KR102606322B1 - Tubular unit stack integrated with fuel cell and water electrolysis - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tubular unit stack that integrates water electrolysis and fuel cells into one unit stack. A tubular unit stack in which a fuel cell and water electrolysis are integrated according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a tubular fuel cell including a plurality of MEAs and electrodes, a water supply unit that supplies water to one side of the tubular fuel cell, and a tubular fuel cell. A power unit that supplies power, a hydrogen tank that stores and supplies hydrogen generated from the tubular fuel cell, and a device provided on one side of the discharge passage of the tubular fuel cell to open and close the discharge passage according to the operation mode of the power unit. It includes first and second valves.

Description

Tubular unit stack with integrated fuel cell and water electrolysis {TUBULAR UNIT STACK INTEGRATED WITH FUEL CELL AND WATER ELECTROLYSIS}

The present invention relates to a tubular unit stack that integrates water electrolysis and fuel cells into one unit stack.

Water electrolysis is a device that separates and produces hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) that are combined with water (H2O), a fuel, and electricity.

To be more specific, water is supplied to the anode of water electrolysis and reacts with the catalyst on the electrode catalyst, generating oxygen, hydrogen ions, and electrons. Hydrogen ions move to the cathode through the electrolyte membrane, and pure hydrogen is generated when the hydrogen ions that pass through the electrolyte membrane combine with electrons moved through the external circuit. The reaction of this water electrolysis device is the reverse reaction of the fuel cell.

A fuel cell is a device that produces electricity using hydrogen as a fuel and oxygen in the air. The Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA), a major component of a fuel cell, consists of an electrolyte membrane through which hydrogen cations can move and a catalyst layer through which hydrogen and oxygen can react on both sides of the electrolyte membrane.

The core components of a fuel cell are the anode, cathode, and electrolyte. As oxidation occurs at the anode, hydrogen ions and electrons with positive (+) electricity are released. The electrons emitted here move from the anode to the cathode through the external conductor, thereby generating direct current.

In this way, water electrolysis and fuel cell can be performed by reverse reactions, but conventionally, water electrolysis and fuel cell devices have been constructed and operated separately.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 1020210114575 (2021.08.30)

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a tubular unit stack that integrates water electrolysis and fuel cells into one unit stack.

The objects of the present invention are not limited to the objects mentioned above, and other objects and advantages of the present invention that are not mentioned can be understood by the following description and will be more clearly understood by the examples of the present invention. Additionally, it will be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof indicated in the patent claims.

A tubular unit stack in which a fuel cell and a water electrolyzer are integrated according to an embodiment of the present invention to achieve the above-described object includes a tubular fuel cell including a plurality of MEAs and electrodes, and a water supply supplying water to one side of the tubular fuel cell. unit, a power unit that supplies power to the tubular fuel cell, a hydrogen tank that stores and supplies hydrogen generated from the tubular fuel cell, and a discharge passage of the tubular fuel cell, which is provided on one side of the discharge passage of the tubular fuel cell, depending on the operation mode of the power unit. It is characterized in that it includes first and second valves that open and close the discharge passage.

The tubular fuel cell includes a tubular support into which water is injected, a first electrode surrounding the tubular support, a water electrolysis MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly) surrounding the first electrode, and a pattern surrounding the water electrolysis MEA and on the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface. It is characterized by comprising a second electrode including a gas flow path, a fuel cell MEA surrounding the second electrode, and a third electrode surrounding the fuel cell MEA.

The tubular support is characterized in that it includes an injection passage for injecting gas into the gas passage and an discharge passage for discharging gas from the gas passage.

The first valve communicates the discharge passage and the hydrogen tank when power is supplied to the first electrode and the second electrode, and the second valve communicates with the hydrogen tank when power is supplied to the second electrode and the third electrode. It is characterized in that the gas in the discharge passage is discharged outside the tubular support.

The gas flow path includes a first gas flow path formed in a plurality of groove shapes along the longitudinal direction on the outer circumferential surface of the second electrode, and a plurality of second gas flow paths formed in a groove shape along the longitudinal direction on the inner circumferential surface of the second electrode. It is characterized by including.

When water is injected into the support and power is supplied to the first and second electrodes, oxygen is generated from the first electrode, hydrogen is generated from the second electrode, and the hydrogen flows through the first discharge passage. It is characterized in that it moves to the hydrogen tank through.

When hydrogen is injected into the gas passage from the hydrogen tank and power is supplied to the second electrode and the third electrode, the tubular support generates electrons and water, and the gas moving through the gas passage is the second electrode. It is characterized in that it is discharged through a discharge passage.

According to the present invention, there is an advantage in that the device can be lightened by providing a tubular unit stack that integrates water electrolysis and fuel cells in one unit stack.

