JP5349073B2 - Water electrolysis equipment - Google Patents

Description

  In the present invention, a power feeding body is provided on both sides of the electrolyte membrane, a separator is stacked on the power feeding body, and a first flow path for supplying water is provided between one power feeding body and one separator. The present invention relates to a water electrolysis apparatus in which a second flow path is formed between the other power supply body and the other separator, in which hydrogen obtained by electrolyzing the water flows.

  For example, in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, a fuel gas (a gas containing mainly hydrogen, such as hydrogen gas) is supplied to the anode side electrode, while an oxidant gas (mainly containing oxygen) is supplied to the cathode side electrode. By supplying a gas (for example, air), direct current electric energy is obtained.

  In general, a water electrolysis apparatus is employed to produce hydrogen gas that is a fuel gas. This water electrolysis apparatus uses a solid polymer electrolyte membrane in order to decompose water and generate hydrogen (and oxygen). Electrode catalyst layers are provided on both sides of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane to form an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure, and a power feeder is provided on both sides of the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure. It is configured. That is, the unit is configured substantially in the same manner as the above fuel cell.

  Therefore, in a state where a plurality of units are stacked, a voltage is applied to both ends in the stacking direction, and water is supplied to the anode-side power feeding body. 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 produced together with hydrogen is discharged from the unit with excess water.

  As this type of equipment, for example, a gas generation system disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. In this gas generation system, as shown in FIG. 5, the pure water supply piping section 2 that supplies pure water to the water electrolysis apparatus 1 uses oxygen in order to reuse the pure water discharged from the water electrolysis apparatus 1. Pure water is circulated from the gas separation device 3 to the water electrolysis device 1.

  The hydrogen gas generated by the water electrolysis apparatus 1 is sent to the hydrogen gas separation apparatus 5 through the hydrogen gas transfer piping section 4 together with some pure water. In this hydrogen gas separation device 5, the hydrogen gas that has been gas-liquid separated is conveyed and supplied to a use location via a hydrogen gas supply pipe unit 6 and a hydrogen gas dehumidifying unit 7.

JP 2003-113487 A

  However, in Patent Document 1 described above, in order to remove moisture contained in the hydrogen gas generated by the water electrolysis apparatus 1, a dedicated hydrogen gas separation apparatus 5 is provided. It is configured separately from the water electrolysis apparatus 1. Accordingly, a dedicated space for installing the hydrogen gas separation device 5 is required, while a space for connecting the hydrogen gas transfer piping unit 4 is also required. As a result, the exclusive space of the entire water electrolysis system is expanded, and there is a problem that the equipment cost increases.

  The present invention solves this type of problem, and with a simple structure, water contained in hydrogen generated by water electrolysis can be reliably removed and the entire system can be downsized. An object is to provide an electrolysis apparatus.

  In the present invention, a power feeding body is provided on both sides of the electrolyte membrane, a separator is stacked on the power feeding body, and a first flow path for supplying water is provided between one power feeding body and one separator. The present invention relates to a water electrolysis apparatus in which a second flow path is formed between the other power supply body and the other separator, in which hydrogen obtained by electrolyzing the water flows.

  In this water electrolysis apparatus, at least a separator is formed with a protrusion protruding outward in the separator surface direction, and hydrogen flows in the stacking direction of the separator in communication with the second flow path in the protrusion. And a hydrogen communication hole having a gas-liquid separation function for condensing moisture in the hydrogen.

  In addition, the water electrolysis apparatus includes a water supply communication hole that communicates with the inlet side of the first flow path and extends in the stacking direction. It is preferable to set it larger than the area.

  Furthermore, in this water electrolysis apparatus, it is preferable that a water storage portion including a drain valve communicates with the hydrogen communication hole.

  Furthermore, in this water electrolysis apparatus, it is preferable that a water level sensor that detects a water level of water stored in the water storage unit is disposed in the water storage unit.

  In the water electrolysis apparatus, the water level sensor is preferably disposed below the lowest end position of the second flow path.

  Further, in this water electrolysis apparatus, the pressure of hydrogen generated in the second flow path is preferably higher than the pressure of water supplied to the first flow path.

  According to the present invention, at least the separator is formed with a protrusion that protrudes outward in the separator surface direction, and the hydrogen communication hole is provided in the protrusion. Accordingly, since the protruding portion protrudes outside the separator and is exposed to the external atmosphere, it can have a cooling function by the outside air and can cool the hydrogen communication hole. For this reason, in the hydrogen communication hole, moisture contained in hydrogen is well condensed, and the hydrogen communication hole can also function as a gas-liquid separation unit.

