JP6091012B2 - Differential pressure type high pressure water electrolyzer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a differential pressure type high pressure water electrolysis apparatus that electrolyzes water to generate oxygen and hydrogen having a pressure higher than that of the oxygen.

  Generally, hydrogen is used as a fuel gas used for a power generation reaction of a fuel cell. This hydrogen is produced by, for example, a water electrolysis device. The water electrolysis apparatus uses a solid polymer electrolyte membrane (ion exchange membrane) in order to decompose water and generate hydrogen (and oxygen).

  Electrocatalyst layers are provided on both sides of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane to constitute an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure, and power feeding bodies are disposed on both sides of the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure to perform water electrolysis. The cell is configured.

  Therefore, in a water electrolysis apparatus in which a plurality of water electrolysis cells are stacked, a voltage is applied to both ends in the stacking direction, and water is supplied to the anode feeder. For this reason, on the anode side of the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure, water is decomposed to generate hydrogen ions (protons), and these hydrogen ions permeate the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and move to the cathode side. In combination with electrons, hydrogen is produced. On the other hand, on the anode side, oxygen produced together with hydrogen is discharged from the unit with excess water.

  As this type of water electrolysis apparatus, a differential pressure type high pressure water electrolysis apparatus that produces oxygen on the anode side by electrolysis of water and produces hydrogen at a higher pressure than oxygen on the cathode side is employed. At that time, it has been pointed out that the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and the cathode power feeder are likely to be separated by high-pressure hydrogen, and the electrolytic efficiency is lowered.

  Therefore, for example, a high-pressure water electrolysis apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. This high-pressure water electrolysis apparatus includes a piston that presses the cathode separator against the cathode power supply and the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and a cylinder that accommodates the piston so as to be able to move forward and backward. The cathode side fluid passage and the cylinder are connected by a connection path, and a part of the high-pressure hydrogen gas generated in the cathode side fluid passage is introduced into the cylinder. On the other hand, an elastic body that urges the piston in the direction of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane is disposed in the cylinder.

  Then, the pressure receiving area from the high-pressure hydrogen gas in the piston cylinder, the area of the surface of the cathode separator in contact with the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and the stress of the elastic body are adjusted. For this reason, the gap between the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and the cathode power feeder can be set small, and excellent electrolytic efficiency can be obtained.

JP 2008-121086 A

  By the way, in the above high-pressure water electrolysis apparatus, when the solid polymer electrolyte membrane (flat membrane member) is sandwiched between the anode separator and the cathode separator, the solid polymer electrolyte membrane is high-pressure particularly at the outer periphery of the high-pressure seal portion. It is compressed with. Accordingly, the solid polymer electrolyte membrane may be damaged by high-pressure compression.

  The present invention solves this type of problem, and can easily and reliably suppress damage to a flat membrane member due to high pressure compression, and can perform a water electrolysis operation satisfactorily. An object is to provide a high-pressure water electrolysis apparatus.

The differential pressure type high-pressure water electrolysis apparatus according to the present invention includes a high-pressure water electrolysis cell, and the high-pressure water electrolysis cell includes an electrolyte membrane (hereinafter referred to as a “ flat membrane member ”) sandwiched between an anode feeder and a cathode feeder. ing. An anode separator is disposed to face the anode power feeder, and an anode chamber for accommodating the anode power feeder is formed in the anode separator.

  A cathode separator is disposed to face the cathode power supply body, and a cathode chamber for accommodating the cathode power supply body is formed in the cathode separator. A sealing member that surrounds and seals the cathode chamber is disposed outside the electrolysis region.

  The high-pressure water electrolysis cell electrolyzes the supplied water, generates oxygen on the anode power supply side, and generates hydrogen higher in pressure than the oxygen on the cathode power supply side. And while a some high pressure water electrolysis cell is laminated | stacked and fastened in the lamination direction, the differential pressure type high pressure water electrolysis apparatus is comprised.

