KR20090002909A - Structure of water electrolyzer for separating hydrogen and oxygen gasses - Google Patents

Abstract

A structure of an electrolyzer is provided to increase productivity of oxygen and hydrogen gases as pollution-free energy sources and extend life of the electrolyzer by enabling the oxygen and hydrogen gases to flow easily, maintaining the airtightness of electrodes, firmly constructing peripheries of holes through which the oxygen and hydrogen gases flow, and improving durability of gaskets. A structure of an electrolyzer comprises: end plates(160,160a) positioned at both ends of the electrolyzer; insulating plates(170,170a) installed at inner sides of the end plates; inside plates(180,180a) installed at inner sides of the insulating plates; cell frames(110), diaphragms(120), diaphragm fixing rings(130), electrode plates(140), and gaskets(150) arranged within the inside plates sequentially and successively, the diaphragms being made of polypropylene, and the gaskets being made of Teflon; a plurality of pipes(P) penetrated into both ends of the end plates; fixing units fixing the cell frames having marginal portions(111,112) formed to predetermined widths on upper and lower parts thereof such that an oxygen hole(113), a hydrogen hole(114) and an electrolyte hole(115) are formed in the marginal portions; guide paths(116-118) formed in the marginal portions having the oxygen, hydrogen and electrolyte holes formed therein such that oxygen, hydrogen and electrolyte flow through the guide paths; and diaphragm placement grooves(119) formed in inner edges of the marginal portions such that edges of the diaphragms are placed in the diaphragm placement grooves. The diaphragm fixing rings are assembled onto edges of the placed diaphragms. The electrode plates having respective holes(141-143) formed therein are assembled onto the diaphragm fixing rings correspondingly to the oxygen, hydrogen and electrolyte holes formed in the cell frames. The gaskets are assembled onto the electrode plates.

Description

Structure of Water Electrolyzer for Separating Hydrogen and Oxygen Gasses

1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a conventional electrolytic cell structure;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the cell frame and the diaphragm fixing ring of the conventional electrolytic cell components,

3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a conventional electrolytic cell structure;

4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the electrolytic cell structure of the present invention;

5 is an enlarged perspective view for explaining a cell frame structure of the present invention;

6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part for explaining the electrolytic cell structure of the present invention;

Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an electrolytic cell fixing means of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the present invention Figure 6

<Description of the code | symbol about the principal part of drawing>

100: electrolytic cell 110a: border 110: cell frame

111,112: margin 113: oxygen ball

114: hydrogen hole 115: electrolyte hole

116: oxygen guide 117: hydrogen guide

118: electrolyte guide 119: diaphragm seating groove

120: diaphragm 130: diaphragm fixing ring

140: electrode plate 141, 142, 143: hole

150: gasket 160,160a: inside plate

170,170a: Electric plate 180,180a: End plate

181,182,183: tube 184: wire grounding

190: fixing means 191: screw portion

192: elastic spring 193: nut

P: Pipe

The present invention changes the structure of the cell frame and the material of the diaphragm and the gasket to facilitate the flow of oxygen and hydrogen gas, as well as to maintain the airtightness of the electrode, and to surround the hole through which oxygen and hydrogen gas flow. The present invention relates to an electrolytic cell structure in which the rigidity and the durability of the gasket are improved to increase the productivity of oxygen and hydrogen gas, which are pollution-free energy sources, and to prolong the life of the electrolytic cell.

The electrolysis device that electrolyzes an electrolyte solution containing an electrolyte such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide to generate hydrogen gas and oxygen gas includes an electrolytic cell in which electrolysis of the electrolyte is performed. An electrode plate (first electrode plate) having an anode connected to the end is installed, and an electrode plate (second electrode plate) connected with a cathode is installed at the opposite end thereof, and a thin bipolar is formed between the first and second electrode plates. ) The electrode plate and the frame are alternately fixed.

The electrolytic cell having such a structure can install a large number of electrodes in a small space, and can generate a large amount of gas. Also, the electric power consumed to generate the unit gas amount is relatively low due to the low voltage between the poles.

