CN116815218A - Modularized detachable AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production device - Google Patents

Abstract

This application relates to a modular detachable AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production device, which includes a hydrogen production host and a power supply system, an electrolyte circulation device and a gas treatment device respectively connected to the hydrogen production host. The hydrogen production host includes multiple phases connected in series, Modular and detachable AEM electrolyzers can be combined with different numbers and powers of AEM electrolyzers according to actual needs to achieve the needs of electrolyzing water for hydrogen production in various scales; through the modular and detachable design, the present invention greatly reduces The workload on the installation site is reduced, the construction period is shortened, maintenance and disassembly are convenient, and the operation is convenient. For maintenance operations that cannot be completed in a short time, the module can be replaced immediately to ensure continuous operation of the equipment; the entire system uses low-concentration alkali solution, which is better than the PEM electrolyzed water system. The hydrogen device can use titanium-free parts as a whole, further reducing the manufacturing cost of the hydrogen production device.

Description

Modular detachable AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production device

Technical field

The invention belongs to the technical field of hydrogen energy, and specifically relates to a modular and detachable AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production device.

Background technique

As global energy issues become increasingly prominent, people's demand for renewable energy is increasing day by day. With the development of fuel cell technology, hydrogen, as a renewable and clean energy, has shown broad application prospects and is regarded as the most ideal energy carrier and is becoming the focus of people's attention. Hydrogen production by electrolysis of water is an important hydrogen production method and a key link in the research and development of hydrogen energy technology. At present, equipment using traditional alkaline water electrolysis hydrogen production technology has a large construction scale, a large area, a long construction period, and high transportation costs; at the same time, proton exchange membrane water electrolysis hydrogen production (PEM) equipment is limited by its practical strength. The core components of acidic electrolytes are made of expensive acid-resistant materials such as precious metals or titanium materials, which are expensive to manufacture.

Currently, the emerging anion exchange membrane water electrolysis hydrogen production (AEM) technology has received widespread attention due to its unique advantages. AEM technology consists of an anion exchange membrane and two catalytic electrodes. It generally uses pure water or low-concentration alkaline solution as the electrolyte, and uses cheap non-precious metal catalysts and hydrocarbon membranes. This process has the advantages of low cost, fast start-up and shutdown, and low energy consumption. It combines the ease of operation when coupled with renewable energy sources, and at the same time achieves current and efficiency comparable to proton exchange membrane water electrolysis for hydrogen production (PEM). From the perspective of materials, performance, efficiency and cost, anion exchange membrane water electrolysis for hydrogen production (AEM) breaks through material technology barriers and is undoubtedly an optimized iteration of water electrolysis technology in energy storage applications and the optimal solution for hydrogen energy storage. However, it seems that the anion exchange membrane water electrolysis hydrogen production (AEM) technology still has problems such as high power supply requirements and inconvenient power expansion. In view of this, it is necessary to propose a modular and detachable AEM electrolysis tank to better solve the problems encountered by current hydrogen production equipment.

Contents of the invention

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a modular and detachable AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production device that is low in cost, easy to expand, easy to install and maintain.

In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention discloses a modular detachable AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production device, which includes a hydrogen production host and a power supply system, an electrolyte circulation device and a gas treatment device respectively connected to the hydrogen production host. The host includes multiple series-connected, modular, and detachable AEM electrolyzers. According to actual needs, AEM electrolyzers of different numbers and powers can be combined to meet the needs of electrolyzing water for hydrogen production in various scales; the power supply system includes multiple Integrated multi-port automatic distributor for parallel connection of AEM electrolyzers. The integrated multi-port automatic distributor is used to convert different types of current into direct current and intelligently distribute the power supply of multiple AEM electrolyzers; the gas treatment device includes hydrogen purification storage device and oxygen purification storage device; the electrolyte circulation device includes an electrolyte supply pipeline, a gas-liquid separator electrolyte return pipeline, and an electrolyte intelligent circulation replenisher.

Preferably, the AEM electrolytic cell includes the core component AEM membrane electrode. On both sides of the AEM membrane electrode, a gas-liquid two-phase diffusion layer, an electrode plate, an insulating sealing gasket and an end plate are arranged symmetrically from the inside to the outside; each plate layer is stacked Make up the AEM electrolyzer.

Preferably, the AEM electrolytic tank is provided with a pair of electrical connection plates protruding from the edge of the AEM electrolytic tank, and the two electrical connection plates are each connected to one electrode plate.

