RU2456378C1 - Device for producing hydrogen and oxygen - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: machine building.

SUBSTANCE: in proposed device variations in the levels of electrolyte in the electrolytic cell and the transfer of the bubbles of oxygen into hydrogen are excluded, and of hydrogen into oxygen through diaphragm perforations (8) by means of keeping constant pressure of gases in the cells of electrolytic bath (1), equipped with communicating vessels (10) and (11), partially filled with electrolyte, into which vapour tube ends (12) and (13) are immersed and connected to the oxygen and hydrogen channels of electrolytic bath (1). Oxygene container contains tube (15), the end of which is at the level of the electrolyte, and which is connected to feeder receptacle (3), which is connected to electrolythic bath (1) through feeder valve (4). Feeder receptacle (3) is divided by a partition into two sections, in the bottom section follow float (23) with needle (24) are located, blocking the flow of water from the upper section. Oxygen pipe (25) crosses the upper section and is connected to diaphragm device equalisation of gas pressure (5) in the communicating vessels of the electolythic bath.

EFFECT: increased efficiency of the electrolythic bath.

1 dwg

Description

The device is intended for the production of hydrogen and oxygen and the use of the resulting gases for the production of flame works, for technological needs, oxygen for medical purposes and hydrogen for hydrogen energy.

The simplest electrolyzers are known, in which the anode and cathode are installed in bells that ensure the separation and production of the purest oxygen and hydrogen, placed in open or closed boxes with electrolyte (L.M. Yakimenko, I.D. Modylevskaya, Z.A. Tkachek Water Electrolysis, Chemistry Publishing House, M. 1970. Page 99. Fig. 111-2, a-b, c-d).

The disadvantage of such devices is low efficiency, not exceeding 50%. Therefore, such devices are used to produce small quantities of high purity gases, for example, for flame chromatography.

The closest analogue is a variant of the device for flame work according to patent No. 2359795 of May 11, 2007 (p. 16, FIG. 6 descriptions). The device consists of an electrolyzer, a gas pressure equalization device, a supply vessel, a dielectric valve, a control unit and a temperature sensor. The cell is installed obliquely and consists of bipolar electrodes separated by ring dielectric spacers, tightened between the end plates by rods with elastic compensators. The electrolysis cells are separated by dielectric perforated diaphragms.

The disadvantage of this device is the continuous fluctuations in the electrolyte level in the electrolysis cells, due to the alternate movement of the liquid electrolyte tubes through the vent pipes into the feed vessel during recharge, which causes the transfer of oxygen bubbles into hydrogen and hydrogen bubbles into oxygen through perforations of the diaphragms.

The technical task is to obtain hydrogen and oxygen, similar in purity to those obtained in bell-type electrolyzers, but with high efficiency and a long period of continuous operation, with the possibility of refueling with water during operation.

The problem is solved by a device for producing hydrogen and oxygen, consisting of an obliquely mounted filter-type electrolyzer with flat electrodes and dielectric perforated diaphragms for separating the resulting gases, a feeding vessel, a pressure equalizing membrane device, a charging dielectric valve, a control unit and a temperature sensor.

To solve this problem, the electrolyzer contains two containers communicating with each other and partially filled with an electrolyte, in which gas vent tubes connected to the oxygen and hydrogen channels of the electrolyzer are placed. The oxygen tank contains a tube, the end of which is at the level of the electrolyte, connected to a feed vessel, which is connected to the electrolyzer through a feed valve. The feed vessel is divided by a partition into two parts - in the lower part there is a hollow float with a needle blocking the flow of water from the upper part through which the oxygen pipeline passes. The membrane device for equalizing the gas pressure in the communicating electrolytic tank is equipped with outlet fittings with calibrated openings, is connected by a pipe to a feed vessel, and the hydrogen part is connected by a pipe to the hydrogen capacity of the electrolyzer and to a safety valve.

Differences from the prototype consist in the fact that the electrolyzer contains two containers communicating with each other and partially filled with electrolyte, in which gas vent tubes connected to the oxygen and hydrogen channels of the electrolyzer are placed. The oxygen tank contains a tube, the end of which is at the level of the electrolyte, connected to a feed vessel, which is connected to the electrolyzer through a feed valve. The feed vessel is divided by a partition into two parts - in the lower part there is a hollow float with a needle blocking the flow of water from the upper part through which the oxygen pipeline passes. The membrane device for equalizing the gas pressure in the communicating electrolytic tank is equipped with outlet fittings with calibrated openings, is connected by a pipe to a feed vessel, and the hydrogen part is connected by a pipe to the hydrogen capacity of the electrolyzer and to a safety valve.

