CN117721482A - Explosion-proof battery voltage monitoring enclosure for water electrolysis - Google Patents
Explosion-proof battery voltage monitoring enclosure for water electrolysis Download PDFInfo
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- CN117721482A CN117721482A CN202211128257.6A CN202211128257A CN117721482A CN 117721482 A CN117721482 A CN 117721482A CN 202211128257 A CN202211128257 A CN 202211128257A CN 117721482 A CN117721482 A CN 117721482A
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- Electrolytic Production Of Non-Metals, Compounds, Apparatuses Therefor (AREA)
Abstract
An electrolyzer comprising: an electrolyzer cell stack comprising at least one electrolyzer cell; and a cell voltage monitor assembly including a cell voltage monitor electrically connected to the electrolyzer cell stack and a cell voltage monitor enclosure within which the cell voltage monitor is disposed. The cell voltage monitor is configured to measure a cell voltage across the electrolyzer cell stack. The battery voltage monitor enclosure is configured to contain a byproduct of ignition or explosion of the battery voltage monitor within the battery voltage monitor enclosure in response to the battery voltage monitor ignition or explosion.
Description
Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to electrolysers (electrolysers) and, in particular, to an explosion-proof enclosure for protecting cell voltage monitoring devices associated with an electrolyser cell stack.
Background
Electrochemical cells and electrolytic cells provide chemical reactions including electricity. For example, fuel cells use hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity. The electrolyzer uses water and electricity to produce hydrogen and oxygen.
More specifically, the electrolyzer includes one or more electrolysis cells that chemically produce substantially pure hydrogen and pure oxygen from water using electricity. The power supply of the electrolyzer is typically generated by a power generation system or energy generation system, which includes renewable energy systems such as wind, solar, hydroelectric and geothermal energy for the production of green or pure hydrogen. The pure hydrogen produced by the electrolyzer is in turn typically used as a fuel or energy source for those same power generation systems, such as fuel cell systems comprising fuel cell stacks. One such electrolyzer may be a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) electrolyzer.
A Cell Voltage Monitor (CVM) may be electrically connected to the electrolyzer cell stack and configured to measure a voltage across the electrolyzer stack. Because of the potential volatility of pure hydrogen used within the electrolyzer environment within which the battery voltage monitor operates, electrolyzer systems may be considered dangerous and/or easy to ignite and potentially explode by government authorities and thus be governed by federal, state, or local regulations. It would therefore be advantageous to provide a mechanism for suppressing ignition and explosion associated with a battery voltage monitor in order to protect the associated electrolyzer stack from damage and to comply with any desired government safety regulations.
Disclosure of Invention
According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, an electrolyzer comprises: an electrolyzer cell stack comprising at least one electrolyzer cell; a battery voltage monitor assembly. The cell voltage monitor assembly includes a cell voltage monitor electrically connected to the electrolyzer cell stack and a cell voltage monitor enclosure within which the cell voltage monitor is disposed. The cell voltage monitor is configured to measure a cell voltage across the electrolyzer cell stack.
In some embodiments, the battery voltage monitor enclosure is constructed of at least one of plastic or metal. In some embodiments, the battery voltage monitor enclosure is configured to contain a byproduct of ignition or explosion of the battery voltage monitor within the battery voltage monitor enclosure in response to the battery voltage monitor igniting or exploding.
According to another aspect of the disclosure, an enclosure assembly includes a battery voltage monitor enclosure and a battery voltage monitor electrically connected to an electrolyzer stack of an electrolyzer and disposed within the battery voltage monitor enclosure. The cell voltage monitor is configured to measure a cell voltage across the electrolyzer cell stack. The battery voltage monitor enclosure is configured to contain a byproduct of ignition or explosion of the battery voltage monitor within the battery voltage monitor enclosure in response to the battery voltage monitor ignition or explosion.
In some embodiments, the battery voltage monitor enclosure is completely sealed from the surrounding environment (e.g., the external environment, the atmospheric environment, and/or the external environment). In some embodiments, the battery voltage monitor enclosure, which is completely sealed from the surrounding environment, meets the IP54 protection class standard.
In some embodiments, the battery voltage monitor enclosure is constructed of a fire resistant material. In some embodiments, the battery voltage monitor enclosure is constructed of a metallic material including at least one of aluminum or stainless steel.
In some embodiments, the battery voltage monitor enclosure is configured to withstand an explosive force caused by the battery voltage monitor explosion in response to the battery voltage monitor exploding in response to the ignition. In some embodiments, igniting and/or exploding comprises an arc flash or arc explosion. In some embodiments, the explosive force caused by the explosion of the battery voltage monitor is in the range of 0.5MPa to 2.0 MPa. Protection of the cell voltage monitor, the electrolyzer cell stack and/or the surrounding or external environment from the force of explosion is provided by the cell voltage monitor enclosure.
In some embodiments, the battery voltage monitor enclosure is vacuum sealed. In some embodiments, the battery voltage monitor enclosure is sized to completely enclose the battery voltage monitor. In some embodiments, the battery voltage monitor enclosure includes at least one sidewall. The sidewall may have a thickness in the range of 20mm to 70 mm.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of monitoring an electrolyzer cell stack includes: providing a battery voltage monitor enclosure; filling a battery voltage monitor enclosure with a non-combustible material; disposing a battery voltage monitor within a battery voltage monitor enclosure; and electrically connecting a cell voltage monitor to the electrolyzer cell stack of the electrolyzer, wherein the cell voltage monitor is configured to measure a cell voltage across the cell voltage monitor enclosure and the electrolyzer cell stack.
The method further includes dissipating by-products of the ignition or explosion of the battery voltage monitor within the battery voltage monitor enclosure from the non-combustible material, and preventing the ignition or explosion from damaging the battery voltage monitor. In some embodiments, the non-flammable material is an epoxy. In some embodiments, the enclosure wall of the battery voltage monitor enclosure has at least one of a plastic or a metallic material. In some embodiments, the method further comprises sealing the battery voltage monitor enclosure with a vacuum seal. In some embodiments, preventing ignition or explosion includes preventing arc flash or arc explosion.
Drawings
The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of an electrolysis system configured to utilize the electrolyzer and electrolyzer cell voltage monitor assembly of the present disclosure;
FIG. 1B is a schematic illustration of an additional portion of the electrolysis system of FIG. 1A;
FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of an electrolyzer according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, showing the electrolyzer including an electrolyzer cell stack and a cell voltage monitor assembly including a cell voltage monitor disposed within a cell voltage monitor enclosure;
FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the electrolyzer cell stack and cell voltage monitor assembly of FIG. 2A showing the electrolyzer including a single cell voltage monitor assembly coupled to the housing of the electrolyzer cell stack;
FIG. 2C is a perspective view of an exemplary electrolyzer including two of the cell voltage monitor assemblies of FIG. 2A coupled to a housing of an electrolyzer cell stack;
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an electrolyzer according to another aspect of the present disclosure, showing the electrolyzer including an electrolyzer cell stack and a cell voltage monitor assembly including a cell voltage monitor disposed within a cell voltage monitor enclosure, and showing the enclosure including a non-combustible material disposed therein configured to dissipate or eliminate byproducts of cell voltage monitor ignition when the cell voltage monitor is ignited;
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an electrolyzer according to another aspect of the present disclosure, showing the electrolyzer including an electrolyzer cell stack and a cell voltage monitor assembly including a cell voltage monitor disposed within a cell voltage monitor enclosure, and showing the system further including a pressure control system configured to regulate pressurized gas within the enclosure so as to prevent ambient air from entering the enclosure;
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an electrolyzer according to another aspect of the present disclosure, showing the electrolyzer including an electrolyzer cell stack and a cell voltage monitor assembly including a cell voltage monitor disposed within a cell voltage monitor enclosure, and showing the possibility that the enclosure and cell voltage monitor are designed to eliminate a hydrogen ignition source; and
FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a controller and related components configured for use with the electrolyzer of FIGS. 1-5.