Preferably, the lower part of the AEM electrolyzer is provided with an electrolyte inlet on one side and an electrolyte outlet on the other side; the electrolyte inlets and electrolyte outlets of multiple AEM electrolytic cells are removable. They are connected in series and connected to the electrolyte intelligent circulation replenisher through the electrolyte supply pipeline.

Preferably, the hydrogen purification storage device includes a hydrogen gas-liquid comprehensive separator, a hydrogen purifier, and a hydrogen storage device that are connected in sequence. The oxygen purification storage device includes an oxygen-liquid comprehensive separator, an oxygen purifier, and an oxygen storage device that are connected in sequence.

Preferably, one side of the upper part of the AEM electrolyzer is provided with a hydrogen-side gas-liquid channel interface, and the other side is provided with an oxygen-side gas-liquid channel interface. The hydrogen-side gas-liquid channel interface is connected to the hydrogen gas-liquid comprehensive separator, and the oxygen-side gas-liquid channel interface is connected to the hydrogen-side gas-liquid separator. The channel interface is connected with the oxygen liquid comprehensive separator.

Preferably, the electrolyte intelligent circulation replenisher is connected to the hydrogen gas-liquid comprehensive separator and the oxygen liquid comprehensive separator respectively through the gas-liquid separator electrolyte return pipeline; causing the hydrogen gas-liquid comprehensive separator and the oxygen liquid comprehensive separator to separate out The electrolyte flows back into the electrolyte circulation device to participate in the reaction.

Preferably, the electrolyte intelligent circulation replenisher is built-in with a pH value detection device, a liquid level monitoring device and a temperature monitoring device to automatically ensure the normal supply of electrolyte raw materials.

Preferably, the hydrogen production main engine, electrolyte circulation device and gas treatment device adopt a titanium-free design.

Preferably, the connections between multiple AEM electrolytic cells, as well as the connections between the electrolyte supply pipeline, the gas-liquid separator electrolyte return pipeline and the AEM electrolytic cells are welded or detachably sealed through connectors.

The modular detachable AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production device of the present invention has at least the following advantages:

1. The modular and detachable design not only facilitates expansion and equipment upgrades, but also greatly reduces the workload on the installation site and shortens the construction period. It also ensures convenient maintenance and disassembly and convenient operation. For maintenance that cannot be completed in a short time, Modules can be replaced immediately to ensure continuous operation of the equipment; it effectively reduces the difficulty of periodic maintenance of the hydrogen production unit, thereby reducing operation and maintenance costs. At the same time, this design also increases the mobility and portability of the entire device, which is conducive to the realization of distributed and mobile electrolysis of water for hydrogen production. It can well adapt to the decentralized layout of various renewable energy sources such as photovoltaics and wind power, and can also achieve The rapid construction of temporary hydrogen production stations can adapt to a variety of application scenarios.

2. Core part - The hydrogen production host adopts AEM electrolyzer, which has high current density, small size, low energy consumption and high hydrogen production efficiency. It also uses non-precious metal catalysts to effectively reduce equipment manufacturing costs.

3. The entire device uses low-concentration alkali solution (such as 5%-30% KOH), which requires lower corrosion resistance of the pipeline. Compared with the PEM electrolysis water hydrogen production device, the entire device can use titanium-free parts to further reduce the cost. Manufacturing costs of hydrogen production units.

4. Reduce the difficulty of batch production and processing of electrolytic water hydrogen production device components, thereby reducing production costs, investment and operating costs.

Description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a modular and detachable AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production device.

Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of an AEM electrolyzer.

The numbers in the figure are: 1. AEM electrolyzer, 101. Electrolyte inlet, 102. Electrolyte outlet, 103. Hydrogen side gas-liquid channel interface, 104. Oxygen side gas-liquid channel interface, 2. Integrated multi- Port automatic distributor, 3. Electrolyte supply pipeline, 4. Gas-liquid separator electrolyte return pipeline, 5. Electrolyte intelligent circulation replenisher, 6. Hydrogen gas-liquid comprehensive separator, 7. Hydrogen purifier, 8. Hydrogen storage, 9. Oxygen liquid comprehensive separator, 10. Oxygen purifier, 11. Oxygen storage, 12. Electrical connection board.

Implementation

The present invention will be further described in detail through examples below, so that those skilled in the art can implement it according to the text of the description.

It should be understood that terms such as "having," "comprising," and "including" as used herein do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other elements or combinations thereof.

