EP4610402A1

EP4610402A1 - Electrolysis device

Info

Publication number: EP4610402A1
Application number: EP23898258.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kwang Hwan Kim; Tae Geun Noh; Jong Jin Lee; Tai Min NOH; Joon Ho Park
Original assignee: LG Chem Ltd
Current assignee: LG Chem Ltd
Priority date: 2022-11-28
Filing date: 2023-11-28
Publication date: 2025-09-03
Also published as: KR20240079298A; EP4610402A4; CN120225729A; WO2024117732A1; JP2025536751A

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrolyzer. The electrolyzer according to the present invention includes: a plurality of separation plates; and a membrane-electrode assembly disposed between the plurality of separation plates and including a plurality of electrodes and a separator disposed between the plurality of electrodes, wherein each of the separation plates includes: a passage part configured to provide a first passage and a second passage, through which a fluid flows, in one surface and the other surface, respectively; one-side distribution part disposed at one side of the passage part on a plane; and the other-side distribution part disposed at the other side of the passage part on the plane, wherein the one-side distribution part and the other-side distribution part have unevennesses to provide a distribution path communicating with the first passage and the second passage, and the unevennesses of the one-side distribution part and the other-side distribution part are provided in opposite shapes.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0161755, filed on November 28, 2022 , which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an electrolyzer.

BACKGROUND ART

Currently, carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that causes global warming and has to be reduced. A method for reducing carbon dioxide include capture, chemical conversion, or electrochemical conversion. Among these, the electrochemical conversion method may precisely control components so that other synthetic gases are be manufactured to provide economic benefits over simply removing carbon dioxide.
In water electrolysis systems that electrochemically convert carbon dioxide or decompose water to produce hydrogen, a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA)-based system operates under high current density conditions, has high energy efficiency, and easily is stacked and modularized, and thus, researches are actively conducted.
In a unit cell of the membrane electrode assembly system, an anode and a cathode are disposed around a membrane, electrical energy and reactants are supplied to the anode and cathode electrodes, a passage through which the product is discharged to provide a separator, and unit cells are stacked to manufacture a stack. In a membrane electrode assembly system, if the anode and cathode-side separators are manufactured and bonded separately, cost of manufacturing the separator increases, and above all, resistance is generated at a bonding interface to deteriorate energy efficiency.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

One aspect of the present invention is to provide an electrolyzer that is capable of improving energy efficiency while reducing manufacturing costs.

TECHNICAL SOLUTION

An electrolyzer according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes: a plurality of separation plates; and a membrane-electrode assembly disposed between the plurality of separation plates and including a plurality of electrodes and a separator disposed between the plurality of electrodes, wherein each of the separation plates includes: a passage part configured to provide a first passage and a second passage, through which a fluid flows, in one surface and the other surface, respectively; one-side distribution part disposed at one side of the passage part on a plane; and the other-side distribution part disposed at the other side of the passage part on the plane, wherein the one-side distribution part and the other-side distribution part have unevennesses to provide a distribution path communicating with the first passage and the second passage, and the unevennesses of the one-side distribution part and the other-side distribution part are provided in opposite shapes.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

According to the present invention, in the electrolyzer for electrolyzing carbon dioxide, the separator facing the anode and cathode electrodes of the membrane-electrode assembly may be engraved or embossed to be provided as one, thereby reducing the manufacturing costs and improving the energy efficiency.
In addition, the separation plate and the membrane-electrode assembly may be stacked in the stacking direction, and the separation plate may sequentially stacked by rotating at the angle of 180° on the plane. Thus, the unevennesses disposed on the passage part of the separation plates disposed at the upper and lower portions of the membrane-electrode assembly may correspond to each other to prevent the passage of the separation plate stacked on the upper portion from being blocked by the separation plate disposed at the lower portion.
Furthermore, the unevennesses may be disposed on the one-side distribution part and the other-side distribution part, which are disposed at both the sides of the passage part to distribute the flow of the fluid. Here, the unevennesses of the one-side distribution part and the other-side distribution part may be provided in the opposite shapes, and thus, even though the separation plates rotates to be stacked, the unevennesses disposed on the one-side distribution part and the other-side distribution part of the separation plates disposed at the upper and lower portions of the membrane-electrode assembly may correspond to each other, and thus, the fluid movement and distribution may be smoothly achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an example of an electrolyzer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating an example of a separation plate in the electrolyzer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating an example of a state in which the separation plate rotates in the electrolyzer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of an area C in FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a view illustrating only a portion of the separation plate in FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' of FIG. 1.
FIG. 8 is an exploded view of an area D in FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an example of an electrolyzer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A1-A1' of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of an area C1 in FIG. 10.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B1-B1' of FIG. 9.
FIG. 13 is an exploded view of an area D1 in FIG. 12.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a protection layer in the electrolyzer according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an example of an electrolyzer according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A2-A2' of FIG. 15.
FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of an area C2 in FIG. 16.
FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B2-B2' of FIG. 15.
FIG. 19 is an exploded view of an area D2 in FIG. 18.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The objectives, specific advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the reference numerals are added to the components of the drawings in the present specification with the same numerals as possible, even if they are illustrated in other drawings. Also, the present invention may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. In the following description of the present invention, the detailed descriptions of related arts which may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention will be omitted.

