KR102481450B1 - Hydrogen generation device having an ion exchange membrane - Google Patents

Abstract

The objective of the present invention is to provide a hydrogen generator that has an ion exchange membrane between two electrodes and forms sodium sulfate as an electrolyte. Specifically, the present invention includes: a plurality of first passages (110) through which an electrolyte flows; a second passage (120) which is positioned between the first passages and through which the electrolyte flows; a bipolar ion exchange membrane (200) positioned between the first passage and the second passage; and electrode plates (300) positioned in the first and second passages, respectively, and having an oxygen catalyst layer and a hydrogen catalyst layer on both sides thereof, respectively.

Description

Hydrogen generation device having an ion exchange membrane}

The present invention relates to a hydrogen generator having an ion exchange membrane between two electrodes and using sodium sulfate as an electrolyte.

Patent Inventions 001 to 004 suggest previously filed and published inventions of others that are related to the invention of this application. Patent Invention 001 is an invention for a membrane electrode assembly and manufacturing method for detecting hydrogen capable of detecting hydrogen leakage in real time, and an electrochemical cell equipped with the same. Patent Invention 002 is an invention for a bioelectrochemical hydrogen generator using an external voltage device linked to a solar cell and a capacitor and an operating method thereof. Patent Invention 003 is an invention for an oxygen generating catalyst electrode, and a manufacturing method and a using method thereof. Patent Invention 004 is an invention for a mixed gas (oxygen/hydrogen) generator, and specifically, a mixed gas generator for generating oxygen/hydrogen gas.

KR 10-2037110 B1 (Date of registration October 22, 2019) KR 10-1123961 B1 (registered on February 28, 2012) KR 10-2018-0011791 A (published on February 2, 2018) KR 20-0252564 Y1 (registered on October 19, 2001)

An object of the present invention is to have an ion exchange membrane between two electrodes and to form sodium sulfate as an electrolyte.

The present invention relates to a hydrogen generator, and is specifically listed in plurality, a first flow path 110 through which an electrolyte flows; a second flow path 120 positioned between the first flow paths and through which electrolyte flows; a bipolar ion exchange membrane 200 positioned between the first flow path and the second flow path; An electrode plate 300 located in the first flow path and the second flow path, respectively, on both sides of which an oxygen catalyst layer and a hydrogen catalyst layer are formed, respectively.

The present invention relates to a hydrogen generator, and in the above-described invention, the electrolyte is formed of sodium sulfate (Na2SO4); characterized in that.

The present invention relates to a hydrogen generator, and in the above-described invention, the ion exchange membrane includes a cation exchange layer 210 located on one side; The ion exchange membrane includes an anion exchange layer 220 located on the other side; A catalyst layer 230 positioned between the cation exchange layer and the anion exchange layer;

The present invention relates to a hydrogen generator, and in the above-described invention, the oxygen generating catalyst layer 310 formed on one surface of the electrode plate; It consists of a configuration including; a hydrogen generating catalyst layer 320 formed on the other surface of the electrode plate.

The present invention relates to a hydrogen generator, and in the above-described invention, the first plate 400 having a plate shape and having the first flow path formed thereon; a second plate 500 having a plate shape and having the second passage; a first electrode groove 410 penetrating both sides of the first plate and accommodating an electrode plate; a second electrode groove 510 penetrating both sides of the second plate and accommodating an electrode plate; A first cover 610 and a second cover 620 are located at both ends, a plurality of first and second plates are alternately stacked inside, and an ion exchange membrane is located between the first and second plates to form an integrated body. A case 700 formed of; consists of a configuration including a.

The present invention relates to a hydrogen generator, and in the above-described invention, a main supply pipe 810 communicating with the case and supplying an electrolyte; a first discharge pipe 821 communicating with the case and discharging a first gas; A second discharge pipe 822 communicating with the case and discharging the second gas;

The present invention uses sodium sulfate as an electrolyte and has an effect of generating high-purity hydrogen and oxygen at a low voltage by an ion exchange membrane.

In the present invention, the hydrogen and oxygen generating region is divided into a first plate and a second plate, and since a plurality of plates are laminated and bonded, the capacity size can be varied.

In the present invention, since the check valve of the electrolyte supply pump of the power supply unit is controlled by the controller, effective operating conditions according to capacity supply can be implemented.

Since the vessel body of the present invention is a variable volume type, it has an effect that no reverse flow of the generated gas occurs and no change in state of the gas occurs.

1 is a conceptual diagram of hydrogen generation formed by an electrode plate and an ion exchange membrane of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a case made of a combination of the first plate and the second plate of the present invention.
Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the first plate and the second plate of the present invention.
4 is a conceptual diagram of the hydrogen generator system of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the variable-volume container body of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the most preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail in order to explain the present invention in detail to the extent that those skilled in the art can easily practice the present invention.

