JP4635567B2 - Container-contained water electrolyzer for water electrolysis hydrogen generator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a high-pressure hydrogen production apparatus that generates a high-pressure hydrogen gas by electrolysis of water using a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and more specifically, several tens of MPa, for example, a fuel cell vehicle travels the same distance as a gasoline vehicle. at least 40MPa is required by hydrogen station to cause, preferably relates to a water electrolysis hydrogen generation apparatus capable of supplying high-pressure hydrogen gas 80 MPa, more particularly encased water electrolysis apparatus.

  A polymer electrolyte membrane that electrolyzes water, generates oxygen at the anode and hydrogen at the cathode, and a hydrogen gas / liquid that separates water and hydrogen generated at the cathode of the water electrolysis tank Hydrogen having a separator, an oxygen gas-liquid separator that separates oxygen and water generated at the anode of the water electrolysis tank, and a water supply line having a water supply pump that supplies water from the pure water tank to the water electrolysis tank The supply device is conventionally known. The high pressure vessel-accommodating water electrolysis hydrogen generator is a device in which a hydrogen supply device having such a configuration is housed in a vessel capable of maintaining a predetermined high pressure.

  Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 6, a container-containing water electrolysis hydrogen generator is a solid polymer water electrolyzer that electrolyzes water using a polymer electrolyte membrane and generates oxygen at the anode and hydrogen at the cathode, respectively. (120), a pressure vessel (121) having a water inlet on the left side wall, a water / oxygen outlet on the right side wall, and containing the water electrolyzer (120), and hydrogen gas provided on the top wall of the pressure vessel Extraction device (122), hydrogen line (123) provided in hydrogen gas extraction device, oxygen line (124) connected to water / oxygen discharge port of pressure vessel, water electrolysis tank provided in oxygen line An oxygen gas-liquid separator (125) for separating oxygen and water generated at the anode of (120), a water circulation line (126) connecting the oxygen gas-liquid separator and the water inlet of the pressure vessel, and a water electrolyzer And a DC power source (not shown) connected to (120). The pressure vessel (121) includes a cylindrical member and cone-shaped end wall members provided at both ends thereof (see Patent Document 1).

However, the water electrolysis device in container-contained water electrolysis hydrogen generation device having such a structure, it requires a large ingots to produce the pressure vessel large metal ingots, to obtain such ingot Is extremely difficult.

Further, in the conventional encased water collector dismantlement location, and out and between the anode of the water electrolysis cell - thereby preventing breakage of the water electrolyzer by so that no differential pressure across the cathode.

In this method, since only one water electrolysis tank can be installed in the pressure vessel, it is necessary to increase the number of unit cells stacked in one water electrolysis tank in order to generate a large amount of hydrogen. However, since the high-pressure vessel is formed by cutting an ingot, the number of unit cells stacked cannot be increased due to the limitation of the cutting depth, and the amount of hydrogen generated is limited. In addition, when the number of layers is large, it is difficult to manufacture.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 204-2914, in particular, Example 1 and FIG.

In view of the circumstances described above, to provide a construction it is easy to simple assembly, moreover encased water electrolysis apparatus in a large amount of water electrolysis hydrogen generation device that can be generated hydrogen Let it be an issue.

  The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems.

The invention according to claim 1 includes an anode main electrode and a cathode main electrode arranged at both ends, a plurality of unit cells arranged in series between these main electrodes, and an anode main electrode-a plurality of unit cells-a cathode main electrode. A vessel in a water electrolysis hydrogen generator comprising at least one water electrolyzer having a pair of end plates sandwiching the combination of both from both sides, and a pressure vessel containing the water electrolyzer, and capable of supplying high-pressure hydrogen gas of at least 40 MPa A storage-type water electrolysis apparatus, wherein a pressure vessel has a pair of bottomed cylinders integrally formed from an ingot so that one end in the left-right direction has a bottom wall with a flat inner surface and the other end is open and facing the Jo container is formed by joining in and what the flange portion formed at the opening end, water electrolyser, 2 Tsutosa is, the one of the pair of end plates of the water electrolyzer each Flat bottom of container Characterized in that it is secured to a container storage type water electrolysis apparatus in water electrolysis hydrogen generation device.