  Thereby, it is not necessary to arrange a separate gas-liquid separation device outside the water electrolysis device, and the installation space for facilities can be set as narrow as possible. Accordingly, with a simple configuration, moisture contained in hydrogen generated by water electrolysis can be reliably removed, and the entire water electrolysis system can be easily downsized.

It is a perspective explanatory view of a water electrolysis device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a partial cross section side view of the water electrolysis device. It is a disassembled perspective explanatory drawing of the unit cell which comprises the said water electrolysis apparatus. It is a partial cross section side view of the water electrolysis apparatus concerning the 2nd Embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of the gas generation system currently disclosed by patent document 1. FIG.

  As shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2, the water electrolysis apparatus 10 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention comprises the high voltage | pressure hydrogen production apparatus, and the several unit cell 12 is a perpendicular direction (arrow A direction). A laminated body 14 is provided. At one end (upper end) in the stacking direction of the stacked body 14, a terminal plate 16a, an insulating plate 18a, and an end plate 20a are sequentially disposed upward. Similarly, a terminal plate 16b, an insulating plate 18b, and an end plate 20b are sequentially disposed on the other end (lower end) in the stacking direction of the stacked body 14 in a downward direction.

  The water electrolysis apparatus 10 integrally clamps and holds the disk-shaped end plates 20a and 20b via a plurality of tie rods 22 extending in the direction of arrow A, for example. The water electrolysis apparatus 10 may employ a configuration in which the water electrolysis apparatus 10 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 10 has a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole, it can be set in various shapes such as a cubic shape.

  As shown in FIG. 1, 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 power source 28 via the wirings 26a and 26b. The terminal portion 24 a on the anode (anode) side is connected to the positive pole of the power source 28, while the terminal portion 24 b on the cathode (cathode) side is connected to the negative pole of the power source 28.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the unit cell 12 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, an anode-side power feeder 40 and a cathode provided on both surfaces of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38. 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.

  On the outer periphery of the unit cell 12, a first protrusion 44a, a second protrusion 44b, and a third protrusion 44c that protrude outward in the separator surface direction (horizontal direction) are formed at predetermined angular positions, respectively. The first protrusion 44 a is provided with a water supply communication hole 46 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 44b is provided with a discharge communication hole 48 that communicates with each other in the direction of the arrow A and discharges oxygen generated by the reaction and used water. The third projecting portion 44c is provided with a hydrogen communication hole 50 that communicates with each other in the direction of arrow A, which is the stacking direction, for flowing hydrogen generated by the reaction.

  The opening cross-sectional area of the hydrogen communication hole 50 is set larger than the opening cross-sectional area of the water supply communication hole 46. This is to prevent the hydrogen communication hole 50 from being blocked by the condensed water formed into water droplets, and the opening diameter of the hydrogen communication hole 50 can be set as necessary.

  As shown in FIG. 3, on the surface 34 a of the anode separator 34 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 32, a supply passage 52 a that communicates with the water supply communication hole 46, and a discharge passage 52 b that communicates with the discharge communication hole 48. Is provided. A first flow path 54 communicating with the supply passage 52a and the discharge passage 52b is provided on the surface 34a. The first flow path 54 is provided in a range corresponding to the surface area of the anode-side power feeding body 40, and includes a plurality of flow path grooves, a plurality of embosses, and the like (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

  As shown in FIG. 3, a discharge passage 56 that communicates with the hydrogen communication hole 50 is provided on the surface 36 a of the cathode separator 36 that faces the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 32. A second flow path 58 communicating with the discharge passage 56 is formed on the surface 36a. The second flow path 58 is provided in a range corresponding to the surface area of the cathode power supply body 42 and is configured by a plurality of flow path grooves, a plurality of embosses, and the like (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

  The seal members 60a and 60b are integrated with each other around the outer peripheral ends of the anode side separator 34 and the cathode side separator 36. The seal members 60a and 60b include, for example, EPDM, NBR, fluorine rubber, silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, butyl rubber, natural rubber, styrene rubber, chloroprene, acrylic rubber, or other seal materials, cushion materials, or packing materials. Used.

