JP6795439B2 - Compressed hydrogen production system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a compressed hydrogen production system.

An electrochemical hydrogen compressor (EHC) is known as an apparatus for producing compressed hydrogen. The EHC has an electrolyte membrane and an electrode with a catalyst, and by passing an electric current, hydrogen supplied to the anode is ionized and moved to the cathode, and hydrogen can be output at the cathode. If hydrogen and an electric current are continuously passed through the anode, the transfer of hydrogen from the anode to the cathode continues, and high-pressure hydrogen can be obtained by controlling the outlet back pressure of the cathode (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5-242850

As such an EHC electrolyte membrane, it is known to use a solid polymer membrane (PEM: Polymer Electrolyte Membrane) or the like. In EHC using PEM, ingenuity is required in order to effectively exert the performance of PEM and to efficiently produce compressed hydrogen.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above facts, and an object of the present invention is to provide a compressed hydrogen production system capable of efficiently producing compressed hydrogen in EHC using an electrolyte membrane such as PEM. ..

The compressed hydrogen production system according to claim 1 includes an electrochemical hydrogen compressor in which an anode is formed on one side and a cathode is formed on the other side of a solid polymer film, and a hydrogen introduction path for introducing hydrogen into the anode. , A humidifying section in which dry hydrogen is introduced and the dry hydrogen is humidified and supplied to the hydrogen introduction path.

The compressed hydrogen production system according to claim 1 includes an electrochemical hydrogen compressor. In an electrochemical hydrogen compressor, an anode is formed on one side and a cathode is formed on the other side of a solid polymer membrane. Since the performance of the polymer electrolyte membrane is affected by the relative humidity, the amount of hydrogen transferred decreases when the relative humidity is low. Therefore, in the present invention, dry hydrogen is humidified in the humidifying section and supplied to the hydrogen introduction path. The dry hydrogen here means a hydrogen-containing gas having a dew point of room temperature or less. The hydrogen-containing gas may be pure hydrogen having a hydrogen concentration of 99% by mass or more in a dry state excluding water vapor, or crudely purified hydrogen having a hydrogen concentration of about 10% to 99%. The humidified hydrogen is introduced into the anode via the hydrogen introduction path. Therefore, the solid polymer membrane can be used in a high humidity state, and compressed hydrogen can be efficiently produced.

The compressed hydrogen production system according to claim 1 further includes an anode-off gas passage for supplying water in the anode-off gas discharged from the anode to the hydrogen introduction passage.

In the compressed hydrogen production system according to claim 1 , the water in the anode off-gas discharged from the anode is supplied to the hydrogen introduction path by the anode-off gas path. Therefore, water can be circulated in the compressed hydrogen production system, the amount of water supplied into the system can be reduced, or water can be self-sustaining without the need for external water supply.

The water supply from the anode off-gas passage to the hydrogen introduction passage may be directly or indirectly via another treatment portion.

The compressed hydrogen production system according to claim 2 further includes a cathode discharge water circulation path that supplies water in the cathode discharge gas discharged from the cathode to the hydrogen introduction path through which hydrogen flows .

According to the compressed hydrogen production system according to claim 2 , the water in the cathode exhaust gas discharged from the cathode is supplied to the hydrogen introduction path by the cathode discharge water circulation path. Therefore, water can be circulated in the compressed hydrogen production system, the amount of water supplied into the system can be reduced, or water can be self-sustaining without the need for external water supply. The cathode discharge water circulation path may directly supply water to the hydrogen introduction path, or may supply water to the hydrogen introduction path via another portion.

The water supply from the cathode discharge water circulation path to the hydrogen introduction path may be directly or indirectly via another treated portion.

In the compressed hydrogen production system according to claim 3 , the humidifying section is a liquid storage section in which liquid phase water is stored, and a gas storage section in which vaporized gas phase water and hydrogen are stored in communication with the liquid storage section. The gas storage unit is divided into a circulating gas chamber that communicates with the hydrogen introduction path and an exhaust gas chamber that is isolated from the circulating gas chamber.

In the compressed hydrogen production system according to claim 3 , since the gas storage section is divided into a circulating gas chamber communicating with the hydrogen introduction passage and an exhaust gas chamber isolated from the circulating gas chamber, the gas storage portion is introduced into the hydrogen introduction passage. It is possible to separate the gas to be used and other gases.