However, in the electrolytic cell of such a structure, it is not easy to maintain the airtight between the bipolar electrode plate has a limit to increase the pressure of the electrolytic cell. On the other hand, upper and lower portions of the bipolar electrode plate are formed with a gas discharge hole for passing the generated oxygen and hydrogen gas and an electrolyte supply port for supplying an electrolyte solution, respectively.

When current is applied to each electrode plate during electrolysis of the electrolytic cell having the casting as described above, current is leaked through each hole (a processing part, a corner part) to reduce electrolysis efficiency and cause energy waste. It is becoming.

In addition, if the upper part of the electrode is exposed to the surface of the electrolyte in the electrolytic cell where electrolysis occurs, polarization action may occur on the surface of the electrode where the generated oxygen and hydrogen gas are exposed, thereby causing defects that may occur inside the cell. do. This phenomenon occurs because the generated oxygen and hydrogen gas push a part of the electrolyte out of the electrolytic cell.

In addition, the electrode in the electrolytic cell should be in contact with the electrolyte at all times, but when the electrode is exposed above the surface of the electrolyte, the effective area of the electrode where electrolysis occurs is reduced, and consequently, the current density per unit area of the electrode is increased to increase the lifetime of the electrode. This can cause shortening.

In recent years, although the industrial utilization of oxygen and hydrogen gas, which is a pollution-free energy source, is increasing, as described above, the conventional electrolytic cell for generating oxygen and hydrogen gas consumes a lot of electric power to produce oxygen and hydrogen gas in a unit volume. There is a problem in the stability, such as leakage, and also because the heat resistance and durability is not secured there is a problem that is not practical for use in industrial.

Therefore, in recent years, an electrolytic cell, that is, Patent Application No. 2001-24957, is provided for solving the above problems. The structure of the electrolytic cell will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 as follows.

In an electrolytic cell that generates gas by performing electrolysis on an electrolyte supplied therein, the gasket 40, the electrode 50, the gasket 40, the diaphragm fixing ring 30, the diaphragm 20, and the cell frame ( 10) a plurality of sets of units combined in this order are stacked and the cathode and anode (60, 70) electrode is fixed to both ends thereof, the electrode is a bipolar electrode (oxygen and hydrogen gas on the top of the electrode Flowing first and second gas flow holes 51 and 52 are formed, and electrolyte solution flow holes 53 are formed in the lower part, respectively.

Each of the gaskets 40 is a ring-shaped member corresponding to the outer portion of the electrode, and the first and second extensions 41 and 42 are formed at the upper portion thereof, and the third extension portion 43 is disposed at the lower portion thereof. Each extension part presses a portion around each hole of the electrode located between them, and the first and second gas flow holes 41a and 42a and the electrolyte flow hole 43a are formed in each extension part. It is.

In addition, each of the diaphragms 20 has first and second gas flow holes 21 and 22 through which oxygen and hydrogen gas flow, and electrolyte hole holes 23 are formed below, respectively. The diaphragm fixing ring 30 has the same shape as each gasket, and first and second extension parts 31 and 32 having gas flow holes 31 a and 32 a are formed in an upper portion thereof, and an electrolyte flow hole in a lower part thereof. The third extension part 33 in which 33a is formed is comprised toward the center part, respectively, and each extension part is installed, pressing the periphery of each hole of the diaphragm located between the cell frames 10. As shown in FIG.

Each cell frame 10 has a larger size than an electrode, and first and second extension parts 11 and 12 having gas flow holes 11a and 12a are formed in an upper portion thereof, and an electrolyte flow hole 13a in a lower portion thereof. And a third extension portion 13 formed with each of the holes respectively corresponding to the gas flow holes and the electrolyte flow holes formed in the electrodes and the respective gaskets, and the oxygen gas formed at the first surface of each electrode is 1 flows through the gas flow hole, and the hydrogen gas formed at the second surface of each electrode is discharged to the outside through the second gas flow hole, and the externally supplied electrolyte flows into the inside through the electrolyte flow hole. It is structured.

