Electrolyser frame design

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2024344231-A1
Application number	US-202218293507-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 4, 2022
Priority date	Aug 5, 2021
Publication date	Oct 17, 2024
Grant date	—

Abstract

An electrolyser and a method for producing the same. The electrolyser comprises at least two electrolytic cells respectively provided with anodic and cathodic frames where the frames are equipped with feed and discharge channels that reduce stray currents and facilitate cell assembly. The electrolyser may be advantageously employed for high pressure alkaline water electrolysis (AWE).

First claim

1 . An electrolyser comprising at least two electrolytic cells, each electrolytic cell comprising an anodic half-cell equipped with an anode, a cathodic half-cell equipped with a cathode, and a separator arranged between said anode and said cathode, wherein said at least two electrolytic cells are hydraulically connected through an internal manifold;
the cathodic and the anodic half-cells being respectively provided with an anodic frame ( 100 ) and a cathodic frame ( 200 ), each frame having an inner and outer surface, the inner surface ( 101 ) of the anodic frame facing the inner surface ( 201 ) of the cathodic frame; the anodic frame and the cathodic frame each comprising a feed inlet ( 111 , 211 ) and a feed outlet ( 112 , 212 ) for feeding the electrolyte into the anodic compartment and into the cathodic compartment respectively, the feed inlet and the feed outlet being connected via a anodic feed channel and a anodic discharge channel ( 110 , 210 ); the anodic frame and the cathodic frame each comprising a discharge inlet ( 121 , 221 ) and a discharge outlet ( 122 , 222 ) for discharging the electrolyte out of the anodic compartment and out of the cathodic compartment respectively, the discharge inlet and the discharge outlet being connected via cathodic channel and a cathodic discharge channel ( 120 , 220 ); the anodic feed channel and the anodic discharge channel ( 110 , 120 ) are created over the inner surface ( 101 ) of the anodic frame and exhibit at least 1 change in direction along the inner surface of the anodic frame; the cathodic feed channel and the cathodic discharge channel ( 210 , 220 ) are created over the inner surface ( 201 ) of the cathodic frame ( 200 ) and exhibit at least 1 change in direction along the inner surface of the cathodic frame; said anodic and cathodic feed and discharge channels having an overall length of at least twice a distance LM-C between the internal manifold and the electrode compartment; the anodic feed outlet ( 112 ) and the anodic discharge inlet ( 121 ) abut on the external surface ( 102 ) of the anodic frame ( 100 ); the cathodic feed outlet ( 212 ) and the cathodic discharge inlet ( 221 ) abut on the external surface ( 202 ) of the cathodic frame ( 200 ).

2 . (canceled)

3 . The electrolyser according to claim 1 wherein said anodic and cathodic feed and discharge channels have an overall length of 2-50 L M-C .

4 . The electrolyser according to claim 1 wherein said separator is a diaphragm or a membrane.

5 . The electrolyser according to claim 1 , wherein each of said electrolytic cells is arranged in a zero-gap configuration.

6 . The electrolyser according to claim 1 , wherein said anode and/or said cathode is a foraminous structure or a slab of conductive material.

7 . The electrolyser according to claim 1 , wherein the feed outlets of the anodic and cathodic compartments are connected to a collector ( 500 , 501 , 550 , 551 ) and to an array of distribution channels ( 401 , 402 , 403 ) created over the external surface of the anodic and cathodic frame respectively.

8 . (canceled)

9 . The electrolyser according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said anodic or cathodic feed or discharge channels are connected to a manifold aperture ( 351 , 352 , 355 , 356 ), wherein at least one of said anodic or cathodic feed or discharge channels meet said manifold aperture at an angle α with respect to the perpendicular to the tangent at the connection point, and a is not zero and is comprised between −90° and +90°.

10 . (canceled)

11 . A process for manufacturing the electrolyser according to claim 1 , wherein the anodic and cathodic frames are manufactured by milling or machining sheets, or by molding, 3D printing, or a combination thereof.

12 . The process according to claim 11 , wherein said anodic and cathodic feed and discharge channels are obtained by any of the following methods: engraving, milling, molding, 3D printing, machining or any combinations thereof.

13 . An electrode frame ( 101 ) for an electrolytic cell comprising a channel ( 120 ) created over the inner surface of a cathodic or anodic frame and exhibit at least 1 change in direction along the inner surface of said frame, said channel being connected to a manifold aperture ( 351 ) at a connection point ( 122 ), wherein the direction of said channel at the connection point forms an angle α with respect to the perpendicular to the tangent of the manifold aperture at said connection point, and a is not zero and is comprised between −90° and +90°.

14 . The electrode frame according to claim 13 wherein a is not zero and is comprised between −80° and −20°, and +20° and +80°, preferably between −70° and −30°, and +30° and +70°.

15 . The electrode frame according to claim 14 , wherein a is not zero and is comprised between −70° and −30°, and +30° and +70°.

Assignees

• Industrie De Nora Spa

Inventors

• Nuzzo Daniele
• Liuzzo Mirko
• Perego Michele

Classifications

• Y02E60/36

  Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis · CPC title

• C25B11/02

  characterised by shape or form · CPC title

• C25B9/19

  with diaphragms · CPC title

• C25B1/04 Primary

  by electrolysis of water · CPC title

• C25B9/73

  of the filter-press type · CPC title