In the compressed hydrogen production system according to claim 4 , the cathode discharge water circulation path for supplying the water in the cathode discharge gas discharged from the cathode to the hydrogen introduction path is communicated with the circulating gas chamber and discharged from the anode. The anode off-gas passage that supplies the water in the anode off-gas to the hydrogen introduction passage is communicated with the exhaust gas chamber.

In the compressed hydrogen production system according to claim 4 , the cathode discharge water circulation path is communicated with the circulating gas chamber communicating with the hydrogen introduction path. Therefore, hydrogen dissolved in water in the cathode exhaust gas can be released into the circulating gas chamber and supplied to the hydrogen introduction path. On the other hand, the anode off-gas passage is communicated with the exhaust gas chamber isolated from the circulating gas chamber. Therefore, the gas in the anode off-gas sent to the exhaust gas chamber via the anode off-gas passage is hydrogen-conducted.

In the compressed hydrogen production system according to claim 7 , the humidifying section is provided in the middle portion of the hydrogen introduction path, and a liquid storage section in which water in the liquid phase is stored and a gas phase in which the liquid storage section is communicated with and evaporated. It has a gas storage section for storing water and hydrogen, the liquid storage section is communicated with the inflow side of the hydrogen introduction path, and the gas storage section is communicated with the outflow side of the hydrogen introduction path.

According to the compressed hydrogen production system according to claim 7 , since hydrogen flows into the liquid storage section, evaporation of the liquid phase water stored in the liquid storage section can be promoted. Further, both hydrogen and water vapor can be sent to the downstream side of the hydrogen introduction path while evaporating the water in the liquid storage section.

In the compressed hydrogen production system according to claim 5 , the humidifying part is a water vapor supply part having a permeation part on one side and a non-permeation part on the other side with a water vapor permeable film that allows water vapor to permeate, and the water vapor supply part. It has a water tank that sends out liquid phase water to the non-permeation side, and water vapor is supplied to the hydrogen introduction path at the permeation portion.

According to the compressed hydrogen production system according to claim 5 , water vapor can be supplied to the hydrogen introduction path by supplying liquid phase water to the water vapor supply unit having the water vapor permeation film.

The compressed hydrogen production system according to claim 6 includes a water return path for returning the water discharged from the impermeable portion to the water tank.

According to the compressed hydrogen production system according to claim 6 , the water discharged from the non-permeable part of the steam supply part can be effectively used by returning it to the water tank.

According to the compressed hydrogen production system according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a compressed hydrogen production system capable of efficiently producing compressed hydrogen in EHC using PEM.

It is a block diagram which shows typically the structure of the compressed hydrogen production system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows typically the structure of the compressed hydrogen production system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows typically the structure of the compressed hydrogen production system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows typically the structure of the compressed hydrogen production system which concerns on 4th Embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows the compressed hydrogen production system 10A according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The compressed hydrogen production system 10A includes a water storage bubbler 12, a hydrogen compressor 14, and a water separation unit 16.

The hydrogen compressor 14 is a device in which an anode 14A and a cathode 14C, which are gas diffusion electrodes arranged with a catalyst, are provided on both sides of an ionic conductor 14B, respectively, and can electrochemically purify and compress hydrogen. It is an electrochemical hydrogen compressor (EHC). The ionic conductor 14B is formed of a solid electrolyte membrane (PEM: Polymer Electrolyte Membrane) having ionic conductivity. When a predetermined voltage is applied to the anode 14A and the cathode 14C, hydrogen in the supply gas is ionized on one gas diffusion electrode (anode 14A), and the ion moves on the ion conductor 14B and the other. By returning to the gas on the gas diffusion electrode (cathode 14C) of the above, purified and compressed compressed hydrogen can be obtained on the other gas diffusion electrode side. The voltage applied to the anode 14A and the cathode 14C in the hydrogen compressor 14 can be supplied from the outside. One end of the anode off-gas passage 22 for discharging the anode off-gas containing water that was not used in the hydrogen compressor 14 is connected to the outlet of the anode 14A.

The water storage bubbler 12 has a liquid storage unit 12A capable of storing liquid phase water and a gas storage unit 12B communicating with the liquid storage unit 12A. The liquid storage unit 12A is arranged below the water storage bubbler 12, and the gas storage unit 12B communicated with the liquid storage unit 12A is arranged above the water storage bubbler 12. The liquid storage unit 12A is heated by a heater (not shown), and the saturated vapor of water stored in the liquid storage unit 12A moves to the gas storage unit 12B in response to the heated temperature.