In the conventional electrolytic cell having such a structure, an extension part is formed to protrude inside the cell frame 10 and the diaphragm 20, the diaphragm fixing ring 30, and the gasket 40 to induce the flow of oxygen and hydrogen gas. Holes are formed in the extension part, and the cell frame 10 and the diaphragm fixation ring 30 have cutouts in three directions, thereby making the extension part vulnerable and of course very difficult to manufacture. There was this.

In addition to the problems described above, the conventional electrolytic cell has a problem that the cell frame 10 and the diaphragm fixing ring 30 must be combined to form an induction path (cutout) for inducing oxygen and hydrogen gas flow.

In addition, the electrolytic cell has a limitation in increasing the pressure of the electrolytic cell because it is difficult to maintain the airtightness of the electrode 50, and the durability of the gasket is weak, and there is a problem of easily corroded (damaged).

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems in view of the above, the object is to change the structure of the cell frame and the material of the diaphragm and gasket to facilitate the flow of oxygen and hydrogen gas, as well as of the electrode Electrolyzer that maintains airtightness and strengthens around the hole through which oxygen and hydrogen gas flows, and improves the durability of the gasket to increase the productivity of oxygen and hydrogen gas, a pollution-free energy source, and to prolong the life of the electrolytic cell. In providing a structure.

A characteristic technical configuration of the present invention for achieving the above object, each end plate (160, 160a) is located at both ends, each of the end plate is located inside the respective insulating plate (170, 170a), Inside plates 180 and 180a are located inside each insulating plate, and inside each inside plate, each cell frame 110, a PP membrane 120, a diaphragm fixing ring 130, and an electrode plate. 140, Teflon gasket 150 in a continuous arrangement through a plurality of pipes (P) through the end plate (160, 160a) of both ends and fixed by means of the fixing means 190, one set To form an electrolytic cell, the cell frame 110 is formed in the upper and lower portions of the margin (111, 112) of a predetermined width to form an oxygen hole 113, hydrogen hole 114 and the electrolyte hole 115, respectively Oxygen, hydrogen, electrolyte hole is formed whether or not Each guide path 116, 117, 118 is formed to pass through the solution, and a diaphragm seating groove 119 is formed in the inner edge of the slack portion and the inner edge of the rim, and the edge of the diaphragm is formed in the diaphragm seating groove. It is seated, the diaphragm fixing ring is coupled to the edge of the seated diaphragm, on the diaphragm fixing ring, an electrode plate having respective holes 141, 142, 143 formed at positions corresponding to the oxygen, hydrogen, and electrolyte holes formed in the cell frame are coupled. On the electrode plate, a gasket having the same size as that of the cell frame while being smaller than the size of the cell frame is joined.

The electrolytic cell structure of the present invention having the features as described above will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the electrolytic cell structure of the present invention, Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view for explaining the cell frame structure of the present invention, Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of one part for explaining the electrolytic cell structure of the present invention. .

First, the cell frame 110 of the present invention, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is the outer shape is made of a circular shape, the upper and lower portions of the cell frame 110 made of the circular portion (111, 112 of a predetermined width) The oxygen hole 113 and the hydrogen hole 114 are formed in the clearance part 111 positioned below the clearance parts 111 and 112, and the electrolyte hole 115 is formed in the clearance part 112 located above. I was.

However, the outer shape of the cell frame 110 in a circular shape is just one embodiment, and in addition, it may be used by forming a polygonal shape or a polygonal shape of four or more.

As described above, the edge portion 110a is formed in the remaining portion of the cell frame 110 in which the margin portions 111 and 112 are formed in the upper and lower portions, and the inner center portion of the edge 110a and the upper and lower margin portions 111 and 112 is penetrated therethrough. The diaphragm seating groove 119 in which the edge of the diaphragm is seated is formed in the penetrated outer edge, that is, the edge 110a and the inner edges of the upper and lower clearance parts 111 and 112.

In addition, the upper and lower clearances 111 and 112 are formed with oxygen, hydrogen, and electrolyte holes 113, 114 and 115. The oxygen holes 113 and hydrogen holes 114 are formed side by side in the center of the lower clearance 111 and the electrolyte solution. The ball 115 was formed in the center of the upper clearance 112.