Numbers cited in the examples below are not limited to the referenced subject and can be applied to all examples. An object that exhibits the same purpose and effect as the configuration presented in the embodiment corresponds to an equivalent replacement object. The high-level concept presented in the examples includes sub-concept objects that are not described.

[Example 1-1] The present invention is an invention for a hydrogen generator, specifically, a plurality of first flow passages 110 through which electrolyte flows; a second flow path 120 positioned between the first flow paths and through which electrolyte flows; a bipolar ion exchange membrane 200 positioned between the first flow path and the second flow path; An electrode plate 300 located in the first flow path and the second flow path, respectively, on both sides of which an oxygen catalyst layer and a hydrogen catalyst layer are formed, respectively.

[Example 2-1] The present invention relates to a hydrogen generator, and in Example 1-1, the electrolyte is formed of sodium sulfate (Na2SO4); includes.

[Example 3-1] The present invention relates to a hydrogen generator, and in Example 1-1, the ion exchange membrane includes a cation exchange layer 210 located on one surface; The ion exchange membrane includes an anion exchange layer 220 located on the other side; and a catalyst layer 230 positioned between the cation exchange layer and the anion exchange layer.

[Example 4-1] The present invention relates to a hydrogen generator, and in Example 1-1, an oxygen generating catalyst layer 310 formed on one surface of the electrode plate; and a hydrogen generating catalyst layer 320 formed on the other surface of the electrode plate.

The present invention (Examples 1-1 to 4-1) relates to a hydrogen generator, and generates hydrogen and oxygen by supplying direct current to an electrolyte. Electrolyte flows on both sides of the bipolar membrane, which is divided into an anion exchange membrane and a cation exchange membrane, at both ends, and an electrode is located adjacent to the bipolar membrane. The electrode is characterized in that it is formed of an oxygen generating catalyst layer or a hydrogen generating catalyst layer. Accordingly, the electrolyte flowing into the first flow path and the second flow path undergoes oxidation and reduction reactions, which is characterized by changing the electrolyte into hydrogen and oxygen. Specifically, protons (H+) are generated in the flow path in which the cation layer of the ion exchange membrane is formed, and hydroxy (OH-) is generated in the flow path in which the anion layer is formed. That is, electrons are lost in the cation flow path and protons are converted into hydrogen gas, and oxygen is generated while electrons are lost in the anion flow path. In particular, sodium sulfate is used as the electrolyte used in the present invention. Sodium sulfate has the characteristics of increasing the conductivity of the electrolyte, lowering the hydrogen generation overpotential, and not affecting the acidity (pH) during the decomposition reaction. Therefore, high-purity hydrogen and oxygen can be generated at a low voltage. That is, it is possible to generate hydrogen using a low voltage by means of a bipolar membrane.

The electrode plate of the present invention is a hydrogen generating catalyst layer formed of one or two or more selected from metals or metal oxides such as platinum, iridium, ruthenium, iron, cobalt, manganese, nickel, molybdenum, and nickel sulfide, and as an oxygen generating catalyst layer. It forms any one or two or more selected from metal oxides or hydroxides of iron, nickel, iridium, copper, cobalt, and manganese. The electrode plate and the ion exchange membrane may be closely attached or separated. In the close contact condition, the electrode plate is formed as a perforated electrode plate, and electrolyte must flow between the electrode plates. Specifically, it may take the form of a mesh network. In the separated condition, the electrode plate and the ion exchange membrane are separated by a spacer, and the spacer enables the flow of electrolyte.

[Example 5-1] The present invention relates to a hydrogen generator, and in Example 1-1, the first plate 400 having a plate shape and having the first flow path formed thereon, and the second flow path a second plate 500 formed thereon, a first electrode groove 410 penetrating both sides of the first plate and accommodating an electrode plate; a second electrode groove 510 penetrating both sides of the second plate and accommodating an electrode plate; A first cover 610 and a second cover 620 are located at both ends, a plurality of first and second plates are alternately stacked inside, and an ion exchange membrane is located between the first and second plates to form an integrated body. It includes a case 700 formed of.

[Example 5-2] The present invention relates to a hydrogen generator, and in Example 5-1, a fastening means 710 integrally fastening the cover, the ion exchange membrane, the first plate and the second plate; include

[Example 5-3] The present invention relates to a hydrogen generator, and in Example 5-1, the electrode plates of the first plate and the electrode plates of the second plate are respectively passed with currents of different polarity; includes

[Example 5-4] The present invention relates to a hydrogen generator, and in Example 5-1, the electrode insertion hole (721) is formed in the direction of the corners of the first and second plates and communicates with the electrode hole and the outside. ); and a current supply terminal 722 coupled to the electrode rod insertion hole and coupled to the electrode plate.