Detailed Description
As shown in fig. 1A and 1B, the electrolysis system 10 is generally configured to utilize water and electricity to produce hydrogen and oxygen. The electrolysis system 10 generally includes one or more electrolyzer cells that chemically produce substantially pure hydrogen 13 and oxygen 15 from deionized water 30 using electricity. The power supply for the electrolysis system 10 is typically generated by a power generation system or energy generation system that includes renewable energy systems such as wind, solar, hydroelectric, and geothermal energy for the production of green hydrogen. The pure hydrogen produced by the electrolysis system 10 is typically used again as a fuel or energy source for those same power generation systems, such as fuel cell systems. Alternatively, the pure hydrogen produced by the electrolysis system 10 may be stored for later use.
Each electrolyzer cell stack 11,12 may house a plurality of electrolyzer cells connected together in series and/or parallel. The number of electrolyzer cell stacks 11,12 in the electrolysis system 10 may vary depending on the amount of power required to meet the power demand of any load (e.g., a fuel cell stack). The number of electrolyzer cells in the electrolyzer cell stacks 11,12 may vary depending on the amount of power required to operate the electrolysis system 10 comprising the electrolyzer cell stacks 11,12.
As shown in fig. 1A and 1B, an exemplary electrolysis system 10 may include two electrolyzer cell stacks 11,12 and a fluid circuit 10FC including the various fluid paths shown in fig. 1A and 1B configured to circulate, inject, and purge fluids and other components into and out of the electrolysis system 10. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of several components within the fluid circuit 10FC and more or less than two electrolyzer cell stacks 11,12 may be used with the electrolysis system 10. For example, the electrolysis system 10 may include one electrolyzer cell stack 11, and in other examples, the electrolysis system 10 may include three or more electrolyzer cell stacks.
The electrolysis system 10 may include one or more types of electrolyzer cell stacks 11,12 therein. In the illustrated embodiment, polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) electrolyzer cells may be used in the stacks 11,12. PEM electrolyzer cells typically operate at about 4 ℃ to about 150 ℃, including any particular temperature or temperature range included therein. PEM electrolyzer cells also typically operate at about 100 bar or less, but can be up to about 1000 bar (including any particular pressure or pressure range included therein), which reduces the overall energy requirements of the system. The standard electrochemical reactions that occur in the PEM electrolyzer cell 80 to produce hydrogen are as follows:
Anode: 2H (H) 2 O→O 2 +4H + +4e -
Cathode: 4H (4H) + +4e - →2H 2
Overall: 2H (H) 2 O (liquid) →2H 2 +O 2 。
In addition, solid oxide electrolyzer cells may be used in the electrolysis system 10. The solid oxide electrolyzer cell will operate at about 500 ℃ to about 1000 ℃, including any particular temperature or temperature range included therein. The standard electrochemical reactions that occur in a solid oxide electrolyzer cell to produce hydrogen are as follows:
anode: 2O (2O) 2 - →O 2 +4e -
Cathode: 2H (H) 2 O→4e - +2H 2 +2O 2 -
Overall: 2H (H) 2 O (liquid) →2H 2 +O 2 。
In addition, AEM electrolyzer cells may be used, which use alkaline media. An exemplary AEM electrolyzer cell is an alkaline electrolyzer cell. Alkaline electrolyzer cells include aqueous solutions such as potassium hydroxide (KOH) and/or sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as electrolytes. Alkaline electrolyzer cells are typically operated at an operating temperature of about 0 ℃ to about 150 ℃, including any particular temperature or temperature range included therein. The alkaline electrolyzer cell generally operates at a pressure ranging from about 1 bar to about 100 bar, including any particular pressure or pressure range included therein. Typical hydrogen-generating electrochemical reactions that occur in alkaline electrolyzer cells are as follows:
anode: 4OH - →O 2 +2H 2 O+4e -
Cathode: 4H (4H) 2 O+4e - →2H 2 +4OH -
Overall: 2H (H) 2 O→2H 2 +O 2 。
As shown in fig. 1A, the electrolyzer cell stacks 11,12 include one or more electrolyzer cells that chemically produce substantially pure hydrogen and oxygen from water using electricity. The pure hydrogen produced by the electrolyzer can in turn be used as fuel or energy source. As shown in fig. 1A, the electrolyzer stacks 11,12 output the produced hydrogen to a hydrogen separator 16 along a fluid connection line 13 and also output the produced oxygen to an oxygen separator 14 along a fluid connection line 15.
The hydrogen separator 16 may be configured to output pure hydrogen and also send additional output fluid to a hydrogen drain tank 20, which then outputs the fluid to a deionized water drain 21. The oxygen separator 14 may output the fluid to an oxygen discharge tank 24, which in turn outputs the fluid to a deionized water discharge 25. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that some of the inputs and outputs of the fluid may be pure water or other fluids, such as coolant or byproducts of the chemical reaction of the electrolyzer cell stacks 11,12. For example, oxygen and hydrogen may flow away from the stacks 11,12 to the respective separators 14,16. The system 10 may further include a rectifier 32 configured to convert the electricity 33 flowing to the stacks 11,12 from Alternating Current (AC) to Direct Current (DC).
As shown in fig. 1B, deionized water drains 21,25 each output to a deionized water tank 40 that is part of a polishing loop (polishing loop) 36 of fluid circuit 10 FC. Water having an ionic content may damage the electrolyzer cell stacks 11,12 when the ionic water interacts with the internals of the electrolyzer cell stacks 11,12. The refining loop 36, shown in more detail in fig. 1B, is configured to de-ionize the water so that it can be used in the stacks 11,12 and does not damage the stacks 11,12.
In the illustrated embodiment, deionized water tank 40 outputs fluid (particularly water) to deionized water polishing pump 144. Deionized water polishing pump 144 in turn outputs water to water polishing heat exchanger 46 for polishing and treatment. Then, water flows to the deionized water resin tank 48.
The coolant is directed through the electrolysis system 10, and in particular through a deionized water heat exchanger 72 fluidly connected to the oxygen separator 14. The coolant for cooling the water may also be subsequently fed to the water refining heat exchanger 46 via the coolant input 27 for refining. The coolant is then output back to the deionized water heat exchanger 72 to cool the water therein.
