LV14698B - System for liquid leveling - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a liquid material splitting equipment with ion-conducting polymer membranes. Offered is fluid level balancing system with electrolyser (1), gas separation vessel (6), the output pipe (5), the gas collection and processing equipment (8) gas outlet pipe (7), the water reservoir (12); and the system further comprises: hermetic water reservoir (13) arranged in the pipe between the water reservoir (12) and lower entrance of the gas separation vessel (6); level stabilization tube (9) connecting the upper outlet of the gas separation vessel (6) with hermetic water reservoir (13). Lower end (11) of the level stabilization tube (9) is located inside the hermetically sealed water reservoir (13) below the current water level s so that it is located in same level as the desired level of electrolyte in gas separation vessel (6). The proposed system is stabilizing the process of electrolysis, in particular, simplifies the management, and provides longer gas purity and lifetime of the equipment. The system provides a steady electrolyte level in gas separation vessel and smooth and flowing fluid supply, in particular water, to electrolysis chamber. Level of the liquid in gas separation vessel can be changed adjusting the lower end of the level stabilization tube (9) in the different height by using the alignment detail (10).

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Engineering industry

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to liquid material dispensing apparatus, and more particularly to water electrolysers and liquid level balancing systems therein.

Water electrolysers are devices for separating water by electrolysis into hydrogen (H ₂ ) and oxygen (O ₂ ). Gases are extracted separately, can be stored and further used as needed. Hydrogen can be used for a variety of applications - for storage and further use as fuel in a cellular device (fuel cell system) to generate electricity and heat; as pure gas in various experiments involving hydrogen or in chemical reactors, etc. Oxygen can be used in combination with hydrogen (for hydrogen flame welding, for fuel cells in the anode, in chemical reactors, in various experiments, etc.), and stored and used in various other ways. such as the food industry, medicine.

Analysis of the state of the art

There are known devices in which water is automatically pumped from the reservoir to the working chamber by pumps. Equipment of this type is described in international patent application no. WO 2006 / 047876A1 and U.S. Pat. 2008 / 0257740A1. Similar devices using the balancing technique are known (Yakimenko L.M. Electroliz vody. Himiya, 1970). In known equipment, the fluid supply process involves fluctuations in gas pressure caused by uneven fluid movement, and in the balancing technique, the fluid reservoirs must be flat, low-height and positioned above the equipment, which in the case of mobile devices adversely affects the equipment dimensions. The equipment becomes more complicated and expensive, especially for small and medium power devices. Gas (liquid) pressure fluctuations are highly undesirable in water electrolysis plants where the hydrogen and oxygen chambers are only separated by an ion-permeable membrane. While ion membranes were based on asbestos (Kai Zeng, Dongke Zhang. Recent Progress in Alkaline Water Electrolysis for Hydrogen Production and Applications. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science 36 (2010) 307-326), this was not considered a major drawback, but ion-conducting polymeric membranes (A. Deschamps. Development of advanced PEM water electrolyzers. WHEC 16 / 13-16 June 2006 - Lyon, France). , which can cause electrolysis gases to mix and become explosive. The object of the invention is to eliminate the said disadvantages.

Disclosure of the Invention

This objective is achieved by providing a fluid level balancing system comprising an electrolyser, a gas separation vessel, gas treatment and collection equipment and a water reservoir. The electrolyser contains electrodes and an ion-permeable membrane. The upper outlet of the gas separation vessel is connected to the upper outlet of the electrolyser through the emulsion outlet. Gas treatment and collection equipment is connected to a gas separation vessel via a gas outlet. The lower outlet of the water tank is connected to the lower entrance of the gas separation vessel and the lower entrance of the electrolyser. During operation, the fluid in the water tank must reach the electrolysers.

Said liquid level balancing system is characterized by additionally comprising an airtight water reservoir located in a pipe between the water reservoir and the lower entrance of the gas separation vessel.

In addition, the system includes a level stabilization tube that connects the upper outlet of the gas separation vessel to the airtight water reservoir. The lower end of the level stabilization tube is located inside said airtight water reservoir below the water level therein so that it is flush with the desired electrolyte level in the gas separation vessel.