One end of a hydrogen pipe 18 as a hydrogen introduction path on the upstream side is connected to the liquid storage portion 12A of the water storage bubbler 12. A pump P1 is provided in the hydrogen pipe 18. The other end of the hydrogen pipe 18 is connected to a hydrogen tank or the like (not shown), and high-purity vapor-phase hydrogen flows into the water storage bubbler 12. The hydrogen supplied to the water storage bubbler 12 is not assumed to be hydrogen containing water vapor immediately after steam reforming, and is a hydrogen-containing gas (dry hydrogen) having a dew point of room temperature or lower, in a dry state excluding water vapor. High-purity hydrogen having a hydrogen concentration of 99% by mass or more is used.

One end of the hydrogen introduction path 20 is connected to the gas storage portion 12B of the water storage bubbler 12, and the other end of the hydrogen introduction path 20 is connected to the inlet of the anode 14A of the hydrogen compressor 14. Water vapor and hydrogen flow out from the gas storage unit 12B and are sent to the anode 14A. The other end of the anode off-gas passage 22 to which one end is connected to the outlet side of the anode 14A is connected to the hydrogen introduction passage 20. Anode off gas is discharged from the anode 14A to the anode off gas passage 22. A pump P2 is provided in the anode off-gas passage 22. A check valve V2 is provided on the downstream side of the anode off-gas passage 22 with respect to the pump P2. The check valve V2 prevents the backflow of the anode off-gas.

One end of the cathode exhaust gas passage 26 is connected to the outlet of the cathode 14C. The other end of the cathode discharge path 26 is connected to the inlet of the water separation portion 16. The water separation unit 16 recovers water from the high-pressure cathode exhaust gas discharged from the cathode 14C, and sends out high-pressure hydrogen from the compressed hydrogen output path 24. Further, one end of the cathode discharge water circulation path 28 is connected to the water outlet of the water separation unit 16, and the other end of the cathode discharge water circulation path 28 is connected to the water storage bubbler 12. The water separated by the water separation unit 16 is sent to the water storage bubbler 12 via the cathode discharge water circulation path 28. A pressure reducing valve V1 is provided in the cathode discharge water circulation path 28. The pressure reducing valve V1 decompresses the water delivered from the water separation unit 16 and sends it to the water storage bubbler 12.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

By driving the pump P1, hydrogen is introduced from the hydrogen pipe 18 into the liquid storage portion 12A of the water storage bubbler 12. In the water storage bubbler 12, the liquid storage unit 12A is heated, the saturated vapor of the stored liquid phase water is vaporized, and the hydrogen is transferred to the gas storage unit 12B together with the hydrogen introduced from the transfer 18. Then, hydrogen and water vapor are introduced into the anode 14A of the hydrogen compressor 14 via the hydrogen introduction path 20. That is, hydrogen is humidified by the water storage bubbler 12 and introduced into the anode 14A of the hydrogen compressor 14.

At the anode 14A, hydrogen is ionized by applying a predetermined power, and the ionized hydrogen moves the ion conductor 14B to the cathode 14C side and returns to hydrogen at the cathode 14C. The back pressure of the cathode 14C is controlled by a back pressure control unit (not shown), and compressed hydrogen containing water (exhaust gas from the cathode) is discharged from the cathode 14C through the water separation unit 16 via the cathode discharge path 26. Is sent to.

In the water separation unit 16, water is separated from the cathode exhaust gas, and compressed hydrogen is sent out from the compressed hydrogen output path 24. On the other hand, the separated water is sent out from the cathode discharge water circulation path 28. The discharged water is decompressed by the pressure reducing valve V1, and the liquid phase water is supplied to the water storage bubbler 12. In the water storage bubbler 12, water is stored in the liquid storage unit 12A, and hydrogen dissolved in the water is released to the gas storage unit 12B.

Anode off gas is delivered from the anode 14A. The anode off gas contains steam and hydrogen that did not move to the cathode 14C. The anode off gas is supplied to the anode 14A again via the anode off gas passage 22 and the hydrogen introduction passage 20.