  In this differential pressure type high pressure water electrolysis apparatus, an insulating reinforcing member having a compressive strength higher than that of a flat membrane member is provided on the outer periphery of the seal member, corresponding to a portion compressed by high pressure between the anode separator and the cathode separator by fastening. Is arranged.

  Further, in this high pressure water electrolysis apparatus, the flat membrane member and the reinforcing member have portions that overlap each other in the stacking direction, and the seal member is disposed at the overlapping portion of the flat membrane member and the reinforcing member. It is preferable.

  Furthermore, in this high pressure water electrolysis apparatus, it is preferable that the flat membrane member is interposed between the sealing member and the reinforcing member along the stacking direction.

  Furthermore, in this high pressure water electrolysis apparatus, it is preferable that the reinforcing member is interposed between the seal member and the flat membrane member along the stacking direction.

  Further, in this high pressure water electrolysis apparatus, a frame-like member is disposed between the cathode separator and the reinforcing member so as to be positioned on the outer periphery of the seal member, and the reinforcing member is joined to the frame-like member. preferable.

  Furthermore, in this high pressure water electrolysis apparatus, it is preferable that the reinforcing member is arranged around the outer periphery of the flat membrane member, and the thickness of the reinforcing member is set larger than the thickness of the flat membrane member.

  According to the present invention, the insulating reinforcing member is disposed on the outer periphery of the seal member so as to correspond to the portion compressed by high pressure between the anode separator and the cathode separator by fastening. The insulating reinforcing member is set to have a higher compressive strength than the flat membrane member.

  Therefore, it is possible to increase the strength of the portion subjected to high-pressure compression, and it is possible to easily and reliably suppress damage to the flat membrane member due to high-pressure compression, and to continue the water electrolysis operation satisfactorily. it can.

1 is a perspective explanatory view of a differential pressure type high pressure water electrolysis apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a disassembled perspective explanatory drawing of the high pressure water electrolysis cell which comprises the said differential pressure type high pressure water electrolysis apparatus. It is the III-III sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 2 of the said high pressure water electrolysis cell. It is sectional explanatory drawing of the said high pressure water electrolysis cell. It is principal part cross-sectional explanatory drawing of the high pressure water electrolysis cell which comprises the differential pressure type high pressure water electrolysis apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a section explanatory view of a high pressure water electrolysis cell which constitutes a differential pressure type high pressure water electrolysis device concerning a 3rd embodiment of the present invention. It is a section explanatory view of a high pressure water electrolysis cell which constitutes a differential pressure type high pressure water electrolysis device concerning a 4th embodiment of the present invention. It is a section explanatory view of a high pressure water electrolysis cell which constitutes a differential pressure type high pressure water electrolysis device concerning a 5th embodiment of the present invention. It is a section explanatory view of a high pressure water electrolysis cell which constitutes a differential pressure type high pressure water electrolysis device concerning a 6th embodiment of the present invention. It is a section explanatory view of a high pressure water electrolysis cell which constitutes a differential pressure type high pressure water electrolysis device concerning a 7th embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the differential pressure type high pressure water electrolysis apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of high pressure water electrolysis cells 12 are arranged vertically (arrow A direction) or horizontally (arrow B direction). A laminated body 14 is provided.

  At one end (upper end) in the stacking direction of the stacked body 14, a terminal plate 16a, an insulating plate 18a, and an end plate 20a are sequentially disposed upward. Similarly, a terminal plate 16b, an insulating plate 18b, and an end plate 20b are sequentially disposed on the other end (lower end) in the stacking direction of the stacked body 14 in a downward direction.

  The differential pressure type high pressure water electrolysis apparatus 10 integrally clamps and holds the disc-shaped end plates 20a and 20b in the stacking direction via four tie rods 22 extending in the direction of arrow A, for example. The differential pressure type high pressure water electrolysis apparatus 10 may employ a configuration in which the differential pressure type high pressure water electrolysis apparatus 10 is integrally held by a box-shaped casing (not shown) including the end plates 20a and 20b as end plates. Moreover, although the differential pressure type high pressure water electrolysis apparatus 10 has a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole, it can be set in various shapes such as a cubic shape.

