JP2013036068A - High-pressure water electrolytic system and method for operating the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a high-pressure water electrolytic system capable of being reduced in the size of the entire system without needing to provide individually a gas-liquid separation device outside a water electrolytic device.SOLUTION: In a unit cell 14 constituting a high-pressure water electrolytic system 10, an electrolyte membrane-electrode structure 32 is sandwiched by an anode side separator 34 and a cathode side separator 36. The electrolyte membrane-electrode structure 32 includes an anode side feed conductor 40 and a cathode side feed conductor 42 on both sides of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38. A cathode side passage 68 in which a coned disc spring 46 is disposed is formed between the cathode side separator 36 and the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38. A high pressure hydrogen separating and discharging part 70 for separating high pressure hydrogen and high pressure water is provided at an upper part of the cathode side passage 68, while a high pressure water discharging part 72 for discharging the high pressure water separated from the high pressure hydrogen at the high pressure hydrogen separating and discharging part 70 is provided at a lower part of the cathode side passage 68.

Description

  The present invention relates to a high-pressure water electrolysis system including a high-pressure hydrogen production apparatus that electrolyzes water to generate oxygen and high-pressure hydrogen having a pressure higher than that of the oxygen, and an operation method thereof.

  For example, hydrogen gas is used as a fuel gas for generating power from a fuel cell. Generally, a water electrolysis apparatus is adopted as a hydrogen production apparatus for producing hydrogen gas. This water electrolysis apparatus uses a solid polymer electrolyte membrane in order to electrolyze water and generate hydrogen (and oxygen). An electrode catalyst layer is provided on both sides of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane to constitute an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure, and a power feeder is provided on each side of the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure. Is configured.

  Therefore, a water electrolysis stack in which a plurality of units are laminated is prepared, a voltage is applied to both ends of the water electrolysis stack in the lamination direction, and water is supplied to the anode-side power feeder. For this reason, water is decomposed and hydrogen ions (protons) are generated on the anode side of the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure, and the hydrogen ions permeate the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and move to the cathode side to bond with electrons. Thus, hydrogen is produced. On the other hand, on the anode side, oxygen generated together with hydrogen is discharged from the water electrolysis stack with surplus water.

As this type of water electrolysis apparatus, for example, a polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolysis apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. As shown in FIG. 5, the water electrolysis apparatus includes a water electrolysis tank 4 whose interior is divided into an anode chamber 2 and a cathode chamber 3 by a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 1, and the solid polymer electrolyte membrane in the anode chamber 2. Water supply means 5 for supplying electrolyzed water to one side, oxygen separation means (gas-liquid separation device) 6 for separating oxygen (O ₂ ) and hydrogen (H ₂ ) generated by water electrolysis, and hydrogen separation means (gas-liquid) Separation device) 7.

  In the water electrolysis tank 4, the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 1 is erected along the vertical direction, while in the hydrogen separation means 7, a water supply tank 8 is installed above the water electrolysis tank 4. And it is comprised so that the water from the water supply tank 8 may be supplied to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 1 as natural circulation while circulating.

JP 2002-285368 A

  However, in the above water electrolysis apparatus, hydrogen separation means 7 for performing gas-liquid separation between hydrogen discharged from the water electrolysis tank 4 and water is provided outside the water electrolysis tank 4. For this reason, there exists a problem that the whole system enlarges considerably.

  The present invention solves this type of problem, and it is not necessary to separately provide a gas-liquid separation device outside the hydrogen production apparatus, and the high-pressure water electrolysis system capable of easily reducing the size of the entire system. And an operation method thereof.

  The present invention relates to a high-pressure water electrolysis system including a high-pressure hydrogen production apparatus that electrolyzes water to generate oxygen and high-pressure hydrogen having a pressure higher than that of oxygen.

  In this high-pressure water electrolysis system, a high-pressure hydrogen production apparatus includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane disposed in a standing position along a vertical direction, and electrolysis for use on both left and right sides of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. An anode-side power feeding body and a cathode-side power feeding body, an anode-side separator that is disposed opposite to the anode-side power feeding body, is supplied with water, and electrolyzes the water to generate oxygen; and the cathode side A cathode-side separator that is disposed opposite to the power supply body and generates hydrogen at a pressure higher than that of oxygen by electrolyzing the water; an elastic member that applies a load to the cathode-side power supply body in a stacking direction; A cathode chamber formed between a cathode separator and the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, wherein the elastic member is disposed and the high-pressure hydrogen is discharged; and an upper portion of the cathode chamber A high-pressure hydrogen separation and discharge unit that separates the high-pressure hydrogen and high-pressure water, and a high pressure that communicates with a lower portion of the cathode chamber and discharges the high-pressure water separated from the high-pressure hydrogen by the high-pressure hydrogen separation and discharge unit And a water discharge part.