Electrolyzer according to first embodiment

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an example of an electrolyzer according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating an example of a separation plate in the electrolyzer according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating an example of a state in which the separation plate rotates in the electrolyzer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In addition, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of an area C in FIG. 4. Here, FIG. 3 illustrates a state in which a separation plate illustrated in FIG. 2 rotates at an angle of 180° about a rotation axis parallel to stacking direction.
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, an electrolyzer 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 and a membrane-electrode assembly 210 disposed between the plurality of separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 and including a plurality of electrodes 213 and separators 214. Each of the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 include passage parts F1 and F2, which respectively define a first passage P1 and a second passage P2, through which a fluid flows, in each of one surfaces 110a, 120a, 130a, and 140a and each of the other surfaces 110b, 120b, 130b, and 140b, one-side distribution parts 113 and 115 disposed at one side of the passage parts F1 and F2, and the other-side distribution parts 114 and 116 disposed at the other side of the passage parts F1 an F2. In addition, the electrolyzer 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may further include a first gasket 311 and a second gasket 312.
More specifically, referring to FIG. 1, the electrolyzer 10 according to the first embodiment may electrolyze carbon dioxide (CO2) by causing an electrochemical reduction reaction of carbon dioxide (CO2).
The electrolyzer 10 may include a plurality of separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 and a membrane-electrode assembly 210 disposed between the plurality of separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140.
The separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 and the membrane-electrode assembly 210 may be alternately stacked, and the separation plates 110 and 140 may be disposed at the uppermost and lowermost sides in a stacking direction S. Here, the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 may rotate at an angle of 180° around a rotation axis R parallel to a stacking direction and then be stacked sequentially. Here, the stacking direction S may be parallel to a Z-axis direction, for example, when referring to FIG. 1.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the membrane-electrode assembly 210 may be disposed between the plurality of separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 and may include a plurality of electrodes 213 and a separator 214 disposed between the plurality of electrodes 213. In the membrane-electrode assembly 210, the electrode 213 may face the passage parts F1 and F2 of each of the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140.
In addition, the plurality of electrodes 213 may include a first electrode 211 and a second electrode 212, and the first electrode 211 and the second electrode 212 may be alternately disposed in the stacking direction S.
In the plurality of electrodes 213, a thickness t2 of the second electrode 212 facing the other surfaces 110b, 120b, 130b, and 140b of the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 may be greater than a thickness t1 of the first electrode 211 facing one surfaces 110a, 120a, 130a, 140a of the separators 110, 120, 130, and 140.
Here, the first electrode 211 may face the one surfaces 110a, 120a, 130a, and 140a of the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140, and the second electrode 212 may face the other surfaces 110b, 120b, 130b, and 140b of the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140.
Here, for example, the first electrode 211 may be provided as an anode, and the second electrode 212 may be provided as a cathode. Alternatively, for another example, the first electrode 211 may be provided as a cathode, and the second electrode 212 may be provided as an anode.
The separator 214 may be provided as an ion exchange membrane I (IEM) made of an insulating material, and thus, ions may move between the anode and the cathode. In addition, the membrane-electrode assembly 210 may cause the electrochemical reduction reaction. Here, the membrane-electrode assembly 210 may, for example, electrolyze carbon dioxide (CO₂) into carbon monoxide (CO) or ethylene (C₂H₄).
FIG. 6 is a view illustrating only a portion of the separation plate in FIG. 5.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4 to 6, each of the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 may include passage parts F1 and F2, one-side distribution parts 113 and 115, and the other-side distribution parts 114 and 116.
An unevenness may be disposed on each of the passage parts F1 and F2 to define the first passage P1 and the second passage P2, through which the fluid flows, in the one surfaces 110a, 120a, 130a, and 140a and the other surfaces 110b, 120b, 130b, and 140b.
The uneven shape of each of the passage parts F1 and F2 may be asymmetrical to each other in a width direction W of the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140, and thus, the uneven shapes of the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 disposed at upper and lower sides may correspond to each other with the membrane-electrode assembly 210 therebetween.
The passage parts F1 and F2 may include first passage parts 111 and 121 on which an uneven shape, in which embossings 111a, 112a, 121a, and 122a and engravings 111b, 112b, 121b, and 122b are alternately disposed, is provided to define a first passage P1 in the one surface 110a, 120a, 130a, and 140a of the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140, and second passage parts 112 and 122 on which an uneven shape, in which engravings 112b and 122b and embossings 112a and 122a are alternately disposed to correspond to the embossings 111a and 121a and the engravings 111b and 121b, is provided to define a second passage P2 in the other surfaces 110b, 120b, 130b, and 140b of the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140.
The first passage parts 111 and 121 may face the electrode 213, the first passage P1 through which a raw material fluid moves may be opened toward the electrode 213, the second passage parts 112 and 122 may face the electrode 213, and the second passage P2 through which the raw material fluid moves may be opened toward the electrode 213. Here, the raw material fluid may include, for example, carbon dioxide (CO2) and an electrolyte. Here, the electrolyte may include water (H₂O).
Referring to FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the embossings 111a and 121a of the first passage parts 111 and 121 disposed on the active area A1 of one surfaces 110a, 120a, 130a, and 140a of the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 may protrude with respective to an inactive area B1, and engravings 112b and 122b of the second passage parts 112 and 122 disposed on the active area A2 of the other surfaces 110b, 120b, 130b, and 140b of the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 may be recessed with respective to an inactive area B2. Here, a thickness t2 of the second electrode 212 in the membrane-electrode assembly 210 may be the same as the sum of a protruding height h0 of each of the embossings 111a and 121a of the first passage parts 111 and 121, which are disposed on the one surfaces 110a, 120a, 130a, and 140a of the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 and a thickness t1 of the first electrode 211.
The first passage P1 may be provided in the engravings 111b and 121b of the first passage parts 111 and 121, and the second passage P2 may be provided in the engravings 112b and 122b of the second passage parts 112 and 122 and be disposed on the same line in the stacking direction S.
The first passage P1 and the second passage P2 may have a parallel shape. Here, for example, the embossings 111a, 121a, 112a, and 122a and the engravings 111b, 121b, 112b, and 122b provided on the first passage parts 111 and 121 and the second passage parts 112 and 122 of the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 may be disposed in a width direction W of the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140, and the first passage P1 and the second passage P2 may provide passages extending in a longitudinal direction L of the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140. Here, for example, the width direction W may be an X-axis direction, and the longitudinal direction L may be a Y-axis direction.
The embossed portions of the first passage parts 111 and 121 and the second passage parts 112 and 122 may face each other with the membrane-electrode assembly 210 therebetween and may be in contact with the plurality of electrodes 213.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' of FIG. 1, and FIG. 8 is an exploded view of an area D in FIG. 7.
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, 7, and 8, the one-side distribution parts 113 and 115 may be disposed at one side of the passage parts F1 and F2 on the plane, and the other-side distribution parts 114 and 116 may be disposed at the other side of the passage parts F1 and F2 on the plane.
