DE102021102535A1 - Device for providing a gas component and vehicle with such a device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for providing a gas component (11, 12). The device (10) comprises an electrolysis unit (20) with a first chamber (21) and a second chamber (22), the first chamber (21) being separated from the second chamber (22) by a separating unit (23). The first chamber (21) is designed to accommodate an electrolyte (13) and to provide a first gas component (11), and the second chamber (22) is designed to provide a second gas component (12). A pressure within the second chamber (22) is greater than a pressure within the first chamber (21), with an electrolyte flow of the electrolyte (13) taking place only in the first chamber (21) and a passage of the electrolyte (13) into the second chamber (22) is prevented in order to keep the provided second gas component (12) separated from the electrolyte (13). The device also includes a phase separation unit (30) which is designed to separate the first gas component (11) from the electrolyte (13) in order to thus provide the first gas component (11). The invention also relates to an aircraft (100) or a spacecraft with such a device (10).

Description

field of invention

The present invention relates to asymmetric circulation electrolysis systems operable under high pressure conditions. In particular, the invention relates to a device for providing a gas component and a vehicle with such a device.

Background of the Invention

High-pressure gas storage is an essential component for the use of hydrogen-powered systems. Conventional electrolysis systems for supplying hydrogen are operated at maximum pressures of up to 40 bar, with the subsequent storage of the hydrogen requiring additional pressurization in order to be able to store the hydrogen effectively. This leads to a reduction in efficiency and reliability and an increase in mass and volume of hydrogen-powered systems. In addition, complex feed pumps are usually required to provide an educt for the electrolysis, which in turn can lead to higher weight or reduced system reliability. Likewise, existing electrolysis systems cannot be operated under microgravity conditions, which limits the possible uses of such systems.

EP 2 463 407 B1 and U.S. 2013/0 313 126 A1 describe an electrolysis process with an electrode-membrane-electrode assembly comprising two porous electrodes with a porous intermediate membrane or with an ion exchange membrane. The liquid electrolyte is fed directly into the electrode-membrane-electrode assembly.

Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to improve the efficiency of systems for the electrolytic provision of gas components.

This object is solved by the subject matter of the independent claim. Exemplary embodiments result from the dependent claims and the following description.

According to one aspect, a device for providing a gas component is provided. The device comprises an electrolysis unit with a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber being separated from the second chamber by a separating unit. The first chamber is designed to accommodate an electrolyte, for example together with an educt in the form of water, and to provide a first gas component, for example hydrogen. The second chamber is designed to provide a second gas component, for example oxygen. A pressure within the second chamber is greater than a pressure within the first chamber, with the electrolyte only flowing in the first chamber and the passage of the electrolyte into the second chamber being prevented in order to separate the second gas component provided from the electrolyte to keep. The device also includes a phase separation unit which is designed to separate the first gas component from the electrolyte in order to thus provide the first gas component, for example in pure form. After the separation, the first gas component can be fed to a store or a consumer, for example, it being possible for the electrolyte to be fed back to the electrolysis unit after the separation. Likewise, the second gas component can also be fed to a storage facility or a consumer after it has been made available.

The device mentioned above, together with the electrolysis unit, can be operated at high pressures of, for example, more than 50 bar or even more than 100 bar, as a result of which additional pressurization before storage of the gas components provided is avoided or simplified. Likewise, a very high gas quality or gas purity can be achieved both for the first gas component provided and for the second gas component provided. Water vapor that may occur during electrolysis can also be reduced.

With the device according to the invention, a higher system efficiency is achieved, in particular, in that additional pressurization components are dispensed with, since the electrolysis itself can already be operated at the pressure required for an intended use. In other words, phase separation can be provided in the electrolysis under high pressure using the device. For example, the electrolyte present in liquid form, which is only in the first chamber, can be kept separate from the second gas component in the second chamber.

With the device according to the invention, electrolyte circulation is only provided within the first chamber, whereas no electrolyte circulation takes place within the second chamber. In other words, an asymmetrical electrolyte circulation is thus provided. A two-phase flow of liquid electrolyte and the first gas component contained therein can be formed in the first chamber.

The electrolysis unit can be provided in the form of a cell, which comprises a closed unit with an electrolyte inflow and two outflows, the first outflow being provided for a combined electrolyte-gas component outflow and the second outflow being provided for a pure gas outflow. The combined electrolyte-gas component discharge can include discharging the electrolyte together with the first gas component provided by the electrolysis from the first chamber. The second outflow can include discharging the provided second gas component from the second chamber. The electrolysis unit can have a frame structure which surrounds the two chambers. This can be designed to absorb structural loads, for example to form a type of pressure vessel.