  The high-pressure water electrolysis system further includes a high-pressure water electrolysis stack in which a plurality of high-pressure hydrogen production apparatuses are stacked along a horizontal direction, and the high-pressure water electrolysis stack penetrates in the stacking direction, A high-pressure hydrogen communication hole that communicates with the high-pressure hydrogen separation and discharge section, and a high-pressure water communication hole that penetrates in the stacking direction and communicates with the high-pressure water discharge section of each high-pressure hydrogen production apparatus, One end is connected to the high-pressure hydrogen communication hole, one end is connected to the high-pressure water communication hole, and one end is connected to the high-pressure water communication hole, and one end is connected to the high-pressure water electrolysis stack. A high-pressure water discharge pipe for discharging, and a water level detection device for connecting the other end of the high-pressure hydrogen discharge pipe and the other end of the high-pressure water discharge pipe to detect the water level in the high-pressure water electrolysis stack. It is preferable to obtain.

  Furthermore, the present invention provides a solid polymer electrolyte membrane arranged in a standing posture along a vertical direction, and an anode side feeder and a cathode side for electrolysis provided on the left and right sides of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane Arranged opposite to the anode-side power supply body, an anode-side separator that is disposed to face the anode-side power supply body, is supplied with water, and generates oxygen by electrolyzing the water. A cathode-side separator that electrolyzes the water to generate hydrogen having a pressure higher than that of oxygen; an elastic member that applies a load to the cathode-side power feeder in the stacking direction; the cathode-side separator; The elastic member is formed between the molecular electrolyte membrane, the cathode chamber from which the high-pressure hydrogen is discharged, and the upper portion of the cathode chamber. A high-pressure hydrogen separation and discharge unit for separating the high-pressure water, and a high-pressure water discharge unit that communicates with a lower portion of the cathode chamber and discharges the high-pressure water separated from the high-pressure hydrogen by the high-pressure hydrogen separation and discharge unit The present invention relates to a method for operating a high-pressure water electrolysis system that incorporates

  The operation method includes a step of detecting a water level of the high-pressure hydrogen separation and discharge unit, a step of determining whether or not the water level of the high-pressure hydrogen separation and discharge unit exceeds an upper limit, and the water level of the high-pressure hydrogen separation and discharge unit A step of controlling the water level of the high-pressure hydrogen separation and discharge unit to be equal to or lower than the upper limit value by lowering the electrolysis current value when it is determined that the upper limit value is exceeded.

  According to the present invention, the cathode chamber in which high-pressure hydrogen is generated has a relatively wide space because the elastic member is disposed. In addition, a high-pressure hydrogen separation / discharge unit that separates high-pressure hydrogen discharged into the cathode chamber and high-pressure water is provided in an upper portion of the space.

  Therefore, a high-pressure hydrogen separation / discharge section that also functions as a gas-liquid separation device is provided inside the high-pressure hydrogen production apparatus. As a result, it is not necessary to separately provide a gas-liquid separator outside the high-pressure hydrogen production apparatus, and the entire system can be downsized.

  Further, according to the present invention, when it is determined that the water level of the high-pressure hydrogen separation / discharge section exceeds the upper limit value, the water level of the high-pressure hydrogen separation / discharge section is controlled to be equal to or lower than the upper limit value by reducing the electrolysis current value. ing. For this reason, the solid polymer electrolyte membrane can always maintain a wet state.

It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the high pressure water electrolysis system concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a disassembled perspective explanatory drawing of the unit cell which comprises the said high voltage | pressure water electrolysis system. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the unit cell in FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the operating method of the said high pressure water electrolysis system. It is explanatory drawing of the water electrolysis apparatus currently disclosed by patent document 1. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the high-pressure water electrolysis system 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention electrolyzes water (pure water) to generate oxygen and high-pressure hydrogen (normal pressure, higher than the oxygen pressure, for example, A differential pressure type water electrolysis apparatus (high pressure hydrogen production apparatus) 12 for producing 1 MPa to 70 MPa hydrogen) is provided.