The one-side distribution parts 113 and 115 and the other-side distribution parts 114 and 116 may provide unevennesses to provide a distribution path communicating with the first passage P1 and the second passage P2, and the unevennesses of the one-side distribution parts 113 and 115 and the other-side distribution parts 114 and 116 may be provided in opposite shapes.
The distribution path may include a first one-side distribution path V11 and a second one-side distribution path V12, which are provided in the one surfaces 110a, 120a, 130a, and 140a and the other surfaces 110b, 120b, 130b, and 140b of the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 in the one-side distribution parts 113 and 115, and the first other-side distribution path V21 and a second other-side distribution path V22, which are provided in the one surfaces 110a, 120a, 130a, and 140a and the other surfaces 110b, 120b, 130b, and 140b of the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 in the other-side distribution parts 114 and 116. Here, the first one-side distribution path V11 and the first other-side distribution path V21 may communicate with the first passage P1, and the second one-side distribution path V12 and the second other-side distribution path V22 may communicate with the second passage P2.
Here, the one-side distribution parts 113 and 115 may include a first one-side distribution part 113 on which an uneven shape, in which embossings 113a, 115a, 123a, and 125a and engravings 113b, 115b, 123b, and 125b are alternately disposed, is provided to define the first one-side distribution path V11 in the one surface 110a, 120a, 130a, and 140a of the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140, and second one-side distribution parts 115, 125, 135, and 145 on which an uneven shape, in which engravings 115b and 125b and embossings 115a and 125a are alternately disposed to correspond to the embossings 113a and 123a and the engravings 113b and 123b, is provided to define a second one-side distribution path V12 in the other surfaces 110b, 120b, 130b, and 140b of the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140. Here, the embossings 113a, 115a, 123a, and 125a disposed on the first one-side distribution part 113 and the second one-side distribution parts 115, 125, 135, and 145, respectively, may be in contact with the separator 214 of the membrane-electrode assembly 210. Here, the engravings 113b and 123b provided in the first one-side distribution part 113 may include a first engraving 113b-1 and a second engraving 113b-2 having an engraving depth less than that of the first engraving 113b-1 in the stacking direction S. Here, in the membrane-electrode assembly 200, the separator 214 may face the one-side distribution part 113 and 115 and the other-side distribution parts 114 and 116 of the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140, the first gasket 311, and the second gasket 312 (see FIG. 5).
In addition, the other-side distribution parts 114 and 116 may include the first other-side distribution part 114 in which embossings and engravings are alternately provided on the one surfaces 110a, 120a, 130a, and 140a of the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 to provide the first other-side distribution path V21, and the second other-side distribution parts 116, 126, 136, and 146 in which embossings and engravings corresponding to the embossings and the engravings provided on the first other-side distribution part 114 are alternately provided on the other surfaces 110b, 120b, 130b, and 140b of the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 to provide the second one-side distribution path V12.
The separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 of the electrolyzer 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may be manufactured through mold processing and may be manufactured in one mold and have the same shape. Here, the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 may be provided by pressing one metal plate. Here, the passage parts F1 and F2, the one-side distribution part, and the other-side distribution parts 114 and 116 may be provided in the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140.
Referring to FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the first gasket 311 may be disposed on the inactive area B1 of the one surfaces 110a, 120a, 130a, and 140a of the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140, and the second gasket 312 may be disposed on the inactive area B2 of the other surfaces 110b, 120b 130b, and 140b of the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140.
In addition, the first gasket 311 may have a thickness g1 greater than that of the first electrode 211 in the stacking direction S, and the second gasket 312 may have a thickness g2 equal to that of the second electrode 212 in the stacking direction S. Here, the thicknesses g1 and g2 of the first gasket 311 and the second gasket 312 may be the same in the stacking direction S. Here, for example, each of the first gasket 311 and the second gasket 312 may have a thickness of 0.5T, the second electrode 212 may have a thickness of 0.5T, the separator 214 may have a thickness of 0.1T, and the first electrode 211 may have a thickness of 0.25T, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto.
In addition, the first gasket 311 and the second gasket 312 may be disposed on the same line in the stacking direction S.
In addition, the first gasket 311 may be provided along an edge of the active area A1 on the one surfaces 110a, 120a, 130a, and 140a of the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 to maintain the sealing of the active area A1 of the one surfaces 110a, 120a, 130a, and 140a, and the second gasket 312 may be provided along an edge of the active area A2 of the other surfaces 110b, 120b, 130b, and 140b of the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 to maintain the sealing of the active area A2 of the other surfaces 110b, 120b, 130b, and 140b of the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140.
The electrolyzer 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may further includes one edge gasket 411 provided along edges of the one surfaces 110a, 120a, 130a, and 140a of the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 and the other edge gasket 412 provided along edges of the other surfaces 110b, 120b, 130b, and 140b of the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140. Here, a thickness of the one edge gasket 411 in the stacking direction S may correspond to the thickness g1 of the first gasket 311, and the thickness of the other edge gasket 511 in the stacking direction S may correspond to the thickness g2 of the second gasket 312.
In the electrolyzer 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 facing the electrodes 213 of the anode and the cathode of the membrane-electrode assembly 210 may be provided into one body by providing the embossings 111a, 121a, 112a, and 122a and the engravings 111b, 121b, 112b, and 122b to improve the energy efficiency while reducing the manufacturing cost. That is, when electrochemically converting carbon dioxide or decomposing water to produce hydrogen, an aqueous solution-based electrolyte may be supplied to the anode, and thus, there is no need to supply separate cooling water. Thus, the embossings 111a, 121a, 112a, and 122a and the engravings 111b, 121b, 112b, and 122b may be provided on one separator 110, 120, 130, and 140 to provide the passages of the anode and the cathode. Thus, the manufacturing cost may be reduced by using the one separator 110, 120, 130, and 140 instead of two separation plates, and the interface resistance that occurs when using two separation plates may not be generated to improve the energy efficiency due to the decrease in resistance.
In addition, in the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140, the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 and the membrane-electrode assembly 210 may be alternately stacked. Here, the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 may rotate at an angle of 180° around the rotation axis R parallel to the stacking direction to prevent the passage provided in the engravings 111b, 121b, 112b, and 122b of the separation plates 110, 120, and 130 stacked on the upper portion in the stacking direction S from being blocked by the embossings 111a, 121a, 112a, and 122a of the separation plates 120, 130, and 140 stacked at the lower portion in the stacking direction S.
Furthermore, the unevennesses may be disposed on the one-side distribution parts 113 and 115 and the other-side distribution parts 114 and 116, which are disposed at both the sides of the passage parts F1 and F2 to distribute the flow of the fluid. Here, the unevennesses of the one-side distribution parts 113 and 115 and the other-side distribution parts 114 and 116 may be provided in the opposite shapes, and thus, even though the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 rotates to be stacked, the unevennesses disposed on the one-side distribution parts 113 and 115 and the other-side distribution parts 114 and 116 of the separation plates 110, 120, 130, and 140 disposed at the upper and lower portions of the membrane-electrode assembly 210 may correspond to each other, and thus, the fluid movement and distribution may be smoothly achieved.

