Search

CA-3178292-C - FILTER PRESS END ASSEMBLY AND FLUID MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR USE IN UNIPOLAR ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICES

CA3178292CCA 3178292 CCA3178292 CCA 3178292CCA-3178292-C

Abstract

Disclosed is an end assembly for use in a unipolar filter press electrolyser, where the unipolar filter press electrolyser has a filter press stack. The end assembly of the unipolar filter press electrolyser includes an end plate component having two apertures, the two apertures being alignable with channels formed in the filter press stack. The two apertures include a first aperture configured to receive a stream of liquid electrolyte and gases from the filter press stack, and a second aperture configured to receive a stream of recirculated liquid electrolyte. In addition, the end assembly includes an end clamp configured to apply a clamping force on the end plate component to securely retain the filter press stack. The end clamp includes at least one gas offtake port configured to discharge out of the unipolar filter press electrolyser gases separated from the stream of liquid electrolyte and gases.

Inventors

  • Andrew T.B. Stuart
  • Raynald G. LaChance
  • Jaideep S. Spal
  • EDWARD D.B. STUART

Assignees

  • KEY DH IP INC./IP STRATEGIQUES DH, INC.

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20210908
Priority Date
20200909

Claims (20)

  1. THE EMBODIMENTS FOR WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PRIVILEGE OR PROPERTY IS CLAIMED ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. An end assembly for use in a unipolar filter press electrolyser having a plurality of filter press frame components arranged to form a filter press stack, the end assembly comprising: an end plate component having at least two apertures defined therein, the at least two apertures being alignable with channels formed in the filter press frame components of the plurality when the end assembly is operatively connected to the filter press stack, the at least two apertures include a first aperture configured to receive a stream of liquid electrolyte and gases from the filter press stack, and a second aperture configured to receive a stream of recirculated liquid electrolyte; a first gasket member positionable between the end plate component and one of the filter press frame components of the plurality; an end clamp configured to apply a clamping force on the end plate component to securely retain the filter press stack, the end clamp having a an open-faced shell formed with a hollow, and at least one gas offtake port configured to discharge out of the unipolar filter press electrolyser gases separated from the stream of liquid electrolyte and gases; the hollow of the shell of the end clamp being configured to redirect a stream of liquid electrolyte substantially free of gases toward the second aperture for recirculation in the filter press stack; and a second gasket member positionable between the end plate component and the end clamp, the second gasket configured to provide a seal for isolating the internal pressure within the filter press stack from external atmospheric pressure.
  2. 2. The end assembly of claim 1, wherein the first aperture is disposed adjacent to an upper end of the end plate component and a second aperture disposed adjacent to a lower end of the end plate component. 61 Date re~ue/Date received 2024-05-27
  3. 3. The end assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and second apertures are disposed diagonally relative to each other.
  4. 4. The end assembly of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least two apertures of the end plate component include a third aperture disposed sideby- side the second aperture adjacent to the lower end of the end plate component.
  5. 5. The end assembly of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the end plate component includes a pair of opposite faces and first and second mechanical support members attached to one of the faces of the end plate component.
  6. 6. The end assembly of claim 5, wherein: the first mechanical support member is positioned near the upper end of the end plate component to reinforce an area around the first aperture; and the second mechanical support member is positioned near the lower end of the end plate component to reinforce an area around the second aperture.
  7. 7. The end assembly of claim 5 or 6, wherein each of the mechanical support members includes a horizontal flange portion and a vertical flange portion fixed to each other to form a generally T-shaped structure.
  8. 8. The end assembly of claim 7, wherein the vertical flange portion of the first mechanical support member extends from the horizontal flange portion of the first mechanical support member towards a top end of the end plate component.
  9. 9. The end assembly of claim 7 or 8, wherein the vertical flange portion of the second mechanical support member extends from the horizontal flange portion 62 Date re~ue/Date received 2024-05-27 of the second mechanical support member towards a bottom end of the end plate component.
  10. 10. The end assembly of any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the horizontal flange portion has a semi-circular profile.
  11. 11. The end assembly of any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the vertical flange portion has a quarter-circular profile.
  12. 12. The end assembly of any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the horizontal flange portion and the vertical flange portion each have through-holes defined therein for the flow of gasses and liquids.
  13. 13. The end assembly of any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein: the first aperture is generally square and is defined by a pair of opposed left and right vertical inner edges and opposed upper and lower horizontal inner edges; a part of the horizontal flange portion of the first mechanical support member runs adjacent to the lower horizontal inner edge of the first aperture; and the vertical flange portion of the first mechanical support member runs adjacent to one of vertical inner edges of the first aperture.
  14. 14. The end assembly of any one of claims 7 to 13, wherein: the second aperture is generally square and is defined by a pair of opposed left and right vertical inner edges and opposed upper and lower horizontal inner edges; a part of the horizontal flange portion of the second mechanical support member runs adjacent to the upper horizontal inner edge of the second aperture; and 63 Date re~ue/Date received 2024-05-27 the vertical flange portion of the second mechanical support member runs adjacent to one of vertical inner edges of the second aperture.
  15. 15. The end assembly of claim 5 or 6, wherein each of the mechanical support members includes a horizontal truss portion and a vertical truss portion fixed to each other to form a generally T-shaped structure.
  16. 16. The end assembly of claim 15, wherein each of the horizontal and vertical truss portions are trapezoidal trusses.
  17. 17. The end assembly of claim 15, wherein each of the horizontal and vertical truss portions are triangular trusses.
  18. 18. The end assembly of claim 1, wherein the end plate component includes a pair of opposite faces and at least one mechanical support member attached to one of the faces of the end plate component.
  19. 19. The end assembly of claims 18, wherein the at least one mechanical support is positioned near the upper end of the end plate component to reinforce an area around the first aperture.
  20. 20. The end assembly of claim 18, wherein the at least one mechanical support is positioned near the lower end of the end plate component to reinforce an area around the second aperture.

