TWI434455B - Method and apparatus for preventing voltage reversal of water electrolysis battery - Google Patents

Description

Method and device for preventing voltage reversal of water electrolysis cell

The invention relates to a method and a device for preventing voltage inversion of a water electrolysis cell, relating to a new technology for preventing a reverse current and a voltage reversal phenomenon when a water electrolysis cell is not subjected to a water electrolysis reaction; more specifically, it utilizes a The method and device for preventing the voltage reversal from being maintained by the power supply unit are continuously provided to the water electrolysis battery.

In view of environmental pollution, coupled with energy shortages, traditional firepower, hydropower and nuclear power generation can no longer meet the needs of future humans, and the research and development of new energy cannot be delayed. In recent years, all walks of life have been spared no effort in the research and development of green energy. In terms of fuel cells, due to the high feasibility, low noise, low pollution and high efficiency, it has long been widely valued by governments and enterprises.

The fuel cell uses hydrogen to react with oxygen to generate electricity and liquid water. Conversely, when liquid water is passed to the reaction potential, hydrogen and oxygen are generated. The above reaction of separating the liquid into hydrogen and oxygen is called water electrolysis. By utilizing the characteristics of the two-way reaction, the reactants of the fuel cell, hydrogen and oxygen, can be continuously recycled to form a hydrogen energy cycle or hydrogen economy, wherein the water electrolysis technology now uses a proton exchange membrane as a solid energy. Molecular electrolytes can achieve high efficiency and low pollution technical characteristics, and can also be combined with renewable energy as a distributed hydrogen production, becoming one of the most attractive hydrogen production technologies.

In the past, for the water electrolysis cell used for the water electrolysis operation, please refer to the first figure, and a power supply unit 1 is connected, which supplies the electric power required for the water electrolysis cell 2 to perform water electrolysis. In practice, a switch 3 is disposed between the power supply unit 1 and the water electrolysis cell 2 to control the opening and closing of the water electrolysis operation.

As for the structure of the water electrolysis cell 2, as shown in the second figure, a positive electrode 21 and a negative electrode 22 are included, and the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22 are respectively connected to the power supply unit 1. The internal structure of the water electrolysis cell 2 includes a plurality of water electrolysis zones 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247. When the water electrolysis reaction is performed, since the current direction of the water electrolysis cell 2 flows from the positive electrode 21 to the negative electrode 22, the voltage of each water electrolysis region will decrease from the end of the positive electrode 21 toward the end of the negative electrode 22, that is, the water electrolysis region 241 is higher. In the water electrolysis zone 242, the water electrolysis zone 241 has the highest voltage and is gradually reduced to the lowest in the water electrolysis zone 247. In the past, when the water electrolysis cell 2 was to stop the water electrolysis operation, that is, when the switch 3 was opened (as shown in the third figure), since the power supply unit 1 stopped supplying power to the water electrolysis cell 2, the water electrolysis cells inside the water electrolysis cell 2 The voltage will break the law of decreasing from the end of the positive electrode 21 toward the end of the negative electrode 22, resulting in a phenomenon that the voltage of some water electrolysis regions is decreased from the end of the negative electrode 22 toward the end of the positive electrode 21; for example, the water electrolysis region 243 in the fourth figure. The voltage is higher than the water electrolysis zone 242 and the water electrolysis zone 245 is higher than the water electrolysis zone 244. This reverse current voltage reversal phenomenon easily causes damage to the water electrolysis cell 2 or shortens the life.

In the past, no countermeasures or solutions have been proposed for this reverse current voltage reversal phenomenon. However, the inventor believes that such an electrical reaction must have a solution. The inventor has collected relevant information based on the accumulated experience of the industry for a long time, and through multiple assessments and considerations, through continuous trials and revisions, the case has been carry out. The inventor hopes that with the proposal of this case, he will be able to contribute his own talents to the industry.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a solution for preventing the occurrence of reverse current and voltage reversal in the period in which the water electrolysis cell stops reacting. In this way, the water electrolysis cell can be effectively protected, thereby avoiding the purpose of avoiding damage and prolonging the service life of the water electrolysis cell.