After the water is output from the deionized water finishing heat exchanger 46 and then output to the deionized water resin tank 48, a portion of the water may be supplied to the deionized water high pressure supply pump 60. As shown in fig. 1B, another portion of the water may be supplied to the deionized water pressure control valve 52. A portion of the water supplied to the deionized water pressure control valve 52 passes through a recirculation fluid connection 54 that allows water to flow back to the deionized water tank 40 for continued polishing.
In some embodiments, the electrolysis system 10 may add a deionized water skid (ski) for the refined water stream to rinse ions from the water at a faster rate. A portion of the water supplied to the deionized water high pressure supply pump 60 is then output to the deionized water supply port 64, which then flows into the oxygen separator 14 for recirculation and final reuse in the electrolyzer cell stacks 11, 12. The process may then be repeated.
The electrolysis system 10 described herein may be used in stationary and/or non-mobile power systems, such as industrial applications and power plants. The electrolysis system 10 may also be implemented in combination with other electrolysis systems 10.
The present electrolysis system 10 may be included in stationary or mobile applications. The electrolysis system 10 may be in a vehicle or powertrain 100. The vehicle or powertrain 100 including the electrolysis system 10 may be an automobile, a passing vehicle, a bus, a truck, a train, a locomotive, an aircraft, a light vehicle, a medium-sized vehicle, or a heavy vehicle.
The present disclosure relates to one or more battery voltage monitor enclosures and/or assemblies 140,240,340,440 for an electrolyzer 11,12,118,218,318,418, including various systems and methods included therein. In one embodiment, when the battery voltage monitor ignites or explodes, the battery voltage monitor enclosure is able to contain byproducts of the ignition or explosion within the battery voltage monitor enclosure. In other embodiments, the cell voltage monitor enclosure can prevent byproducts of ignition or explosion that occur outside of the cell voltage monitor enclosure (e.g., when hydrogen from the electrolyzer cell stack ignites or explodes) from reaching the cell voltage monitor.
In an exemplary embodiment, the design of the enclosure itself is such that the battery voltage monitor enclosure described herein is fire, damage and/or explosion proof. In some embodiments, the enclosure may be constructed of a metallic material, such as aluminum, standard steel, stainless steel, or a combination of both materials alone or in combination with other metals. In other embodiments, the enclosure may be constructed of plastic, or a combination of plastic and metallic materials.
Such explosion protection of the battery voltage monitor enclosure may be enhanced and/or improved when a flame retardant gas is disposed within the enclosure. In some embodiments, the enclosure may be filled with nitrogen or other inert gases, such as compressed air and other harmless gases. Thus, the battery voltage monitor enclosure prevents combustible byproducts from ignition and/or explosion within the enclosure (e.g., explosion of the battery voltage monitor) from escaping the battery voltage monitor enclosure and entering, interacting with, and/or igniting any explosive environment surrounding the enclosure.
According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, an electrolyzer 118 is shown in FIG. 2A. The electrolyzer 118 may be constructed similarly to the electrolyzer cells described above, particularly as a PEM electrolyzer, and operates in conjunction with the electrolyzer cell stacks 11,12 and other components of the electrolysis system 10. The electrolyzer 118 may include one or more electrolyzer cell stacks 118S. Each electrolyzer cell stack 118S includes a plurality of electrolyzer cells 118C. Although any number of cells may be included in the electrolyzer cell stack, in at least one non-limiting example, the electrolyzer stack 118S includes from about 50 to about 1000 cells, including any particular cell or range of cells included therein (e.g., from 200 to 500 or from about 200 to about 500 or about 200 cells).
As schematically illustrated in fig. 2A, the electrolyzer 118 may further include a cell voltage monitor assembly 130 operably associated with the electrolyzer stack 118S. Based on the design requirements of the electrolyzer 118, the cell voltage monitor assembly 130 may be in close proximity to the electrolyzer stack 118S, or may be disposed a distance from the electrolyzer stack 118S. For example, the cell voltage monitor assembly 130 may be proximate to, through the chamber, and/or remote from the electrolyzer stack 118S.
Illustratively, the cell voltage monitor assembly 130 includes at least one cell voltage monitor 134 operatively connected to the at least one electrolyzer stack 118S and/or additional stacks of electrolyzers 118. In the illustrative embodiment, the cell voltage monitor assembly 130 is electrically connected to the electrolyzer stack 118S. The cell voltage monitor assembly 130 is configured to measure the cell voltage across the electrolyzer stack (S) 118S and/or the electrolyzer cell 118C.
The cell voltage monitor 134 may be directly or indirectly connected to at least one or more cells 118C of the electrolyzer stack 118S. For example, the cell voltage monitor 134 may be electrically connected to a plurality of cells 118C of the electrolyzer stack 118S, all cells of the electrolyzer stack 118S, every other cell 118C of the stack 118S, and/or any number or arrangement of cells 118C in the electrolyzer stack 118S. In some embodiments, the cell voltage monitor 134 may be directly connected to the electrolyzer stack 118S via wiring 138, which may be composed of metal or any other conductive material.
In some embodiments, the battery voltage monitor 134 may be operably connected to a controller 510, or similar computing device, as will be described below, and may transmit data to or from the controller. The controller 510 may also be configured to control various aspects of the battery voltage monitor 134 to assist in mitigating ignition and/or explosion of the battery voltage monitor 134.
Importantly, as shown in fig. 2A, the battery voltage monitor assembly 130 may further include a battery voltage monitor enclosure 140 within which the battery voltage monitor 134 is disposed or located. In some embodiments, the battery voltage monitor enclosure 140 may have any shape, size, or form, and includes a plurality of outer housing walls 142 defining a housing interior 144. Although any number of housing walls 142 may be used to form the battery voltage monitor enclosure 140, a typical battery voltage monitor enclosure 140 includes a plurality, such as about three (3) to about ten (10), of walls 142, including any particular number or range of walls 142 included therein. As shown in fig. 2A-5, the illustrative cell voltage monitor enclosure 140 embodiment includes about four (4) walls 142.
The plurality of outer housing walls 142 may each have a thickness in the range of about 20mm to about 70mm, including any particular thickness or range of thicknesses included therein. Illustratively, the thickness of the outer housing wall 142 may be in the range of about 30mm to about 60mm or about 40mm to about 50 mm.
In some embodiments, the plurality of outer housing walls 142 are constructed of a fire resistant material. In particular, the wall 142 may be formed of a metallic material, such as aluminum, standard steel, stainless steel, or a combination of both materials alone or in combination with other metals. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other fire resistant materials may also be used.
As schematically shown in fig. 2A, the battery voltage monitor 134 may be disposed within the housing interior 144 so as to be spaced apart from each of the outer walls 142. In some embodiments, the plurality of outer housing walls 142 may include a top wall 142T defining a housing interior 144, a bottom wall 142B opposite the top wall 142T, and side walls 142S. In other embodiments, the plurality of outer housing walls 142 may include any number of walls to form as many shapes as desired for the design of the electrolyzer stack 118, including a single unitary wall 142, so long as the cell voltage monitor 134 is disposed entirely within the housing interior 144. In some embodiments, the plurality of outer housing walls 142 completely encapsulate the battery voltage monitor 134 such that the housing interior 144 is completely sealed from the ambient environment 150, which may be the external environment, the atmospheric environment, and/or the external environment.