  As shown in FIG. 1, pipes 62a, 62b and 62c communicating with the water supply communication hole 46, the discharge communication hole 48 and the hydrogen communication hole 50 are connected to the end plate 20a. Although not shown, the pipe 62c is provided with a back pressure valve (or electromagnetic valve), and the pressure of hydrogen generated in the hydrogen communication hole 50 can be maintained at a high pressure.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a water reservoir 64 that constitutes a gas-liquid separator is provided on the lower side of the hydrogen communication hole 50. The water storage portion 64 includes a chamber 66 formed in the end plate 20b and connected to the lower end portion of the hydrogen communication hole 50 and bent in a substantially L shape. A water distribution pipe 68 communicates with the chamber 66, and the water distribution pipe 68 communicates with the outside through an on-off valve 70.

  The water storage unit 64 includes an upper water level sensor 72 a and a lower water level sensor 72 b that detect the water level of the water stored in the water storage unit 64. The upper water level sensor 72 a is disposed below the second flow path 58 disposed at the lowest end position, while the lower water level sensor 72 b is disposed above the lower end position of the chamber 66.

  The operation of the water electrolysis apparatus 10 configured as described above will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 1, water is supplied from a pipe 62a to the water supply communication hole 46 of the water electrolysis apparatus 10, and a power supply 28 electrically connected to the terminal portions 24a and 24b of the terminal plates 16a and 16b is connected. A voltage is applied via For this reason, as shown in FIG. 3, in each unit cell 12, water is supplied from the water supply communication hole 46 to the first flow path 54 of the anode separator 34, and this water flows along the anode power supply body 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.

  For this reason, hydrogen flows along the second flow path 58 formed between the cathode side separator 36 and the cathode side power supply body 42. This hydrogen is maintained at a higher pressure than the water supply communication hole 46, and can flow out of the water electrolysis apparatus 10 through the hydrogen communication hole 50. On the other hand, oxygen generated by the reaction and used water flow in the first flow path 54, and these are discharged to the outside of the water electrolysis apparatus 10 along the discharge communication hole 48.

  In this case, in the first embodiment, the outer periphery of the unit cell 12 is formed with a third protrusion 44c protruding outward in the separator surface direction, and the third protrusion 44c has an arrow A direction. Are provided with hydrogen communication holes for allowing hydrogen to flow therethrough. For this reason, the 3rd protrusion part 44c protrudes outside the water electrolysis apparatus 10, and the said 3rd protrusion part 44c can be exposed to external atmosphere, and can have a cooling function (refer FIG. 1).

  Therefore, the hydrogen communication hole 50 extending in the direction of arrow A in the third protrusion 44c is cooled well, and moisture contained in the hydrogen is condensed in the hydrogen communication hole 50. The water is stored in the water storage unit 64. That is, the hydrogen communication hole 50 can also serve as a gas-liquid separation function.

  Thereby, in 1st Embodiment, it is not necessary to arrange | position a separate gas-liquid separation apparatus outside the water electrolysis apparatus 10, and the installation space for facilities can be set as narrow as possible. For this reason, it is possible to reliably remove moisture contained in hydrogen generated by water electrolysis with a simple configuration and to reduce the size of the entire water electrolysis system including the water electrolysis apparatus 10. can get.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the opening cross-sectional area of the hydrogen communication hole 50 is set larger than the opening cross-sectional area of the water supply communication hole 46. Therefore, it is possible to satisfactorily prevent the hydrogen communication hole 50 from being blocked by water condensed in the hydrogen communication hole 50 or water discharged to the hydrogen communication hole 50. In particular, the hydrogen communication hole 50 is blocked as much as possible by setting the inner diameter of the hydrogen communication hole 50 to be larger than the diameter at which water droplets can be blocked.

  The water storage section 64 is provided with a chamber 66 for storing condensed water, and a water distribution pipe 68 communicating with the chamber 66 is provided with an opening / closing valve 70. For this reason, it is possible to satisfactorily discharge the condensed water stored in the chamber 66 under the opening / closing action of the opening / closing valve 70.

  At that time, an upper water level sensor 72a for detecting the uppermost position of the water stored in the chamber 66 and a lower water level sensor 72b for detecting the lowermost position are provided. And the upper water level sensor 72a is set below the 2nd flow path 58 arrange | positioned in the lowest position. Thereby, the erroneous detection of the upper water level sensor 72a due to the undulation of the water surface can be satisfactorily prevented by the hydrogen discharged from the second flow path 58 to the hydrogen communication hole 50.

  FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a water electrolysis apparatus 80 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In addition, the same referential mark is attached | subjected to the component same as the water electrolysis apparatus 10 which concerns on 1st Embodiment, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The water electrolysis apparatus 80 includes a stacked body 14 in which a plurality of unit cells 12 are stacked in the horizontal direction (arrow B direction). A third projecting portion 44c is disposed on the lower side (or the upper side) of the water electrolysis device 80, and the hydrogen communication hole 50 is formed along the arrow B direction via the third projecting portion 44c.

  The end plate 20b is provided with a water reservoir 82 having a gas-liquid separation function. The water reservoir 82 has a chamber 66 and the upper end of the chamber 66 communicates with the hydrogen communication hole 50. The hydrogen communication hole 50 is preferably inclined downward from the end plate 20a toward the end plate 20b in consideration of drainage.

  In the second embodiment configured as described above, the hydrogen communication hole 50 is formed in the third projecting portion 44c projecting to the outside. For this reason, the inside of the hydrogen communication hole 50 can be cooled satisfactorily to improve drainage, and the hydrogen communication hole 50 can also function as a gas-liquid separation function. The same effect can be obtained.

  In the first and second embodiments, the hydrogen communication hole 50 is formed in the third projecting portion 44c. In addition, for example, the hydrogen communication hole 50 circulates around the hydrogen communication hole 50 (see FIG. (Not shown) can also be provided.

  In addition, the cooling efficiency of the hydrogen communication holes 50 can be further improved by providing fin portions (not shown) that bulge in different directions in the third projecting portions 44c for each unit cell 12. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 80 ... Water electrolysis apparatus 12 ... Unit cell 14 ... Laminated body 16a, 16b ... Terminal plate 18a, 18a ... Insulation plate 20a, 20b ... End plate 24a, 24b ... Terminal part 28 ... Power supply 32 ... Electrolyte membrane and electrode structure 34 ... Anode-side separator 36 ... Cathode-side separator 38 ... Solid polymer electrolyte membrane 40 ... Anode-side power supply 42 ... Cathode-side power supply 44a-44c ... Projection 46 ... Water supply communication hole 48 ... Discharge communication hole 50 ... Hydrogen communication Holes 54, 58 ... Channels 64, 82 ... Water reservoir 66 ... Chamber 68 ... Water distribution pipes 72a, 72b ... Sensors

Claims (6)

A power feeding body is provided on both sides of the electrolyte membrane, a separator is stacked on the power feeding body, a first flow path for supplying water is formed between one power feeding body and one separator, and the other A water electrolysis device in which a second flow path for flowing hydrogen obtained by electrolyzing the water is formed between the power supply body of the first electrode and the other separator,
At least the separator communicates with the inlet side of the first flow path, and the water supply communication hole extends along the stacking direction of the separator;
A protruding portion protruding outward in the separator surface direction ;
Is formed,
Wherein the projecting portion is hydrogen passage having a gas-liquid separation function for condensation of moisture and water Motochu in flowing the hydrogen before miracle layer direction communicates is provided in the second flow path,
The opening cross-sectional area of the hydrogen passage is set larger than the opening cross-sectional area of the water supply passage water electrolysis apparatus according to claim Rukoto. In water electrolysis apparatus according to claim 1 Symbol placement, the hydrogen communication hole, the water electrolysis device, characterized in that the water reservoir is communicated with a drain valve. The water electrolysis apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein a water level sensor that detects a water level of the water stored in the water storage section is disposed in the water storage section. 4. The water electrolysis apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the water level sensor is disposed below a lowermost position of the second flow path. A power feeding body is provided on both sides of the electrolyte membrane, a separator is stacked on the power feeding body, a first flow path for supplying water is formed between one power feeding body and one separator, and the other A plurality of unit cells in which a second flow path for flowing hydrogen obtained by electrolyzing the water is formed between the power supply body and the other separator in the horizontal direction, and both end portions in the stacking direction end. A water electrolysis device sandwiched between plates,
At least the separator communicates with the inlet side of the first flow path, and the water supply communication hole extends along the stacking direction of the separator;
A protrusion that protrudes outward in the separator surface direction and toward the lower side in the horizontal direction;
Is formed,
The protrusion is provided with a hydrogen communication hole having a gas-liquid separation function that communicates with the second flow path to cause the hydrogen to flow in the stacking direction of the separator and to condense moisture in the hydrogen,
The water electrolysis apparatus is characterized in that the hydrogen communication hole is inclined downward from the one separator toward the other separator.   The water electrolysis apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pressure of the hydrogen generated in the second flow path is higher than the pressure of water supplied to the first flow path. A water electrolysis apparatus characterized by being.

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