The electrolysis unit can also have two electrodes, ie a cathode and an anode. A reaction to form the first and the second gas component can take place at the electrodes in order to subsequently provide them. The cathode can be arranged in the first chamber and the anode can be arranged in the second chamber. Accordingly, the first chamber can be referred to as the cathode chamber and the second chamber as the anode chamber. However, it can also be provided that the anode is provided in the first chamber and the cathode in the second chamber and thus the electrolyte is present on the anode side or the electrolyte circulation takes place only in the anode chamber while the cathode chamber is kept free of the electrolyte. In any case, the electrolysis unit can be operated with asymmetric circulation, which means that either the anode chamber or the cathode chamber is free of electrolyte and only has a gas component. In other words, electrolyte always circulates in only one of the two chambers, while the other side remains "dry". If the second gas component is oxygen, a pressure level of approximately 100 bar can be provided, for example, in order to provide “dry” or pure oxygen in the second chamber.

Furthermore, the separating unit can be provided within the electrolysis unit in the form of a dividing wall which spatially separates the first chamber from the second chamber. The separation unit can have a membrane structure which is designed to keep the electrolyte in the first chamber and thus keep the second chamber free of electrolyte. For this purpose, a pressure is provided within the second chamber which exceeds a pressure within the first chamber, as a result of which the flow of the electrolyte takes place only in the first chamber and passage of the electrolyte into the second chamber is prevented. The separating unit can be designed to ensure ionic charge transport in order to be able to provide the second gas component in the second chamber.

The first gas component is provided in the first chamber by an electrolysis process. If hydrogen H ₂ is provided using a potassium hydroxide solution (KOH+H ₂ O) as the electrolyte, the following chemical reaction can occur in the electrolysis unit: H ₂ O→H ₂ +½O ₂ . In this case, oxygen O ₂ is provided in the second chamber as the second gas component.

It can be provided that the second gas component is discharged from the second chamber in pure form or almost pure form for further use. Provision can furthermore be made for the first gas component to be discharged from the electrolysis unit together with part of the electrolyte fed to the first chamber, with a phase separation of the electrolyte present in liquid form and the first gas component present in gaseous form subsequently taking place in the phase separation unit. Before this phase separation, the first gas component can be present in the form of bubbles within the discharged electrolyte. The phase separation in the phase separation unit can be carried out, for example, by gravimetry, using a centrifuge or by means of a membrane. A phase separation by means of a membrane will be explained in more detail below. It is understood that other phase separation techniques can also be used.

The first gas component separated from the electrolyte in the phase separation unit can then be fed to a store or a consumer for further use. In the case of hydrogen as the first gas component, this can then be used, for example, as an energy carrier or fuel for a drive unit. The very high pressure level that can be provided in the electrolysis unit and in the separation unit, which can be greater than 50 bar, for example, can be used advantageously for storage, since no or only a small further increase in pressure would be required to make the first gas component effective after it has been made available to be able to save.

It is possible to provide several electrolysis units, as described above and below, in the device. In this case, the plurality of electrolysis units can be provided, for example, in a parallel arrangement in an electrolyte circuit of the device.

According to one embodiment, a pressure difference between the first chamber and the second chamber generated via the separating unit causes the electrolyte to be located only in the first chamber when the electrolysis unit is in an operating state and the second chamber contains no electrolyte.

In other words, a continuous overpressure of the second gas component compared to the first gas component can be provided. The pressure difference between the two chambers can be arbitrary, with structural properties of the electrolysis unit, in particular the separating unit, having an influence on the pressures provided in each case. Likewise, the pressure difference is selected in such a way that the separation of electrolyte in the first chamber and the second gas component in the second chamber is ensured in order to ensure contamination of the second gas component. It can be provided that the following pressure property applies to the electrolysis unit, where p indicates the pressure: $$\begin{array}{l}\text{p}\left(\text{second gas component}\right)>\text{p}\left(\text{electrolyte circuit}\right)\ge \text{p}\left(\text{first gas component}\right)>>\\ \text{p}\left(\text{surroundings}\right)\end{array}$$

According to one embodiment, the device is operable at a pressure of at least 50 bar.

