JP6294991B1 - Bipolar electrolytic cell - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a bipolar electrolytic cell capable of reliably preventing leakage of an electrolyte from a gas-liquid separation chamber and preventing a gasket from being detached. In a laminated structure of press flanges 42 and 52 of an outer frame 40 of an electrolytic cell, a gasket 90 pressed by the press flanges 42 and 52 is surrounded and fixed by a substantially C-shaped pan in cross section, and the surface pressure of the seal surface is fixed. The stepped portions 43 and 53 into which the gasket 90 is fitted on the outer peripheral edges of the press flanges 42 and 52 of the outer frame are integrally formed by spatula drawing. [Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrolytic cell that electrolyzes an electrolytic solution to generate oxygen and hydrogen, and more particularly to a filter press type bipolar electrolytic cell.

  Conventionally, an electrolytic cell that generates renewable energy or hydrogen as clean energy by using an aqueous KOH solution or an aqueous NaOH solution as an electrolytic solution is known.

  As such an electrolytic cell, a plurality of electrolytic units composed of an anode chamber containing an anode, a cathode chamber containing a cathode, and a diaphragm partitioning the anode chamber are stacked, and an electrolytic solution and / or pure water made of an aqueous solution is used. Various bipolar electrolytic cells that generate hydrogen gas from a cathode by electrolysis have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

JP, 2006-204698, A JP 10-158875 A

  By the way, the electrolytic cell described in Patent Document 1 can form an integral electrolytic unit by surrounding an anode chamber, a cathode chamber, a diaphragm partitioning them, and a gasket with an outer frame. The assembly accuracy of the seal surface is improved.

  In addition, when the gas generated in the anode chamber is discharged out of the electrolysis unit, such an electrolytic cell also discharges the electrolyte solution in the anode chamber and the cathode chamber together with the gas, so that the gas and the electrolyte solution are separated. A liquid separation chamber is provided.

  When such a gas-liquid separation chamber is provided in the outer frame of the integrally formed electrolytic unit, for example, it is surrounded by the outer frame, a flange pan pressed against the outer frame by the gasket, a partition wall, and the gasket. Part of it becomes space.

  However, if the surface pressure of the gasket that holds the flange pan against the outer frame is not constant, the seal surface where the flange pan and the outer frame come into contact with each other will be dented, and electrolyte will leak from this seal surface. There was a case. Moreover, for example, as is often seen in a conventional electrolytic cell as described in Patent Document 2, the upper gas-liquid separator structure also serves as a gasket seal surface of the electrolytic cell, like other outer sides. There was no outer frame, the gasket surface pressure was not constant, and the sealing surface of the gas-liquid separator was recessed, which could cause liquid leakage.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a bipolar electrolytic cell capable of reliably preventing leakage of an electrolytic solution from a gas-liquid separation chamber.

(1) A bipolar electrolytic cell that electrolyzes an electrolytic solution to produce oxygen and hydrogen,
A partition wall disposed between an anode and a cathode, forming an anode chamber with the anode, and forming a cathode chamber with the cathode;
A plurality of anode ribs extending in a vertical direction, connecting the partition wall and the anode, and dividing the anode chamber into a plurality of parts;
A plurality of cathode ribs extending in the vertical direction, connecting the partition wall and the cathode, and dividing the cathode chamber into a plurality of sections;
A hollow anode disposed on the outer edges of and supporting the anode, the cathode and the partition, and a hollow anode disposed on the outer frame and extending in the direction in which the plurality of partitioned anode chambers are arranged A gas-liquid separation chamber;
A hollow-shaped cathode gas-liquid separation chamber disposed on the outer frame and extending in a direction in which the plurality of partitioned cathode chambers are arranged;
The anode chamber divided into a plurality is communicated with the anode gas-liquid separation chamber, respectively, by a communication pipe penetrating the outer frame,
In the laminated structure of the press flanges of the electrolytic cell each communicating with the cathode gas-liquid separation chamber by the communication pipe, the cathode chamber divided into a plurality of sections,
The gasket seal pressed by the press flange is surrounded and fixed by an outer frame pan having a substantially C-shaped cross section to make the surface pressure of the gasket seal surface constant, and an annular gasket is provided on the outer periphery of the press flange of the outer frame. There was formed on one body the stepped portion to be fitted.

