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JP-2026514311-A - Electrolysis apparatus cell frame assembly and electrolysis apparatus

JP2026514311AJP 2026514311 AJP2026514311 AJP 2026514311AJP-2026514311-A

Abstract

The present invention discloses an electrolysis apparatus cell frame assembly comprising a cell frame having an inner and outer periphery, a gasket having an inner and outer periphery, and a cell element having a periphery that is compressed between the gasket and the cell frame. The gasket exhibits compression properties, and the cell frame exhibits rigid properties. The outer periphery of the gasket extends outward beyond the periphery of the cell element in the direction of the outer periphery of the cell frame, such that the gasket overlaps with a predetermined portion of the cell frame. [Selection Diagram] Figure 1

Inventors

  • グローリグ ジャン グスタヴ
  • ラネル スティーナ
  • アパイドゥン アルダン
  • アケンペルグ アルコ

Assignees

  • オーユー スターゲイト ハイドロジェン ソリューションズ

Dates

Publication Date
20260508
Application Date
20240512
Priority Date
20230511

Claims (16)

  1. A cell frame (101) having an inner periphery (101y) and an outer periphery (101x), wherein the cell frame (101) exhibits rigidity characteristics, and A gasket (102) having an inner peripheral edge (102y) and an outer peripheral edge (102x), wherein the gasket (102) exhibits compression characteristics, and The device comprises a cell element (103) having a peripheral edge (103x) and being compressed between the gasket (102) and the cell frame (101), The outer peripheral edge (102x) of the gasket (102) extends outward beyond the peripheral edge (103x) of the cell element (103) in the direction of the outer peripheral edge (101x) of the cell frame (101) so that the gasket (102) overlaps a predetermined portion of the cell frame (101). The inner peripheral edge (102y) of the gasket (102) extends inward beyond the peripheral edge (103x) of the cell element (103) in the direction of the inner peripheral edge (101y) of the cell frame (101) so that the gasket (102) overlaps a predetermined portion of the cell element (103). The gasket (102) is positioned along the entire periphery (103x) of the cell element (103) so as to overlap with the portion of the cell frame (101) and the portion of the cell element (103) in the electrolysis apparatus cell frame assembly (100).
  2. The cell frame assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein the cell frame (101) includes a central opening (201), a groove (202) for accommodating the cell elements (103), a plurality of lateral channels (203a to 203d), and at least two passages (204a, 204b), each passage connecting at least one channel to the central opening.
  3. The cell frame assembly (100) according to claim 2, wherein the two passages (204a, 204b) are arranged at approximately 180-degree intervals.
  4. The cell frame assembly (100) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the cell frame (101) further includes a bridge (205) at the joint between the passage (204a or 204b) and the central opening (201).
  5. The cell frame assembly (100) according to claim 2 or 4, wherein the cell frame (101) has a first surface and a second surface, the groove (202) is located on the first surface of the cell frame (101), and the passage (204a or 204b) and the bridge (205) are arranged on the second surface of the cell frame (101).
  6. The cell frame assembly (100) according to claim 2, wherein the gasket (102) includes at least two extensions (302a, 302b) that overlap predetermined portions of the cell frame (101) around the channels (203a to 203d) and the passages (204a or 204b).
  7. The cell frame assembly (100) according to claim 6, wherein the extension (302a or 302b) of the gasket (102) includes a plurality of openings (303a to 303c) for accommodating the plurality of channels (203a to 203d) and the passage (204a or 204b).
  8. The cell frame assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein the cell element (103) is either a cell membrane or a bipolar plate.
  9. The cell frame assembly (100) according to claim 2, wherein the cell frame (101) includes a plurality of interlocking projections (206a) and a plurality of recesses (206b) that fit together to align the cell frame (101) and the gasket (102) within the cell frame assembly (100).
  10. The cell frame assembly (100) according to claim 2 or 5, wherein the groove (202) has a gap between the periphery of the groove (202) and the periphery (103x) of the cell element (103) to compensate for thermal expansion or contraction of the cell element (103).
  11. First end plate and second end plate, The device comprises a plurality of cells stacked in series between the first end plate and the second end plate, Each cell (10) is: A bipolar plate assembly (100a) including a bipolar plate (401a) disposed between a first cell frame (101a) and a first gasket (102a), The first gasket (102a) is assembled to overlap a bipolar plate assembly (100a) which is assembled to overlap a predetermined portion of the first cell frame (101a) and a predetermined portion of the bipolar plate (401a), A cell film assembly (100b) including a cell film (402) disposed between a second cell frame (101b) and a second gasket (102b), The second gasket (102b) is assembled to overlap a predetermined portion of the second cell frame (101b) and a predetermined portion of the cell film (402), It includes multiple electrodes and multiple spacers, The first electrode (403a) and the first spacer (404a) are positioned between the bipolar plate assembly (100a) and the cell film assembly (100b). An electrolysis apparatus, preferably an alkaline water electrolysis apparatus, wherein the second electrode (403b) and the second spacer (404b) are positioned between the cell membrane assembly (100b) and the bipolar plate assembly (100c) of an adjacent cell.
  12. The electrolysis apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first cell frame (101a) is structurally identical to the second cell frame (101b).
  13. The electrolysis apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the bipolar plate assembly (100a) and the cell membrane assembly (100b) are arranged in an alternating pattern, and the first cell frame (101a) and the second cell frame (101b) are arranged rotating alternately by 180 degrees each.
  14. The first gasket (102a) of the bipolar plate assembly (100a) is compressed between the cell frame of the adjacent cell membrane assembly, the first cell frame (101a) of the bipolar plate assembly (100a), and the bipolar plate (401a). The electrolysis apparatus according to claim 11, 12, or 13, wherein the second gasket (102b) of the cell membrane assembly (100b) is compressed between the first cell frame (101a) of the bipolar plate assembly (100a), the second cell frame (101b) of the cell membrane assembly (100b), and the cell membrane (402).
  15. The electrolysis apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the peripheries of the first electrode (403a) and the second electrode (403b) are below the inner periphery of the cell frame, and the peripheries of the first spacer (404a) and the second spacer (404b) are below the inner periphery of the cell frame.
  16. The electrolysis apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the total number of gaskets in the laminate is one greater than the number of cell frames, and the additional gasket is located either behind the first end plate or in front of the second end plate.