In order to achieve the above object, the method of the present invention is to apply a sustain power source when the water electrolysis cell stops the reaction; thereby, the phenomenon of preventing reverse current and voltage reversal can be achieved.

Preferably, the water electrolysis cell maintains a power supply applied during a period of stopping the reaction, and the voltage thereof is lower than a startup voltage of the water electrolysis cell for normal operation; if so, the maintenance power source can perform water without starting the water electrolysis cell. In the state of electrolytic reaction, the purpose of preventing reverse current and voltage reversal in the water electrolysis cell is achieved.

In order to achieve the above object and to implement the above method, the device of the present invention comprises: a power supply, a water electrolysis battery, a switch and a maintenance power supply.

Preferably, the power supply is capable of supplying direct current, in particular, a voltage greater than a starting reaction of the water electrolysis cell, including a positive electrode and a negative electrode.

Preferably, the water electrolysis cell is capable of performing a water electrolysis reaction comprising a positive electrode and a negative electrode.

Preferably, the switch has a switching function of the input source, and includes a first contact, a second contact and a third contact.

Preferably, the power supply maintains a voltage lower than a start-up reaction of the water electrolysis cell, the sustain power source including a positive electrode and a negative electrode.

Preferably, the positive pole of the power supply is connected to the second contact of the switch, and the first contact of the switch is connected to the positive electrode of the water electrolysis cell, and the negative electrode of the water electrolysis cell is connected to the negative electrode of the power supply. And the third contact of the switch is connected to the positive pole of the power supply, and the negative pole of the power supply is connected to the negative pole of the power supply and the negative pole of the water electrolysis battery.

Preferably, the function of the switch is to switch between the power supply or the power supply.

Preferably, between the third contact of the switch and the positive terminal of the power supply, a reverse current preventing element such as a diode or a transistor is disposed to prevent current from flowing backward.

Preferably, in addition to the maintenance power supply, the present invention can further add a backup power supply and prevent reverse current components, and the function thereof is to avoid the occurrence of a window period for protection, so as to surely prevent reverse current and voltage reversal of the water electrolysis cell. The purpose of the phenomenon.

The detailed description of the present invention and the preferred embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The foregoing objects and advantages are readily understood by those skilled in the art.

The following examples of the invention are intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the device for preventing voltage reversal of the water electrolysis cell comprises a power supply 1, a water electrolysis cell 2, a switch 4, a sustain power source 5 and a reverse current preventing element 6, wherein The power supply 1 can supply direct current, in particular, can supply a voltage greater than that generated by the water electrolysis cell 2, including a positive electrode 11 and a negative electrode 12; the water electrolysis cell 2 can perform a water electrolysis reaction including a positive electrode 21 and a negative electrode 22; the switch 4 has an input source switching function, including a first contact 41, a second contact 42 and a third contact 43; the maintenance power supply 5 is provided The voltage supply device is lower than the water electrolysis cell 2, and the sustain power source 5 includes a positive electrode 51 and a negative electrode 52. The reverse current preventing element 6 is disposed at the third contact 43 of the changeover switch 4 and the positive electrode of the maintenance power source 5. Between 51.

With the above structure, the positive electrode 11 of the power supply 1 is connected to the second contact 42 of the changeover switch 4, and the first contact 41 of the changeover switch 4 is connected to the positive electrode 21 of the water electrolysis cell 2, and the water electrolysis cell 2 is The negative electrode 22 is connected to the negative electrode 12 of the power supply 1, and the third contact 43 of the changeover switch 4 is connected to prevent the reverse current element 6 from being reconnected to the positive electrode 51 of the maintenance power supply 5, and the negative electrode 52 of the power supply 5 and the power supply are maintained. The negative electrode 12 of 1 and the negative electrode 22 of the water electrolysis cell 2 are connected.