According to the invention of (1), the electrolytic cell comprises an anode and a cathode, a partition, a plurality of anode ribs, a plurality of cathode ribs, an outer frame, an anode gas-liquid separation chamber, and a cathode gas-liquid separation chamber. And electrolyzing the electrolytic solution to generate oxygen and hydrogen.
The partition wall is disposed between the anode and the cathode, forms an anode chamber with the anode, and forms a cathode chamber with the cathode.
The plurality of anode ribs extend in the vertical direction, connect the partition wall and the anode, and divide the anode chamber into a plurality of sections.
The plurality of cathode ribs extend in the vertical direction, connect the partition wall and the cathode, and divide the cathode chamber into a plurality.
An outer frame is arrange | positioned at the outer edge of an anode, a cathode, and a partition, and supports these.
The anode gas-liquid separation chamber is disposed at the upper part of the outer frame, extends in the direction in which the plurality of partitioned anode chambers are arranged, and has a hollow shape.
The anode chamber divided into a plurality is communicated with the anode gas-liquid separation chamber, respectively, by a communication pipe penetrating the outer frame.
In the structure in which the cathode chamber divided into a plurality is laminated with press flanges of electrolytic cells communicating with the cathode gas-liquid separation chamber, respectively, by the communication pipe,
The gasket pressed by the press flange was surrounded and fixed by an outer frame frame having a substantially C-shaped cross section so that the surface pressure of the gasket seal surface was constant.

Thus, the electrolytic cell generates oxygen (gas) by electrolyzing the electrolytic solution in the anode chamber and generates hydrogen (gas) by electrolyzing the electrolytic solution in the cathode chamber.
The gas generated in the anode chamber passes through the communication pipe together with the electrolytic solution, flows into the anode gas-liquid separation chamber, and is separated into the gas and the electrolytic solution. The gas generated in the cathode chamber passes through the communication pipe together with the electrolytic solution, flows into the cathode gas-liquid separation chamber, and is separated into the gas and the electrolytic solution.
In the structure in which the cathode chamber divided into a plurality is laminated with press flanges of the electrolytic cell communicating with the cathode gas-liquid separation chamber, respectively, by the communication pipe,
The gasket seal surface pressed against the press flange was surrounded and fixed by an outer frame frame having a substantially C-shaped cross section to make the surface pressure of the gasket seal surface constant.
At this time, the gasket seal surface to be pressed against the press flange is all fixed with the outer frame frame, the surface pressure of the gasket seal surface of the electrolytic cell is made constant, and the gas-liquid separator protrudes from the upper outer frame frame to the outside. a structure, since the structure for preventing leakage of liquid from the gas-liquid separator connected by pipes, there is no risk of electrolyte leakage from the joint portion of such press flange together.
Accordingly, it performs the spatula drawing the outer peripheral edge of preventable bipolar outer frame to which the gas-liquid separation chamber would electrolyte leakage, provide an electrolytic bath stepped portion gasket is fitted is formed it can.

  (2) The electrolytic cell according to (1), wherein a step portion in which a gasket is fitted is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the outer frame.

  According to the invention of (2), detachment of the gasket due to a high pressure load can be prevented.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a bipolar electrolytic cell that can reliably prevent leakage of the electrolyte from the gas-liquid separation chamber and can prevent the gasket from being detached due to a high-pressure load.

It is the figure which looked at the electrolytic cell which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the anode side. It is AA sectional drawing of the electrolytic cell shown in FIG. It is BB sectional drawing of the electrolytic cell shown in FIG. It is the figure which looked at the electrolytic cell which concerns on another example of embodiment of this invention from the anode side.

Hereinafter, although embodiment of this invention is described, this invention is not limited to this. In the following description of the embodiments, the same constituent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted or simplified.
An embodiment of the device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. For the sake of convenience, a description will be given of parts that have been improved based on the overall configuration of the conventional apparatus shown in FIGS. In addition, the same referential mark is attached | subjected and demonstrated to the same structural requirement.

The configuration of the electrolytic cell 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a view of an electrolytic cell 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the anode side.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the electrolytic cell 1 shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a BB cross-sectional view of the electrolytic cell 1 shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of an electrolytic cell according to another example of the embodiment of the present invention.

  The electrolytic cell 1 is incorporated into a bipolar alkaline water electrolyzer for electrolyzing an electrolytic solution made of alkaline water (for example, an aqueous solution of KOH) to obtain oxygen and hydrogen. The bipolar alkaline water electrolysis apparatus includes, for example, a gasket 90 pressed against the outer frame 40 between the annular outer frame 40 (press flange), an anode terminal element having an anode power supply terminal, and a cathode power supply terminal. A plurality of electrolytic cells 1 are arranged adjacent to each other between the anode terminal element and the cathode terminal element.