In addition to the above-described effects, specific effects of the present invention are described below while explaining specific details for carrying out the invention.

Figure 1 A diagram showing the configuration of a unit stack system in which a fuel cell and water electrolysis are integrated.
Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a tubular unit stack.
Figure 3 is a diagram showing a longitudinal cross-section of a tubular unit stack.

The above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages will be described in detail later with reference to the attached drawings, so that those skilled in the art will be able to easily implement the technical idea of the present invention. In describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of known techniques related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings, identical reference numerals are used to indicate identical or similar components.

In this specification, first, second, etc. are used to describe various components, but of course, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another component, and unless specifically stated to the contrary, the first component may also be a second component.

Additionally, in this specification, when a component is described as being “connected,” “coupled,” or “connected” to another component, the components may be directly connected or connected to each other, but there are other components between each component. It should be understood that elements may be “interposed,” or each component may be “connected,” “combined,” or “connected” through other components.

Additionally, as used herein, singular expressions include plural expressions, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the present application, terms such as “consists of” or “comprises” should not be construed as necessarily including all of the various components or steps described in the specification, and some of the components or steps may include It may not be included, or it should be interpreted as including additional components or steps.

In addition, in this specification, when referring to “A and/or B”, this means A, B or A and B, unless otherwise specified, and when referring to “C to D”, this means unless specifically stated to the contrary. Unless otherwise specified, it means C or higher and D or lower.

The present invention relates to a tubular unit stack that can perform water electrolysis and generate power in one unit stack.

Hereinafter, a tubular unit stack in which a fuel cell and a water electrolyzer are integrated according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing a unit stack system in which a fuel cell and water electrolysis are integrated.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a tubular fuel cell.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing a longitudinal cross section of a tubular fuel cell.

Referring to Figure 1, a unit stack system 10 in which a fuel cell and water electrolysis are integrated according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a tubular unit stack 100, a water supply unit 200, a power unit 300, and a hydrogen tank ( 400) can be provided. However, the configuration shown in FIG. 1 is according to one embodiment, and the components of the invention are not limited to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and some components may be added, changed, or deleted as necessary.

The tubular unit stack 100 may include a plurality of MEAs and electrodes.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the tubular unit stack 100 includes a tubular support 110, a first electrode 120, a water electrolysis MEA 130, a second electrode 140, a fuel cell MEA 150, and a first electrode. It may include three electrodes 160.

The tubular support 110 is formed in a tube shape with an internal space 111 and can maintain the unit stack 100 in a tube shape.

One end of the tubular support 110 is connected to the water supply unit 200, and water can be injected into the internal space 111 of the tubular support 110.

In addition, the tubular support 110 has an injection passage 112 through which gas is injected from the hydrogen tank 400 into the gas passage 141, and an exhaust gas discharged from the gas passage 141 by the gas generated within the tubular support 110. It may include a passage 113.

At this time, first and second valves 114 and 115 that open and close the discharge passage 113 according to the operation mode of the power unit 300 may be provided on one side of the discharge passage 113.

In detail, the discharge passage 113 can be opened and closed by the first and second valves 114 and 115, and the first and second valves 114 and 115 are preferably driven individually. The operating mode of the power unit 300 will be described later.

Meanwhile, the tubular support 110 can be manufactured into a tube shape with electrical conductivity and a gas flow path by applying a composite material of carbon and polymer by extrusion molding or injection molding, and additives such as carbon nanotubes can be added to improve electrical conductivity. It can be produced by adding. In this way, when the tubular support 110 has conductivity, the first electrode 120 and the tubular support 110 may be formed as an integrated body.

On the other hand, in the case of the tubular support 110 that does not have electrical conductivity, the first electrode 120 surrounds the tubular support 110, and the first electrode 120 may be a porous conductor with a plurality of clear holes formed. there is. As the clear hole is formed in the first electrode 120, the incoming gas can move smoothly through the clear hole.

The first electrode 120 may be generally made of a metal or metal alloy material with electrical conductivity, or may be manufactured by coating the tubular support 110 with a carbon composite material with electrical conductivity.

The water electrolysis MEA 130 may surround the first electrode 120, and may include an internal gas diffusion layer (IGDL) close to the first electrode 120, an internal catalyst layer close to the internal gas diffusion layer, and an internal gas diffusion layer close to the first electrode 120. 2. It may include an external gas diffusion layer (OGDL) in close contact with the electrode 140, an external catalyst layer in close contact with the external gas diffusion layer, and a membrane made of a polymer electrolyte interposed between the internal catalyst layer and the external catalyst layer. The internal catalyst layer can promote oxidation when the first electrode 120 is an anode, and the external catalyst layer can promote reduction when the second electrode 140 is a cathode.