In addition, each of the oxygen, hydrogen, electrolyte hole (113, 114, 115) is formed with oxygen, hydrogen, and oxygen, hydrogen, electrolyte guide passages (116, 117, 118) through which the electrolyte, the oxygen guide passage 116 and hydrogen in each guide passage The guide of any one of the guide passage 117 is formed on one side (surface) of the margins 111 and 112 together with the electrolyte guide passage 118, and the guide of any one of the oxygen guide passage and hydrogen guide passage Is formed on the other side (rear surface) of the clearance parts 111 and 112.

The reason why the oxygen and hydrogen guide furnaces 116 and 117 are formed on different sides of the margins 111 and 112 is to increase the purity as well as improve the productivity by proceeding in a completely separated state without mixing oxygen and hydrogen. to be.

Further, the reason for forming the margins 111 and 112 in the upper and lower portions of the cell frame 110 is that the oxygen, hydrogen and electrolyte holes 113, 114 and 115 and the oxygen, hydrogen and electrolyte guide paths 116, 117 and 118 are stably formed and at the same time the cell frame. This is to give the firmness of (110) and ensure confidentiality.

The inner edges of the upper and lower clearance parts 111 and 112 and the inner edges of the edge 110a form a diaphragm seating groove 119 in which the edge of the diaphragm 120 is seated. The depth of the diaphragm seating groove 119 is a diaphragm ( The thickness of 120 and the thickness of the diaphragm fixing ring 130 are formed to be equal to the sum.

The reason is that not only the edge of the diaphragm 120 and the diaphragm fixing ring 130 are stably defected, but also to maintain the airtightness after the bonding, and after the diaphragm fixing ring 130 is coupled, the diaphragm fixing is coupled. The upper surface of the ring 130 does not protrude from the surface of the cell frame 110 to maintain a horizontal line to ensure a close fixing force and airtightness.

The edge of the diaphragm 120 is seated in the diaphragm seating groove 119 of the cell frame 110 having the above structure, and the diaphragm 120 is made of PP (polypropylene). The reason why the diaphragm 120 is made of PP is because PP has excellent alkali corrosion resistance and electrical dielectric property, and a heat deformation temperature of 104 ° C. is sufficient to provide heat resistance to an electrolytic bath operated at a temperature of 70 ° C. or less and excellent ion flow resistance. Because.

On the other hand, the diaphragm 20 prevents mixing of hydrogen generated on the surface charged with the negative electrode (-) of the electrode plate 140 facing the oxygen generated on the surface charged with the positive electrode (+) of the electrode plate 140. In addition, only the smooth flow of ions of the electrolyte between the electrode plates 140 may reduce the energy required for electrolysis.

When the edge of the diaphragm 120 is seated in the diaphragm seating groove 119 of the cell frame 110 as described above, the diaphragm fixing ring 130 is coupled to the edge surface of the diaphragm 120, and the diaphragm fixing is performed. Since the ring 130 maintains on the horizontal line after the upper surface does not protrude from the surface of the cell frame 110 after the coupling, a tight fixing force and airtightness are secured.

And the shape of the diaphragm fixing ring 130 is the same as the shape of the diaphragm seating groove 119, the width of the diaphragm fixing ring 130 is the same as the width of the diaphragm seating groove 119, the diaphragm fixing ring 130 ) Is tightly coupled to the diaphragm seating groove 119 to firmly and firmly fix the diaphragm 120.

As described above, when the diaphragm fixing ring 130 fixes the edge of the diaphragm 120, the electrode plate 140 is coupled to be in surface contact with the surface of the diaphragm fixing ring 130 and the surface of the cell frame 110. The electrode plate 140 has holes 141, 142, and 143 formed at positions corresponding to the oxygen, hydrogen, and electrolyte holes 113. 114 and 115 formed in the cell frame 110.

In addition, the size of the electrode plate 140 is formed smaller than the size of the cell frame 110, the shape is formed the same as the cell frame 110.