Electrolyzer according to second embodiment

Hereinafter, an electrolyzer according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an example of an electrolyzer according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A1-A1' of FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of an area C1 in FIG. 10.
Referring to FIGS. 9 to 11, an electrolyzer 1000 according to a second embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140 and a membrane-electrode assembly 210 disposed between the plurality of separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140 and including a plurality of electrodes 213 and separators 214. Each of the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140 include passage parts F1' and F2', which respectively define a first passage P1' and a second passage P2', through which a fluid flows, in each of one surfaces 1110a, 1120a, 1130a, and 1140a and each of the other surfaces 1110b, 1120b, 1130b, and 1140b, one-side distribution parts 113 and 115 disposed at one side of the passage parts F1' and F2', and the other-side distribution parts 114 and 116 disposed at the other side of the passage parts F1' an F2'. Here, the electrolyzer 1000 according to the second embodiment of the present invention may include a protection layer 1500 disposed between the separator 214 of the membrane-electrode assembly 210 and one surface of each of the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140. In addition, the electrolyzer 1000 according to the second embodiment of the present invention may further include a first gasket 311 and a second gasket 312.
When compared to the electrolyzer according to the first embodiment described above, the electrolyzer according to the second embodiment of the present invention is different in that the protection layer 1500 is further provided between the separator 214 of the membrane-electrode assembly 210 and one surface of each of the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140. Thus, contents of this embodiment, which are duplicated with those according to the forgoing embodiment, will be omitted or briefly described, and also, differences therebetween will be mainly described.
In more detail, the electrolyzer 1000 may include a plurality of separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140 and a membrane-electrode assembly 210 disposed between the plurality of separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140.
The separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140 and the membrane-electrode assembly 210 may be alternately stacked, and the separation plates 110 and 140 may be disposed at the uppermost and lowermost sides in a stacking direction S. Here, the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140 may rotate at an angle of 180° around a rotation axis R parallel to a stacking direction and then be stacked sequentially. Here, the stacking direction S may be parallel to a Z-axis direction, for example, when referring to FIG. 9.
The membrane-electrode assembly 210 may be disposed between the plurality of separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140 and may include a plurality of electrodes 213 and a separator 214 disposed between the plurality of electrodes 213.
In addition, the plurality of electrodes 213 may include a first electrode 211 and a second electrode 212, and the first electrode 211 and the second electrode 212 may be alternately disposed in the stacking direction S.
In the plurality of electrodes 213, a thickness t2 of the second electrode 212 facing the other surfaces 1110b, 1120b, 1130b, and 1140b of the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140 may be greater than a thickness t1 of the first electrode 211 facing one surfaces 1110a, 1120a, 1130a, 1140a of the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140.
Here, the first electrode 211 may face the one surfaces 1110a, 1120a, 1130a, and 1140a of the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140, and the second electrode 212 may face the other surfaces 1110b, 1120b, 1130b, and 1140b of the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140.
Here, for example, the first electrode 211 may be provided as an anode, and the second electrode 212 may be provided as a cathode. Alternatively, for another example, the first electrode 211 may be provided as a cathode, and the second electrode 212 may be provided as an anode.
The separator 214 may be provided as an ion exchange membrane I (IEM) made of an insulating material, and thus, ions may move between the anode and the cathode.
The separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140 may include the passage parts F1' and F2', one-side distribution part 115, and the other-side distribution part 116.
An unevenness may be disposed on each of the passage parts F1' and F2' to define the first passage P1' and the second passage P2', through which the fluid flows, in the one surfaces 1110a, 1120a, 1130a, and 1140a and the other surfaces 1110b, 1120b, 1130b, and 1140b.
The uneven shape of each of the passage parts F1' and F2' may be asymmetrical to each other in a width direction W of the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140, and thus, the uneven shapes of the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140 disposed at upper and lower sides may correspond to each other with the membrane-electrode assembly 210 therebetween.
The passage parts F1' and F2' may include first passage parts 1111 and 1121 on which an uneven shape, in which embossings 1111a, 1112a, 1121a, and 1122a and engravings 1111b, 1112b, 1121b, and 1122b are alternately disposed, is provided to define a first passage P1' in the one surface 1110a, 1120a, 1130a, and 1140a of the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140, and second passage parts 1112 and 1122 on which an uneven shape, in which engravings 1112b and 1122b and embossings 1112a and 1122a are alternately disposed to correspond to the embossings 1111a and 1121a and the engravings 1111b and 1121b, is provided to define a second passage P2' in the other surfaces 1110b, 1120b, 1130b, and 1140b of the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140.
The first passage parts 1111 and 1121 may face the electrode 213, the first passage P1' through which a raw material fluid moves may be opened toward the electrode 213, the second passage parts 1112 and 1122 may face the electrode 213, and the second passage P2' through which the raw material fluid moves may be opened toward the electrode 213. Here, the raw material fluid may include, for example, carbon dioxide (CO₂) and an electrolyte. Here, the electrolyte may include water (H₂O).
The embossings 1111a and 1121a of the first passage parts 1111 and 1121 disposed on the active area of one surfaces 1110a, 1120a, 1130a, and 1140a of the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140 may protrude with respective to an inactive area, and engravings 1112b and 1122b of the second passage parts 1112 and 1122 disposed on the active area A2 of the other surfaces 1110b, 1120b, 1130b, and 1140b of the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140 may be recessed with respective to an inactive area. Here, a thickness t2 of the second electrode 212 in the membrane-electrode assembly 210 may be the same as the sum of a protruding height h0' of each of the embossings 1111a and 1121a of the first passage parts 1111 and 1121, which are disposed on the one surfaces 1110a, 1120a, 1130a, and 1140a of the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140 and a thickness t1 of the first electrode 211.
The first passage P1' may be provided in the engravings 1111b and 1121b of the first passage parts 1111 and 1121, and the second passage P2' may be provided in the engravings 1112b and 1122b of the second passage parts 1112 and 1122 and may be disposed on the same line in the stacking direction S.
The first passage P1' and the second passage P2' may have a parallel shape. Here, for example, the embossings 1111a, 1121a, 1112a, and 1122a and the engravings 1111b, 1121b, 1112b, and 1122b provided on the first passage parts 1111 and 1121 and the second passage parts 1112 and 1122 of the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140 may be disposed in a width direction W of the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140, and the first passage P1' and the second passage P2' may provide passages extending in a longitudinal direction L of the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140. Here, for example, the width direction W may be an X-axis direction, and the longitudinal direction L may be a Y-axis direction.
The embossed portions of the first passage parts 1111 and 1121 and the second passage parts 1112 and 1122 may face each other with the membrane-electrode assembly 210 therebetween and may be in contact with the plurality of electrodes 213.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B1-B1' of FIG. 9, and FIG. 13 is an exploded view of an area D1 in FIG. 12.
Referring to FIGS. 9, 12, and 13, the one-side distribution part 115 may be disposed at one side of the passage parts F1' and F2' on the plane, and the other-side distribution part 116 may be disposed at the other side of the passage parts F1' and F2' on the plane.
The one-side distribution part 115 and the other-side distribution part 116 may provide unevennesses to provide a distribution path communicating with the first passage P1' and the second passage P2', and the unevennesses of the one-side distribution part 115 and the other-side distribution part 116 may be provided in opposite shapes.