These differences ensure the fulfillment of the task. The vent pipes connected to the oxygen and hydrogen channels of the electrolyzer and placed in the electrolyte in the communicating electrolysis tanks ensure equal gas pressures in the electrolysis cells and the vent pipes of the electrolyzer based on Pascal's law, and the excess electrolyte from the vent channels flows down without forming plugs. Convection mixing of the electrolyte between the anode and cathode parts of the electrolysis cell, due to its different density, is extremely slow and transfers only dissolved gases. The solubility of gases at low pressures and elevated temperatures is negligible, and there are no conditions for their evolution in stationary operation.

The oxygen container contains a tube, the end of which is at the level of the electrolyte, connected to a feed vessel. Through this tube, excess electrolyte is returned to the feed vessel in the form of liquid plugs, the number of which is reduced due to the fact that the makeup valve automatically adjusts the makeup in accordance with the water flow rate.

The feed vessel is divided by a partition into two parts - in the lower part there is a hollow float with a needle blocking the flow of water from the upper part through which the oxygen pipeline passes. A small amount of water introduced into the circulation for recharge, provides a constant and optimal composition of the electrolyte, corresponding to the highest efficiency. The upper part of the feeding vessel can have any capacity and an additional capacity can be connected to it with two taps, which can be completely charged with water during the operation of the electrolyzer, closing the taps and opening them after the additional vessel is completely filled.

The membrane device for equalizing the gas pressure in the communicating electrolytic tank is equipped with outlet fittings with calibrated openings, is connected by a pipe to a feed vessel, and the hydrogen part is connected by a pipe to the hydrogen capacity of the electrolyzer and to a safety valve. The use of outlet fittings with calibrated holes allows to obtain gas pressure in proportion to their quantity, which ensures automatic adjustment of the make-up and shutdown of the device with gas pressure relief when the set pressure is exceeded in emergency situations, which increases reliability and safety.

Figure 1 shows a diagram of a device for producing hydrogen and oxygen.

The device for producing hydrogen and oxygen, shown in figure 1, consists of an electrolyzer 1, a power supply and control unit 2, a supply vessel 3, a make-up valve 4, a membrane pressure equalization device 5 and a safety valve 6.

The electrolyzer 1 consists of bipolar electrodes 7 separated by perforated diaphragms 8 and dielectric frames 9, as well as an oxygen tank 10 and a hydrogen tank 11 with an electrolyte, forming interconnected vessels in which gas vent tubes 12 and 13 are connected to the gas vent channels of the electrolysis cells. The outlet fitting 14 of the oxygen tank 10 has a pipe 15, the end of which is at the level of the electrolyte. The hydrogen tank 11 has an outlet fitting 16. All parts are located between the end plates 17 and 18 with the end elastic elements 19 and are tightened by the rods 20.

The power supply and control 2 is similar to the known prototype. For inclusion, an electromagnetic starter is used, in the self-locking circuit of which normally closed contacts of the microswitch 21 of the safety valve 6 are included, the electromagnet of which closes the valve. The temperature sensor 22 is located on the outer surface of the electrolyzer 1. The discharge current is determined by the position of the current regulator, and therefore the measuring device may be absent.

The feed vessel 3 is divided in height into two parts. In the lower part there is a float 23 with a needle 24, blocking the flow of water from the upper part, through which the oxygen pipe 25 passes, and an outlet fitting 26 is located, connected by a pipe to the membrane pressure equalization device 5. The outlet fitting 14 of the oxygen tank 10 is connected by a pipe to the pipe 27 located under the float 23. The fitting 28 with the filter is connected by a pipe to the make-up valve 4.

The make-up valve 4 contains a movable plate 29 with a protrusion, which lifts a piston through the screw, pressing the elastic membrane to the hole of the outlet pipe 30, opening the valve 4 when charging the electrolyzer with the electrolyte through the feed vessel 3. After refueling, the plate 29 with the protrusion is set aside, and the spring-loaded the piston is lowered, pressing the membrane to the hole of the nozzle 30. By the pressure of oxygen on the piston, the valve 4 opens in proportion to the oxygen flow, providing the necessary recharge of electrolyte ektrolizera 1.