[Example 5-5] The present invention relates to a hydrogen generator, and in Example 5-1, the first supply port 420 communicating with the first electrode hole and supplying electrolyte; a second supply port 520 communicating with the second electrode hole and supplying electrolyte; a first outlet 430 communicating with the first electrode hole and discharging generated gas; and a second outlet 530 communicating with the second electrode hole and discharging generated gas.

[Example 5-6] The present invention relates to a hydrogen generator, and in Example 5-1, the first plate and the second plate are formed of an insulating material; The first plate and the second plate are formed of a polymer; includes.

[Embodiment 5-7] The present invention relates to a hydrogen generator, and in Embodiment 5-1, a seal 730 positioned between the first plate and the second plate; The seal includes a gasket 731 or an O-ring 732.

The present invention (Examples 5-1 to 5-7) proposes a hydrogen generator in which a cover is formed at both ends and a first plate and a second plate are laminated therein. In the hydrogen generator of the present invention, a single electrode plate is installed inside a plurality of plate materials, and a bipolar ion exchange membrane is installed between the plurality of plate materials.

A first flow path and a second flow path through which the electrolyte flows are formed on the first and second plates. Electrolytes flowing into the first and second flow passages undergo oxidation and reduction by respective DC currents. That is, a first flow path is formed on one side of the ion exchange membrane and a second flow path is formed on the other side. This plate material coupling structure is formed continuously, that is, it is characterized in that it is combined in parallel with a plurality of layers. It has a characteristic that the amount of hydrogen and oxygen generated increases as the number of layers increases. To form a fastening means to combine a plurality of plate materials. The fastening means passes through a plurality of plate members and is coupled with the first cover and the second cover at both ends.

The fastening body may be a rod or a bolt. Alternatively, it may be formed by integrally combining a plurality of plate materials by clamps or by accommodating a plurality of plate materials in one case. The plurality of first plates and the plurality of second plates conduct a direct current. To implement this, each of the first plate and the second plate inserts an electrode. One side of the electrode rod protrudes outward from the first and second plates, and the other side of the electrode rod is coupled to an electrode plate inside the first and second plates. That is, an externally applied current can supply current to each plate member. The positions of the current supply terminals protruding outside the plate are biased for each polarity. Therefore, it is possible to supply current by changing the polarity to each current supply terminal by the main electrode.

An electrolyte is supplied to the inside of each of the first and second plates, and the electrolyte supplied from the outside is separately supplied to each of the first and second plates through the first supply port and the second supply port. Therefore, the first and second supply ports may be formed inside in the thickness direction of the plate material. The gas generated inside the first plate and the second plate is divided into hydrogen gas and oxygen gas. Hydrogen gas and oxygen gas are discharged through a first outlet formed on the first plate and a second outlet formed on the second plate.

[Example 6-1] The present invention relates to a hydrogen generator, and in Example 1-1, the main supply pipe 810 communicating with the case and supplying electrolyte; a first discharge pipe 821 communicating with the case and discharging a first gas; It communicates with the case and includes a second discharge pipe 822 for discharging a second gas.

[Example 6-2] The present invention relates to a hydrogen generator, and in Example 6-1, a supply pump 811 formed in the main supply pipe; A first control valve 812 for controlling the flow rate of the supply pump, a power supply unit 813 for supplying current to the electrode plate, and a controller 814 for controlling the operation of the power supply unit and the first control valve.

[Embodiment 6-3] The present invention relates to a hydrogen generator, and in Embodiment 6-1, the first collection container 823 communicating with the first discharge pipe to collect gas; and a second collection container 824 communicating with the second discharge pipe to collect gas.

[Example 6-4] The present invention relates to a hydrogen generator, and in Example 6-1, the first check valve 825 formed in the first collection container and the first discharge pipe, the second collection container and A second check valve 826 formed in the second discharge pipe is included.

[Example 6-5] The present invention relates to a hydrogen generator, and in Example 6-1, the first collection container and the second collection container are formed in one or a plurality; includes.

[Example 6-6] The present invention relates to a hydrogen generator, and in Example 6-1, the first collection container and the second collection container are filled with gas and have a container body 911 with one side open. It moves inside the container body and includes a flanger 912 forming an airtight seal with the container body.

The present invention (Examples 6-1 to 6-6) relates to a system of a hydrogen generator. A first cover and a second cover are formed at both ends of the case, and a plurality of first and second plates are installed intersecting the inside. The first cover is connected to the main supply pipe from the outside and receives electrolyte. The supplied electrolyte is introduced into the first and second plates. Oxidation and reduction reactions occur inside the first and second plates, respectively, to generate hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen generated in the first plate is discharged through a first discharge pipe formed in the second cover, and oxygen generated in the second plate is discharged through a second discharge pipe formed in the second cover.