As illustratively shown in fig. 2A, the battery voltage monitor enclosure 140 (and in particular the plurality of outer housing walls 142) is configured to contain ignition or explosion byproducts within the battery voltage monitor enclosure 140 in the event that the battery voltage monitor 134 ignites or explodes. In some embodiments, byproducts of ignition or explosion of the battery voltage monitor 134 may include, but are not limited to, sparks, electrical discharges, electrostatic emissions, rapid rise to high temperatures, gas or air pressure increases around the monitor 134, pressure waves, flames or electrical fires, projected dome, explosive forces, arc flashes, or arc bursts.
Any ignition and/or explosion of the monitor 134 may be caused by various operating factors occurring within the electrolyzer 118 and/or the cell voltage monitor 134, including, but not limited to, leakage of hydrogen from the electrolyzer stack 118S in combination with ambient air surrounding the stack 118S and/or in the cell voltage monitor enclosure 134.
To prevent the byproducts of the ignition or explosion of the battery voltage monitor 134 from escaping the enclosure 140, the plurality of outer housing walls 142 are configured to enable the byproducts to be sealed or contained within the housing interior 144 and withstand any explosive forces caused by the ignition or explosion of the battery voltage monitor 134. Alternatively, to prevent byproducts of ignition or explosion from the electrolyzer cell stack 118S from penetrating the enclosure 140, the plurality of outer housing walls 142 provide sealing surfaces (via the walls 142) to maintain the byproducts outside of the housing interior 144 and withstand any explosive forces caused by the ignition or explosion and prevent damage to the cell voltage monitor 134. In this manner, the battery voltage monitor enclosure 140 provides a safety mechanism to reduce and/or prevent ignition and/or explosion of the battery voltage monitor 134 from reaching areas outside of the enclosure 140.
In some embodiments, the plurality of outer housing walls 142 completely seal the housing interior 144 from the surrounding environment 150 of the enclosure 140 (which may include air or other gases) such that no gas or fluid may enter and/or exit the enclosure 140. In some embodiments, the enclosure 140 meets the IP54 protection class defined by international standard EN 60529. The IP54 protection class provides protection against at least limited dust ingress and water or fluid ejection from any direction.
In some embodiments, the battery voltage monitor enclosure 140 is vacuum sealed and/or free of any gas or fluid therein. In some embodiments, the battery voltage monitor enclosure 140 includes a gas, such as a non-flammable gas. For example, the battery voltage monitor enclosure 140 includes nitrogen or air disposed therein. In some embodiments, the battery voltage monitor enclosure 140 includes only air disposed therein.
In some embodiments, the plurality of outer housing walls 142 are configured such that in response to the explosion of the hydrogen or cell voltage monitor 134 of the electrolyzer stack 118S, the cell voltage monitor enclosure 140 is configured to withstand the explosive forces caused by the explosion of the cell voltage monitor 134. That is, each individual wall (e.g., 142t,142b, and 142S) of the plurality of outer housing walls 142 is capable of withstanding the explosive force of the explosion of the battery voltage monitor 134 alone or in combination. The explosive force is an internal explosion pressure exerted on one or more of the inner surfaces of the walls 142. In some explosion events, the explosive force or pressure caused by the explosion of the battery voltage monitor is in the range of about 0.5MPa to about 2.0MPa, including any specific force or force range included therein.
Fig. 2B shows an exemplary arrangement of the electrolyzer 118 described above. Specifically, the electrolyzer 118 includes an electrolyzer cell stack 118S disposed in a housing 116 that includes reinforcing plates 117 disposed vertically on the corners of the housing 116. The housing 116 may include a clamping bar 119 disposed on a top surface 116T of the housing 116, and may further include a stack electrical connection terminal 120 disposed on the top surface 116T and extending outwardly away from the housing 116. The electrolyzer 118 may further include additional stack electrical connection terminals 122 that extend through and protrude from the side wall 116S of the housing 116.
Fig. 2B further illustrates that the battery voltage monitor assembly 130, including the enclosure 140 and the battery voltage monitor 134 disposed therein, may be disposed on the side surface 116S of the housing 116. In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 2B, the housing 116 is a rectangular box. Illustratively, the enclosure 140 and the monitor 134 therein are sized so as to occupy less than two-thirds of the smaller of the two identical side surfaces 116S of the rectangular box 116. The enclosure 140 may be coupled and/or connected to the side surfaces via any fastening mechanism 145, such as bolts, screws, brackets, or the like. The battery voltage monitor assembly 130 may also include a wiring enclosure 146 that extends from the battery voltage monitor 134 to the side surface 116S of the housing 116 and houses the wires 138 therein. The wiring enclosure 146 may be connected or coupled or not connected or not coupled to the enclosure 140 and/or the side surface 116S of the housing 116 via any fastening mechanism 145, such as bolts, screws, brackets, or the like.
As a non-limiting example, the embodiment shown in fig. 2B may include a standard sized stack 118S disposed within the housing 116. For example, a stack 118S of 200 electrolyzer cells 118C may be positioned within the housing 116 and/or within it. The housing 116 may be sized to accommodate this number of cells or any other number of cells, depending on the design of the electrolyzer 118 and any hydrogen generation requirements.
By way of further non-limiting example, fig. 2C shows that a larger cell stack 118S may require a larger housing 116, e.g., a stack of, e.g., 400 cells 118C. In such a scenario, two battery voltage monitors 134 may be required due to the large number of batteries 118C. Thus, as shown in fig. 2C, the housing 116 may be sized to accommodate 400 batteries 118C. To house the second battery voltage monitor 134, the battery voltage monitor assembly 130 may include two enclosures 140 disposed on side surfaces of the housing 116. In this way, the same enclosure 140 may be simply replicated for both battery voltage monitors 134 and disposed adjacent to each other on the same side surface 116S of the housing 116. Alternatively, a larger single enclosure 140 capable of housing two or more monitors 134 may be used on the side surface 116S of the housing 116. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that three, four or more cell voltage monitors 134 and enclosures 140 may be arranged on the housing 116 depending on the size of the stack 118S and the number or size of cell voltage monitors 134 desired. The ability to use the same type of enclosure 140 on a single housing 116 for multiple cell voltage monitors 134 provides manufacturing and production cost savings as well as reduced production time.
Any of the above-described features, including materials, dimensions, arrangements, etc., alone or in combination, may help the battery monitor voltage enclosure 140 manage the byproducts of ignition or explosion at the battery voltage monitor 134 and withstand the force of the explosion caused by the explosion of the battery voltage monitor 134. In particular, the enclosure 140 is fire and explosion proof, thus preventing combustible byproducts of ignition and/or explosion of the battery voltage monitor from escaping and/or entering the battery voltage monitor enclosure, and thus protecting the battery voltage monitor and preventing any explosive environment around the housing from becoming dangerous (e.g., by ignition or explosion).