It can be provided that the entire device, including the electrolysis unit and the phase separation unit, can be operated at a pressure of at least 50 bar. In particular, it can be provided that the electrolysis unit can be operated together with the phase separation unit at a pressure of at least 50 bar. The pressure at which the device can be operated can also be at least 60 bar, at least 80 bar or at least 100 bar. Provision can also be made for the device to be able to be operated at an elevated temperature which, for example, is greater than room temperature. A temperature range for possible operating temperatures can be 20°C to 200°C.

According to one embodiment, the separation unit has a membrane structure with pores.

In other words, the separating unit, which separates the first from the second chamber, can have a membrane. A fabric made of polyphenylene sulfide with a coating of polymer and zirconium oxide can be provided for this purpose. For example, it is Zirfon Perl ^® UTP 500. The membrane can have a thickness of 500 microns, a porosity of 55 percent and a pore size of less than 0.05 microns. A bubble pressure in the membrane can be 2 bar. This bubble pressure can depend on the pore size in the membrane. Greater bubble pressures are achieved, for example, when smaller pores are provided, as a result of which a greater pressure difference can be set between the first and second chambers. It can be provided that the pressure difference between the first and second chambers, which is formed across the membrane, is not greater than the bladder pressure.

According to one embodiment, the separation unit alternatively has a membrane structure without pores, which is designed to enable transport of a liquid and prevent transport of a gas component.

In other words, in this case it is a gas-tight membrane which, however, has the ability to transport liquid. This membrane can have a high ion conductivity, for example for OH ^- ions. For example, it is an Ionomr Aemion ^® membrane. The membrane may have a thickness of 50 microns. For this alternative, too, the pressures in the first and the second chamber can be chosen freely, as long as this ensures the stability of the pressure between the chambers lowing membrane, over which the pressure difference is formed, is not affected. In particular, such a type of closed membrane without pores can be provided, so that no pressure difference is necessary to keep the electrolyte on one side, ie in one of the two chambers.

Provision can furthermore be made for the separating unit or the membrane to have stiffening elements, as a result of which the achievable pressure difference between the first and the second chamber can be increased.

According to one embodiment, the phase separation unit has a membrane structure that is designed to separate the first gas component from the electrolyte in order to thus provide the first gas component, so that the first gas component can then be fed to a storage unit or a consumer.

As previously mentioned, the effluent from the electrolysis unit may be in the form of a combination of electrolyte and first gas component, the first gas component being dissolved and contained in the liquid electrolyte in the form of bubbles. The phase separation unit can now completely separate the first gas component from the electrolyte, so that pure electrolyte can be returned to the circuit and thus to the electrolysis unit. The phase separation is carried out by a membrane structure, e.g. hollow fiber membrane structure, which makes the device suitable for use under microgravity conditions. In addition, a loss of electrolyte during phase separation can be reduced as a result.

According to one embodiment, the device can be operated under microgravity conditions, so that when a microgravity condition occurs, the separation of the first gas component from the electrolyte in the phase separation unit is ensured, in order to thus provide the first gas component.

In other words, the phase separation unit can ensure that the first gas component can be separated from the electrolyte even in weightlessness, which makes the device particularly suitable for use in space vehicles. In order to achieve this, the phase separation unit can have a membrane, through which the first gas component can be separated from the electrolyte.

According to one embodiment, the device also has an electrolyte circuit and a supply unit, the supply unit being designed to provide the electrolyte circuit with a starting material using osmosis.

As a result, the use of a pump to provide the educt, that is to say to feed the educt into the electrolysis circuit, can be avoided. This is advantageous because when using a pump, a high pressure present in the circuit, as described above, would first have to be applied by the pump. This application of a high pressure of, for example, 100 bar by a pump can thus be avoided. When using osmosis, a pressure difference is created within the supply unit by setting a difference in electrolyte concentration on different sides of a membrane of the supply unit. This is explained in more detail in the description of the figures. The educt can be water, for example.

However, it should be noted that instead of using osmosis, a pump is possible as the educt supply unit.

According to one embodiment, the first gas component is hydrogen H ₂ and/or the second gas component is oxygen O ₂ . However, it should be understood that other suitable gas components can also be generated using the device according to the invention. This can depend on the selection of the reactant supplied.

According to one embodiment, the electrolysis unit has a frame structure, with the phase separation unit being integrated into the frame structure of the electrolysis unit.