In the compressed hydrogen production system 10A of the present embodiment, hydrogen is humidified by the water storage bubbler 12 and introduced into the anode 14A of the hydrogen compressor 14, so that the ion conductor 14B can be used in a high humidity state and is efficient. Compressed hydrogen can be produced well.

Further, since the anode off gas containing water vapor is supplied to the anode 14A via the anode off gas passage 22 and the hydrogen introduction passage 20, water can be circulated in the compressed hydrogen production system 10A, and water can be effectively used. be able to. Hydrogen contained in the anode off-gas can also be supplied to the anode 14A via the anode off-gas passage 22.

Further, since the water separated from the cathode exhaust gas is sent to the water storage bubbler 12 and supplied to the anode 14A again, the water can be circulated in the compressed hydrogen production system 10A, and the water can be effectively used. it can.

Further, since the hydrogen dissolved in the water separated from the cathode exhaust gas is recovered by the water storage bubbler 12 and sent to the hydrogen compressor 14, hydrogen can be efficiently used and recovered.

Further, since hydrogen is sent from the hydrogen pipe 18 to the liquid storage unit 12A, the evaporation of the liquid phase water stored in the liquid storage unit 12A can be promoted. Further, hydrogen can be sent to the hydrogen introduction path 20 together with water vapor while evaporating the water in the liquid storage unit 12A.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Regarding the second embodiment, the same parts as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The compressed hydrogen production system 10B of the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that crude hydrogen having a hydrogen concentration of about 10% to 99% by mass is introduced into the anode 14A instead of mainly pure hydrogen. .. The dew point of the gas is a hydrogen-containing gas (dry hydrogen) having a room temperature or lower, which is the same as that of the first embodiment. The other end of the hydrogen pipe 18 is connected to a hydrogen tank or the like for supplying crude hydrogen (not shown), and the crude hydrogen in the gas phase flows into the water storage bubbler 12 through the hydrogen pipe 18.

A partition plate 12W is provided on the water storage bubbler 12. The partition plate 12W extends downward from the upper portion of the gas storage portion 12B, and extends below the intermediate portion in the vertical direction of the liquid storage portion 12A. Inside the water storage bubbler 12, the gas storage unit 12B is partitioned into the exhaust gas chamber 12B1 and the circulating gas chamber 12B2, and the liquid storage unit 12A is partitioned into the exhaust side 12A1 and the circulation side 12A2. The exhaust gas chamber 12B1 and the circulating gas chamber 12B2 of the gas storage unit 12B are isolated from each other, and the exhaust side 12A1 and the circulation side 12A2 of the liquid storage unit 12A are communicated with each other.

One end of the hydrogen introduction path 20 is connected to the circulating gas chamber 12B2 of the water storage bubbler 12, and the other end of the hydrogen introduction path 20 is connected to the inlet of the anode 14A of the hydrogen compressor 14. Water vapor and hydrogen flow out from the circulating gas chamber 12B2 and are sent to the anode 14A. The other end of the anode off-gas passage 22 to which one end is connected to the outlet side of the anode 14A is connected to the exhaust gas chamber 12B1. An exhaust pipe 19 for discharging gas to the outside is connected to the exhaust gas chamber 12B1. Anode off gas is discharged from the anode 14A to the anode off gas passage 22. A cooler 17 is provided in the anode off-gas passage 22. The anode off gas is cooled by the cooler 17, water vapor is condensed, and the gas flows into the exhaust gas chamber 12B1.

The other end of the cathode discharge water circulation path 28 is connected to the circulation gas chamber 13B2 of the water storage bubbler 12.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
By driving the pump P1, crude purified hydrogen is introduced from the hydrogen pipe 18 into the liquid storage portion 12A of the water storage bubbler 12. In the water storage bubbler 12, the liquid storage unit 12A is heated, the water in the stored liquid phase is vaporized, and water vapor moves to the gas storage unit 12B together with the introduced crude hydrogen. Then, hydrogen and water vapor are introduced into the anode 14A of the hydrogen compressor 14 via the hydrogen introduction path 20. That is, hydrogen is humidified by the water storage bubbler 12 and introduced into the anode 14A of the hydrogen compressor 14.

In the hydrogen compressor 14, the reaction proceeds in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and compressed hydrogen (cathode exhaust gas) containing water vapor and liquid phase water is discharged from the cathode 14C through the cathode discharge path 26 to the water separation unit 16. Is sent to.