The distribution path may include a first one-side distribution path V11 and a second one-side distribution path V12, which are provided in the one surfaces 1110a, 1120a, 1130a, and 1140a and the other surfaces 1110b, 1120b, 1130b, and 1140b of the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140 in the one-side distribution parts 113 and 115, and the first other-side distribution path V21 and a second other--side distribution path V22, which are provided in the one surfaces 1110a, 1120a, 1130a, and 1140a and the other surfaces 1110b, 1120b, 1130b, and 1140b of the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140 in the other-side distribution parts 114 and 116. Here, the first one-side distribution path V11 and the first other-side distribution path V21 may communicate with the first passage P1', and the second one-side distribution path V12 and the second other-side distribution path V22 may communicate with the second passage P2'.
Here, the one-side distribution parts 113 and 115 may include a first one-side distribution part 113 on which an uneven shape, in which embossings 113a, 115a, 123a, and 125a and engravings 113b, 115b, 123b, and 125b are alternately disposed, is provided to define the first one-side distribution path V11 in the one surface 1110a, 1120a, 1130a, and 1140a of the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140, and second one-side distribution parts 115, 125, 135, and 145 on which an uneven shape, in which engravings 115b and 125b and embossings 115a and 125a are alternately disposed to correspond to the embossings 113a and 123a and the engravings 113b and 123b, is provided to define a second one-side distribution path V12 in the other surfaces 1110b, 1120b, 1130b, and 1140b of the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140. Here, the embossings 113a, 115a, 123a, and 125a disposed on the first one-side distribution part 113 and the second one-side distribution parts 115, 125, 135, and 145, respectively, may be in contact with the separator 214 of the membrane-electrode assembly 210. Here, the engravings 113b and 123b provided in the first one-side distribution part 113 may include a first engraving 113b-1 and a second engraving 113b-2 having an engraving depth less than that of the first engraving 113b-1 in the stacking direction S.
In addition, the other-side distribution parts 114 and 116 may include the first other-side distribution part 114 in which embossings and engravings are alternately provided on the one surfaces 1110a, 1120a, 1130a, and 1140a of the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140 to provide the first other-side distribution path V21, and the second other-side distribution parts 116, 126, 136, and 146 in which embossings and engravings corresponding to the embossings and the engravings provided on the first other-side distribution part 114 are alternately provided on the other surfaces 110b, 120b, 130b, and 140b of the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140 to provide the second one-side distribution path V12.
The separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140 of the electrolyzer 1000 according to the second embodiment of the present invention may be manufactured through mold processing and may be manufactured in one mold and have the same shape. Here, the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140 may be provided by pressing one metal plate. Here, the passage parts F1' and F2', the one-side distribution part, and the other-side distribution parts 114 and 116 may be provided in the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140.
Referring to FIGS. 9 to 11, the first gasket 311 may be disposed on an inactive area of the one surfaces 1110a, 1120a, 1130a, and 1140a of the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140, and the second gasket 312 may be disposed on an inactive area of the other surfaces 1110b, 1120b, 1130b, and 1140b of the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140.
In addition, the first gasket 311 may have a thickness g1 greater than that of the first electrode 211 in the stacking direction S, and the second gasket 312 may have a thickness g2 equal to that of the second electrode 212 in the stacking direction S. Here, the thicknesses g1 and g2 of the first gasket 311 and the second gasket 312 may be the same in the stacking direction S. Here, for example, each of the first gasket 311 and the second gasket 312 may have a thickness of 0.5T, the second electrode 212 may have a thickness of 0.5T, the separator 214 may have a thickness of 0.1T, and the first electrode 211 may have a thickness of 0.25T, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto.
In addition, the first gasket 311 and the second gasket 312 may be disposed on the same line in the stacking direction S.
In addition, the first gasket 311 may be provided along an edge of the active area on the one surfaces 1110a, 1120a, 1130a, and 1140a of the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140 to maintain the sealing of the active area of the one surfaces 1110a, 1120a, 1130a, and 1140a, and the second gasket 312 may be provided along an edge of the active area of the other surfaces 1110b, 1120b, 1130b, and 1140b of the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140 to maintain the sealing of the active area of the other surfaces 1110b, 1120b, 1130b, and 1140b of the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a protection layer in the electrolyzer according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIGS. 9 to 11 and 14, a protection layer 1500 may be disposed between the separator 214 of the membrane-electrode assembly 210 and one surface of each of the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140. Here, the protection layer 1500 may be disposed between the separator 214 of the membrane-electrode assembly and a first one-side distribution part the first other-side distribution part of the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140. The protection layer 1500 may face the separator 214, may protect the separator 214, and may block movement of ions in the stacking direction. In addition, a height of a bottom surface of each of a second one-side distribution and the second other-side distribution part and a height of a bottom surface of a second passage may be disposed to correspond to each other in the stacking direction through the protection layer 1500.
In addition, the protection layer 1500 may extend between the first gasket 311 and the second gasket 312. Here, the protection layer 1500 may have a through-hole 1500a defined so as not to face the passage part.
In addition, the protection layer 1500 may include a first protection layer 1501 facing the first one-side distribution part and the first other-side distribution part and a second protection layer 1502 disposed between the first gasket 311 and the second gasket 312.
Here, for example, the first protection layer 1501 and the second protection layer 1502 may be integrated with each other as a protection film.
As another example, the first protection layer 1501 may be provided as a protection film, and the second protection layer 1502 may be provided as an auxiliary gasket.
The protection film may be made of, for example, a PET material. The auxiliary gasket may be made of, for example, a plate made of Teflon or steel.
For example, a thickness m of the protection layer 1500 may be 0.25T.
In the electrolyzer 1000 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140 facing the electrodes 213 of the anode and the cathode of the membrane-electrode assembly 210 may be provided into one body by providing the embossings 1111a, 1121a, 1112a, and 1122a and the engravings 1111b, 1121b, 1112b, and 1122b to improve the energy efficiency while reducing the manufacturing cost. That is, when electrochemically converting carbon dioxide or decomposing water to produce hydrogen, an aqueous solution-based electrolyte may be supplied to the anode, and thus, there is no need to supply separate cooling water. Thus, the embossings 1111a, 1121a, 1112a, and 1122a and the engravings 1111b, 1121b, 1112b, and 1122b may be provided on one separator 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140 to provide the passages of the anode and the cathode. Thus, the manufacturing cost may be reduced by using the one separator 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140 instead of two separation plates, and the interface resistance that occurs when using two separation plates may not be generated to improve the energy efficiency due to the decrease in resistance.
In addition, in the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140, the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140 and the membrane-electrode assembly 210 may be alternately stacked. Here, the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140 may rotate at an angle of 180° around the rotation axis R parallel to the stacking direction to prevent the passage provided in the engravings 1111b, 1121b, 1112b, and 1122b of the separation plates 1110, 1120, and 1130 stacked on the upper portion in the stacking direction S from being blocked by the embossings 1111a, 1121a, 1112a, and 1122a of the separation plates 1120, 1130, and 1140 stacked at the lower portion in the stacking direction S.
Furthermore, the unevennesses may be disposed on the one-side distribution part 115 and the other-side distribution part 116, which are disposed at both the sides of the passage parts F1' and F2' to distribute the flow of the fluid. Here, the unevennesses of the one-side distribution part 115 and the other-side distribution part 116 may be provided in the opposite shapes, and thus, even though the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140 rotates to be stacked, the unevennesses disposed on the one-side distribution part 115 and the other-side distribution part 116 of the separation plates 1110, 1120, 1130, and 1140 disposed at the upper and lower portions of the membrane-electrode assembly 210 may correspond to each other, and thus, the fluid movement and distribution may be smoothly achieved.