A frame structure can include, for example, a jacket or other structural elements that are suitable for forming or at least partially forming a closed form of the electrolysis unit. For example, the phase separation unit with an outer wall is directly adjacent to an outer wall electrolysis unit. An integration of the phase separation unit into the electrolysis unit enables advantages in terms of saving space, saving weight, etc. For example, the use of pipelines and other hydraulic components can be reduced or even completely avoided in this way. This enables scaling in terms of the number of electrolytic cells used. However, a major advantage of this structural integration is that all the device units, ie the electrolysis unit, the phase separation unit, etc., and any accessory components such as line elements can be used in a closed high-pressure environment.

According to one embodiment, the device also has a heat exchanger which is integrated into the electrolysis unit.

This also results in the previously mentioned advantages of structural integration. In addition, there is the advantage here that heat can be better removed from the electrolysis unit if the heat exchanger is also integrated into the electrolysis unit. Structural integration can mean that the respective components are separated from one another by a maximum of one additional component, such as an intermediate wall. For example, the heat exchanger directly adjoins an outer wall of the electrolysis unit with an outer wall. Thermal control of the device, in particular control of the temperature in the electrolyte circuit, can be made possible via the heat exchanger.

According to one aspect of the invention, a vehicle is provided with the device for providing a gas component described above and below.

According to one embodiment, the vehicle is an aircraft with the device for providing a gas component described above and below. The aircraft can be a manned or an unmanned aircraft. The aircraft can be an aircraft, in particular a transport aircraft or a passenger aircraft. However, the aircraft can also be any other missile.

According to one embodiment, the vehicle is a spacecraft with the device for providing a gas component described above and below. The spacecraft can be a manned or an unmanned spacecraft. The spacecraft may be a satellite, rocket, or the like. With regard to the use of the device according to the invention in a spacecraft, there is the advantage that, as described above, a function of the device, in particular of the phase separation unit, can also be ensured under microgravity conditions, ie under weightlessness.

According to a further embodiment, the device described above and below is designed to be used in a stationary application. In other words, a stationary or stationary platform can be provided with the device according to the invention.

Numerous advantages result from the properties of the device according to the invention which have been indicated above. In particular, a gas component, for example hydrogen, can be provided at a very high pressure of approximately 100 bar or even more, which can significantly improve the storage density and thereby the system efficiency, for example in hydrogen storage and drive systems. Furthermore, the gas purity of the gas components produced can be increased and a possibly occurring water vapor content can be reduced. In summary, the device according to the invention can offer advantages in terms of reduced system complexity, lower risk of failure, lower energy consumption, lower masses and volumes due to fewer components required for circulating the electrolyte, etc. Due to the osmotic reactant supply, the use of pumps for this can be dispensed with, which in turn The complexity, energy consumption and failure risks of the entire system are reduced because fewer moving or complex parts are used.

character list

• 1 shows a device for providing a gas component according to an embodiment.
• 2 shows part of the device of FIG 1 with an educt feed using a pump according to an embodiment.
• 3 shows part of the device of FIG 1 with a reactant feed using osmosis according to an embodiment.
• 4 shows a supply unit with an osmosis membrane according to an embodiment.
• 5 shows an aircraft with the device of 1 according to one embodiment.
• 6 shows a device for providing a gas component with multiple electrolysis units according to an embodiment.

Detailed description of exemplary embodiments

The representations in the figures are schematic and not to scale. If the same reference symbols are used in different figures in the following description of the figures, then these denote the same or similar elements. However, the same or similar elements can also be denoted by different reference symbols.

1 1 shows a device 10 for providing a gas component 11, 12. The device comprises an electrolysis unit 20 with a first chamber 21 and a second chamber 22, the first chamber 21 being separated from the second chamber 22 by a separating unit 23. An electrode 28 and a flow field 29 are located in each of the chambers 21, 22. The separating unit 23 can be designed in the form of a porous or non-porous membrane. An electrolyte 13 is supplied to the electrolysis unit 20 via a line circuit 80 . The electrolyte 13 can, for example, be an aqueous solution, for example a potassium hydroxide solution. The electrolyte 13 flows within the line circuit 80 , with an educt 14 consumed during the electrolysis, for example water, being introduced from an educt supply unit 53 via a feed unit 50 into the electrolyte 13 already in the circuit 80 . In this way it is ensured that a sufficient quantity of educt 14 can always be supplied to the electrolyte 13 and thus to the electrolysis unit 20 .