  Terminal portions 24a and 24b are provided on the side portions of the terminal plates 16a and 16b so as to protrude outward. The terminal portions 24a and 24b are electrically connected to the electrolytic power source 28 via the wirings 26a and 26b.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the high-pressure water electrolysis cell 12 includes a substantially disc-shaped electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 32, and an anode separator 34 and a cathode separator 36 that sandwich the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 32. Prepare. The anode separator 34 and the cathode separator 36 have a substantially disc shape and are made of, for example, a carbon member. In addition, the anode separator 34 and the cathode separator 36 are formed by pressing or cutting a steel plate, a stainless steel plate, a titanium plate, an aluminum plate, a plated steel plate, or a metal plate whose surface has been subjected to anticorrosion treatment. After that, a surface treatment for anticorrosion is performed.

  The electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 32 includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane (flat membrane member) 38 having a substantially disc shape. The solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38 is sandwiched between an anode anode power supply 40 and a cathode power supply 42 having a circular shape. The solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38 is composed of, for example, a hydrocarbon (HC) -based membrane or a fluorine-based membrane, and has a larger diameter than the anode power supply body 40 and the cathode power supply body 42 by a predetermined dimension.

  An anode catalyst layer 40 a and a cathode catalyst layer 42 a are formed on both surfaces of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38. The anode catalyst layer 40a uses, for example, a Ru (ruthenium) -based catalyst, and the cathode catalyst layer 42a uses, for example, a platinum catalyst.

  The cathode catalyst layer 42a is bonded to the surface of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38 (for example, hot pressing), while the anode catalyst layer 40a may not be bonded to the surface of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38. This is because the cathode side has a high pressure during electrolysis, so that the anode catalyst layer 40a and the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38 can be brought into close contact with each other by increasing the surface pressure from the cathode side.

  The anode power supply body 40 and the cathode power supply body 42 are made of, for example, a sintered body (porous conductor) of spherical atomized titanium powder. The anode power supply body 40 and the cathode power supply body 42 are provided with a smooth surface portion that is etched after grinding, and the porosity is set within a range of 10% to 50%, more preferably 20% to 40%. .

  As shown in FIG. 3, a plate member 46 is disposed on the surface of the cathode power supply 42 opposite to the surface facing the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38. The plate member 46 has a disk shape, and a pressing member, for example, a plurality of disc springs 47, is disposed on the surface opposite to the cathode power supply 42. The disc spring 47 applies a load to the cathode power supply body 42 via a plate member 46 that is a disc spring holder.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the 1st protrusion part 48a, the 2nd protrusion part 48b, and the 3rd protrusion part 48c which protrude in the separator surface direction outward are formed in the outer peripheral part of the high pressure water electrolysis cell 12. As shown in FIG. The first protrusion 48a is provided with a water supply communication hole 50a that communicates with each other in the direction of arrow A, which is the stacking direction, and supplies water (pure water).

  The second projecting portion 48b is provided with a discharge communication hole 50b that communicates with each other in the direction of the arrow A and discharges oxygen generated by the reaction and used water. The third protrusion 48c is provided with a hydrogen communication hole 50c that is in communication with each other in the direction of arrow A, which is the stacking direction, for flowing high-pressure hydrogen generated by the reaction.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the anode separator 34 is provided with a supply passage 52a communicating with the water supply communication hole 50a and a discharge passage 52b communicating with the discharge communication hole 50b. An anode chamber 53 that accommodates the anode power feeding body 40 is formed on a surface 34 a of the anode separator 34 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 32. A first flow path 54 that communicates with the supply passage 52a and the discharge passage 52b through the anode chamber 53 is provided on the surface 34a. The first flow path 54 is provided in a range corresponding to the contact area range of the anode power supply body 40.