In some embodiments, the geographical area in which the electrolyzer 118 (and the electrolyzer 218,318,418 described below) operates may present certain regulatory safety standards for the operation of hazardous devices such as electrolysis systems. For example, in China, electrolysis systems and fuel cell systems (such as the electrolyzer 118,218,318,418 described herein) are generally categorized as "zone 1" or "zone 2" hazard areas. Zone 1 is generally defined as the area where an explosive environment consisting of a mixture of air or flammable substances in the form of a gas, vapor or mist will occasionally occur during normal operation. These zone 1 environments are typically process zones in which gases are more likely to be present. Zone 2 is generally defined as a zone where a mixture of air and combustible material in the form of a gas, vapor or mist is unlikely to occur during normal operation, but if so does occur, it will only last for a short period of time.
Because the electrolysis systems and fuel cell systems are designated as dangerous goods in zone 1 and/or zone 2, rather than the most dangerous zone 0 category, the components, devices, and methods of the electrolyzer systems described herein must meet certain safety standards and regulations. One such regulatory standard is that the electrolytic system 10, the electrolyzer 118,218,318,418 and in particular the enclosure 140,240,340,440 of the battery voltage monitor 134,234,334,434 must be designed so as to comply with the chinese mandatory certificate (CCC). Specifically, as described in the chinese national marketplace administration 2019, 7, 5, bulletin (2019, 34), certain explosive electrical and gas appliances (such as the electrolyzer system described herein), including machines and appliances having a calibrated volume of over 500L, must be CCC certified since 2019, 10, 1.
Such CCC certification includes compliance with the national standards explosion and fire hazard environment power plant design codes of the people's republic of China (GB 50058-92) and the international electrotechnical commission, which are standards set by the national center for quality certification: devices for explosive environments "(IIEC 60079-0:2017). The enclosures 140,240,340,440 of the electrolyzer 118,218,318,418 and in particular the battery voltage monitor 134,234,334,434, and any combination thereof or alternative embodiments thereof, are fully compliant with and comply with these government regulatory standards in china and other countries having similar, fewer or no such safety requirements.
Another embodiment of an electrolyzer 218 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in fig. 3. Electrolyzer 218 is substantially similar to electrolyzer 118 described herein. Accordingly, like reference numerals in the 200 series denote common features between electrolyzer 218 and electrolyzer 118. The description of electrolyzer 118 is incorporated by reference as if set forth in electrolyzer 218 unless it conflicts with the detailed description and drawings of electrolyzer 218. Any combination of components of electrolyzer 118 and electrolyzer 218 described in further detail below may be used in the assemblies of the present disclosure.
Similar to electrolyzer 118, as shown in FIG. 3, electrolyzer 218 may include an electrolyzer cell stack 218S comprising a plurality of electrolyzer cells 218C. The electrolyzer 218 may further include a cell voltage monitor assembly 230 operably associated with the electrolyzer stack 218S. The cell voltage monitor assembly 230 may be in close proximity to the electrolyzer stack 218S or may be disposed a distance from the electrolyzer stack 218S based on design requirements of the electrolyzer 218.
Illustratively, the cell voltage monitor assembly 230 includes a cell voltage monitor 234 operatively connected (particularly electrically) to the electrolyzer stack 218S or an additional stack of cells of the electrolyzer 218 and configured to measure the cell voltage across one or more electrolyzer stacks 218S. The cell voltage monitor 234 may be directly or indirectly electrically connected to the cell 218C of the electrolyzer stack 218S, the plurality of cells 218C of the electrolyzer stack 218S, or all of the cells of the electrolyzer stack 218S. In some embodiments, the cell voltage monitor 234 may be directly connected to the electrolyzer stack 218S via wiring 238.
As shown in fig. 3, the battery voltage monitor assembly 230 may further include a battery voltage monitor enclosure 240 within which the battery voltage monitor 234 is disposed. In some embodiments, the battery voltage monitor enclosure 240 includes a plurality of outer housing walls 242 defining a housing interior 244. As schematically shown in fig. 3, the battery voltage monitor 234 may be disposed within the housing interior 244 so as to be spaced apart from each of the outer walls 242.
To prevent byproducts of the ignition or explosion of the battery voltage monitor 234 from escaping the enclosure 240, the housing interior 244 may be filled with a non-combustible material 246 that dissipates the byproducts of the ignition or explosion of the battery voltage monitor 234 in response to the ignition or explosion of the battery voltage monitor 234, thereby preventing the ignition or explosion from damaging the battery voltage monitor enclosure 240. For example, the non-combustible material 246 may dissipate heat or flame generated by ignition or explosion of the battery voltage monitor 234. In some embodiments, the non-combustible material 246 may first prevent ignition or explosion of the battery voltage monitor 234 from occurring. By way of non-limiting example, the non-combustible material 246 may include an epoxy.
In some embodiments, the plurality of outer housing walls 242 completely seal the housing interior 244 from the surroundings of the enclosure 240 (which may be air or other gas) such that no gas or fluid may enter or leave the enclosure 240. The seal may meet the IP54 protection class criteria as described above. In particular, the plurality of outer housing walls 242 may completely seal the housing interior 244 such that the non-combustible material 246 may not escape the enclosure 240.
In particular, the wall 242 of the enclosure 240 may be constructed of a material that is lighter than the enclosure 140 described above, for example, because the non-combustible material 246 dissipates byproducts or occurrences of ignition or explosion of the cell voltage monitor 234. In this way, the enclosure 240 need not be as strong as the enclosure 140 described above. In some embodiments, the wall 242 may be constructed of plastic, lightweight metal, or similar materials, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. This provides a smaller and lighter enclosure 240 than the heavier and stronger enclosure 140 described above.
Another embodiment of an electrolyzer 318 according to the present disclosure is shown in fig. 4. The electrolyzer 318 is generally similar to the electrolyzer 118,218 described herein. Accordingly, like reference numerals in the 300 series represent common features between the electrolyzer 318 and the electrolyzers 118, 218. The description of the electrolyzer 118,218 is incorporated by reference as if set forth in connection with the electrolyzer 318, unless it conflicts with the detailed description and drawings of the electrolyzer 318. Any combination of components of the electrolyzer 118,218 and the electrolyzer 318 described in further detail below may be used in the assemblies of the present disclosure.
Similar to the electrolyzer 118,218, as shown in FIG. 4, the electrolyzer 318 may include an electrolyzer cell stack 318S that includes a plurality of electrolyzer cells 318C. The electrolyzer 318 may further include a cell voltage monitor assembly 330 operably associated with the electrolyzer stack 318S. The cell voltage monitor assembly 330 may be in close proximity to the electrolyzer stack 318S, or may be disposed a distance from the electrolyzer stack 318S based on design requirements of the electrolyzer 318. Illustratively, the battery voltage monitor assembly 330 includes a battery voltage monitor 334 operatively connected (particularly electrically connected) to the electrolyzer stack 318S or additional stacks of electrolyzers 318 and configured to measure the battery voltage across one or more of the electrolyzer stacks 318S. The cell voltage monitor 334 may be directly or indirectly electrically connected to the cells 318C of the electrolyzer stack 318S, the plurality of cells 318C of the electrolyzer stack 318S, or all of the cells of the electrolyzer stack 318S. In some embodiments, the battery voltage monitor 334 may be directly connected to the electrolyzer stack 318S via wiring 338.