  The water electrolysis apparatus 12 includes a high pressure water electrolysis stack in which a plurality of unit cells 14 are stacked. At one end in the stacking direction of the unit cells 14, a terminal plate 16a, an insulating plate 18a, and an end plate 20a are sequentially arranged outward. Similarly, a terminal plate 16b, an insulating plate 18b, and an end plate 20b are sequentially disposed on the other end in the stacking direction of the unit cells 14 toward the outside.

  The end plates 20a and 20b are integrally clamped and held via a plurality of tie rods 22. The water electrolysis apparatus 12 may adopt a configuration in which it is integrally held by a box-like casing (not shown) including the end plates 20a and 20b as end plates. Moreover, although the water electrolysis apparatus 12 has a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole, it can be set in various shapes such as a cubic shape.

  Terminal portions 24a and 24b are provided on the side portions of the terminal plates 16a and 16b so as to protrude outward. The terminal portions 24a and 24b are electrically connected to the electrolytic power source 26.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the unit cell 14 includes a substantially disc-shaped electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 32, and an anode side separator 34 and a cathode side separator 36 that sandwich the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 32. Prepare. The anode-side separator 34 and the cathode-side separator 36 have a substantially disk shape and are made of, for example, a carbon member or the like, or a steel plate, a stainless steel plate, a titanium plate, an aluminum plate, a plated steel plate, or a metal surface thereof. A metal plate subjected to an edible surface treatment is press-molded or cut and subjected to an anticorrosive surface treatment.

  The electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 32 includes, for example, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38 in which a perfluorosulfonic acid thin film is impregnated with water, and a circular anode-side power feeder provided on both surfaces of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38. 40 and a cathode side power supply body 42. The outer dimensions of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38 are set to be larger than the outer diameters of the anode-side power supply body 40 and the cathode-side power supply body 42.

  An anode electrode catalyst layer 40a and a cathode electrode catalyst layer 42a are formed on both surfaces of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38. The anode electrode catalyst layer 40a uses, for example, a Ru (ruthenium) -based catalyst, while the cathode electrode catalyst layer 42a uses, for example, a platinum catalyst.

  The anode-side power supply body 40 and the cathode-side power supply body 42 are made of, for example, a sintered body (porous conductor) of spherical atomized titanium powder. The anode-side power supply body 40 and the cathode-side power supply body 42 are provided with a smooth surface portion that is etched after grinding, and the porosity is set within a range of 10% to 50%, more preferably 20% to 40%. Is done.

  A plate member 44 is laminated on the cathode side power supply body 42, and an elastic member, for example, a plurality of disc springs 46, is disposed between the plate member 44 and the cathode side separator 36. The plate member 44 is made of, for example, a titanium punching plate, and has a plurality of holes 44a. The disc spring 46 applies a load to the cathode-side power feeder 42 via a plate member 44 that is a disc spring holder. Instead of the disc spring 46, for example, a coil spring or the like may be used.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a first protrusion 48a, a second protrusion 48b, a third protrusion 48c, and a fourth protrusion 48d that protrude outward in the separator surface direction are formed on the outer periphery of the unit cell 14. The The first projecting portion 48a, the third projecting portion 48c, the second projecting portion 48b, and the fourth projecting portion 48d are provided on the outer peripheral portion of the unit cell 14 at regular angular intervals.

  The first protrusion 48a is provided with a water supply communication hole 50 for supplying water (pure water) in communication with each other in the direction of arrow A, which is the stacking direction. The second projecting portion 48b is provided with a water discharge communication hole 52 that communicates with each other in the direction of the arrow A and discharges oxygen generated by the reaction and unused water.

  The third projecting portion 48c is provided with a high-pressure hydrogen communication hole 54 through which the high-pressure hydrogen generated by the reaction flows in communication with each other in the direction of arrow A. The fourth protrusion 48d is provided with a high-pressure water communication hole 56 that is in communication with each other in the direction of the arrow A and for discharging high-pressure water separated from high-pressure hydrogen.

  The water supply communication hole 50 and the water discharge communication hole 52 have an elliptical shape in the opening cross section and are disposed at points symmetrical to each other. The high-pressure hydrogen communication hole 54 and the high-pressure water communication hole 56 have a circular opening cross section and are arranged at positions that are point-symmetric with each other.