The membrane pressure equalization device 5 consists of a container divided by an elastic membrane 31. Each of the separated parts is equipped with inlet pipes for oxygen 32 and hydrogen 33, as well as calibrated output pipes for hydrogen 34 and oxygen 35. Excess oxygen is discharged through the pipe 31 blocked by the membrane 31. and the pipe 37 is connected by a pipe to the safety valve 6.

The safety valve 6 consists of an electromagnet 38 with a magnetic circuit and a spring-loaded anchor, which is connected by a rod to a piston pressing an elastic membrane to the hole of the pipe 39, closing it. The protruding part of the rod abuts against the button of the microswitch 21, breaking normally closed contacts. The safety valve 6 is designed to automatically turn off the device and relieve gas pressure in the event of overheating of the electrolyzer 1 and in case of excess of gas pressure above the permissible.

A device for producing hydrogen and oxygen is prepared for operation as follows. Remove the protective cover of the electrolyzer. Pour the electrolyte (29-30% aqueous KOH solution) into the feed dielectric vessel 3, Fig. 1, and open the feed dielectric valve 4 by moving the movable plate 28 to the position shown in Fig. 1. The filling of the cells of the electrolyzer 1 is controlled by the level of electrolyte in the feed dielectric vessel 3 and an ohmmeter. Filling a predetermined amount of electrolyte (6.4 liters), the movable plate 28 is shifted to the right, which leads to the closing of the valve. Distilled water is poured into the feed vessel 3 and the neck is closed with a stopper. Install a protective cover. The device is ready to go.

We will consider the operation of the device for producing hydrogen and oxygen by the example of its use for the production of gas-flame operations. To do this, connect the hoses of a standard gas welding torch to the nozzles 34 and 35 of the membrane pressure equalization device 5 and open the hydrogen supply valve, closing the oxygen supply valve. If it is intended to use oxygen cutting, an oxygen torch hose is connected to the pipe 36 of the membrane pressure equalization device 5. Turn on the device and set the current regulator to the position corresponding to the selected flow rate of hydrogen. They set fire to hydrogen and, opening the oxygen valve of the burner, form the required flame for gas welding. For oxygen cutting, close the oxygen valve of the burner and, heating the place of cut with a hydrogen flame, carry out the cutting. If necessary, the current regulator is transferred to a higher current.

When using hydrogen as a technological medium, drainage by known methods is required: sorption, cryogenic, diffusion. The choice of the method of drainage and additional cleaning is determined by the requirements for the technological environment in a continuous stream. If necessary, fill the tanks carry out the diversion from the stream.

The resulting oxygen can be used for medical purposes. Double bubbling washing in the electrolyte and possible additional washing in clean water of the upper part of the feeding vessel 3 completely exclude alkaline fog, and it does not form. Numerous observations have established the technique for the formation of gas bubbles - they grow and, having reached a certain size, come off and rise up, leaving the germ of the future bubble in its place. Rising bubbles tear relatively large bubbles in their path. Small bubbles do not come off. Microscopic sprays form at the moment of destruction of the bubbles on the surface of the liquid. Such sprays are few in number, they do not form fog and settle rather quickly, which is evident when the gas flow is turned off.

When using a device for producing hydrogen for energy purposes, the current regulator is set to the maximum possible current for continuous and continuous operation. The actual current is determined by the current source and cannot be greater than the maximum possible current. Otherwise, the operation of the device is similar to the previous cases.

Technical and economic advantages of using the proposed device for the production of hydrogen and oxygen consist in the production of gases suitable for practical use for various purposes without additional purification and with high efficiency.

Claims (1)

A device for producing hydrogen and oxygen, consisting of an inclined filter-press type electrolyzer with flat electrodes and dielectric perforated diaphragms for separating the produced gases, a feeding vessel, a pressure equalizing membrane device, a feeding dielectric valve, a control unit and a temperature sensor, characterized in that the electrolyzer contains two containers communicating with each other and partially filled with electrolyte, in which the ends of the vent pipes are placed, connected to the oxygen and hydrogen channels of the electrolyzer, and the oxygen container contains a tube, the end of which is at the level of the electrolyte, connected to the feed vessel, which is connected through the feed valve to the electrolyzer, and the feed vessel is divided by a partition into two parts, and at the bottom there is a hollow a float with a needle blocking the flow of water from the upper part, through which an oxygen pipeline passes, connected to a membrane device for equalizing the pressure of gases in communicating containers x the electrolytic cell having outlet fittings with calibrated holes, and the hydrogen part is connected by a pipe to the hydrogen capacity of the electrolyzer and to the safety valve.