The invention according to claim 2 electrically insulates the pair of left and right containers by interposing an insulating layer between the flange part of one container and the flange part of the other container, and water electrolysis in each container The tanks are electrically connected in series inside the pressure vessel , the anode of the power supply is connected to the anode of a water electrolysis tank fixed to this via one vessel, and the cathode of the power supply is connected to this via the other vessel. The container-encased water electrolysis apparatus in the water electrolysis hydrogen generator according to claim 1, which is connected to a cathode of a water electrolysis tank fixed to the water electrolysis tank.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the pressure vessel is provided with an oxygen outlet through which the anode side outlet of the water electrolyzer in each vessel communicates with the inside of the pressure vessel, and oxygen extracted from each anode is extracted. It is a container storage type water electrolysis apparatus in the water electrolysis hydrogen generator of description.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the pressure vessel is provided with a hydrogen outlet through which the cathode side outlet of the water electrolyzer in each vessel communicates with the inside of the pressure vessel and extracts hydrogen generated at each cathode. It is a container storage type water electrolysis apparatus in the water electrolysis hydrogen generator of description.

The invention according to claim 5 includes an anode main electrode and a cathode main electrode arranged at both ends, a plurality of unit cells arranged in series between these main electrodes, and an anode main electrode-a plurality of unit cells-a cathode main electrode. Container in a water electrolysis hydrogen generator comprising two water electrolyzers having a pair of end plates sandwiching the combination of both from both sides and a pressure vessel containing the water electrolyzer, and capable of supplying high-pressure hydrogen gas of at least 40 MPa Type water electrolyzer assembly method, in which two water electrolyzers are respectively formed, and then an ingot so that the inner surface has a flat bottom wall at one end in the left-right direction and the other end is open The end plate of each water electrolysis tank is fixed to the bottom wall of a pair of bottomed cylindrical containers produced integrally from the following , and then the other end side electrode of these water electrolysis tanks is a pressure terminal provided on the container wall To the other end or How to connect and then bind to accommodate the water electrolyzer inside a pair of container facing the open end to each other, a method of assembling encased water electrolysis apparatus in water electrolysis hydrogen generation device.

For example, the following methods are used to connect the electrodes of the water electrolyzer:
When the connection is made of a stretchable cable, the water electrolyzer is fixed to the inner surfaces of the bottom walls of a pair of containers having a bottom wall at one end and the other end open, and the other end electrodes of these water electrolyzers The two are connected by a cable-like connection, and then a pair of containers are joined so as to accommodate the water electrolyzer.

  When the connection is made of a conductive rod, the water electrolysis tanks are fixed to the inner surfaces of the bottom walls of a pair of containers having a bottom wall at one end and the other end open, and the other end electrodes of these water electrolysis tanks The rods are connected to each other, and then a pair of containers are joined so that the water electrolyzer is contained inside.

  According to the present invention, the total number of unit cells can be doubled without increasing the number of unit cells stacked in one water electrolyzer. In addition, in order to generate the same amount of hydrogen as in the conventional apparatus, the number of unit cells stacked in one water electrolyzer can be halved. Therefore, assembly and maintenance of the apparatus can be easily performed.

  By using each container as an anode and a cathode, a current introduction terminal into the pressure container is not required, so that the configuration of the apparatus can be simplified and its reliability can be improved.

Thus, it is possible to provide a container-encased water electrolysis apparatus in a water electrolysis hydrogen generation apparatus that is simple in construction and easy to assemble and that can generate a large amount of hydrogen.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described based on examples. In the following description, the left and right refer to the left and right in FIG.

Example 1
In FIG. 1, a pair of left and right containers (21) (21 ') having the same shape and having a bottom wall at one end and an open end at the other end are prepared. Flange portions (23) and (23 ') are provided at the open ends of the containers (21) and (21'), respectively. The containers (21) and (21 ') are made integrally from a stainless steel ingot. The container (21) (21 ') may be made from steel or titanium ingots. Water electrolyzers (24) and (24 ') are respectively arranged inside the containers (21) and (21'), and are fixed with bolts at the bottom walls (22) and (22 ') of the containers. When the base plate (25) is interposed between the water electrolyzer (24) and the container bottom wall (22), as shown in FIG. 4, the base plate (25) is first attached to the container bottom wall (22) with a short bolt. (26) and then the outer edge of the end plate (13) of the water electrolysis tank (24) is fixed to the base plate (25) with a long bolt (27). When a base plate is not interposed between the water electrolysis tank (24) and the container bottom wall (22), as shown in FIG. 5, the end plate (13) of the water electrolysis tank (24) is placed on the container bottom wall (22). Fix the outer edge directly with the long bolt (27). Thus, the water electrolysis tank (24) is fixed to the container bottom wall (22), and the water electrolysis tank (24 ′) is fixed to the container bottom wall (22 ′).