As shown in fig. 4, the battery voltage monitor assembly 330 may further include a battery voltage monitor enclosure 340 within which the battery voltage monitor 334 is disposed. In some embodiments, the battery voltage monitor enclosure 340 includes a plurality of outer housing walls 342 defining a housing interior 344. As schematically shown in fig. 4, the battery voltage monitor 334 may be disposed within the housing interior 344 so as to be spaced apart from each of the outer walls 342.
Illustratively, the housing interior 344 may be filled with a pressurized gas 370 that prevents any gas or fluid around the enclosure 340 that may be flammable from entering the enclosure 340 and subsequently helping to ignite the battery voltage monitor 334 or cause an explosion of the battery voltage monitor 334. As a non-limiting example, the pressurized gas 370 may include any inert gas. For example, the pressurized gas 370 may be nitrogen. Although the following examples refer to nitrogen, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other inert gases, such as compressed air and other harmless gases, may be used. As will be described in more detail below, nitrogen may be supplied and regulated via a pressure control system 350 operatively connected to the enclosure 340.
In some embodiments, the plurality of outer housing walls 342 completely seal the housing interior 344 from the surrounding environment 350 of the enclosure 340 (which may be air or other gas) such that no gas or fluid may enter or leave the enclosure 340. The enclosure 340 may meet the IP54 protection class criteria as described above. In the event of a leak due to damage to the enclosure 340 or other problems, the pressurized nitrogen 370 within the housing interior 344 will prevent any outside gas or fluid from entering the enclosure 340 due to the internal pressurized nitrogen 370 being maintained at a higher pressure than the outside gas or fluid (such gas or fluid in some embodiments being outside air).
The wall 342 of the enclosure 340 may be constructed of a lighter weight material than the enclosure 140 described above, for example. In some embodiments, the wall 342 may be constructed of plastic, lightweight metal, or similar materials, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. This provides a smaller and lighter enclosure 340 than the heavier and stronger (e.g., metal) enclosure 140 described above. Thus, in some embodiments of the enclosure 340, the walls 342 may not be composed of metal or metallic material.
Illustratively, as shown in fig. 4, to supply pressurized nitrogen to the enclosure 340 and regulate the gas pressure within the housing interior 344, the enclosure assembly 330 may further include a pressure control system 350. As a non-limiting example, the pressure control system 350 may include a supply valve 352, a pressure monitor 358, a pressure sensor 360, and a purge valve 366.
In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 4, an inlet conduit 353 delivering nitrogen is fluidly connected to an inlet of the supply valve 352, and an outlet conduit 354 is fluidly connected to an outlet of the supply valve 352 and configured to deliver pressurized nitrogen from the supply valve 352 to the housing interior 344 of the enclosure 340. As used herein, "conduit" may refer to any component capable of transporting a fluid or gas therein, including pipes, hoses, tubes, and other similar components as will be understood by those skilled in the art.
The supply valve 352 may be configured to increase the pressure of the incoming nitrogen such that the nitrogen output from the valve 352 and supplied to the enclosure 340 is at a pressure higher than the gas or fluid in the surrounding environment. In some embodiments, the pressure of the gas or fluid in the ambient environment 350 may be at ambient pressure. In some embodiments, the difference between the internal pressure within the housing interior 344 and the outside pressure in the ambient environment 350 directly outside of the housing interior 344 and the enclosure 340 is in the range of about 0.1kPa to about 2.0kPa, including any specific pressure or pressure range included therein. In particular, the pressure of the ambient environment 350 may be in the range of about 0.1kPa to about 1.0kPa, and in particular, in the range of about 0.1kPa to about 0.7 kPa.
As shown in fig. 4, the pressure control system 350 may further include a pressure sensor 360 disposed therein. For example, the pressure sensor 360 may be operatively connected to the pressure monitoring system 358 by electronically transmitting a pressure signal 362. The pressure monitoring system 358 is configured to continuously monitor the pressure of the nitrogen 370 in the housing interior 344.
As shown in fig. 4, pressure control system 350 may further include a purge valve 366 fluidly connected to an outlet of housing interior 344 via an outlet conduit 367. Purge valve 366 may selectively purge nitrogen 370 from housing interior 344 and output gas from purge line 368, which is fluidly connected to an outlet of purge valve 366, to maintain the nitrogen pressure within housing interior 344 at a desired pressure.
The pressure monitoring system 358 may be operably connected to the supply valve 352 and the purge valve 366 to selectively control the nitrogen pressure within the shell interior 344 of the enclosure 340. In some embodiments, the pressure monitoring system 358 may be configured to automatically control the supply valve 352 and purge valve 366 to maintain the pressure of the nitrogen at a desired pressure. In some embodiments, the pressure monitoring system 358 may be operably connected to the controller 510 such that the controller 510 or a user thereof may control the supply valve 352, purge valve 366, and/or battery voltage monitor 334 to maintain the pressure of the nitrogen 370 at a desired pressure, which may be predetermined and/or preset automatically or by a user or operator (e.g., a person/personnel).
For example, in any such embodiment, if the pressure sensor 360, and thus the monitoring system 358, determines that the pressure of the gas has fallen below the desired pressure, the monitoring system 358 and/or the controller 510 may control the supply valve 352 to increase the pressure of the gas 370 prior to entering the housing interior 344 such that the pressure of the gas 370 within the interior 344 increases back to the original desired pressure. Similarly, if the pressure sensor 360, and thus the monitoring system 358, determines that the pressure of the gas 370 has increased to a pressure above the desired pressure, the monitoring system 358 and/or the controller 510 may control the purge valve 366 to depressurize the gas 370 within the housing interior 344 such that the pressure of the gas 370 within the interior 344 decreases back to the original desired pressure. In some embodiments, the supply valve 352 and purge valve 366 may be self-regulating, thereby automatically controlling themselves and maintaining or adjusting the pressure of the gas 370 within the housing interior 344.
In operation, the pressurized nitrogen 370 may prevent any combustible gas or fluid surrounding the enclosure 340 from entering the enclosure 340 and subsequently helping to ignite the battery voltage monitor 334 or cause an explosion of the battery voltage monitor 334. This may be particularly advantageous in situations where the enclosure 340 is damaged or where a leak forms within the wall 342 of the enclosure 340.
Another embodiment of an electrolyzer 418 according to the present disclosure is shown in fig. 5. The electrolyzer 418 is substantially similar to the electrolyzer 118,218,218 described herein. Accordingly, like reference numerals in the 400 series denote common features between electrolyzer 418 and electrolyzer 118,218,318. The description of electrolyzer 118,218,318 is incorporated by reference as if set forth in connection with electrolyzer 418, unless it is in conflict with the detailed description and drawings of electrolyzer 418. Any combination of components of electrolyzer 118,218,318 and electrolyzer 418, described in further detail below, may be used in the assemblies of the present disclosure.