On the other hand, when voltage is applied to the inside plates 180 and 180a provided at both ends, that is, the anode inside plates 180 and 180a on one side and the cathode inside plates 180a on the other side, for example, the electrode plates 140 corresponding to the anode electrodes are formed. Charges of opposite polarity (i.e., cathode) are charged on the surface, and charges of the same polarity as the positive electrode 101 are charged on the opposite surface. In addition, a charge of opposite polarity to that of the charged electrode on the opposite electrode surface is charged on the surface of another electrode adjacent to the charged electrode plate 140, and this charging phenomenon is caused by the conduction of a conductive electrolyte to transfer current to the electrode. Is done.

This charge charging phenomenon on the electrode surface occurs in all the electrode plates 140, so that charges of different polarities are charged on the surfaces of the opposite electrode plates 140, so that the electrolytic solution is located between the electrode plates 140. Oxygen gas and hydrogen gas are generated by the electrolysis, and the generated oxygen gas and hydrogen gas are oxygen holes 113 and hydrogen holes 114 through the oxygen guide furnace 116 and the hydrogen guide furnace 117, respectively. Are respectively exhausted.

The surface of the electrode plate 140 is coupled to the gasket 150 made of a Teflon material having the same shape as that of the cell frame 110 while being smaller than the size of the cell frame 110, the role of the gasket 150 Maintaining a firm fixing force and airtightness of the electrode plate 140, the reason why the gasket 150 is made of teflon material is excellent in heat resistance, chemical resistance, chemical resistance, non-adhesiveness, oil resistance This is because there is an advantage that can maintain the initial state without deterioration of airtightness and bonding strength even after long-term use.

In the upper and lower parts of the gasket 150, the margin parts 151 and 152 are formed in the upper and lower parts of the gasket 150, and the oxygen parts and the hydrogen parts corresponding to the holes 141, 142 and 143 formed in the electrode plate 140 are formed in the margin parts 151 and 152. The electrolyte holes 153, 154, and 155 are formed.

As described above, the cell frame 110, the PP membrane 200, the diaphragm fixing ring 130, the electrode plate 140, and the gasket 150 made of Teflon are sequentially arranged, and at both ends thereof, FIG. 6. As shown in the figure, the inside plates 180 and 180a, the insulating plates 170 and 170a, and the end plates 160 and 160a are positioned from the inside to the outside.

On the inside plates 180 and 180a of the both sides, one side is the anode inside plate 180 and the other side is the inside plate 180a of the other side, and each of the inside plates 180 and 180a has an oxygen hole 113 and a number. Each of the pipes 181, 812, and 183 communicating with the small holes 114 and the electrolyte holes 115 is installed, and a wire grounding hole 184 is installed at the center thereof.

However, each of the pipes 181, 182, 183 and the wire grounding holes 184 penetrates the insulating plates 170, 170a and the end plates 180, 180a and protrudes outward. In addition, oxygen and hydrogen exhausted from the oxygen hole 113 and the hydrogen hole 114 are exhausted into the respective tubes 181 and 182 communicating with the oxygen hole 113 and the hydrogen hole 114, and the electrolyte hole 115. The electrolyte is supplied to the tube 183 in communication with the tube.

Meanwhile, the inside plates 180 and 180a may have the same size as that of the cell frame 110.

In addition, each of the insulating plates 170 and 170a is disposed on the outer surfaces of the inside plates 180 and 180a. The reason for placing the insulating plates 170 and 170a is that electricity applied to the inside plates 180 and 180a is applied. This is to prevent it from being applied to the end plates 160 and 160a. In addition, the sizes of the insulating plates 170 and 170a may be larger than those of the inner plates 180 and 180a to have the same shape and size as the end plates 160 and 160a.

In addition, each of the end plates 160 and 160a is installed on the outer surfaces of the insulating plates 170 and 170a. The end plates 160 and 160a are installed using a plurality of pipes P along the outer circumferential surface thereof. Both ends of the) is fixed and installed using the fixing means 190 to penetrate the end plate (160,160a).