As shown in Figure 1-2, a modular detachable AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production device includes a hydrogen production host and a power supply system, electrolyte circulation device and gas treatment device respectively connected to the hydrogen production host. The hydrogen production host includes Multiple series-connected, modular and detachable AEM electrolyzers 1 can be combined with different numbers of AEM electrolyzers 1 according to actual needs (electrolyzers with 2KW, 20KW, 200KW or 1MW power can be selected for assembly according to actual requirements) , to meet the needs of electrolyzing water for hydrogen production in various scales; the power system includes an integrated multi-port automatic distributor 2 connected in parallel with multiple AEM electrolyzers. The integrated multi-port automatic distributor 2 is used to convert different types of current into DC power and intelligent distribution of power supply to multiple AEM electrolyzers 1; the gas processing device includes a hydrogen purification storage device and an oxygen purification storage device; the electrolyte circulation device includes an electrolyte supply pipeline 3, a gas-liquid separator electrolyte return pipeline 4 and electrolyte intelligent circulation replenisher 5. The integrated multi-port automatic distributor 2 can match various forms of electric energy such as grid power, photovoltaic, wind power, etc., automatically convert different types of power into the DC power required by the electrolyzer, and intelligently distribute it according to the actual situation; the integrated multi-port automatic distributor Appliance 2 has an automatic transformer and multiple power input interfaces. AEM electrolyzers can be selected and assembled according to actual requirements, such as 2KW, 20KW, 200KW or 1MW power electrolyzers. The selection of automatic transformers should be consistent with the overall power of the AEM electrolyzer. If you consider future expansion, you can choose a larger automatic transformer or add an automatic transformer.

The AEM electrolytic cell includes the core component AEM membrane electrode. Both sides of the AEM membrane electrode are symmetrically provided with a gas-liquid two-phase diffusion layer, an electrode plate, an insulating sealing gasket and an end plate from the inside to the outside; each plate layer is stacked to form the AEM electrolysis groove. For electrolyzers of the same standard, the size of each electrolyzer module unit can be reduced by 40%-80% compared with traditional alkali electrolyzers. At the same time, the main components can be made of carbon steel, stainless steel and other materials according to actual needs, effectively reducing the overall manufacturing cost.

The AEM electrolytic cell 1 is provided with a pair of electrical connection plates 12 protruding from the edge of the AEM electrolytic cell. The two electrical connection plates are each connected to an electrode plate for electrolysis reaction.

The AEM electrolytic cell 1 is provided with an electrolyte inlet 101 on one side and an electrolyte outlet 102 on the other side; the electrolyte inlet 101 and the electrolyte outlet 102 of multiple AEM electrolytic cells 1 The detachable phases are connected in series and connected to the electrolyte intelligent circulation replenisher 5 through the electrolyte supply pipeline 3 . The electrolyte supplies raw materials to the electrolytic cell through the electrolyte supply pipeline.

The hydrogen purification storage device includes a hydrogen gas-liquid comprehensive separator 6, a hydrogen purifier 7, and a hydrogen storage device 8 that are connected in sequence. The oxygen purification storage device includes an oxygen-liquid comprehensive separator 9, an oxygen purifier 10, and an oxygen storage device that are connected in sequence. 11.

The upper part of the AEM electrolyzer is provided with a hydrogen-side gas-liquid channel interface 103 on one side, and an oxygen-side gas-liquid channel interface 104 on the other side. The hydrogen-side gas-liquid channel interface 103 is connected to the hydrogen gas-liquid comprehensive separator 6. The liquid channel interface 104 is connected with the oxygen liquid comprehensive separator 9 .

The electrolyte intelligent circulation replenisher 5 is connected to the hydrogen gas-liquid comprehensive separator 6 and the oxygen liquid comprehensive separator 9 respectively through the gas-liquid separator electrolyte return pipeline 4; the hydrogen gas-liquid comprehensive separator and the oxygen liquid comprehensive separator are separated The discharged electrolyte flows back into the electrolyte circulation device to participate in the reaction. The electrolyte circulation device automatically adjusts the flow rate of the electrolyte circulation according to the actual number and power of the electrolytic cells required to participate in the operation, as well as the generated gas pressure.

The electrolyte intelligent circulation replenisher 5 has built-in pH value detection device, liquid level monitoring device and temperature monitoring device to automatically ensure the normal supply of electrolyte raw materials.