Similar to electrolyzer 118,218,418, as shown in fig. 5, electrolyzer 418 can include an electrolyzer cell stack 418S that includes a plurality of electrolyzer cells 418C. The electrolyzer 418 may further include a cell voltage monitor assembly 430 operably associated with the electrolyzer stack 418S. The cell voltage monitor assembly 430 may be in close proximity to the electrolyzer stack 418S or may be disposed a distance from the electrolyzer stack 418S based on the design requirements of the electrolyzer 418. Illustratively, the battery voltage monitor assembly 430 includes a battery voltage monitor 434 operatively connected (particularly electrically connected) to the electrolyzer stack 418S or an additional stack of electrolyzer 418 and configured to measure the battery voltage across one or more electrolyzer stacks 418S. The cell voltage monitor 434 may be directly or indirectly electrically connected to the cells 418C of the electrolyzer stack 418S, the plurality of cells 418C of the electrolyzer stack 418S, or all of the cells of the electrolyzer stack 418S. In some embodiments, the cell voltage monitor 434 may be directly connected to the electrolyzer stack 418S via wiring 438.
As shown in fig. 5, the battery voltage monitor assembly 430 may further include a battery voltage monitor enclosure 440 within which the battery voltage monitor 434 is disposed. In some embodiments, the battery voltage monitor enclosure 440 includes a plurality of outer housing walls 442 defining a housing interior 444. As schematically shown in fig. 5, the battery voltage monitor 434 may be disposed within the housing interior 444 so as to be spaced apart from each of the outer walls 442.
In some embodiments, the plurality of outer housing walls 442 completely seal the housing interior 444 from the surroundings of the enclosure 440 (which may be air or other gas) such that no gas or fluid may enter or leave the enclosure 440. The seal may meet the IP54 protection class criteria as described above. In the event of a leak due to damage to the enclosure 440 or other problems, the pressurized nitrogen within the housing interior 444 will prevent any outside gas or fluid from entering due to being maintained at a higher pressure than the outside gas or fluid.
Illustratively, to mitigate or prevent ignition and explosion from occurring and to prevent byproducts thereof from escaping enclosure 440, components of battery voltage monitor assembly 430, including battery voltage monitor 434 and enclosure 340, are designed such that the possibility of ignition and explosion is precluded, including the elimination of the creation of an excitation arc, spark, hot surface, and other ignition-inducing characteristics.
The elimination of the ignition and explosion potential may be accomplished via the design of the battery voltage monitor 434 and enclosure 340 using different chips, circuit boards, and microprocessors than are typically used in voltage monitors and/or housings, which are less flammable and less prone to ignition and explosion. In some embodiments, different wiring 438 configurations may be used, and the assembly 430 components may be designed without mechanical relays. Indeed, those skilled in the art will appreciate that any combination of alternative components known in the art may be used in the battery voltage monitor 434 and enclosure 440 in order to reduce the electrical energy emitted by these components and thus eliminate the possibility of ignition or explosion of these components.
Illustratively, particularly since the components of the battery voltage monitor 434 and the enclosure 440 are designed to not readily ignite and explode, the wall 442 of the enclosure 440 may be constructed of a lighter weight material than the enclosure 140 described above, for example. In some embodiments, the wall 442 may be constructed of plastic, lightweight metal, or similar materials, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. This provides a smaller and lighter enclosure 440 than the heavier and stronger enclosure 140 described above.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any of the above embodiments, as well as any embodiments not specifically described herein, may be incorporated into a battery voltage monitor assembly of an electrolyzer to add additional protection. As a non-limiting example, in addition to any of the other embodiments of the battery voltage monitor assembly 130,230,330 described above, the battery voltage monitor assembly may include components of the battery voltage monitor assembly 430 described above, including components that are less flammable and less prone to ignition and explosion, such as the pressure control system 350 with nitrogen in the enclosure.
A process or method according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a first operation step of providing a cell voltage monitor enclosure, a second operation step of disposing a cell voltage monitor within the cell voltage monitor enclosure, an electrolyzer stack electrically connecting the cell voltage monitor to an electrolyzer, a third operation step of the cell voltage monitor configured to measure a cell voltage across the electrolyzer stack, and a fourth operation step of filling the cell voltage monitor enclosure with a non-combustible material.
In some embodiments, the process or method further comprises: a fifth operation of dissipating byproducts of the ignition or explosion of the battery voltage monitor with a non-combustible material within the battery voltage monitor enclosure in response to the ignition or explosion of the battery voltage monitor, and a sixth operation of preventing the ignition or explosion from damaging the battery voltage monitor.
As described above, the controller 510 is shown in fig. 6. The controller 510 may include a memory 511 and a processor 512. The memory 511 and the processor 512 are in communication with each other. The processor 512 may be embodied as any type of computing processing tool or device capable of performing the functions described herein. For example, the processor 512 may be embodied as single or multi-core processor(s), a digital signal processor, a microcontroller, or other processor or processing/control circuit.
Memory 511 may be embodied as any type of volatile or non-volatile memory or data storage capable of performing the functions described herein. Further, the controller 510 may also include additional or alternative components, such as those commonly found in computers (e.g., various input/output devices, resistors, capacitors, etc.). In other embodiments, one or more of the illustrative controllers 510 of a component may be incorporated into or otherwise form part of another component. For example, the memory 511, or a portion thereof, may be incorporated into the processor 512.
In operation, the memory 511 may store various data and software used during operation of the controller 510, such as operating systems, application programs, libraries, and drivers. The memory 511 is communicatively coupled to the processor 512 via an I/O subsystem that may be embodied as circuitry and/or components to facilitate input/output operations with the processor 512, the memory 511, and other components of the controller 510. In one embodiment, the memory 511 may be coupled directly to the processor 512, such as via an integrated memory controller hub. Additionally, in some embodiments, the I/O subsystem may form part of a system on a chip (SoC) and be incorporated on a single integrated circuit chip (not shown) along with the processor 512, memory 511, and/or other components of the controller 510.
The components of the communication network 516 may be configured to use any one or more communication technologies (e.g., wired, wireless, and/or power line communication) and associated protocols (e.g., ethernet, infiniBand, bluetooth, wi-Fi, wiMAX, 3G, 4GLTE, 5G, etc.) to enable such communication between system components and devices as described above, including, but not limited to, communication between the user interface 518, the battery voltage monitor 134,234,334,434, the supply valve 352, the pressure monitor 358, the pressure sensor 360, and the purge valve 366. Information from the battery voltage monitor 134,234,334,434 may be output to an operator of the electrolyzer 118,218,318,418, particularly at the user interface 518.
While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only illustrative embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected.