The electrolyte 13 passes from the circuit 80 into the first chamber 21 of the electrolysis unit 20, with a chemical reaction taking place in the chamber, as a result of which a first gas component 11 is formed, which is present in the first chamber 21 alongside the electrolyte 13. In other words, electrolyte 13 circulates within first chamber 21 and the first gas component 11 can be provided by the chemical reaction, which is then discharged from electrolysis unit 20 via a drain 82 together with a portion of electrolyte 13 . The discharged partial amount of electrolyte 13 is smaller than the amount of electrolyte 13 which is supplied to the electrolysis unit 20 via the inflow 81 .

In the second chamber 22, a second gas component 12 (in 1 not shown) generated. This second gas component 12 is in turn discharged from the electrolysis unit 23 via the further outflow 83 and is made available for further use in a consumer 40 or for storage in a storage unit 40 at high pressure and in pure form.

A pressure within the second chamber 22 is greater than a pressure within the first chamber 21, so that an electrolyte flow of the electrolyte 13 takes place only in the first chamber 21 and a passage of the electrolyte 13 into the second chamber 22 is prevented, in order to thus provide the second To keep gas component 12 separated from the electrolyte 13. The separating device 23, together with the aforementioned pressure difference, prevents the electrolyte 13 from passing from the first chamber 21 into the second chamber 22. The pressure difference between the first chamber 21 and the second chamber 22 generated by the separating unit 23 causes the electrolyte to 13 is in an operating state of the electrolysis unit 20 only in the first chamber 21 and the second chamber 22 includes no electrolyte 13, but only the second gas component 12 with a high degree of purity.

A phase separation unit 30 is also integrated into the circuit 80, which is designed to separate the first gas component 11 from the electrolyte 13 in order to thus use the first gas component 11 for further use in a consumer 41 or for storage in a reservoir 41 at high pressure and to be provided in its pure form. The pressure at which the device 10 including the electrolysis unit 20, the phase separation unit 30 and the line circuit 80 can be operated can be around 100 bar, whereby it should be noted that the aforementioned pressure difference between the first chamber 21 and the second chamber 22 is complied with. A small pressure difference can already be sufficient for this pressure difference.

The electrolysis unit 20 can have one or more frames 26 with separating plates 25 (for example bipolar plates). Together with end flanges 27, the frames 26 ensure sealing of the electrolysis unit 20 from the environment, apart from the inflow 81 and the outflows 82,83.

The device 10 also includes a heat exchanger 60 for removing heat from the electrolyte circuit 80 and a pump 70 for circulating the electrolyte 13 within the circuit 80. The pump 70 is arranged in the line circuit 80 and conveys the electrolyte 13 into the electrolysis unit 20 .Although in 1 not shown, the phase separation unit 30 and/or the heat exchanger 60 can be integrated into the electrolysis unit 20 .

As an additional embodiment, in 6 an electrolysis cell arrangement 90 with three electrolysis units 20 or electrolysis cells 20 is shown. It should be understood that the number of electrolytic cells 20 present in the assembly 90 can be chosen at will.

2 10 shows part of the device 10 of FIG 1 , A reactant feed 50 using a pump 51 being provided. The pump 51 is fed with educt 14 from an educt supply 53 . The pump 51 increases a pressure of the electrolyte 13 circulating in the line circuit 80 to the desired system pressure. Also shown is the pump 70 which conveys the electrolyte 13 in the circuit 80 or moves the electrolyte 13 into the electrolysis unit 20 .

3 10 shows part of the device 10 of FIG 1 with an educt feed 50 using osmosis and thus an alternative to the in 2 configuration shown. In 3 is therefore an osmosis feedstock 52 instead of the one in 2 used pump supply 51 provided. The pressure of 100 bar, for example, desired for the circuit 80 is provided via an osmotic process in the osmosis reactant feed 52 . It can thus be provided that the pump 70 is the only pump within the device 10 .

4 shows the osmosis reactant feed 52 3 in a schematic detail view. The osmosis starting material supply 52 has a membrane 54, which can also be referred to as an osmosis membrane. The pressure of the circuit 80 (cf. 3 ) existing electrolyte 13 is achieved by a concentration difference in the electrolyte concentration between the supply side 53 and the circuit side 80. This difference in concentration is formed via a concentration gradient across the osmosis membrane 54 . The concentration of electrolyte 13 on the feed side 53 is significantly lower than on the circuit side 80 or this concentration is zero, which would mean that pure educt 14 is present on the feed side 53 . In one example, this creates a pressure of about one bar on the supply side 53, while a pressure of about 100 bar develops on the circuit side 80.

