit 20 monitor the running condition of the water electrolyzer 4 in real time, transmit the detected voltage information, water quality information and flow information to the controller, and judge whether the running of the water electrolyzer 4 is normal or not through judgment logic prestored in the controller; when the water electrolysis cell needs to be overhauled, maintained or stopped running, the controller sends on-off signals to the switch on the circuit of the corresponding water electrolysis cell and/or the electromagnetic valve on the water channel, and the switch on the circuit of the water electrolysis cell 4 and/or the electromagnetic valve on the water channel are switched in on-off states according to the received signals; the remote control of the switch on the circuit of the water electrolyzer 4 and/or the electromagnetic valve on the water path is realized.

In some embodiments, the electrolytic hydrogen production system further comprises a voltage stabilizer in communication with power module 500 for stabilizing the voltage in the electrolytic hydrogen production system.

In some embodiments, the electrolytic hydrogen production system can also adjust the number of water electrolyzers 4 that are operated by the voltage fluctuation condition thereof. Namely: when the voltage in the electrolytic hydrogen production system is lower than the voltage range required by normal operation of the electrolytic hydrogen production system, the circuit and the water circuit of at least one water electrolysis tank 4 are closed by a controller. It should be noted that, the number of the closed water electrolysis cells 4 is adjusted according to the difference between the real-time voltage at the input end and the output end of the power module 500 of the hydrogen electrolysis system and the minimum voltage required by the normal operation of the hydrogen electrolysis system, when the difference is larger, the number of the closed water electrolysis cells 4 is larger, and when the difference is smaller, the number of the closed water electrolysis cells 4 is smaller.

In some embodiments, each water electrolyser 4 is pre-numbered and its number is stored in the control system, so that the control system can select the water electrolyser 4 that is closed according to its numbering sequence.

Finally, it should be noted that: the above embodiments are only used for illustrating the technical solutions of the present application, and not for limiting the same; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that: the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments may still be modified, or some or all of the technical features may be equivalently replaced; and the modifications or the substitutions do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions depart from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A water electrolyzer is characterized by comprising a membrane electrode, an anode flow field structure, a cathode flow field structure and a voltage detection circuit;

the anode flow field structure comprises an anode conductive plate;

the cathode flow field structure comprises a cathode conductive plate;

2. The water electrolyzer of claim 1 characterized in that the voltage detection circuit comprises a voltage detector.

3. An electrolytic hydrogen production system, comprising:

at least one water electrolyser as claimed in claim 1 or 2;

4. The electrolytic hydrogen production system according to claim 3, wherein controlling the on/off of the circuit of the water electrolyzer according to the mapping relationship between the voltage information and the voltage data comprises:

5. The electrolytic hydrogen production system according to claim 3, further comprising:

6. The electrolytic hydrogen production system according to claim 5, wherein the water quality monitoring unit is a water quality resistivity meter;

7. The electrolytic hydrogen production system according to claim 5, wherein the water electrolyzer is provided with a water injection port, a water discharge and oxygen outlet, and a hydrogen outlet;

the water outlet and oxygen outlet are connected with a water outlet and oxygen outlet pipe, and the water injection port is connected with the water purification tank through a first water injection pipeline; the hydrogen outlet is connected with a hydrogen outlet pipeline; the water purifier is connected with a water pump; the water pump is connected with the water purifier through a second water injection pipeline;

8. The electrolytic hydrogen production system according to claim 7, wherein a water-gas separator is arranged on the hydrogen outlet pipeline; a hydrogen exhaust pipeline is connected to an exhaust port of the water-gas separator; a water outlet of the water-gas separator is connected with a circulating pipeline; the circulating pipeline is connected with the water purifier;

9. The electrolytic hydrogen production system according to claim 8, wherein the control system includes a current regulation unit;

10. The electrolytic hydrogen production system according to claim 3, wherein the circuits of the plurality of water electrolyzers are connected in series in sequence;

the water passages of the water electrolysis tanks are connected in parallel.