The fixing means 190 forms a threaded portion 191 at both ends of the pipe P passing through the end plates 160 and 160a, and the elastic spring 192 is fitted to the screwed portion, and the elastic spring is coupled thereto. Both ends of the fitted pipe is composed of a fastening nut (193).

When the nut 193 is tightened, the elastic spring 192 is compressed, and the compressed elastic spring exerts a force for pushing the end plates 160 and 160a inwards, thereby insulating the plates 170 and 170a and the inner plate. 180), the cell frame 110, the PP membrane 200, the diaphragm fixing ring 130, the electrode plate 140, and the gasket 150 of the Teflon material are maintained in close and solid contact force. Therefore, the tight coupling of the electrolytic cell and the airtightness between the parts are secured.

The present invention as described above, first, each part forming the electrolytic cell, namely end plate, insulating plate, inside plate, cell frame, PP material of the diaphragm, diaphragm fixing ring, electrode plate, gasket of Teflon material, mutually strong and tight It can be assembled to maintain, of course, there is an effect that can facilitate the assembly work.

Secondly, the membrane is made of PP material and the gasket is made of Teflon material, which extends the service life of the electrolyzer accordingly, and ensures airtightness to produce high quality oxygen and hydrogen gas. Can install a large number of electrodes in the can generate a large amount of gas, there is an effect that can save the power consumed to generate a unit gas amount because the voltage between the poles is low.

Claims (5)

Each end plate 160 and 160a is positioned at both ends, and inside each of the end plates, respective insulating plates 170 and 170a are positioned. Inside the respective insulating plates, respective inside plates 180 and 180a are disposed. The inside plate of each of the inside of the cell frame 110, PP-made diaphragm 120, diaphragm fixing ring 130, electrode plate 140, Teflon gasket 150 in a continuous arrangement in order Through a plurality of pipes (P) to penetrate the end plate at both ends and fixed by the fixing means 190 to form a set of electrolytic cell, the cell frame 110 has a predetermined width in the upper and lower parts The portions 111 and 112 are formed to form the oxygen holes 113, the hydrogen holes 114, and the electrolyte holes 115, and each of the oxygen, hydrogen, and electrolyte holes is formed in each of the oxygen, hydrogen, and electrolyte holes. Guides 116, 117, 118 are formed and On the inner edges of the side edges and the rim, a diaphragm seating groove 119 is formed, in which the edge of the diaphragm is seated. The diaphragm seating groove is seated at the edge of the diaphragm. On the diaphragm fixing ring, electrode plates having respective holes 141, 142, and 143 formed therein are joined at positions corresponding to the oxygen, hydrogen, and electrolyte holes formed in the cell frame, and on the electrode plate are smaller than the size of the cell frame and the same as the cell frame. An electrolytic cell structure, characterized in that the gasket of the shape is coupled. According to claim 1, wherein the oxygen and hydrogen holes are formed side by side in the margin located in the upper portion, the electrolyte hole is formed in the margin located in the lower portion, the guide of any one of the oxygen guide furnace and hydrogen guide furnace Electrolyte structure characterized in that it is formed on one side of the margin along with the electrolyte guide furnace and the other guide of the oxygen guide furnace and the hydrogen guide furnace formed on the other side of the margin. The electrolytic cell structure according to claim 1, wherein the depth of the diaphragm seating groove is equal to the sum of the thickness of the diaphragm and the thickness of the diaphragm fixing ring. The method of claim 1, wherein the fixing means 190 for penetrating and fixing the end plate at both ends by the plurality of pipes, and forms a screw portion 191 at both ends of the pipe passing through the end plate of the both ends and Electrolyzer structure, characterized in that by screwing the elastic spring 192 to the screw portion, and fastening the nut (193) at both ends of the pipe is fitted with the elastic spring. According to claim 1, The inner plate is provided with a respective pipe (181, 812, 183) in communication with the oxygen hole, the hydrogen hole and the electrolyte hole, the center is provided with a wire grounding hole 184, the respective pipe and wire grounding The sphere is formed through the insulating plate and the end plate to protrude to the outside of the electrolytic cell structure.

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