In the water separation unit 16, water is separated from the cathode exhaust gas, and purified compressed hydrogen is sent out from the compressed hydrogen output path 24. On the other hand, the separated water is sent out from the cathode discharge water circulation path 28. The discharged water is decompressed by the pressure reducing valve V1 and supplied to the circulating gas chamber 12B2 of the water storage bubbler 12 in the liquid phase. In the circulating gas chamber 12B2, the liquid phase water is stored in the liquid storage unit 12A, and the hydrogen dissolved in the water is released to the gas storage unit 12B.

The anode off gas discharged from the anode 14A is sent to the cooler 17. The anode off-gas contains water vapor and other gases (carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, etc.) that have not moved to the cathode 14C. In the anode off gas cooled by the cooler 17, the water vapor in the anode off gas is condensed and sent to the exhaust gas chamber 12B1. The condensed water is stored in the liquid storage unit 12A, and the other gases are discharged from the exhaust gas chamber 12B1 through the exhaust pipe 19 to the outside.

In the compressed hydrogen production system 10B of the present embodiment, hydrogen is humidified by the water storage bubbler 12 and introduced into the anode 14A of the hydrogen compressor 14, so that the ionic conductor 14B can be used in a high humidity state, and the efficiency is high. Compressed hydrogen can be produced well.

Further, the water vapor in the anode off-gas is condensed through the anode off-gas passage 22 and recovered in the water storage bubbler 12, vaporized again, and supplied to the anode 14A via the hydrogen introduction passage 20. Therefore, in the compressed hydrogen production system 10B. Water can be circulated and the water can be used effectively.

Further, the water separated from the cathode exhaust gas is also supplied to the anode 14A again from the cathode exhaust water circulation path 28 via the water storage bubbler 12, so that the water can be circulated in the compressed hydrogen production system 10B, and the water can be circulated. It can be used effectively.

Further, since the crude hydrogen is sent from the hydrogen pipe 18 to the circulation side 12A2 of the liquid storage unit 12A, the evaporation of the liquid phase water stored in the liquid storage unit 12A can be promoted. Further, both hydrogen and water vapor can be sent to the hydrogen introduction path 20 while evaporating the water in the liquid storage unit 12A.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Regarding the third embodiment, the same parts as those of the first and second embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The compressed hydrogen production system 10C of the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that it mainly has a steam supply unit 30 and has a water storage tank 13 instead of the water storage bubbler 12. ing.

The water vapor supply unit 30 has a water supply unit 30C and a water vapor permeation unit 30A separated from each other by a water separation membrane 30B. The water separation membrane 30B has a function of allowing a part of water (liquid phase) flowing through the water supply unit 30C to permeate as water vapor. That is, the water separation membrane 30B is a membrane capable of membrane distillation, and due to the difference in pressure division between the water supply unit 30C and the water vapor permeation unit 30A, a part of the water in the water supply unit 30C is water vapor permeated as water vapor. It is transmitted to the portion 30A side. The water separation membrane 30B can be formed of, for example, a porous membrane having a plurality of fine pores that allow water vapor to permeate.

The water storage tank 13 has a liquid storage unit 13A capable of storing liquid phase water and a gas storage unit 13B communicating with the liquid storage unit 13A. The liquid storage unit 13A is arranged below the water storage tank 13, and the gas storage unit 13B communicated with the liquid storage unit 13A is arranged above the water storage tank 13.

One end of a hydrogen pipe 18 as a hydrogen introduction path is connected to the inlet of the water vapor permeation unit 30A of the water vapor supply unit 30. A pump P1 is provided in the hydrogen pipe 18. The other end of the hydrogen pipe 18 is connected to a hydrogen tank or the like (not shown). Through the hydrogen pipe 18, dry hydrogen (gas phase) having the same high purity and low water vapor content as in the first embodiment flows into the water vapor permeation section 30A.

One end of the water supply pipe 32 is connected to the inlet of the water supply unit 30C of the water vapor supply unit 30, and the other end of the water supply pipe 32 is connected to the liquid storage unit 13A of the water storage tank 13. A pump P2 is provided in the water supply pipe 32, and water is supplied from the liquid storage unit 13A to the water supply unit 30C of the steam supply unit 30 through the water supply pipe 32 by the pump P2. One end of the water circulation pipe 34 is connected to the outlet of the water supply unit 30C, and the other end of the water circulation pipe 34 is connected to the water storage tank 13. Water is returned to the water storage tank 13 from the water supply unit 30C through the water circulation pipe 34.