At this time, the membrane may be made of an electrolyte that facilitates the movement of hydrogen ions between the first electrode 120 and the second electrode 140. The internal gas diffusion layer and the external gas diffusion layer have high gas permeability and can evenly diffuse gas into the internal and external catalyst layers, respectively.

The fuel cell MEA 150 may surround the second electrode 140, and may include an internal gas diffusion layer (IGDL) close to the second electrode 140, an internal catalyst layer close to the internal gas diffusion layer, and an internal gas diffusion layer close to the second electrode 140. 3. It may include an external gas diffusion layer (OGDL) in close contact with the electrode 160, an external catalyst layer in close contact with the external gas diffusion layer, and a membrane made of a polymer electrolyte interposed between the internal catalyst layer and the external catalyst layer. The internal catalyst layer can promote oxidation when the third electrode 160 is an anode, and the external catalyst layer can promote reduction when the second electrode 140 is a cathode. At this time, the membrane may be made of an electrolyte that facilitates the movement of hydrogen ions between the third electrode 160 and the second electrode 140.

The water electrolysis MEA 130 and the fuel cell MEA 150 are in electrical contact with the first electrode 120, the second electrode 140, and the third electrode 160, and may be formed of a material such as carbon.

The second electrode 140 includes gas flow paths 141 patterned on both end surfaces and may surround the water electrolysis MEA 130.

As the gas flow path 141 is patterned in the second electrode 140, gas flows into the second electrode 140 even if the second electrode 140 is close to the water electrolysis MEA 130 and the fuel cell MEA 150. may spread along the gas flow path 141.

As an example, the gas flow passage 141 includes a plurality of first gas passages formed in the shape of grooves along the longitudinal direction on the outer peripheral surface of the second electrode 140, and a plurality of first gas passages formed in the shape of grooves along the longitudinal direction on the inner peripheral surface of the second electrode 140. It may include a plurality of second gas flow paths.

At this time, as the first gas flow path and the second gas flow path are formed to intersect each other, the thickness of the second electrode 140 can be formed thinner. Meanwhile, the first and second gas flow paths may be formed in various patterns other than straight patterns and/or spiral patterns.

As described above, in the present invention, the gas flow path 141 is patterned and formed on the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the second electrode 140, so that the gas flowing into the second electrode 140 is prevented even if the second electrode 140 is sealed. It can move smoothly along the gas flow path 141.

In addition, the patterning of the gas flow path 141 increases the time the gas stays in the gas flow path 141, thereby increasing the time for oxidation/reduction reactions to occur, thereby increasing the amount of current or hydrogen generated.

The second electrode 140 is a porous conductor, and a plurality of clear holes 142 are formed on the outer peripheral surface to allow gas to pass through, which has the effect of spreading the gas evenly. The material of the second electrode 140 is as described above. It may be the same as the first electrode 120.

The third electrode 160 may be a porous conductor that surrounds the fuel cell MEA 150 and has a plurality of clear holes 161 formed therein. As the clear hole 161 is formed in the third electrode 160, the incoming gas can move smoothly through the clear hole 161.

Additionally, the material of the third electrode 160 may be the same as that of the first electrode 120 and the second electrode 140 described above.

In this embodiment, a total of three electrodes are provided, including the first electrode 120, the second electrode 140, and the third electrode 160. Depending on the injected gas, each electrode can be either an anode or a cathode. there is.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the water supply unit 200 may supply water to one side of the tubular unit stack 100. In detail, the water supply unit 200 can supply water into the internal space 111 provided inside the tubular support 110.

The power unit 300 can supply power to the tubular unit stack 100. In other words, the power unit 300 can supply power to the first electrode 120, the second electrode 140, and the third electrode 160, and can operate in the first and second operation modes.

The first operation mode can supply power to the first electrode 120 and the second electrode 140, and the second operation mode can receive electricity from the second electrode 140 and the third electrode 160. .

The hydrogen tank 400 can store and supply hydrogen generated from the tubular unit stack 100. In other words, the hydrogen tank can internally store hydrogen generated from the tubular unit stack 100, and can provide raw materials for the unit stack 100 to produce power by re-supplying the stored hydrogen to the tubular unit stack 100. there is.

Hereinafter, the operation of the tubular unit stack system 10 will be described.

In one embodiment, when water is injected into the tubular support 110 by the water supply unit 200 and the power unit 300 operates in the first operation mode, the water may be electrolyzed.

In other words, the tubular unit stack system 10 can receive power to the first electrode 120 and the second electrode 140 while water is supplied to the internal space 111.