Description

FILTER PRESS END ASSEMBLY AND FLUID MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR USE IN UNIPOLAR ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICES CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to US Provisional Application Serial No. 63/076, 180, filed on September 9, 2020. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This disclosure relates to novel structures for use in electrochemical devices such as electrolysers, consisting in a filter press end assembly, suitable for use in unipolar or monopolar electrolysis of an alkali aqueous solution of water which can be configured in one or more filter press arrangements. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Electrochemical cell technology is designed such that an applied electric current induces reactions within a cell, converting available reactants into desired products. An electrolytic cell, or electrolysis cell, is one preferred method of accomplishing this conversion. Electrolysis cells require the conduction of electricity, typically direct current, from an external source to a polarized electrode. They further require conduction away from an electrode of the opposite polarity, either external to or within the electrochemical cell, to generate products. [0004] One desirable configuration of an electrochemical cell is that of the filter presstype electrolyser. Filter press electrolyser electrochemical cells require: mechanical frames with sufficient rigidity, the ability to be connected to (and removed from) an external current source, a "current carrier" to provide a current flow path for electricity to 1 Date rec;ue/Date received 2024-05-27 WO 2022/051848 PCT /CA2021/051240 be conducted to the electroactive area, a circulation chamber to provide space for gaseous product generation at the electroactive area, passageways that allow the input and output of reactants and products, and finally a capability to form an external seal that prevents fluids leaking from the interior of the cell to the external atmosphere. [0005] Filter press electrolyser electrochemical cells generally come in three configurations, driven by the design of their sub-components: a bipolar cell design, a unipolar cell design, or a monopolar cell design. [0006] Monopolar Cell Design [0007] A "monopolar" cell design or configuration refers to an electrochemical device based upon a current carrying configuration as shown by the exemplary positive half-cell in FIGURE 1 B. This monopolar configuration comprises a current carrying structure, and further provides an electroactive structure of a singular polarity (either anodic or cathodic) on one side of the current carrying structure. As a result, a region of one polarity is provided on the side of the current carrying structure that possesses the electroactive structure. Current is provided into the configuration by a power source and flows in across the current carrier and to the electroactive structure. Typically, the current flows in a parallel direction to the electroactive structure. The half-cell in FIGURE 1 B creates the base current carrying unit for a monopolar electrochemical filter press device constructed of positive and negative (anodic and cathodic) half-cell pairs. All monopolar base current carrying units are configured electrically in parallel within a single filter press arrangement, such that one electrochemical cell is formed within a single filter press stack. [0008] [0009] Bipolar Cell Design The phrase "bipolar configuration" or "bipolar cell configuration" refers to an electrochemical device based upon a current carrying configuration as shown in FIGURE 1C. This bipolar configuration comprises a bipolar wall, defining electroactive areas of opposite polarity on opposing sides of the current carrying structure. Regions of opposite polarity are provided on the opposing sides of the bipolar wall. Current is provided into the configuration by a power source and flows through the bipolar wall orthogonally, 2 WO 2022/051848 PCT /CA2021/051240 creating the base current carrying unit for a bipolar electrochemical filter press device. Multiple electrochemical cells within a bipolar filter press are electrically connected in series, with each individual current carrier typically comprising one anodic and one cathodic side connected by a conductive bipolar wall. The current path in bipolar cells between electroactive structures of different polarities is typically shorter than the equivalent current path in traditional monopolar designs and unipolar designs as described later. [0010] In bipolar cells, the current must only travel through one bipolar wall to reach an electroactive structure of the opposing polarity, whereas in traditional unipolar and monopolar cells additional components are required to connect current to opposite polarity electroactive structures. A shorter current path generally creates lower resistance parameters within the conductive surfaces of a singular cell. This has traditionally led to higher voltage losses due to higher electroni