As shown in the sixth figure, when the water electrolysis cell 2 is to be subjected to a water electrolysis reaction, the first contact 41 of the changeover switch 4 and the second contact 42 form a path, and the power supply 1 can supply electric energy to the water electrolysis. The battery 2 is subjected to a water electrolysis reaction, and at this time, maintaining the power source 5 does not provide any effect. Referring to the seventh figure, when the water electrolysis reaction is performed, the voltage of each water electrolysis zone will decrease from the positive electrode 21 end toward the negative electrode 22 end, that is, the water electrolysis region 241 is higher than the water electrolysis region 242, and the water electrolysis region 241. The voltage is highest and gradually decreases to the lowest in the water electrolysis zone 247. Further, the voltages of the respective water electrolysis regions 241 to 247 are higher than the starting voltage 25 for generating the water electrolysis reaction.

As shown in the eighth figure, when the water electrolysis cell 2 is to stop the water electrolysis reaction, the first contact 41 of the changeover switch 4 and the third contact 43 form a path, and the first contact 41 and the second contact 42 form an open circuit. , causing the power supply 1 to no longer supply the electric energy to the electrolysis battery 2 higher than the starting voltage value; at this time, the water electrolysis cell 2 is no longer subjected to the water electrolysis reaction, and the positive electrode of the maintenance power source 5 is connected to the positive electrode of the water electrolysis cell 2 Therefore, the maintenance power source 5 will input a sustain voltage to the water electrolysis cell 2, and the maintenance voltage is lower than the startup voltage 25 value (in conjunction with the ninth diagram), so that the sustain voltage of the maintenance power source 5 can not start the water electrolysis. Before the battery 2 is subjected to the water electrolysis reaction, the voltage of each of the water electrolysis regions 241 to 247 is ensured to decrease from the end of the positive electrode 21 toward the end of the negative electrode 22, so as to avoid reverse current or voltage reversal, thereby protecting the water electrolysis cell and prolonging it. Service life.

As shown in the tenth figure, in addition to the maintenance power supply 5, a standby power supply 7 and a reverse current preventing element 8 are connected in parallel to the power supply 1 . When the water electrolysis cell 2 wants to stop the water electrolysis reaction, in order to avoid reverse current or voltage reversal phenomenon before the switch 4 is switched to the maintenance power source 5, the backup power source 7 is responsible for providing a sustain voltage to avoid protection. In the empty window period, the phenomenon of preventing reverse current and voltage reversal in the water electrolysis cell is surely achieved.

In this case, the maintenance power supply is not limited to be integrated in the same electronic circuit, and the maintenance power supply has to cooperate with one switch to form another circuit.

In summary, the method and device for preventing voltage inversion of a water electrolysis cell effectively solve the shortcomings of reverse current and voltage reversal in a conventional water electrolysis cell, and according to the provisions of Article 44 of the current Patent Law, there is no violation. Articles 21 to 24, Article 26, Article 30, Paragraph 1, Article 2, Article 31, Article 32 or Article 49 of the same law Four items of stipulations. The case was indeed exploited in the industry and was not seen in the publication or publicly used before the application, and is not a technology known to the public. Furthermore, the present invention effectively solves the long-standing problems in the prior art and achieves long-term needs of related users and consumers, and it is corroborated that the present invention is not easily accomplished. The case is in full compliance with the requirements of "industry useability", "novelty" and "progressiveness" as stipulated in the Patent Law. The patents are submitted in accordance with the law, and the Bureau is invited to conduct a detailed investigation and to approve the patent as soon as possible to protect the wisdom of the applicant. Property rights, encourage innovation.

The present invention has been described by way of example only, and it is to be understood by those skilled in the art. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is only one of the ways in which the present invention can be implemented in a specific manner, but is not limited thereto, and should be defined in the scope of the appended patent application.

1. . . Power Supplier

11. . . positive electrode

12. . . negative electrode

2. . . Water electrolysis cell

twenty one. . . positive electrode

twenty two. . . negative electrode

241. . . Water electrolysis area

242. . . Water electrolysis area

243. . . Water electrolysis area

244. . . Water electrolysis area

245. . . Water electrolysis area

246. . . Water electrolysis area

247. . . Water electrolysis area

3. . . switch

4. . . Toggle switch

41. . . First contact

42. . . Second contact

43. . . Third junction

5. . . Maintain power

51. . . positive electrode

52. . . negative electrode

6. . . Prevent reverse current components

7. . . backup power

8. . . Prevent reverse current components

The first picture is the circuit configuration diagram of the conventional water electrolysis cell.