In addition, the level stabilization tube is equipped with a length-adjusting device that adjusts the lower end level in the airtight water reservoir.

Thanks to such a system it ensures the following operation. The gases produced by the electrolysis with the electrolyte present in the electrolyte form an emulsion which is lighter and, due to hydrostatic pressure, rises up the tube to the gas separation vessel. The gas is then discharged at stabilized pressure through the gas outlet pipe to the gas treatment and collection equipment. The electrolyte from the bottom of the gas separation vessel flows through the tubes to the bottom of the electrolyser. Since the water in the electrolyte is partitioned in the electrolysis process and removed in the gas phase to keep the process stable, the electrolyte concentration and level in the gas separation vessel must be replenished to maintain the level in the gas separation vessel. At the lower end of the level stabilization tube and the gas separation vessel, the pressures are the same, so the electrolyte level in the gas separation vessel will be constant, the wasted water from the water reservoir will be replenished and the gas in small bubbles will replenish the space above water. If necessary, the level in the gas separation vessel may be changed by adjusting the lower end of the level stabilization pipe to a different height by means of a leveling pipe length adjustment step.

Such a system stabilizes the electrolysis process, in particular, simplifies control, provides long-lasting gas purity and longer equipment life. In addition, the system provides a stable level in the gas separation vessel and a smooth and fluid supply of liquid, especially water, to the electrolysis chamber.

Concise outline of drawings

The enclosed drawing (Fig. 1) illustrates a schematic diagram of an electrolyzer (1) and a fluid level balancing system, specifically the oxygen O ₂ side of the electrolyzer (1) and the H ₂ O water replenishment system.

The fluid level balancing system for water electrolysers (Fig. 1) comprises electrolysers (1), a gas separation vessel (6), gas treatment and collection equipment (8) and a water reservoir (12). The electrolyser (1) comprises a permeable membrane (4) and cathode and anode electrodes (2) and (3). The upper inlet of the gas separation vessel (6) is connected via the emulsion outlet pipe (5) to the upper outlet of the electrolyser (1). The gas treatment and collection equipment (8) is connected to the gas separation vessel (6) via a gas outlet pipe (7). The water reservoir (12) is connected via its lower outlet to the lower entrance of the gas separation vessel (6) and to the lower entrance of the electrolyzer (1). This connection is provided by the pipes (14).

The fluid level balancing system is characterized in that it further comprises an airtight water reservoir (13) located in a pipe between the water reservoir (12) and the lower entrance of the gas separation vessel (6). In addition, a level stabilization tube (9) is provided which connects the upper outlet of the gas separation vessel (6) to the airtight water reservoir (13).

In addition, the lower end (11) of the level stabilization tube (9) is located inside said airtight water reservoir (13) below the water level therein so that it is flush with the desired electrolyte level in the gas separation vessel (6).

The level stabilization tube (9) is provided with a length adjusting device (10) which regulates the level of the lower end (11) in the airtight water reservoir (13).

Claims (2)

1. Liquid leveling system for water electrolysers containing: - electrolysers (1); 5 - a gas separation vessel (6), wherein its upper inlet is connected to the upper outlet of the electrolyser (1) via the emulsion outlet (5); - gas treatment and collection equipment (8) which is connected to the gas separation vessel (6) via the gas outlet pipe (7); - a water reservoir (12) where its lower outlet is connected to a gas 10 lower inlets for separation vessel (6) and lower inlet for electrolyser (1), characterized in that it further comprises: - an airtight water reservoir (13) located in the pipe between the water The lower entrance of 15 reservoirs (12) and gas separation vessels (6); - a level stabilization tube (9) connecting the upper outlet of the gas separation vessel (6) to the airtight water reservoir (13); - in addition, the lower end (11) of the level stabilization tube (9) is located inside said airtight water reservoir (13) under the water contained therein. 20 level so that it is level with the required electrolyte level in the gas separation vessel (6). Liquid level balancing system for water electrolysers according to claim 1, characterized in that the level stabilizing tube (9) is provided with: 25 adjusting means (10) for adjusting the level of the lower end (11) of the pipe (9) in the airtight water reservoir (13).