The electrolyte must be accommodated at a uniform pressure inside the first and second plates, and the electrolyte must be introduced at a uniform flow rate. To control this, the controller controls the supply pump of the electrolyte and controls the flow rate by the first control valve. The magnitude of the current acting differently according to the flow rate. To control this, the controller can control the current (voltage, amperage) of the power supply. Hydrogen and oxygen generated from the first plate and the second plate are discharged to the outside through the second cover, and are separated and stored by the external first and second collection containers, respectively. The first collection container and the second collection container communicate with the first discharge pipe and the second discharge pipe, and a check valve is installed on the pipe to prevent reverse flow. The first collection container and the second collection container form a variable volume container. That is, the volume is initially “0”. Pure hydrogen and oxygen can be stored by increasing the volume in proportion to the amount of hydrogen and oxygen supplied. In order to implement this, it is formed of a container body and a flanger that moves the container body. That is, when the flanger is set at the initial position of the container body, the volume is “0”, but the flanger is moved by the actuator 913, and the internal volume is increased by the movement of the flanger. This is to increase the safety of the gas because it does not generate pressure in the stored gas.

In addition, the container body is coated with a heat insulating material (914). Therefore, it is possible to prevent a change of the storage gas according to the external temperature. The plunger is operated by a controller. That is, current amount control, electrolyte flow rate control, and volume control of the collection container are made possible by the controller.

110: 1st Euro 120: 2nd Euro
200: ion exchange membrane 210: cation exchange layer
220: anion exchange layer 230: catalyst layer
300: electrode plate 310: oxygen generating catalyst layer
320: hydrogen generation catalyst layer 400: first plate
410: first electrode groove 420: first supply port
430: first outlet
500: second plate 510: second electrode groove
520: second supply port 530: second outlet
610: first cover 620: second cover
700: case 710: fastening means
721: electrode insertion port 722: current supply terminal
730: sealing 731: gasket
732: O-ring
810: main supply pipe 811: supply pump
812: first control valve 813: power supply
814: controller 821: first discharge pipe
822: second discharge pipe 823: first collection container
824: second collection container 825: first check valve
826: second check valve 911: container body
912: flanger 913: actuator
914: insulation

Claims (6)

In the hydrogen generator,
Listed in plurality, the first flow path 110 through which the electrolyte flows;
A second flow path 120 positioned between the plurality of first flow paths 110 and through which the electrolyte flows is formed,
A bipolar ion exchange membrane 200 and an electrode plate 300 are formed between the first passage 110 and the second passage 120, and the bipolar ion exchange membrane 200 and the electrode plate 300 alternately cross each other. are placed,
It is in the shape of a plate, and is provided with a first plate 400 on which the first passage 110 is formed and a second plate 500 on which the second passage 120 is formed,
A first cover 610 and a second cover 620 are located at both ends, and a plurality of the first plate 400 and the second plate 500 are crossed and stacked inside, and the first plate 400 and A case 700 integrally formed with the bipolar ion exchange membrane 200 positioned between the second plates 500;
The bipolar ion exchange membrane 200 includes a cation exchange layer 210 located on one side;
The bipolar ion exchange membrane 200 includes an anion exchange layer 220 located on the other side,
On one side of the electrode plate 300, an oxygen generating catalyst layer 310;
A hydrogen generating catalyst layer 320 is formed on the other surface of the electrode plate 300,
Protons (H+) are generated in the flow path where the cation exchange layer 210 of the bipolar ion exchange membrane 200 is formed, and OH- is generated in the flow path where the anion exchange layer 220 is formed,
first electrode grooves 410 penetrating both sides of the first plate 400 and accommodating the electrode plate 300 in the first passage 110;
A second electrode groove 510 formed through both sides of the second plate 500 and accommodating the electrode plate 300 in the second flow path 120;
a first supply port 420 communicating with the first electrode groove 410 and supplying electrolyte;
a second supply port 520 communicating with the second electrode groove 510 and supplying electrolyte;
a first outlet 430 communicating with the first electrode groove 410 and discharging generated gas;
A hydrogen generator comprising a; second outlet 530 communicating with the second electrode groove 510 and discharging generated gas.
The method of claim 1,
The electrolyte is formed of sodium sulfate (Na2SO4);
Hydrogen generator comprising a.
delete delete delete The method of claim 1,
A main supply pipe 810 communicating with the case and supplying electrolyte;
a first discharge pipe 821 communicating with the case and discharging a first gas;
A hydrogen generator comprising a; second discharge pipe 822 communicating with the case and discharging a second gas.

Images