  The water electrolysis tank (24) electrolyzes water using a polymer electrolyte membrane to generate oxygen at the anode and hydrogen at the cathode. The anode main electrode and the cathode main electrode arranged at both ends, and these A plurality of unit cells arranged in series between the main electrodes, a pair of end plates sandwiching the anode main electrode-multiple unit cells-cathode main electrode combination from both sides, and through the four corners of the pair of end plates The main body is mainly composed of an anode main electrode, a plurality of unit cells, and bolts and nuts for fastening the cathode main electrode from both sides. One cell is mainly composed of the anode side of the bipolar plate, the anode feeder, the electrode assembly film, the cathode feeder, and the cathode side of the adjacent bipolar plate. The water electrolyzer (24) has a water supply header, a hydrogen header, and an oxygen header that vertically penetrate the water electrolytic cell (24).

  In this way, a pair of left and right containers (21) (21 ') with water electrolyzers (24) and (24') are arranged together, and the flange portions (23) and (23 ') at the open ends are joined together. The pressure vessel (28) is formed from the pair of left and right vessels (21) and (21 ′). A pressure vessel (28) equipped with water electrolyzers (24) and (24 ') is placed on a pair of left and right bases (29) and (29').

  The left and right water electrolyzers (24) and (24 ′) in the pressure vessel (28) are connected to different power sources (30) and (30 ′), respectively. Each anode of the power source (30) (30 ') is connected to the water electrolyzer (24) (24') via the pressure terminal (31) (31 ') provided on the upper wall of the container (21) (21'). Each cathode is connected to each anode, and each cathode of the power source (30) (30 ') is connected to each cathode of the water electrolysis tank (24) (24') via the containers (21) (21 ').

In the container-accommodating water electrolysis apparatus in the water electrolysis hydrogen generator thus configured, pure water is supplied from the water supply ports provided on both end walls of the pressure vessel (28) to the water electrolyzer (24) of the pressure vessel (28) ( 24 ') is supplied to the anode side. Hydrogen and entrained water are discharged into the pressure vessel (28) from the cathode side. Hydrogen is gas-liquid separated in the container and taken out from the upper gas outlet (32) provided in the upper part of the pressure container (28). Oxygen generated at the anode of the water electrolysis tank (24) and the remaining water are taken out from the end gas outlets (33) (33 ') provided on both end walls of the pressure vessel (28), and then outside the pressure vessel (28). It is sent to the gas-liquid separation tank and gas-liquid separation is performed in this tank. During maintenance or to prevent entrained water from losing the hydrogen gas storage space in the container, the accompanying water is withdrawn from the water outlet provided in the lower part of the pressure vessel (28) as necessary. . Further, when using the apparatus, the pressure on the anode side and the cathode side is adjusted by peripheral devices so that the seals provided on the electrode assembly membrane and the electrolytic cell are not broken.

Example 2
In FIG. 2, an insulating layer (35) is interposed between the flange portions (23) and (23 ′) of the pair of left and right containers (21) and (21 ′) to electrically insulate them. One power source (36) is provided, and its anode is connected to the anode of the water electrolyzer (24) through the left vessel (21), and the cathode of the power source (36) is connected to the right vessel (21 '). To the cathode of the water electrolyzer (24 ′) inside, and the water electrolyzers (24) and (24 ′) are electrically connected in series with the electrode assembly (34). The anode side outlet of the water electrolyzer (24) (24 ') is communicated with the inside of the pressure vessel (28).

In the container-accommodating water electrolysis apparatus in the water electrolysis hydrogen generator of this configuration, pure water is supplied into the pressure container (28) from the water supply port provided on the upper right side of the center of the pressure container (28), and water is supplied. The electrolytic cell (24) (24 ') is stored in a container so as to be submerged. Oxygen generated at each anode of the water electrolyzers (24) and (24 ′) and the remaining water are discharged from the water electrolyzers (24) and (24 ′) into the pressure vessel (28). Oxygen is gas-liquid separated in the container and taken out from the upper gas outlet (32) provided on the left side of the upper part of the pressure vessel (25). Hydrogen and entrained water generated at each cathode of the water electrolyzer (24) (24 ') are taken out from the end central gas outlet (33) (33') provided at the center of both end walls of the pressure vessel (28). Then, it is sent to a gas-liquid separation tank outside the pressure vessel (28), and gas-liquid separation is performed in the tank. When the water in the pressure vessel (28) decreases, water is replenished from the water supply port, and the water electrolyzers (24) and (24 ′) are submerged. During maintenance, water is extracted from a water outlet provided in the lower portion of the pressure vessel (28). Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

Example 3
In FIG. 3, in the container-encased water electrolysis apparatus in the water electrolysis hydrogen generator of this configuration, as in the first embodiment, pure water is supplied from the water supply ports provided on both end walls of the pressure container (28) to the pressure container ( It is supplied to the anode side of the water electrolyzers (24) and (24 ') of 28). Hydrogen and entrained water are discharged into the pressure vessel (28) from the cathode side. Hydrogen is gas-liquid separated in the container and taken out from the upper gas outlet (32) provided in the upper part of the pressure container (28). Oxygen generated at the anode of the water electrolysis tank (24) and the remaining water are taken out from the end gas outlets (33) (33 ') provided on both end walls of the pressure vessel (28), and then outside the pressure vessel (28). It is sent to the gas-liquid separation tank and gas-liquid separation is performed in this tank. During maintenance or to prevent entrained water from losing the hydrogen gas storage space in the container, the accompanying water is withdrawn from the water outlet provided in the lower part of the pressure vessel (28) as necessary. . Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