Electrolyzer according to third embodiment

Hereinafter, an electrolyzer according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an example of an electrolyzer according to a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A2-A2' of FIG. 15, and FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of an area C2 in FIG. 16.
Referring to FIGS. 15 to 17, an electrolyzer 2000 according to a third embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140 and a membrane-electrode assembly 2210 disposed between the plurality of separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140 and including a plurality of electrodes 2213 and separators 2214. Each of the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140 include passage parts F1" and F2", which respectively define a first passage P1" and a second passage P2", through which a fluid flows, in each of one surfaces 2110a, 2120a, 2130a, and 2140a and each of the other surfaces 2110b, 2120b, 2130b, and 2140b, one-side distribution parts 2113 and 2115 disposed at one side of the passage parts F1" and F2", and the other-side distribution parts 2114 and 2116 disposed at the other side of the passage parts F1" an F2". Here, the electrolyzer 2000 according to the third embodiment of the present invention may include a protection layer 2500 disposed between the separator 2214 of the membrane-electrode assembly 2210 and one surface of each of the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140. In addition, the electrolyzer 2000 according to the third embodiment of the present invention may further include a first gasket 2311 and a second gasket 2312.
When compared to the electrolyzer according to the forgoing first and second embodiments described above, the electrolyzer according to the third embodiment of the present invention is different in that the protection layer 2500 is further provided between the separator 2214 of the membrane-electrode assembly 2210 and one surface of each of the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140. Thus, contents of this embodiment, which are duplicated with those according to the forgoing embodiment, will be omitted or briefly described, and also, differences therebetween will be mainly described.
The electrolyzer 2000 may include a plurality of separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140 and a membrane-electrode assembly 2210 disposed between the plurality of separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140.
The separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140 and the membrane-electrode assembly 2210 may be alternately stacked, and the separation plates 2110 and 2140 may be disposed at the uppermost and lowermost sides in a stacking direction S. Here, the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140 may rotate at an angle of 180° around a rotation axis R parallel to a stacking direction and then be stacked sequentially. Here, the stacking direction S may be parallel to a Z-axis direction, for example, when referring to FIG. 15.
The membrane-electrode assembly 2210 may be disposed between the plurality of separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140 and may include a plurality of electrodes 2213 and a separator 2214 disposed between the plurality of electrodes 2213.
In addition, the plurality of electrodes 2213 may include a first electrode 2211 and a second electrode 2212, and the first electrode 2211 and the second electrode 2212 may be alternately disposed in the stacking direction S.
In the plurality of electrodes 2213, a thickness t2" of the second electrode 2212 facing the other surfaces 2110b, 2120b, 2130b, and 2140b of the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140 may be the same as a thickness t1" of the first electrode 2211 facing one surfaces 2110a, 2120a, 2130a, 2140a of the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140.
Here, the first electrode 2211 may face the one surfaces 2110a, 2120a, 2130a, and 2140a of the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140, and the second electrode 2212 may face the other surfaces 2110b, 2120b, 2130b, and 2140b of the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140.
Here, for example, the first electrode 2211 may be provided as an anode, and the second electrode 2212 may be provided as a cathode. Alternatively, for another example, the first electrode 2211 may be provided as a cathode, and the second electrode 2212 may be provided as an anode.
The separator 2214 may be provided as an ion exchange membrane I (IEM) made of an insulating material, and thus, ions may move between the anode and the cathode.
The separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140 may include the passage parts F1" and F2", one-side distribution parts 2113 and 2115, and the other-side distribution parts 2114 and 2116.
An unevenness may be disposed on each of the passage parts F1" and F2" to define the first passage P1" and the second passage P2", through which the fluid flows, in the one surfaces 2110a, 2120a, 2130a, and 2140a and the other surfaces 2110b, 2120b, 2130b, and 2140b.
The uneven shape of each of the passage parts F1" and F2" may be asymmetrical to each other in a width direction W of the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140, and thus, the uneven shapes of the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140 disposed at upper and lower sides may correspond to each other with the membrane-electrode assembly 2210 therebetween.
The passage parts F1" and F2" may include first passage parts 2111 and 2121 on which an uneven shape, in which embossings 2111a, 2112a, 2121a, and 2122a and engravings 2111b, 2112b, 2121b, and 2122b are alternately disposed, is provided to define a first passage P1" in the one surface 2110a, 2120a, 2130a, and 2140a of the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140, and second passage parts 2112 and 2122 on which an uneven shape, in which engravings 2112b and 2122b and embossings 2112a and 2122a are alternately disposed to correspond to the embossings 2111a and 2121a and the engravings 2111b and 2121b, is provided to define a second passage P2" in the other surfaces 2110b, 2120b, 2130b, and 2140b of the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140.
The first passage parts 2111 and 2121 may face the electrode 2213, the first passage P1" through which a raw material fluid moves may be opened toward the electrode 2213, the second passage parts 2112 and 2122 may face the electrode 2213, and the second passage P2" through which the raw material fluid moves may be opened toward the electrode 2213. Here, the raw material fluid may include, for example, carbon dioxide (CO₂) and an electrolyte. Here, the electrolyte may include water (H₂O).
The embossings 2111a and 2121a of the first passage parts 2111 and 2121 disposed on the active area of one surfaces 2110a, 2120a, 2130a, and 2140a of the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140 may protrude with respective to an inactive area, and engravings 2112b and 2122b of the second passage parts 2112 and 2122 disposed on the active area of the other surfaces 2110b, 2120b, 2130b, and 2140b of the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140 may be recessed with respective to an inactive area. Here, in the membrane-electrode assembly 2210, a thickness t2 of the second electrode 2212 may be the same as a thickness t1 of the first electrode 2211.
Here, the thickness t1 of the first electrode 2211 and the thickness t2 of the second electrode 2212 may be the same as a protruding height h0 of each of the embossings 2111a and 2121a of the first passage parts 2111 and 2121, which are disposed on the one surfaces 2110a, 2120a, 2130a, and 2140a of the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140. Here, the protruding height h0 of each of the embossings 2111a and 2121a of the first passage parts 2111 and 2121 and the protruding height of each of the embossings 2112a and 2122a of the second passage parts 2112 and 2122 may be formed to be the same. That is, the thickness t1 of the first electrode 2211 and the thickness t2 of the second electrode 2212 may be the same as the protruding height h0 of each of the embossings 2111a and 2121a of the first passage parts 2111 and 2121 and the protruding height of each of the embossings 2112a and 2122a of the second passage parts 2112 and 2122.
The first passage P1" may be provided in the engravings 2111b and 2121b of the first passage parts 2111 and 2121, and the second passage P2" may be provided in the engravings 2112b and 2122b of the second passage parts 2112 and 2122 and may be disposed on the same line in the stacking direction S.
The first passage P1" and the second passage P2" may have a parallel shape. Here, for example, the embossings 2111a, 2121a, 2112a, and 2122a and the engravings 2111b, 2121b, 2112b, and 2122b provided on the first passage parts 2111 and 2121 and the second passage parts 2112 and 2122 of the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140 may be disposed in a width direction W of the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140, and the first passage P1" and the second passage P2" may provide passages extending in a longitudinal direction L of the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140. Here, for example, the width direction W may be an X-axis direction, and the longitudinal direction L may be a Y-axis direction.
The embossed portions of the first passage parts 2111 and 2121 and the second passage parts 2112 and 2122 may face each other with the membrane-electrode assembly 2210 therebetween and may be in contact with the plurality of electrodes 2213.
FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B2-B2' of FIG. 15, and FIG. 19 is an exploded view of an area D2 in FIG. 18.
Referring to FIGS. 15, 18, and 19, the one-side distribution parts 2113 and 2115 may be disposed at one side of the passage parts F1" and F2" on the plane, and the other-side distribution parts 2114 and 2116 may be disposed at the other side of the passage parts F1" and F2" on the plane.
The one-side distribution parts 2113 and 2115 and the other-side distribution parts 2114 and 2116 may provide unevennesses to provide a distribution path communicating with the first passage P1" and the second passage P2", and the unevennesses of the one-side distribution parts 2113 and 2115 and the other-side distribution parts 2114 and 2116 may be provided in opposite shapes.