  The electrolytic cell 1 includes an anode 10, a cathode 20 (see FIG. 2), a partition wall 30 (see FIG. 2), an outer frame 40, an anode gas-liquid separation chamber 50, and a cathode gas-liquid separation chamber 60. The electrolyte is electrolyzed to produce oxygen and hydrogen.

  The anode 10 is electrically connected to an anode power supply terminal (not shown), and a catalyst layer is disposed on a plate-shaped electric base material. The catalyst layer includes a fine metal particle containing nickel metal crystals. A hole is formed. The anode 10 is electrically connected to the partition wall 30 by a plurality of anode ribs 11.

  The anode rib 11 is made of a conductive metal (for example, nickel-plated mild steel, stainless steel, nickel, etc.), extends in the vertical direction, connects the partition wall 30 and the anode 10, and connects the partition wall 30 and the anode 10. A plurality of anode chambers 100 are arranged in the anode chamber 100. That is, the plurality of anode ribs 11 divide the anode chamber 100 into a plurality.

  As shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, the cathode 20 is electrically connected to a cathode power supply terminal (not shown), and nickel plating is performed on mild steel, stainless steel, nickel alloy base material, mild steel or nickel alloy. The base material may be coated with a metal selected from platinum group metal, nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, or manganese, or an alloy or oxide thereof. The cathode 20 is electrically connected to the partition wall 30 by a plurality of cathode ribs 21.

  The cathode rib 21 is formed of a conductive metal (for example, nickel-plated mild steel, stainless steel, nickel, etc.), extends in the vertical direction, connects the partition wall 30 and the cathode 20, and connects the partition wall 30 and the cathode 20. A plurality of cathode chambers 200 are arranged in the cathode chamber 200. That is, the plurality of cathode ribs 21 partition the cathode chamber 200 into a plurality. In the structure in which the outer frames 40 (press flanges) of the electrolytic cell 1 are laminated, the gasket 90 pressed against the outer frame 40 is surrounded and fixed by the substantially C-shaped pans 42 and 52 and the sealing surface of the gasket 90 is fixed. The surface pressure was kept constant.

  The partition wall 30 is a conductive metal steel plate, is disposed between the anode 10 and the cathode 20, forms the anode chamber 100 with the anode 10, and forms the cathode chamber 200 with the cathode 20.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the outer frame 40 is disposed on the outer edges of the anode 10, the cathode 20, and the partition wall 30 and supports them. Specifically, the outer frame 40 has an annular shape and includes a frame 41 that supports the outer peripheral edge of the partition wall 30 and the like.

The anode gas-liquid separation chamber 50 is disposed on top of the outer frame 40, an anode compartment 100 partitioned plurality extends in a direction that is arranged, it is formed in one member of a hollow shape. Specifically, the anode gas-liquid separation chamber 50 is formed in a hollow quadrangular shape, one end side (left end side in the figure) is closed, and the anode gas-liquid separation chamber 50 is placed on the other end side (right end side in FIG. 1). An anode outlet nozzle 51 is provided as an outlet for the gas (for example, oxygen) flowing in and the electrolyte.

  A communication pipe 70 that penetrates the outer frame 40 is provided on the upper part of the anode chamber 100 divided into a plurality of sections. That is, the anode chamber 100 divided into a plurality is communicated with the anode gas-liquid separation chamber 50.

Cathode gas-liquid separation chamber 60 is disposed on top of the outer frame 40, cathode chamber 200 which are partitioned into a plurality extends in a direction that is arranged, it is formed in one member of a hollow shape. Specifically, the cathode gas-liquid separation chamber 60 is formed in a hollow square shape, the other end side (right end side in FIG. 1) is closed, and the other end side (left end side in FIG. 1) is cathodic gas-liquid separation. the gas flowing into the chamber 60 (e.g., hydrogen) negative pole outlet nozzle 61 is provided with a outlet of the electrolytic solution.

A communication pipe 70 that penetrates the outer frame 40 is provided at the upper part of the cathode chamber 200 partitioned into a plurality of sections. That is, the plurality of cathode chambers 200 communicate with the cathode gas-liquid separation chamber 60, respectively.

  As described above, the cathode outlet nozzle 61 is arranged in the direction opposite to the anode outlet nozzle 51. Further, the anode outlet nozzle 51 and the cathode outlet nozzle 61 are arranged downward from the horizontal.