It is a vertical longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows roughly the container storage type water electrolysis apparatus in the water electrolysis hydrogen generator of Example 1. FIG. It is a vertical longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows roughly the container storage type water electrolysis apparatus in the water electrolysis hydrogen generator of Example 2. FIG. It is a vertical longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows roughly the container storage type water electrolysis apparatus in the water electrolysis hydrogen generator of Example 3. Figure 4a is a longitudinal sectional view showing a fixed state of the water electrolyzer of the container-contained water collector dismantlement location of the first embodiment, FIG. 4a is its horizontal sectional view. Figure 5a is a longitudinal sectional view showing a fixed state of the water electrolyzer of the container-contained water collector dismantlement location of the first embodiment, Figure 5a is its horizontal sectional view. It is a vertical longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows schematically the container storage type water electrolysis apparatus in the conventional water electrolysis hydrogen generator.

(22) (22 '): Bottom wall
(21) (21 '): Container
(23) (23 '): Flange
(24) (24 '): Water electrolyzer
(28): Pressure vessel
(30) (30 '): Power supply
(31) (31 '): Pressure terminal
(32): Upper gas outlet
(33) (33 '): End gas outlet
(34): Polar assembly
(35): Insulating layer
(36): Power supply

Claims (5)

A pair of anode main electrode and cathode main electrode arranged at both ends, a plurality of unit cells arranged in series between these main electrodes, and a combination of anode main electrode-multiple unit cells-cathode main electrode from both sides A container-accommodating water electrolysis apparatus in a water electrolysis hydrogen generator comprising at least one water electrolysis tank having an end plate and a pressure vessel containing the water electrolysis tank and capable of supplying high-pressure hydrogen gas of at least 40 MPa. ,
The pressure vessel is opened by facing a pair of bottomed cylindrical vessels formed integrally from the ingot so that the inner surface has a flat bottom wall at one end in the left-right direction and the other end is open. It is formed by joining in and what the flange portion formed at the end, water electrolyser, 2 Tsutosa is, the one of the pair of end plates of the water electrolyzer is fixed to the flat bottom wall of each container wherein the are, encased water electrolysis apparatus in water electrolysis hydrogen generation device. By interposing an insulating layer between the flange part of one container and the flange part of the other container, the pair of left and right containers are electrically insulated, and the water electrolyzers in each container are electrically connected within the pressure container. Connected in series, the anode of the power source is connected to the anode of a water electrolyzer fixed to this via one vessel, and the cathode of the power source is connected to this via the other vessel according to claim 1 wherein formed by connecting the cathode, encased water electrolysis apparatus in water electrolysis hydrogen generation device. The water electrolysis hydrogen generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pressure vessel is provided with an oxygen outlet through which the anode side outlet of the water electrolyzer in each vessel and the inside of the pressure vessel communicate, and oxygen generated at each anode is extracted. Container storage type water electrolysis device . The water electrolysis hydrogen generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pressure vessel is provided with a hydrogen outlet through which the cathode side outlet of the water electrolyzer in each vessel communicates with the inside of the pressure vessel, and hydrogen generated at each cathode is extracted. Container storage type water electrolysis device . A pair of anode main electrode and cathode main electrode arranged at both ends, a plurality of unit cells arranged in series between these main electrodes, and a combination of anode main electrode-multiple unit cells-cathode main electrode from both sides A method for assembling a container-encased water electrolysis apparatus in a water electrolysis hydrogen generator comprising two water electrolysis tanks having end plates and a pressure vessel for housing the water electrolysis tank and capable of supplying high-pressure hydrogen gas of at least 40 MPa. There,
A pair of bottoms formed integrally from an ingot so that the two water electrolyzers are formed respectively, and have a bottom wall with a flat inner surface at one end in the left-right direction and the other end open. The end plate of each water electrolysis tank is fixed to the bottom wall of the cylindrical container, and then the other end side electrodes of these water electrolysis tanks are connected to the pressure terminal provided on the container wall or the other end side electrodes are connected to each other. A method for assembling a container-accommodating water electrolysis apparatus in a water electrolysis hydrogen generator, wherein a pair of containers are connected to each other so that open ends face each other so that a water electrolysis tank is accommodated therein.

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