The hydrogen production host, electrolyte circulation device and gas treatment device adopt a titanium-free design. Due to the use of AEM electrolyzer 1, the entire hydrogen production device can use low-concentration alkali liquid (such as 5%-30% KOH) for electrolysis. The raw material has low corrosion resistance requirements for the pipeline, so titanium-free parts can be used as a whole. Compared with the high corrosion resistance requirements of the PEM water electrolysis hydrogen production device, the present invention can further reduce the manufacturing cost of the hydrogen production device.

The connections between multiple AEM electrolytic cells 1, as well as the connections between the electrolyte supply pipeline 3, the electrolyte return pipeline 4 of the gas-liquid separator and the AEM electrolytic cells 1 are connected by welding or detachable sealing. For example, the use of straight-through quick-plug connectors to connect various components and pipelines not only facilitates future expansion, but also facilitates disassembly, maintenance and repair.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed above, they are not limited to the applications listed in the description and embodiments. They can be applied to various fields suitable for the present invention. For those familiar with the art, they can easily Additional modifications may be made, and the invention is therefore not limited to the specific details and embodiments shown and described herein without departing from the general concept defined by the claims and equivalent scope.

Claims (10)

1. A modular detachable AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production device, characterized in that it includes a hydrogen production host and a power supply system, an electrolyte circulation device and a gas treatment device respectively connected to the hydrogen production host. The hydrogen production host includes multiple Series-connected, modular, and detachable AEM electrolyzers can be combined with different numbers and powers of AEM electrolyzers according to actual needs to meet the needs of electrolyzing water for hydrogen production in various scales; the power supply system includes multiple AEM electrolyzers Parallel integrated multi-port automatic distributor, the integrated multi-port automatic distributor is used to convert different types of current into direct current and intelligently distribute the power supply to multiple AEM electrolyzers; the gas treatment device includes hydrogen purification storage device and oxygen Purification storage device; electrolyte circulation device includes electrolyte supply pipeline, gas-liquid separator electrolyte return pipeline and electrolyte intelligent circulation replenisher. 2. The modular detachable AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production device according to claim 1, characterized in that the AEM electrolyzer includes a core component AEM membrane electrode, and the AEM membrane electrode is symmetrically provided with gases on both sides from the inside to the outside. Liquid two-phase diffusion layer, electrode plates, insulating sealing gaskets and end plates; each plate layer is stacked to form an AEM electrolyzer. 3. The modular detachable AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the AEM electrolyzer is provided with a pair of electrical connection plates protruding from the edge of the AEM electrolyzer, and the two electrical connection plates Connect one plate to each. 4. The modular detachable AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the lower part of the AEM electrolyzer is provided with an electrolyte inlet on one side and an electrolyte outlet on the other side. port; the electrolyte inlets and electrolyte outlets of multiple AEM electrolytic cells are detachably connected in series, and are connected to the electrolyte intelligent circulation replenisher through the electrolyte supply pipeline. 5. The modular detachable AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the hydrogen purification storage device includes a hydrogen gas-liquid comprehensive separator, a hydrogen purifier and a hydrogen storage device that are connected in sequence. The purification storage device includes an oxygen liquid comprehensive separator, an oxygen purifier and an oxygen storage device that are connected in sequence. 6. The modular detachable AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production device as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that one side of the upper part of the AEM electrolyzer is provided with a hydrogen side gas-liquid channel interface, and the other side is provided with an oxygen side gas channel interface. The liquid channel interface, the hydrogen side gas-liquid channel interface is connected with the hydrogen gas-liquid comprehensive separator, and the oxygen-side gas-liquid channel interface is connected with the oxygen-liquid comprehensive separator. 7. The modular detachable AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production device according to claim 6, characterized in that the electrolyte intelligent circulation replenisher is connected to the hydrogen gas-liquid comprehensive separator through the electrolyte return pipeline of the gas-liquid separator. Connected to the oxygen-liquid comprehensive separator; causing the electrolyte separated by the hydrogen-liquid comprehensive separator and the oxygen-liquid comprehensive separator to flow back into the electrolyte circulation device to participate in the reaction. 8. The modular detachable AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a pH value detection device, a liquid level monitoring device and a temperature monitoring device are built into the electrolyte intelligent circulation replenisher. Automatically ensure the normal supply of electrolyte raw materials. 9. The modular detachable AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production device according to claim 1, characterized in that the hydrogen production host, the electrolyte circulation device and the gas treatment device adopt a titanium-free design. 10. The modular detachable AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the connections between a plurality of the AEM electrolyzers, as well as the electrolyte supply pipeline and the gas-liquid separator electrolyte reflux The connection between the pipeline and the AEM electrolyzer is made by welding or through a detachable sealing connection through the connector.