At this time, an oxidation reaction occurs in the first electrode 120 to generate oxygen and hydrogen ions, and the hydrogen ions can move toward the second electrode 140 through the water electrolysis MEA 130. Hydrogen ions can be reduced to hydrogen by receiving electrons from the second electrode 140. That is, hydrogen may be generated in the second electrode 140.

Hydrogen generated in the second electrode 140 can move to the gas flow path 141 and reach the discharge passage 113, and oxygen can be discharged to the outside of the support 110.

At this time, the first valve 114 may communicate with the discharge passage 113 and the hydrogen tank 400. In detail, the first valve 114 provided on one side of the discharge passage 113 is opened and the second valve 115 is closed, so that the discharge passage 113 and the hydrogen tank 400 can communicate.

In another embodiment, when hydrogen is supplied from the hydrogen tank 400 to the tubular unit stack 100 through the injection passage 112 and the power unit 300 operates in the second operation mode, a fuel cell is configured and power is supplied. can be produced.

In other words, when the tubular unit stack 100 is exposed to oxygen in the air and receives hydrogen through the injection passage 112, and an electric load is connected to the second electrode 140 and the third electrode 160, the tubular unit stack 100 Electrons and water may be generated in the stack 100.

That is, as the oxidation of hydrogen progresses in the second electrode 140, hydrogen ions and electrons may be generated. The generated electrons can flow into the second electrode 140 and the third electrode 160 to produce direct current, and the hydrogen ions can move to the second electrode 160 through the fuel cell MEA 150 to produce water. You can.

At this time, the produced water may move along the clear hole 161 of the third electrode 160 or the gas flow path 141. Water that reaches the discharge passage 113 through the gas flow path 141 can be discharged to the outside.

In detail, the second valve 115 can discharge impurities (hydrogen, water) in the discharge passage 113 out of the tubular support 110.

That is, the first valve 114 is opened and closed and the second valve 115 is opened, so that impurities in the discharge passage 113 can be discharged out of the tubular support 110.

As described above, by providing a tubular unit stack that integrates water electrolysis and fuel cells in one unit stack, there is an advantage in that the device can be lightweight.

As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the illustrative drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and drawings disclosed herein, and various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. It is obvious that transformation can occur. In addition, although the operational effects according to the configuration of the present invention were not explicitly described and explained while explaining the embodiments of the present invention above, it is natural that the predictable effects due to the configuration should also be recognized.

Claims (7)

A tubular fuel cell including a water electrolysis MEA and a fuel cell MEA disposed between the first to third electrodes and each electrode;
a water supply unit supplying water to one side of the tubular fuel cell;
A power unit that supplies power to the tubular fuel cell;
A hydrogen tank that stores and supplies hydrogen generated from the tubular fuel cell; and
It is provided on one side of the discharge passage of the tubular fuel cell and includes first and second valves that open and close the discharge passage according to the operation mode of the power unit,
The first valve communicates the discharge passage and the hydrogen tank when power is supplied to the first electrode and the second electrode,
The second valve discharges gas in the discharge passage out of the fuel cell when power is supplied to the second electrode and the third electrode.
A tubular unit stack that integrates fuel cells and water electrolysis.

According to paragraph 1,
The tubular fuel cell further includes a tubular support,
The first electrode surrounds the tubular support,
The water electrolytic MEA surrounds the first electrode,
The second electrode surrounds the water electrolysis MEA and includes a gas flow path patterned on an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface,
The fuel cell MEA surrounds the second electrode,
The third electrode surrounds the fuel cell MEA.
A tubular unit stack that integrates fuel cells and water electrolysis.
According to paragraph 2,
The tubular support is
An injection passage for injecting gas into the gas passage and
Including an exhaust passage for discharging gas from the gas flow path.
A tubular unit stack that integrates fuel cells and water electrolysis.
delete According to paragraph 2,
The gas flow path is
A first gas flow path formed in a plurality of grooves along the longitudinal direction on the outer peripheral surface of the second electrode,
Comprising a plurality of second gas passages formed in the form of grooves along the longitudinal direction on the inner peripheral surface of the second electrode.
A tubular unit stack that integrates fuel cells and water electrolysis.
According to paragraph 2,
When water is injected into the support and power is supplied to the first and second electrodes,
Oxygen is generated from the first electrode, and hydrogen is generated from the second electrode.
The hydrogen moves to the hydrogen tank through the first discharge passage.
A tubular unit stack that integrates fuel cells and water electrolysis.
According to paragraph 2,
When hydrogen is injected from the hydrogen tank into the gas flow path and power is supplied to the second electrode and the third electrode,
The tubular support generates electrons and water,
The gas moving through the gas flow path is discharged through the second discharge passage.
A tubular unit stack that integrates fuel cells and water electrolysis.

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