The distribution path may include a first one distribution path V11 and a second one distribution path V12, which are provided in the one surfaces 2110a, 2120a, 2130a, and 2140a and the other surfaces 2110b, 2120b, 2130b, and 2140b of the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140 in the one-side distribution parts 2113 and 2115, and a first other distribution path V21 and a second other- distribution path V22, which are provided in the one surfaces 2110a, 2120a, 2130a, and 2140a and the other surfaces 2110b, 2120b, 2130b, and 2140b of the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140 in the other-side distribution parts 2114 and 2116. Here, the first one distribution path V11 and the first other distribution path V21 may communicate with the first passage P1", and the second one distribution path V12 and the second other distribution path V22 may communicate with the second passage P2".
Here, the one-side distribution parts 2113 and 115 may include a first one-side distribution part 2113 on which an uneven shape, in which embossings 2113a, 2115a, 2123a, and 2125a and engravings 2113b, 2115b, 2123b, and 2125b are alternately disposed, is provided to define the first one distribution path V11 in the one surface 2110a, 2120a, 2130a, and 2140a of the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140, and second one-side distribution parts 2115, 2125, 2135, and 2145 on which an uneven shape, in which engravings 2115b and 2125b and embossings 2115a and 2125a are alternately disposed to correspond to the embossings 2113a and 2123a and the engravings 2113b and 2123b, is provided to define a second one distribution path V12 in the other surfaces 2110b, 2120b, 2130b, and 2140b of the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140. Here, the embossings 2113a, 2115a, 2123a, and 2125a disposed on the first one-side distribution part 2113 and the second one-side distribution parts 2115, 2125, 2135, and 2145, respectively, may be in contact with the separator 2214 of the membrane-electrode assembly 2210. Here, the engravings 2113b and 2123b provided in the first one-side distribution part 2113 may include a first engraving 2113b-1 and a second engraving 2113b-2 having an engraving depth less than that of the first engraving 2113b-1 in the stacking direction S.
In addition, the other-side distribution parts 2114 and 2116 may include the first other-side distribution part 2114 in which embossings and engravings are alternately provided on the one surfaces 2110a, 2120a, 2130a, and 2140a of the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140 to provide the first other-side distribution path V21, and the second other-side distribution parts 2116, 2126, 2136, and 2146 in which embossings and engravings corresponding to the embossings and the engravings provided on the first other-side distribution part 2114 are alternately provided on the other surfaces 2110b, 2120b, 2130b, and 2140b of the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140 to provide the second one-side distribution path V12.
The separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140 of the electrolyzer 2000 according to the third embodiment of the present invention may be manufactured through mold processing and may be manufactured in one mold and have the same shape. Here, the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140 may be provided by pressing one metal plate. Here, the passage parts F1" and F2", the one-side distribution part, and the other-side distribution parts 2114 and 2116 may be provided in the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140.
Referring to FIGS. 15 to 17, the first gasket 2311 may be disposed on an inactive area of the one surfaces 2110a, 2120a, 2130a, and 2140a of the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140, and the second gasket 2312 may be disposed on an inactive area of the other surfaces 2110b, 2120b, 2130b, and 2140b of the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140.
In addition, the first gasket 2311 and the second gasket 2312 may have the same thicknesses g1 and g2 in the stacking direction S. Here, the thickness g1 of the first gasket 2311 and the thickness g2 of the second gasket 2312 may be the same as the thicknesses of the first electrode 2211 and the second electrode 2212. Here, for example, each of the first gasket 2311 and the second gasket 2312 may have a thickness of 0.25T, each of the first electrode 2211 and the second electrode 2211 may have a thickness of 0.25T, and the separator 2214 may have a thickness of 0.1T, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto.
In addition, the first gasket 2311 and the second gasket 2312 may be disposed on the same line in the stacking direction S.
In addition, the first gasket 2311 may be provided along an edge of the active area on the one surfaces 2110a, 2120a, 2130a, and 2140a of the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140 to maintain the sealing of the active area of the one surfaces 2110a, 2120a, 2130a, and 2140a, and the second gasket 2312 may be provided along an edge of the active area of the other surfaces 2110b, 2120b, 2130b, and 2140b of the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140 to maintain the sealing of the active area of the other surfaces 2110b, 2120b, 2130b, and 2140b of the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140.
A protection layer 2500 may be disposed between the separator 2214 of the membrane-electrode assembly 2210 and one surface of each of the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140. Here, the protection layer 2500 may be disposed between the separator 2214 of the membrane-electrode assembly and a first one-side distribution part 2113 the first other-side distribution part 2114 of the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140. The protection layer 2500 may face the separator 2214, may protect the separator 2214, and may block movement of ions in the stacking direction. In addition, a height of a bottom surface of each of a second one-side distribution and the second other-side distribution part and a height of a bottom surface of a second passage may be disposed to correspond to each other in the stacking direction through the protection layer 2500.
In addition, the protection layer 2500 may extend between the first gasket 2311 and the second gasket 2312. Here, the protection layer 2500 may have a through-hole 2500a defined so as not to face the passage part.
In addition, the protection layer 2500 may include a first protection layer 2501 facing the first one-side distribution part 2113 and the first other-side distribution part 2114 and a second protection layer 2502 disposed between the first gasket 2311 and the second gasket 2312.
Here, for example, the first protection layer 2501 and the second protection layer 2502 may be integrated with each other as a protection film.
As another example, the first protection layer 2501 may be provided as a protection film, and the second protection layer 2502 may be provided as an auxiliary gasket. Here, the protection film may be made of, for example, a PET material. The auxiliary gasket may be made of, for example, a plate made of Teflon or steel.
For example, a thickness m of the protection layer 2500 may be 0.25T.
In the electrolyzer 2000 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140 facing the electrodes 2213 of the anode and the cathode 2213 of the membrane-electrode assembly 2210 may be provided into one body by providing the embossings 2111a, 2121a, 2112a, and 2122a and the engravings 2111b, 2121b, 2112b, and 2122b to improve the energy efficiency while reducing the manufacturing cost. That is, when electrochemically converting carbon dioxide or decomposing water to produce hydrogen, an aqueous solution-based electrolyte may be supplied to the anode, and thus, there is no need to supply separate cooling water. Thus, the embossings 2111a, 2121a, 2112a, and 2122a and the engravings 2111b, 2121b, 2112b, and 2122b may be provided on one separator 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140 to provide the passages of the anode and the cathode. Thus, the manufacturing cost may be reduced by using the one separator 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140 instead of two separation plates, and the interface resistance that occurs when using two separation plates may not be generated to improve the energy efficiency due to the decrease in resistance.
In addition, in the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140, the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140 and the membrane-electrode assembly 2210 may be alternately stacked. Here, the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140 may rotate at an angle of 180° around the rotation axis R parallel to the stacking direction to prevent the passage provided in the engravings 2111b, 2121b, 2112b, and 2122b of the separation plates 110, 120, and 130 stacked on the upper portion in the stacking direction S from being blocked by the embossings 2111a, 2121a, 2112a, and 2122a of the separation plates 120, 130, and 140 stacked at the lower portion in the stacking direction S.
Furthermore, the unevennesses may be disposed on the one-side distribution part 115 and the other-side distribution parts 2114 and 2116, which are disposed at both the sides of the passage parts F1" and F2" to distribute the flow of the fluid. Here, the unevennesses of the one-side distribution parts 113 and 115 and the other-side distribution parts 2114 and 2116 may be provided in the opposite shapes, and thus, even though the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140 rotates to be stacked, the unevennesses disposed on the one-side distribution parts 2113 and 2115 and the other-side distribution parts 2114 and 2116 of the separation plates 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140 disposed at the upper and lower portions of the membrane-electrode assembly 2210 may correspond to each other, and thus, the fluid movement and distribution may be smoothly achieved.
While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the post-processing device according to the present invention. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Furthermore, the scope of protection of the present invention will be clarified by the appended claims.