Description

This invention generally relates to an electrolysis apparatus, preferably an alkaline water electrolysis apparatus, and more specifically, to a cell frame assembly for an alkaline water electrolysis apparatus. In alkaline water electrolysis, water is electrochemically converted into hydrogen and oxygen under alkaline conditions ( H₂O = H₂ + 0.5O₂ ). An electrolytic cell contains two electrodes, an anode and a cathode, in an electrolyte. The electrolyte contains a liquid alkaline medium, such as an aqueous solution of hydroxides and/or carbonates. The alkaline electrolyte flows through the cell, which is fluidically connected in parallel, immersing the electrodes in the electrolyte. During operation, a potential is applied between the two electrodes, causing an electrolytic current to flow through the electrolytic cell. During operation, hydrogen is produced at the cathode by a hydrogen production reaction (HER) ( 2H₂O + 2e⁻ = H₂ + 2OH⁻ ), and oxygen is produced at the anode by an oxygen production reaction (OER) ( 2OH⁻ = 0.5O₂ + H₂O + 2e⁻ ). The electrolytic cell further includes a porous separator (diaphragm) and/or an ion-exchange membrane that conducts hydroxide ions and separates the two half-cells to prevent mixing of the generated gases. The electrodes are arranged in a sandwich-like manner on each side of the membrane. It is advantageous to arrange the electrodes in a sandwich configuration, positioning them as close to the film as possible from both sides. This minimizes the distance between electrodes, reducing ionic resistance, while ensuring that hydrogen gas bubbles primarily form on the back surface of the electrodes, leading to a reduction in overvoltage. This arrangement is often called a "zero-gap configuration" and improves cell efficiency. Electrode positioning in this configuration is achieved by pressing the electrodes and cell film together and adjusting the contact pressure via elastic or rigid spacers adjacent to the electrodes on the film-facing and opposite sides. Furthermore, electrical connection to the electrodes is established via bipolar plates in contact with the spacers. Cells are typically assembled in series as a "cell stack." The more cells in a stack, the greater the amount of hydrogen and oxygen produced per unit time. Similarly, the larger the surface area (installation area) of each cell in the stack, the more hydrogen and oxygen can be produced per cell. An electrolysis stack consists of an anode endplate and a cathode endplate, with cells stacked in series between the endplates. In addition to providing electrical contact between cells, the bipolar plates physically separate the anode side of one cell from the cathode side of an adjacent cell. Each cell typically has a pair of cell frames essential for forming the reaction chamber within the stack. These cell frames further provide mechanical support to the cell components and, in conjunction with gaskets, prevent leakage of the alkaline electrolyte into the environment. However, most commonly, the cell frames used on the anode side differ structurally from those on the cathode side, making their manufacture less cost-effective. The pressurized electrolysis apparatus described in US 7,591,932B2 includes a cell frame composed of two materials: one being an elastic material in the longitudinal and transverse directions; and secondly, the cell frame includes a rigid material extending circumferentially, providing mechanical stability to the cell frame. The rigid material is connected to the elastic material to form a shell-like frame structure or frame-like insert. The elastic material of the cell frame is made of an elastomer or a soft elastic thermoplastic resin, while the rigid material is made of metal or plastic. A drawback of this arrangement is that the electrolyte flowing through the alkaline electrolysis apparatus can affect the material of the elastic element over time, hardening the material and potentially causing undesirable substances to leach from the elastic element. Furthermore, this system requires an additional pressure tank to surround the electrolytic cell block and provide additional compression and insulation. Additionally, the structure of the elastic and rigid materials complicates the manufacturing process of the cell frame. EP3696298A1 discloses a cell frame for electrolysis or fuel cell blocks. This cell frame includes a receiving opening for receiving a cell membrane, a plurality of collection duct openings designed for the discharge of an electrolyte medium through the cell frame, and a sealing structure used to seal the cell frame from the outside and/or from the receiving opening and/or from the duct openings. The sealing structure consists of grooves within the cell and sealing elements inserted into the grooves. The sealing elements are cord seals or O-seal rings. This configuration requires multiple sealing elements to seal the cell, increasing the design complexity of the cell frame a