As previously mentioned, the electrolyte 13 can be formed by an aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH+H ₂ O). In this case, the concentration of potassium hydroxide based on the proportion of water on the feed side 53 would be very low, whereas the concentration of potassium hydroxide based on the proportion of water on the circuit side 80 would be significantly higher. As a result, a significantly lower osmotic pressure forms on the supply side 53 than on the circuit side 80. The osmosis membrane 54 is selectively permeable to water for this purpose, so that the water content of the potassium hydroxide solution can migrate across the membrane 54. Furthermore, the osmotic pressure of the potassium hydroxide solution is dependent on the temperature. The osmotic pressure is thus a variable that is dependent on the temperature on the one hand and the concentration of electrolyte 13 on the other. The pressure difference arising between the supply side 53 and the circuit side 80, which is caused by osmosis, represents the difference between the osmotic pressure of the electrolyte 13 on the supply side 53 and the osmotic pressure of the electrolyte 13 on the circuit side 80. In the in 4 illustrated example, the osmotic pressure on the circuit side 80 is significantly higher than on the supply side 53. In one example, the osmotic pressure of the electrolyte 13 on the circuit side 80 is about 100 bar and the osmotic pressure of the electrolyte 13 on the supply side 53 is about one bar or ambient pressure.

Provision can be made for this in relation to 4 described osmosis educt feed 52 is combined with a storage unit, not shown, on the circuit side 80, the storage unit serving as a reservoir for the electrolyte 13 in order to be able to always provide sufficient electrolyte 13 in the circuit 80 at high pressure. Provision can also be made for the area of the osmosis membrane 54, ie the area of the membrane 54 relevant to the mass transfer, to be sufficiently large that sufficient electrolyte 13 and educt 14 can always be made available for the electrolysis unit 20.

5 shows an aircraft 100, in particular an airplane, with the device 10 from FIG 1 . The device 10 can form part of a propulsion system of the aircraft 10, in particular supplying the propulsion system with a fuel, for example hydrogen.

It should also be noted that "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be pointed out that features or steps that have been described with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments can also be used in combination with other features or steps of other exemplary embodiments described above. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• EP 2463407 B1 [0003]
• US 2013/0313126 A1 [0003]

Claims (11)

Device (10) for providing a gas component (11, 12), having: an electrolysis unit (20) having a first chamber (21) and a second chamber (22), the first chamber (21) being separated from the second chamber (22) by a separating unit (23); wherein the first chamber (21) is designed to receive an electrolyte (13) and to provide a first gas component (11); wherein the second chamber (22) is designed to provide a second gas component (12); wherein a pressure within the second chamber (22) is greater than a pressure within the first chamber (21); wherein an electrolyte flow of the electrolyte (13) takes place only in the first chamber (21) and a passage of the electrolyte (13) into the second chamber (22) is prevented, in order to thus the provided second gas component (12) from the electrolyte (13) to keep separate; a phase separation unit (30) which is designed to separate the first gas component (11) from the electrolyte (13) in order to thus provide the first gas component (11). Device (10) after claim 1 , wherein a pressure difference between the first chamber (21) and the second chamber (22) generated via the separating unit (23) has the effect that the electrolyte (13) is only in the first chamber (21) when the electrolysis unit (20) is in an operating state is located and the second chamber (22) comprises no electrolyte (13). Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (10) is operable at a pressure of at least 50 bar. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the separation unit (23) has a membrane structure with pores; or wherein the separating unit (23) has a membrane structure without pores, which is designed to enable transport of a liquid and to prevent transport of a gas component. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the phase separation unit (30) has a membrane structure which is designed to separate the first gas component (11) from the electrolyte (13) in order to thus provide the first gas component (11), so that the first gas component (11) can be fed to a storage unit (41) or a consumer (41). Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (10) can be operated under microgravity conditions, so that the separation of the first gas component (11) from the electrolyte (13) in the phase separation unit (30) is ensured when a microgravity state occurs, to thus provide the first gas component (11). Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: an electrolyte circuit (80) and a supply unit (50), the supply unit (50) being designed to provide the electrolyte circuit (80) with a reactant (14) using osmosis. Apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first gas component (11) is hydrogen and the second gas component (12) is oxygen. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrolysis unit (20) has a frame structure (24), the phase separation unit (30) being integrated into the frame structure (24) of the electrolysis unit (20). Device (10) after claim 9 , comprising: a heat exchanger (60) which is integrated into the electrolysis unit (20). Vehicle (100) with a device (10) for providing a gas component (11, 12) according to one of the preceding claims.

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