[Description of the Symbols]

10,1000,2000: Electrolyzer
110,120,130,140: Separation plate
110a,120a,130a,140a: One surface
110b,120b,130b,140b: The other surface
111,121: First passage part
112,122: Second passage part
111a,112a,121a,122a: Embossing
111b,112b,121b,122b: Engraving
113: First one-side distribution part
113a,115a,123a,125a: Embossing
113b,115b,123b,125b: Engraving
114: The first other-side distribution part
115,125,135,145: Second one-side distribution part
116,126,136,146: The second other-side distribution part
210: Membrane-electrode assembly
211: First electrode
212: Second electrode
213: Electrode
214,2214: Separator
311: First gasket
312: Second gasket
411: One edge gasket
412: The other edge gasket
1500,2500: Protection layer
1501,2501: First protection layer
1502,2502: First protection layer
A1,A2: Active area
B1,B2: Inactive area
L: Longitudinal direction
W: Width direction
S: Stacking direction
P1: First passage
P2: Second passage
V11: First one-side distribution path
V12: Second one-side distribution path
V21: The first other-side distribution path
V22: The second other-side distribution path

Claims

An electrolyzer comprising:
a plurality of separation plates; and

a membrane-electrode assembly disposed between the plurality of separation plates and comprising a plurality of electrodes and a separator disposed between the plurality of electrodes,

wherein each of the separation plates comprises:
a passage part configured to provide a first passage and a second passage, through which a fluid flows, in one surface and the other surface, respectively;

one-side distribution part disposed at one side of the passage part on a plane; and

the other-side distribution part disposed at the other side of the passage part on the plane,

wherein the one-side distribution part and the other-side distribution part have unevennesses to provide a distribution path communicating with the first passage and the second passage, and the unevennesses of the one-side distribution part and the other-side distribution part are provided in opposite shapes.
The electrolyzer of claim 1, wherein the separation plate and the membrane-electrode assembly are alternately stacked in a stacking direction, and
the separation plates rotate at an angle of 180° around a rotation axis parallel to the stacking direction and are sequentially stacked.
The electrolyzer of claim 2, wherein an uneven shape of each of the passage part is asymmetrical to each other in a width direction of the separation plates, and
uneven shapes of the separation plates disposed at upper and lower sides with the membrane-electrode assembly therebetween correspond to each other.
The electrolyzer of claim 1, wherein the passage part comprises:
a first passage part in which embossings and engravings are alternately disposed on one surface of the separation plate to provide the first passage; and

a second passage part in which embossings and engravings are alternately disposed on the other surface of the separation plate to correspond to engravings and the embossings, which are provided in the first passage part, so as to provide a second passage.
The electrolyzer of claim 4, wherein the first passage part is disposed to face the electrode, and the first passage through which a raw material fluid moves is opened toward the electrode, and
the second passage part is disposed to face the electrode, and the second passage through which the raw material fluid moves is opened toward the electrode.
The electrolyzer of claim 4, wherein the embossings of the first passage part disposed on an active area of one surface of the separation plate protrude with respective to an inactive area, and
the engravings of the second passage part disposed on an active area of the other surface of the separation plate are recessed with respective to an inactive area.
The electrolyzer of claim 6, wherein, in the plurality of electrodes, a thickness of a second electrode facing the other surface of the separation plate is greater than a thickness of a first electrode facing one surface of the separation plate.
The electrolyzer of claim 7, wherein the first electrode is an anode, and the second electrode is a cathode, or
the first electrode is a cathode, and the second electrode is an anode.
The electrolyzer of claim 7, wherein the thickness of the second electrode is the same as the sum of a protruding height of each of the embossings of the first passage part and the thickness of the first electrode.
The electrolyzer of claim 7, further comprising:
a first gasket disposed on an inactive area of one surface of the separation plate; and

a second gasket disposed on an inactive area of the other surface of the separation plate,

wherein the first gasket has a thickness greater than that of the first electrode in a stacking direction, and

the second gasket has the same thickness as that of the second electrode in the stacking direction.
The electrolyzer of claim 4, wherein the first passage is provided in an engraving portion of the first passage part, and
the second passage is provided in an engraving portion of the second passage part and is disposed on the same line in a stacking direction.
The electrolyzer of claim 4, wherein embossing portions of the first passage part and the second passage part face each other with the membrane-electrode assembly therebetween and are in contact with the plurality of electrodes.
The electrolyzer of claim 1, wherein the separation plate and the membrane-electrode assembly are alternately stacked,
wherein the separation plate is disposed at each of the uppermost and lowermost sides in a stacking direction.
The electrolyzer of claim 6, wherein the distribution path comprises:
a first one-side distribution path and a second one-side distribution path, which are respectively disposed on one surface and the other surface of the separation plate in the one-side distribution part; and

the first other-side distribution path and the second other-side distribution path, which are respectively disposed on one surface and the other surface of the separation plate in the other-side distribution part,

wherein the first one-side distribution path and the first other-side distribution path communicate with the first passage, and

the second one-side distribution path and the second other-side distribution path communicate with the second passage.
The electrolyzer of claim 14, wherein the one-side distribution part comprises:
a first one-side distribution part in which embossings and engravings are alternately disposed on one surface of the separation plate to provide the first one-side distribution path; and

a second one-side distribution part in which engravings and embossings corresponding to the embossings and the engravings, which are provided in the first one-side distribution part, are alternately disposed on the other surface of the separation plate to provide the second one-side distribution path, and

the other-side distribution part comprises:
the first other-side distribution part in which embossings and engravings are alternately disposed on one surface of the separation plate to provide the first other-side distribution path; and

the second other-side distribution part in which engravings and embossings corresponding to the embossings and the engravings, which are provided in the first other-side distribution part, are alternately disposed on the other surface of the separation plate to provide the second other-side distribution path.
The electrolyzer of claim 15, further comprising:
a first gasket disposed on an inactive area of one surface of the separation plate; and

a second gasket disposed on an inactive area of the other surface of the separation plate,

wherein, in the membrane-electrode assembly, the electrode faces the passage part of the separation plate, and

in the membrane-electrode assembly, the separator faces one-side distribution part and the other-side distribution part of the separation plate, the first gasket, and the second gasket.
The electrolyzer of claim 16, wherein the embossings disposed on each of the first one-side distribution part and the second one-side distribution part are in contact with the separator of the membrane-electrode assembly.
The electrolyzer of claim 16, further comprising a protection layer disposed between the separator of the membrane-electrode assembly and the first one-side distribution part and the first other-side distribution part of the separation plate,
wherein the embossings of the first one-side distribution part, which are disposed on the active area of the one surface of the separation plate, protrude with respective to the inactive area,

the engravings of the second one-side distribution part, which are disposed on the active area of the other surface of the separation plate, are recessed with respective to the inactive area, and

a protruding height of each of the embossings disposed on each of the first one-side distribution part and the second one-side distribution part is the same as a protruding height of each of the embossings disposed on each of the first passage part and the second passage part.
The electrolyzer of claim 18, wherein the protection layer extends between the first gasket and the second gasket.
The electrolyzer of claim 19, wherein each of the first gasket and the second gasket has the same thickness as the protruding height of each of the embossings disposed on the first passage part and the second passage part.
The electrolyzer of claim 19, wherein, in the plurality of electrodes, a thickness of the electrode facing one surface of the separation plate and a thickness of the electrode facing the other surface of the separation plate are the same, and
the thickness of the electrode is the same as the thickness of each of the first gasket and the second gasket and is the same as the protruding height of each of the embossings disposed on the first passage part and the second passage part.