  The anode-side separator 34 is provided with a water supply passage 58 that communicates with the water supply communication hole 50 and a water discharge passage 60 that communicates with the water discharge communication hole 52. An anode-side flow path 62 communicating with the water supply passage 58 and the water discharge passage 60 is provided on the surface 34 a of the anode-side separator 34 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 32.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cathode separator 36 is provided with a hydrogen discharge passage 64 that communicates with the high-pressure hydrogen communication hole 54 and a high-pressure water discharge passage 66 that communicates with the high-pressure water communication hole 56. A surface 36a of the cathode side separator 36 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 32 has a cathode side flow path (cathode chamber) 68 that communicates with the hydrogen discharge passage 64 and the high pressure water discharge passage 66 and discharges high pressure hydrogen. Provided.

  The hydrogen discharge passage 64 is set to a diameter at which gas bubbles are separated and bubbles do not push up water. The diameter of the hydrogen discharge passage 64 is preferably configured to be larger than the diameter of the high-pressure water discharge passage 66.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a high-pressure hydrogen separation / discharge unit 70 that separates high-pressure hydrogen and high-pressure water communicates with the upper part of the cathode-side flow path 68. A high-pressure water discharge unit 72 that discharges high-pressure water separated from high-pressure hydrogen by the high-pressure hydrogen separation / discharge unit 70 communicates with the lower part of the cathode side flow path 68.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a plurality of seal grooves 76 for arranging a plurality of seal members 74 are formed on the surface 34 a of the anode-side separator 34 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 32. A plurality of seal grooves 80 for disposing a plurality of seal members 78 are formed on the surface 36 a of the cathode separator 36 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 32. The seal members 74 and 78 are, for example, O-rings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a pipe manifold 82 communicating with the high-pressure hydrogen communication hole 54 and a pipe manifold 84 communicating with the high-pressure water communication hole 56 are connected to the end plate 20 a. A pipe manifold 86 communicating with the water supply communication hole 50 and a pipe manifold 88 communicating with the water discharge communication hole 52 are connected to the end plate 20b.

  One end of a high-pressure hydrogen discharge pipe 90 that is connected to the high-pressure hydrogen communication hole 54 and discharges high-pressure hydrogen from the water electrolysis device 12 is connected to the pipe manifold 82. A branch pipe 90 a branches from the high-pressure hydrogen discharge pipe 90, and the branch pipe 90 a is connected to an upper portion of a water level detection device 92 for detecting the water level in the water electrolysis device 12. A first back pressure valve 94 is disposed in the high pressure hydrogen discharge pipe 90. Although not shown, the other end of the high-pressure hydrogen discharge pipe 90 is connected to a high-pressure hydrogen supply unit such as a hydrogen gas storage unit or a hydrogen gas tank of a fuel cell vehicle so that the high-pressure hydrogen supply unit can be filled with high-pressure hydrogen.

  One end of a high-pressure water discharge pipe 96 that is connected to the high-pressure water communication hole 56 and discharges high-pressure water from the water electrolysis device 12 is connected to the pipe manifold 84. The other end of the high-pressure water discharge pipe 96 is connected to the lower part of the water level detection device 92.

  The water level detection device 92 is provided with a water level sensor unit 98 for detecting the internal water level, and a drain pipe 100 is connected to the lower side of the water level detection device 92. The drain pipe 100 is provided with a second back pressure valve 102 and an on-off valve (electromagnetic valve) 104. The second back pressure valve 102 is set to a pressure value lower than that of the first back pressure valve 94.

  A water supply pipe 106 for supplying water (pure water) to the water supply communication hole 50 is connected to the pipe manifold 86. A water discharge pipe 108 for discharging oxygen and unused water from the water discharge communication hole 52 is connected to the pipe manifold 88.

  The operation of the high pressure water electrolysis system 10 configured as described above will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 1, water is supplied from the water supply pipe 106 through the pipe manifold 86 to the water supply communication hole 50 of the water electrolysis apparatus 12, and the terminals 24a and 24b of the terminal plates 16a and 16b are electrically connected. An electrolysis voltage is applied through an electrolysis power supply 26 connected to.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, in each unit cell 14, water is supplied from the water supply communication hole 50 to the anode-side flow path 62 of the anode-side separator 34, and this water flows along the anode-side power feeder 40. Moving. Accordingly, water is decomposed by electricity in the anode electrode catalyst layer 40a, and hydrogen ions, electrons, and oxygen are generated. Hydrogen ions generated by this anodic reaction permeate the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38 and move to the cathode electrode catalyst layer 42a side, and combine with electrons to obtain hydrogen.

  Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, hydrogen flows along the inside of the cathode-side power feeding body 42, the hole 44 a of the plate member 44, and the cathode-side flow path 68. This hydrogen is maintained at a higher pressure than the water supply communication hole 50, and can flow out of the water electrolysis apparatus 12 through the high-pressure hydrogen communication hole 54. On the other hand, oxygen generated by the reaction and used water flow through the anode-side flow path 62, and these flow from the water discharge communication hole 52 to the outside of the water electrolysis apparatus 12 along the water discharge pipe 108. Discharged.

  In this case, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the cathode-side flow path 68 in which high-pressure hydrogen is generated has a relatively wide space because the disc spring 46 is disposed. A high-pressure hydrogen separation / discharge unit 70 for separating high-pressure hydrogen and high-pressure water is provided in the upper portion of the space.

  Accordingly, the high-pressure hydrogen from which the high-pressure water has been separated by the high-pressure hydrogen separation and discharge unit 70 flows through the high-pressure hydrogen communication hole 54 and is discharged from the water electrolysis device 12 to the high-pressure hydrogen discharge pipe 90. Furthermore, high-pressure hydrogen can be supplied to the high-pressure hydrogen supply section through the high-pressure hydrogen discharge pipe 90. A part of the high-pressure hydrogen is supplied to the water level detection device 92 through the branch pipe 90a.

  On the other hand, the high-pressure water separated from the high-pressure hydrogen by the high-pressure hydrogen separation and discharge unit 70 flows through the high-pressure water communication hole 56 and is discharged from the water electrolysis device 12 to the high-pressure water discharge pipe 96. This high-pressure water is supplied to the water level detection device 92.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the high-pressure hydrogen separation / discharge unit 70 that also functions as a gas-liquid separation device is provided inside the water electrolysis device 12. For this reason, it is not necessary to separately provide a gas-liquid separation device outside the water electrolysis device 12, and the effect that the entire high-pressure water electrolysis system 10 can be reduced can be obtained.

  Moreover, the high-pressure hydrogen separation / discharge unit 70 is provided for each unit cell 14. Therefore, the flow rate for separation in each high-pressure hydrogen separation / discharge unit 70 is greatly reduced (1 / unit cell number) compared to the case of using a single gas-liquid separation device, and separation of high-pressure hydrogen and high-pressure water is performed. Is easily and reliably performed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the first projecting portion 48a, the third projecting portion 48c, the second projecting portion 48b, and the fourth projecting portion 48d are provided on the outer peripheral portion of the unit cell 14 at regular angular intervals. ing. Thereby, the anode side separator 34 and the cathode side separator 36 do not receive a bias load by the pressure of high-pressure hydrogen, and can secure a desired sealing property.

  Next, an operation method of the high-pressure water electrolysis system 10 will be described below along the flowchart shown in FIG.

  As described above, when water electrolysis is being performed (step S1), high-pressure water is supplied from the high-pressure water discharge pipe 96 to the water level detection device 92, and the branch pipe 90a is connected from the high-pressure hydrogen discharge pipe 90. The pressure by high-pressure hydrogen is given through. That is, the water level detection device 92 is maintained under the same conditions as the cathode side flow path 68 of the water electrolysis device 12.

  In the water level detection device 92, the water level stored in the water level detection device 92 is detected via the water level sensor unit 98 (step S2). Then, it is determined whether or not the detected water level exceeds a preset upper limit value (step S3). Here, the water level range controlled by the water level detection device 92 is a range having a height T downward from the boundary portion between the hydrogen discharge passage 64 of the unit cell 14 and the high-pressure hydrogen communication hole 54 as shown in FIG. .

  When it is determined that the detected water level exceeds the upper limit value (YES in step S3), the process proceeds to step S4, and the electrolytic current applied from the electrolytic power supply 26 is reduced. For this reason, the amount of water that permeates the cathode side flow path 68 decreases, and the water level decreases. Therefore, in each unit cell 14, the water level of the cathode side flow path 68 is controlled within the range of the height T which is a predetermined water level range. This process is continued until the water electrolysis process is completed (step S5). When the water level becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined water level, the on-off valve 104 is opened to start draining.