  The anode gas-liquid separation chamber 50 and the cathode gas-liquid separation chamber 60 are not limited to a circular shape, but may be a rectangular shape, a cylindrical shape, a triangular shape, or other polygonal shapes as long as they are hollow. Moreover, the shape of the external view of the electrolytic cell 1 in front view is not limited to a circle, and may be a square shape, a triangular shape, or other polygonal shapes.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the electrolytic cell 1 according to another example of the embodiment of the present invention.
Here, the press flange 42 and 52 of the outer peripheral edge of the outer frame 40, stepped portions 43 and 53 an annular gasket 90 is fitted is formed by deep drawing a spatula. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the gasket 90 from popping out due to a high pressure load.

  An anode inlet nozzle 55 that communicates with the inside of the anode chamber 100 from the outside of the outer frame 40 is provided. An electrolyte is injected into the anode chamber 100 from the anode inlet nozzle 55.

  Further, a cathode inlet nozzle 65 communicating from the outside of the outer frame 40 to the inside of the cathode chamber 200 is provided. An electrolyte is injected into the cathode chamber 200 from the cathode inlet nozzle 65.

In addition , brackets 80 are attached to the outside of the outer frame 40, respectively.

  In such an electrolytic cell 1, an electrolytic solution is injected into the anode chamber 100 and the cathode chamber 200 from the anode inlet nozzle 55 and the cathode inlet nozzle 65, and electrolysis is performed by the anode 10 and the cathode 20 in a state where the electrolyte is energized. Then, oxygen is generated in the anode chamber 100 and hydrogen is generated in the cathode chamber 200.

  Then, the oxygen generated in the anode chamber 100 passes through the communication pipe 70 together with the electrolytic solution, flows into the cathode gas-liquid separation chamber 50 and is separated, and is discharged from the anode outlet nozzle 51 to the outside of the electrolytic cell 1. Is recovered and the electrolyte is circulated. Further, the hydrogen generated in the cathode chamber 200 flows into the cathode gas-liquid separation chamber 60 together with the electrolytic solution through the communication pipe 70 and is separated, and is discharged out of the electrolytic cell 1 from the cathode outlet nozzle 61 to be oxygenated. Is recovered and the electrolyte is circulated.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications, improvements, etc. within a scope that can achieve the object of the present invention are included in the present invention.

1 Electrolytic Cell 10 Anode 11 Anode Rib 20 Cathode 21 Cathode Rib 30 Partition 40 Outer Frame 42 Cathode Press Flange (C-shaped Pan)
43 Cathode gasket stepped portion 50 Anode gas-liquid separation chamber 51 Anode outlet nozzle 52 Anode press flange (C-shaped pan)
53 Anode gasket stepped portion 55 Anode inlet nozzle 60 Cathode gas-liquid separation chamber 61 Cathode outlet nozzle 65 Cathode inlet nozzle 70 Communication pipe 80 Bracket 90 Gasket 100 Anode chamber 200 Cathode chamber

Claims (1)

A bipolar electrolytic cell that electrolyzes an electrolytic solution to produce oxygen and hydrogen,
A partition wall disposed between an anode and a cathode, forming an anode chamber with the anode, and forming a cathode chamber with the cathode;
A plurality of anode ribs extending in a vertical direction, connecting the partition wall and the anode, and dividing the anode chamber into a plurality of parts;
A plurality of cathode ribs extending in the vertical direction, connecting the partition wall and the cathode, and dividing the cathode chamber into a plurality of sections;
A hollow anode disposed on the outer edges of and supporting the anode, the cathode and the partition, and a hollow anode disposed on the outer frame and extending in the direction in which the plurality of partitioned anode chambers are arranged A gas-liquid separation chamber;
A hollow-shaped cathode gas-liquid separation chamber disposed on the outer frame and extending in a direction in which the plurality of partitioned cathode chambers are arranged;
The anode chamber divided into a plurality is communicated with the anode gas-liquid separation chamber, respectively, by a communication pipe penetrating the outer frame,
In the laminated structure of the press flanges of the electrolytic cell each communicating with the cathode gas-liquid separation chamber by the communication pipe, the cathode chamber divided into a plurality of sections,
The gasket seal pressed by the press flange is surrounded and fixed by an outer frame pan having a substantially C-shaped cross section to make the surface pressure of the gasket seal surface constant, and an annular gasket is provided on the outer periphery of the press flange of the outer frame. bipolar type electrolytic cell but which is formed in one body the stepped portion to be fitted.