Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a monolithic membrane support member withstanding high differential pressure and suppressing creep deformation regarding the support of ion exchange membranes used for a proton exchange membrane hydrogen generator by the electrolysis of water and fuel cell technology, and to provide its production method. SOLUTION: The support member 20 is useful for supporting membranes such as solid polymer electrolyte ion exchange membranes such as those used in electrochemical cell applications. The support member has a first lattice pattern 24 on a first side 28 of a single piece 22 of material. A second lattice pattern 30 on a second side 32 of the single piece 22 of material cooperates with the first lattice pattern to establish a plurality of flow passages across the material. Each lattice pattern has a corresponding plurality of recesses 26 or the like that extend partway through the material and overlapping portions of the recesses define the flow passages. In a disclosed example, the monolithic support member lattice patterns are established using chemical etching. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI
Abstract:
A water electrolysis system includes a water electrolysis cell stack (12) having an anode and a cathode. A water storage tank (14) having an outlet is disposed above the cell stack and communicates with an inlet of one of the anode and the cathode of the cell stack for gravity feeding water from the water storage tank to the cell stack. A phase separator (28) is disposed below and in communication with the water storage tank. The phase separator has an inlet (30) for receiving a two phase stream including water and product gas exiting an outlet of the one of the anode and cathode of the cell stack, and includes a conduit (32) having a lower end (34) disposed within the phase separator for receiving water recovered in the phase separator. The conduit has an upper end (36) extending into the water storage tank. Further, the conduit defines a plurality of openings along a portion of the conduit disposed in the phase separator such that the product gas received in the inlet of the phase separator enters the inside of the conduit through the openings and entrains and lifts water upwardly therewith through the conduit and into the water storage tank whereby water is recirculated through the cell stack.
Abstract:
A water electrolysis system includes a water electrolysis cell stack having an anode and a cathode. A water storage tank having an outlet is disposed above the cell stack and communicates with an inlet of one of the anode and the cathode of the cell stack for gravity feeding water from the water storage tank to the cell stack. A phase separator is disposed below and in communication with the water storage tank. The phase separator has an inlet for receiving a two phase stream including water and product gas exiting an outlet of the one of the anode and cathode of the cell stack, and includes a conduit having a lower end disposed within the phase separator for receiving water recovered in the phase separator. The conduit has an upper end extending into the water storage tank. Further, the conduit defines a plurality of openings along a portion of the conduit disposed in the phase separator such that the product gas received in the inlet of the phase separator enters the inside of the conduit through the openings and entrains and lifts water upwardly therewith through the conduit and into the water storage tank whereby water is recirculated through the cell stack.