One end of the steam supply pipe 36 is connected to the gas storage portion 13B of the water storage tank 13, and the other end of the steam supply pipe 36 is connected to the hydrogen pipe 18. From the gas storage unit 13B, steam and hydrogen dissolved in water are released to the gas storage unit 13B, and together with the hydrogen sent out by the pump P1 through the hydrogen pipe 18, the water vapor of the water vapor supply unit 30 It is supplied to the transmission unit 30A. One end of the humidified hydrogen introduction path 38 is connected to the outlet of the steam permeation portion 30A, and the other end of the humidified hydrogen introduction path 38 is connected to the inlet of the anode 14A of the hydrogen compressor 14. Water vapor and hydrogen, that is, humidified hydrogen are supplied from the water vapor permeation unit 30A to the inlet of the anode 14A.

One end of the anode off-gas passage 22 is connected to the outlet of the anode 14A, and the other end of the anode off-gas passage 22 is connected to the upstream side of the pump P1 of the hydrogen pipe 18.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
By driving the pump P1, hydrogen is introduced from the hydrogen pipe 18 into the steam permeation section 30A of the steam supply section 30. Liquid phase water is supplied from the liquid storage unit 13A of the water storage tank 13 to the water supply unit 30C of the water vapor supply unit 30. In the water vapor supply unit 30, a part of the water supplied to the water supply unit 30C permeates the water separation membrane 30B as water vapor and moves to the water vapor transmission unit 30A side. Water vapor and hydrogen are supplied from the water vapor permeation unit 30A to the inlet of the anode 14A via the humidifying hydrogen introduction path 38.

In the hydrogen compressor 14, the reaction proceeds in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and compressed hydrogen (cathode exhaust gas) containing water vapor and liquid phase water is discharged from the cathode 14C through the cathode exhaust gas passage 26 to the water separation unit. It is sent to 16.

In the water separation unit 16, water is separated from the cathode exhaust gas, and compressed hydrogen is sent out from the compressed hydrogen output path 24. On the other hand, the separated water is sent out from the cathode discharge water circulation path 28. The delivered water is decompressed by the pressure reducing valve V1 and supplied to the water storage tank 13. In the water storage tank 13, water is stored in the liquid storage unit 13A, and hydrogen dissolved in the water is released to the gas storage unit 13B.

The anode off-gas discharged from the anode 14A merges with pure hydrogen on the upstream side of the pump P1 of the hydrogen pipe 18, and is sent to the steam permeation section 30A. The anode off-gas contains water vapor and other gases (hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, etc.) that did not move to the cathode 14C.

In the compressed hydrogen production system 10C of the present embodiment, hydrogen is humidified by the steam supply unit 30 and introduced into the anode 14A of the hydrogen compressor 14, so that the ionic conductor 14B can be used in a high humidity state. Compressed hydrogen can be produced efficiently.

Further, since the water vapor in the anode off gas is supplied to the hydrogen pipe 18 via the anode off gas passage 22, water can be circulated in the compressed hydrogen production system 10C, and water can be effectively used.

Further, the water separated from the cathode exhaust gas is also supplied to the anode 14A again from the cathode exhaust water circulation path 28 via the water storage tank 13, so that the water can be circulated in the compressed hydrogen production system 10C, and the water can be circulated. It can be used effectively.

In the present embodiment, the other end of the anode off-gas passage 22 is merged on the upstream side of the pump P1 of the hydrogen pipe 18, but it may be merged on the downstream side of the pump P1. By merging the hydrogen pipe 18 on the upstream side of the pump P1 as in the present embodiment, it is not necessary to separately provide a circulation blower, a check valve, or the like, and a simple configuration can be obtained.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Regarding the fourth embodiment, the same parts as those in the first to third embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The compressed hydrogen production system 10D of the present embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that crude hydrogen similar to that of the second embodiment is introduced into the anode 14A instead of mainly pure hydrogen.

The other end of the hydrogen pipe 18 is connected to a hydrogen tank or the like for supplying crudely purified hydrogen (not shown), and the crudely purified hydrogen is supplied to the inlet of the steam permeation portion 30A of the steam supply unit 30 via the hydrogen pipe 18. To.