  Thereby, in each unit cell 14, the cathode side flow path 68 can be always filled with water, and the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38 can be always maintained in a desired wet state.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... High pressure water electrolysis system 12 ... Water electrolysis apparatus 14 ... Unit cell 26 ... Electrolytic power supply 32 ... Electrolyte membrane and electrode structure 34 ... Anode side separator 36 ... Cathode side separator 38 ... Solid polymer electrolyte membrane 40 ... Anode side electric power feeder 42 ... Cathode side power supply 44 ... Plate member 46 ... Belleville spring 50 ... Water supply communication hole 52 ... Water discharge communication hole 54 ... High pressure hydrogen communication hole 56 ... High pressure water communication hole 58 ... Water supply passage 60 ... Water discharge passage 62 ... Anode side flow path 64 ... Hydrogen discharge passage 66 ... High pressure water discharge passage 68 ... Cathode side flow path 70 ... High pressure hydrogen separation discharge section 72 ... High pressure water discharge section 90 ... High pressure hydrogen discharge pipe 92 ... Water level detection device 96 ... High pressure water discharge Piping 98 ... Water level sensor

Claims (3)

A high-pressure water electrolysis system comprising a high-pressure hydrogen production apparatus for electrolyzing water to generate oxygen and high-pressure hydrogen having a pressure higher than that of oxygen,
The high-pressure hydrogen production apparatus comprises a solid polymer electrolyte membrane that is disposed in a standing posture along a vertical direction in a plane direction;
An anode-side power feeder and a cathode-side power feeder for electrolysis provided on the left and right sides of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane;
An anode-side separator that is disposed to face the anode-side power feeder, is supplied with water, and electrolyzes the water to generate oxygen;
A cathode-side separator that is disposed opposite to the cathode-side power feeder and generates hydrogen having a pressure higher than that of oxygen by electrolyzing the water;
An elastic member for applying a load to the cathode-side power feeding body in the stacking direction;
A cathode chamber formed between the cathode separator and the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, the elastic member is disposed, and the high-pressure hydrogen is discharged;
A high-pressure hydrogen separation and discharge unit that communicates with the upper portion of the cathode chamber and separates the high-pressure hydrogen and high-pressure water;
A high-pressure water discharge unit that communicates with a lower portion of the cathode chamber and discharges the high-pressure water separated from the high-pressure hydrogen in the high-pressure hydrogen separation and discharge unit;
A high-pressure water electrolysis system comprising: The high pressure water electrolysis system according to claim 1, further comprising a high pressure water electrolysis stack in which a plurality of the high pressure hydrogen production apparatuses are stacked along a horizontal direction,
The high-pressure water electrolysis stack penetrates in the stacking direction, and communicates with the high-pressure hydrogen separation and discharge part of each high-pressure hydrogen production device,
A high-pressure water communication hole penetrating in the stacking direction and communicating with the high-pressure water discharge part of each high-pressure hydrogen production device;
And providing
The high-pressure water electrolysis system has one end connected to the high-pressure hydrogen communication hole, and discharges the high-pressure hydrogen from the high-pressure water electrolysis stack,
One end is connected to the high-pressure water communication hole, and the high-pressure water discharge pipe for discharging the high-pressure water from the high-pressure water electrolysis stack,
A water level detection device for detecting the water level in the high pressure water electrolysis stack, wherein the other end of the high pressure hydrogen discharge pipe and the other end of the high pressure water discharge pipe are connected;
A high-pressure water electrolysis system comprising: A solid polymer electrolyte membrane disposed in a standing posture along the vertical direction in the plane direction;
An anode-side power feeder and a cathode-side power feeder for electrolysis provided on the left and right sides of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane;
An anode-side separator that is disposed to face the anode-side power feeder, is supplied with water, and electrolyzes the water to generate oxygen;
A cathode-side separator that is disposed opposite to the cathode-side power feeder and generates hydrogen having a pressure higher than that of oxygen by electrolyzing the water;
An elastic member for applying a load to the cathode-side power feeding body in the stacking direction;
A cathode chamber formed between the cathode separator and the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, the elastic member is disposed, and the high-pressure hydrogen is discharged;
A high-pressure hydrogen separation and discharge unit that communicates with the upper portion of the cathode chamber and separates the high-pressure hydrogen and high-pressure water;
A high-pressure water discharge unit that communicates with a lower portion of the cathode chamber and discharges the high-pressure water separated from the high-pressure hydrogen in the high-pressure hydrogen separation and discharge unit;
An operation method of a high pressure water electrolysis system incorporating a high pressure hydrogen production apparatus comprising:
Detecting the water level of the high-pressure hydrogen separation and discharge part;
Determining whether the water level of the high-pressure hydrogen separation and discharge section exceeds an upper limit;
When it is determined that the water level of the high-pressure hydrogen separation and discharge section exceeds the upper limit value, the step of controlling the water level of the high-pressure hydrogen separation and discharge section below the upper limit value by lowering the electrolysis current value;
A method for operating a high-pressure water electrolysis system, comprising:

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