The second figure is a schematic diagram of the voltage value of each water electrolysis zone decreasing from the positive electrode end to the negative electrode end when the water electrolysis reaction is carried out.

The third figure is a circuit configuration diagram when the conventional water electrolysis cell stops the water electrolysis reaction.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the voltage inversion of the reverse current generated in each water electrolysis zone when the conventional water electrolysis cell stops the water electrolysis reaction.

Fig. 5 is a circuit configuration diagram of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a circuit configuration diagram of the present invention for performing a water electrolysis reaction.

Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the voltage value of each water electrolysis zone decreasing from the positive electrode terminal to the negative electrode terminal when the water electrolysis reaction is carried out.

Figure 8 is a circuit configuration diagram of the present invention when the water electrolysis reaction is stopped.

Fig. 9 is a schematic view showing that the voltage value of each water electrolysis zone is lower than the starting voltage and is still decreasing from the positive electrode terminal to the negative electrode terminal when the water electrolysis reaction is stopped.

The tenth figure is a circuit configuration diagram of the power supply for the device of the invention.

1. . . Power Supplier

2. . . Water electrolysis cell

4. . . Toggle switch

41. . . First contact

42. . . Second contact

43. . . Third junction

5. . . Maintain power

51. . . positive electrode

52. . . negative electrode

6. . . Prevent reverse current components

Claims (9)

A method for preventing voltage inversion of a water electrolysis cell is provided when the water electrolysis cell is stopped from supplying a starting voltage without performing a water electrolysis reaction, and a pre-water electrolysis cell is additionally provided with a voltage maintained, and the maintaining voltage value is lower than that of the water electrolysis cell. The starting voltage value of the water electrolysis reaction. The utility model relates to a device for preventing voltage reversal of a water electrolysis cell, comprising: a power supply device for supplying direct current; a water electrolysis battery connected to the power supply, capable of receiving electric energy of the power supply for performing water electrolysis reaction; A voltage supply device that produces a water electrolysis reaction below the water electrolysis cell; a switch that provides a function of the water electrolysis cell to switch electrical energy to the power supply or to maintain the power supply. The device for preventing voltage inversion of a water electrolysis cell according to Item 2 of claim 2, wherein the switch switch is to maintain a power source when the water electrolysis cell is to stop the water electrolysis reaction. The apparatus for preventing voltage inversion of a water electrolysis cell according to Item 2, wherein the power supply comprises a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and the water electrolysis cell comprises a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and the switch comprises a first a contact, a second contact and a third contact, the sustain power supply includes a positive pole and a negative pole; the positive pole of the power supply is connected to the second contact of the switch, and the first contact of the switch is The positive electrode of the water electrolysis cell is connected, and the negative electrode of the water electrolysis cell is connected with the negative electrode of the power supply, and the third contact of the switch is connected to the positive pole of the maintenance power supply, and the negative pole of the power supply and the negative pole of the power supply, water electrolysis The negative terminal of the battery is connected. The apparatus for preventing voltage inversion of a water electrolysis cell according to Item 2 of the claim, wherein a reverse current preventing element is provided between the switch and the sustain power source. The apparatus for preventing voltage inversion of a water electrolysis cell according to Item 4 of the claim, wherein a third element for preventing the reverse current component is disposed between the third contact of the switch and the positive electrode of the power supply. The apparatus for preventing voltage inversion of a water electrolysis cell according to Item 4 of the claim, wherein the power supply is connected in parallel with a backup power source and a reverse current preventing element. The apparatus for preventing voltage inversion of a water electrolysis cell according to Item 7, wherein the backup power source provides a voltage lower than that of the water electrolysis cell to generate water electrolysis. The apparatus for preventing voltage inversion of a water electrolysis cell according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the reverse current preventing element acts to prevent reverse current from occurring, and is one of a diode or a transistor.