The various advantages of the present disclosure result from the various features of the methods, apparatus, and systems described herein. It should be noted that alternative embodiments of the methods, apparatus and systems of the present disclosure may not include all of the features described yet still benefit from at least some of the advantages of such features. Those of ordinary skill in the art may readily devise their own implementations of the method, apparatus, and system that incorporate one or more of the features of the present invention and fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
The features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with any other feature or element of any other embodiment described herein. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that terms known to those skilled in the art are used interchangeably herein.
As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not excluding plural said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" of the presently described subject matter are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. The recitation of numerical ranges of units, measures, and/or values includes, consists essentially of, or consists of all the values, units, measures, and/or ranges, including or within these ranges and/or endpoints, whether or not such values, units, measures, and/or ranges are explicitly recited in the present disclosure.
Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The terms "first," "second," "third," and the like as used herein do not denote any order or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The term "or" means inclusive and means any or all of the listed items. In addition, the terms "connected" and "coupled" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections or couplings, and may include direct or indirect electrical connections or couplings.
Furthermore, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments "comprising," "including," or "having" an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property. The term "comprising" means a composition, compound, formulation, or method that is inclusive and does not exclude additional elements, components, and/or method steps. The term "comprising" also refers to a composition, compound, formulation, or method embodiment of the disclosure that is inclusive and does not exclude additional elements, components, or method steps.
The phrase "consisting of …" refers to a compound, composition, formulation, or method that excludes the presence of any other elements, components, or method steps. The term "consisting of …" also refers to a compound, composition, formulation, or method of the present disclosure that excludes the presence of any additional elements, components, or method steps.
The phrase "consisting essentially of …" refers to a composition, compound, formulation, or method that includes additional elements, components, or method steps that do not materially affect the characteristics of the composition, compound, formulation, or method. The phrase "consisting essentially of …" also refers to a composition, compound, formulation, or method of the present disclosure that includes additional elements, components, or method steps that do not materially affect the characteristics of the composition, compound, formulation, or method step.
Approximating language, as used herein the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by one or more terms, such as "about" and "approximately," are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In some cases, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. Here and in the description and claims, the range limitations may be combined and/or interchanged. Such ranges are defined and include all sub-ranges contained therein unless the context or language indicates otherwise.
As used herein, the terms "may" and "may be" indicate the likelihood of occurring within a set of circumstances; possessing a particular property, characteristic or function; and/or qualify another verb by expressing one or more of the capabilities, or possibilities associated with qualifying the verb. Thus, the use of "may" and "may be" indicates that the modified term clearly pertains, is able to, or is applicable to the indicated property, function, or use, while taking into account that in some circumstances the modified term may sometimes not be suitable, able, or applicable.
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used alone, together, or in combination with one another. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the subject matter presented above without departing from the scope thereof. Although the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the disclosed subject matter, they are by no means limiting and are exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of the subject matter described herein should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
This written description uses examples to disclose several embodiments of the subject matter mentioned herein, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, including making and using devices or systems and performing methods. The patentable scope of the subject matter described herein is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
Claims (15)
1. An electrolyzer, comprising:
an electrolyzer cell stack comprising at least one electrolyzer cell; and
a cell voltage monitor assembly including a cell voltage monitor electrically connected to the electrolyzer cell stack and a cell voltage monitor enclosure within which the cell voltage monitor is disposed, the cell voltage monitor configured to measure a cell voltage across the electrolyzer cell stack,
wherein the battery voltage monitor enclosure is configured to contain a byproduct of ignition or explosion of the battery voltage monitor within the battery voltage monitor enclosure in response to the battery voltage monitor igniting or exploding.
2. An enclosure assembly, comprising:
a battery voltage monitor enclosure; and
a cell voltage monitor electrically connected to an electrolyzer cell stack of an electrolyzer and disposed within the cell voltage monitor enclosure, the cell voltage monitor configured to measure a cell voltage across the electrolyzer cell stack,
wherein the battery voltage monitor enclosure is configured to contain a byproduct of ignition or explosion of the battery voltage monitor within the battery voltage monitor enclosure in response to the battery voltage monitor igniting or exploding.
3. The electrolysis system of claim 1 or the enclosure assembly of claim 2, wherein the battery voltage monitor enclosure is completely sealed from the surrounding environment and meets IP54 protection class standards.
4. The electrolysis system of claim 1 or the enclosure assembly of claim 2, wherein the battery voltage monitor enclosure is comprised of a fire resistant material.
5. The electrolysis system or enclosure assembly of claim 4, wherein the battery voltage monitor enclosure is constructed of a metallic material comprising at least one of aluminum or stainless steel.
6. The electrolysis system or enclosure assembly of claim 4, wherein the battery voltage monitor enclosure is configured to withstand an explosive force caused by an explosion of the battery voltage monitor.
7. The electrolysis system or enclosure assembly of claim 6, wherein the explosive force caused by the explosion of the cell voltage monitor is in the range of 0.5MPa to 2.0 MPa.
8. The electrolysis system of claim 1 or the enclosure assembly of claim 2, wherein ignition of the battery voltage monitor comprises an arc flash or arc burst.
9. An electrolysis system or enclosure assembly according to claim 3, wherein the cell voltage monitor enclosure is vacuum sealed.
10. The electrolysis system or enclosure assembly of claim 3, wherein the battery voltage monitor enclosure is sized to completely enclose the battery voltage monitor, and wherein a thickness of at least one sidewall of the battery voltage monitor enclosure is in a range of 20mm to 70 mm.
11. A method, comprising:
providing a battery voltage monitor enclosure;
disposing a battery voltage monitor within the battery voltage monitor enclosure;
electrically connecting the cell voltage monitor to an electrolyzer cell stack of an electrolyzer, the cell voltage monitor configured to measure a cell voltage across the electrolyzer cell stack; and
the cell voltage monitor enclosure is filled with a non-flammable material,
dissipating by-products of ignition or explosion of a battery voltage monitor with non-combustible material within the battery voltage monitor enclosure in response to the ignition or explosion of the battery voltage monitor, and
the ignition or explosion is prevented from damaging the battery voltage monitor.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein dissipating with the non-combustible material comprises the non-combustible material having an epoxy.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein preventing the battery voltage monitor from being damaged comprises a capsule wall of the battery voltage monitor capsule having at least one of a plastic or a metallic material.
14. The method of claim 11, further comprising sealing the battery voltage monitor enclosure with a vacuum seal.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein preventing the ignition or explosion comprises preventing an arc flash or arc explosion.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN202211128257.6A CN117721482A (en) | 2022-09-16 | 2022-09-16 | Explosion-proof battery voltage monitoring enclosure for water electrolysis |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN202211128257.6A CN117721482A (en) | 2022-09-16 | 2022-09-16 | Explosion-proof battery voltage monitoring enclosure for water electrolysis |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN117721482A true CN117721482A (en) | 2024-03-19 |
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ID=90205763
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN202211128257.6A Pending CN117721482A (en) | 2022-09-16 | 2022-09-16 | Explosion-proof battery voltage monitoring enclosure for water electrolysis |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CN (1) | CN117721482A (en) |
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2022
- 2022-09-16 CN CN202211128257.6A patent/CN117721482A/en active Pending
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