The water storage tank 13 is provided with a partition plate 13W. The partition plate 13W extends downward from the upper part of the gas storage part 13B, and extends below the liquid level of the liquid storage part 13A. Inside the water storage tank 13, the gas storage unit 13B is partitioned into the exhaust gas chamber 13B1 and the circulating gas chamber 13B2, and the liquid storage unit 13A is partitioned into the exhaust side 13A1 and the circulation side 13A2. The exhaust gas chamber 13B1 and the circulating gas chamber 13B2 of the gas storage unit 13B are isolated from each other, and the exhaust side 13A1 and the circulation side 13A2 of the liquid storage unit 13A are communicated with each other.

One end of the steam supply pipe 36 is connected to the circulating gas chamber 12B2 of the water storage tank 13, and the other end of the steam supply pipe 36 is connected to the hydrogen pipe 18. Water vapor is sent out from the circulating gas chamber 12B2 and is supplied together with hydrogen to the water vapor permeation unit 30A of the water vapor supply unit 30 in the hydrogen pipe 18.

One end of the water supply pipe 32 is connected to the inlet of the water supply unit 30C of the water vapor supply unit 30, and the other end of the water supply pipe 32 is connected to the circulation side 13A2 of the liquid storage unit 13A of the water storage tank 13. ing. A pump P2 is provided in the water supply pipe 32, and water is supplied from the circulation side 13A2 of the liquid storage unit 13A to the water supply unit 30C of the steam supply unit 30 through the water supply pipe 32 by the pump P2. To.

The other end of the anode off-gas passage 22 to which one end is connected to the outlet side of the anode 14A is connected to the exhaust gas chamber 13B1. An exhaust pipe 19 for discharging gas to the outside is connected to the exhaust gas chamber 13B1. The anode off gas is cooled by the cooler 17, water vapor is condensed, and the gas flows into the exhaust gas chamber 13B1.

The other end of the cathode discharge water circulation path 28 is connected to the circulating gas chamber 12B2 of the water storage tank 13.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
Crude purified hydrogen is introduced from the hydrogen pipe 18 into the steam permeation section 30A of the steam supply section 30. Liquid phase water is supplied from the circulation side 13A2 of the liquid storage unit 13A of the water storage tank 13 to the water supply unit 30C of the water vapor supply unit 30. In the water vapor supply unit 30, a part of the water supplied to the water supply unit 30C permeates the water separation membrane 30B as water vapor and moves to the water vapor transmission unit 30A side, as in the third embodiment. Water vapor and hydrogen are supplied from the water vapor permeation unit 30A to the inlet of the anode 14A via the humidifying hydrogen introduction path 38.

In the hydrogen compressor 14, the reaction proceeds in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and compressed hydrogen (cathode exhaust gas) containing water is sent from the cathode 14C to the water separation unit 16 via the cathode exhaust gas passage 26. ..

In the water separation unit 16, water is separated from the cathode exhaust gas, and purified compressed hydrogen is sent out from the compressed hydrogen output path 24. On the other hand, the separated water is sent out from the cathode discharge water circulation path 28. The delivered water is decompressed by the pressure reducing valve V1 and supplied to the circulating gas chamber 13B2 of the water storage tank 13. In the circulating gas chamber 13B2, water is stored in the liquid storage unit 13A, and hydrogen dissolved in the water is released to the circulating gas chamber 13B2.

The anode off gas discharged from the anode 14A is sent to the exhaust gas chamber 13B1 via the cooler 17 as in the second embodiment. The condensed water is stored in the liquid storage unit 13A, and the other gases are discharged from the exhaust pipe 19 to the outside.

In the compressed hydrogen production system 10D of the present embodiment, hydrogen is humidified by the steam supply unit 30 and introduced into the anode 14A of the hydrogen compressor 14, so that the ionic conductor 14B can be used in a high humidity state. Compressed hydrogen can be produced efficiently.

Further, the water vapor in the anode off-gas is condensed through a cooler 17 provided in the middle of the anode off-gas passage 22 and collected in the water storage tank 13, vaporized again and sent out from the circulating gas chamber 13B2, so that compressed hydrogen. Water can be circulated in the manufacturing system 10D, and water can be effectively used.

Further, the water separated from the cathode off gas is also sent from the cathode discharge water circulation path 28 to the circulating gas chamber 13B2 of the water storage tank 13 and supplied to the anode 14A again, so that the water is circulated in the compressed hydrogen production system 10D. And can make effective use of water.

Although the water storage tank 13 is not provided with a water introduction pipe for introducing water from the outside in the first to fourth embodiments described above, for example, ion-exchanged water is stored in the water storage tank 13 so as to cope with a water shortage. You may provide a route to introduce to.

10A, 10B, 10C, 10D Compressed hydrogen production system 12 Water storage bubbler (humidifying part), 13 Water storage tank (humidifying part)
12A, 13A Liquid storage 12B1, 13B1 Exhaust gas chamber, 12B, 13B Gas storage 12B2, 13B2 Circulating gas chamber, 14 Hydrogen compressor 14A anode, 14B Ion conductor (electrolyte membrane), 14C cathode 18 Hydrogen piping (hydrogen introduction) Road), 20 Hydrogen introduction path, 22 Anode off gas path 28 Cathode discharge water circulation path, 30 Water vapor supply part 30A Water vapor permeation part (permeation part), 30B Water separation film (water vapor permeation film)
30C Water supply part (non-permeable part), 34 Water circulation pipe (water return pipe), 36 Steam supply pipe 38 Humidified hydrogen introduction path (hydrogen introduction path)

Claims (7)

An electrochemical hydrogen compressor with an anode on one side and a cathode on the other side of the electrolyte membrane.
A hydrogen introduction path for introducing hydrogen into the anode and
A humidifying section where dry hydrogen is introduced, the dry hydrogen is humidified and supplied to the hydrogen introduction path,
An anode off-gas passage that supplies water in the anode off-gas discharged from the anode to the hydrogen introduction passage,
Compressed hydrogen production system equipped with. An electrochemical hydrogen compressor with an anode on one side and a cathode on the other side of the electrolyte membrane.
A hydrogen introduction path through which hydrogen is introduced into the anode,
A humidifying section where dry hydrogen is introduced, the dry hydrogen is humidified and supplied to the hydrogen introduction path,
A cathode discharge water circulation path that supplies water in the cathode exhaust gas discharged from the cathode to the hydrogen introduction path, and
Compressed hydrogen production system equipped with. An electrochemical hydrogen compressor with an anode on one side and a cathode on the other side of the electrolyte membrane.
A hydrogen introduction path for introducing hydrogen into the anode and
A humidifying section where dry hydrogen is introduced, the dry hydrogen is humidified and supplied to the hydrogen introduction path,
A cathode discharge water circulation path that supplies water in the cathode exhaust gas discharged from the cathode to the hydrogen introduction path, and
With
The humidifying unit has a liquid storage unit in which liquid phase water is stored and a gas storage unit in which vaporized gas phase water and hydrogen are stored in communication with the liquid storage unit. A compressed hydrogen production system partitioned into a circulating gas chamber communicating with the hydrogen introduction path and an exhaust gas chamber isolated from the circulating gas chamber. The cathode discharge water circulation path that supplies the water in the cathode discharge gas discharged from the cathode to the hydrogen introduction path is communicated with the circulation gas chamber, and the water in the anode off gas discharged from the anode is sent to the hydrogen introduction path. The compressed hydrogen production system according to claim 3 , wherein the supply anode off-gas passage is communicated with the exhaust gas chamber. An electrochemical hydrogen compressor with an anode on one side and a cathode on the other side of the electrolyte membrane.
A hydrogen introduction path for introducing hydrogen into the anode and
A humidifying section where dry hydrogen is introduced, the dry hydrogen is humidified and supplied to the hydrogen introduction path,
With
The humidifying section sends out liquid phase water to a water vapor supply section having a permeation section on one side and a non-permeation section on the other side, and a non-permeation side of the water vapor supply section, sandwiching a water vapor permeable film that allows water vapor to permeate. It has a water tank, and water vapor is supplied to the hydrogen introduction path at the permeation part .
Compressed hydrogen production system. The compressed hydrogen production system according to claim 5 , further comprising a water return path for returning the water discharged from the impermeable portion to the water tank. The humidifying section is provided in the middle of the hydrogen introduction path, and is a liquid storage section for storing liquid phase water and a gas storage section for storing vaporized gas phase water and hydrogen which are communicated with the liquid storage section. Any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the liquid storage section is communicated with the inflow side of the hydrogen introduction path, and the gas storage section is communicated with the outflow side of the hydrogen introduction path. The compressed hydrogen production system described in the section.