  A cathode chamber 55 that accommodates the cathode power supply 42 and a discharge passage 56 that communicates the cathode chamber 55 with the hydrogen communication hole 50 c are formed on the surface 36 a of the cathode separator 36 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 32. . A second flow path 58 that communicates with the discharge passage 56 is formed in the plate member 46. The second flow path 58 is provided in a range corresponding to the contact area range of the cathode power supply body 42.

  On the surface 34a of the anode separator 34 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 32, a first seal groove for arranging the first seal member 60a around the outside of the first flow path 54 and the anode power supply body 40 is provided. 62a is formed.

  On the surface 34a, a second seal groove 62b, a third seal groove 62c, and a fourth seal groove 62d are formed around the outside of the water supply communication hole 50a, the discharge communication hole 50b, and the hydrogen communication hole 50c. A second seal member 60b, a third seal member 60c, and a fourth seal member 60d are disposed in the second seal groove 62b, the third seal groove 62c, and the fourth seal groove 62d. The first seal member 60a to the fourth seal member 60d are, for example, O-rings.

  A surface 36a of the cathode separator 36 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 32 is formed with a first seal groove 66a for circulating the cathode chamber 55 and disposing the first seal member 64a. The first seal groove 66a is provided outside the electrolysis region. The first seal groove 66 a is formed in a stepped shape with respect to the inner peripheral surface by cutting out the surface 36 a and the inner peripheral surface constituting the cathode chamber 55.

  On the surface 36a, a second seal groove 66b, a third seal groove 66c, and a fourth seal groove 66d are formed around the outside of the water supply communication hole 50a, the discharge communication hole 50b, and the hydrogen communication hole 50c. A second seal member 64b, a third seal member 64c, and a fourth seal member 64d are disposed in the second seal groove 66b, the third seal groove 66c, and the fourth seal groove 66d. The first seal member 64a to the fourth seal member 64d are, for example, O-rings.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when a cell fastening load F is applied to the high-pressure water electrolysis cell 12, the high-pressure gas range HG in which high-pressure hydrogen is generated is within the outer diameter of the first seal member 64a that goes around the cathode chamber 55 Configure. A high pressure compression range HP is set outward from the outer peripheral end of the first seal member 64 a, that is, on the contact surface between the anode separator 34 and the cathode separator 36.

  In the first embodiment, the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38 is set to have the same diameter as the outer peripheral end of the first seal member 64a so as to overlap the first seal member 64a along the stacking direction. . An insulating reinforcing member, for example, a resin sheet member 68 is disposed so as to partially overlap with the outer peripheral edge of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38 in the stacking direction (having an overlapping portion). The first seal member 64 a is disposed at the overlapping portion of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38 and the resin sheet member 68.

  In addition to insulation, the resin sheet member 68 is made of a material having strength and acid resistance and higher compressive strength than the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38. As the resin sheet member 68, for example, PEN (polyethylene naphthalate) or a polyimide film is used. As shown in FIG. 2, the resin sheet member 68 has the same outer shape as the anode separator 34 and the cathode separator 36, and has a first protrusion 48a, a second protrusion 48b, and a third protrusion on the outer periphery. 48c is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, pipes 70a, 70b and 70c communicating with the water supply communication hole 50a, the discharge communication hole 50b and the hydrogen communication hole 50c are connected to the end plate 20a. Although not shown, the pipe 70c is provided with a back pressure valve (or electromagnetic valve), and the pressure of hydrogen generated in the hydrogen communication hole 50c can be maintained at a high pressure.

  A pressing force is applied between the end plates 20 a and 20 b by a pressing force applying device (not shown), and the end plates 20 a and 20 b are tightened via the tie rods 22 in this state. For this reason, the differential pressure type high pressure water electrolysis apparatus 10 is fastened in a state where a tightening load in the stacking direction is applied to the plurality of high pressure water electrolysis cells 12.

  The operation of the differential pressure type high pressure water electrolysis apparatus 10 configured as described above will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 1, water is supplied from a pipe 70a to the water supply communication hole 50a of the differential pressure type high-pressure water electrolysis apparatus 10, and is electrically connected to the terminal portions 24a and 24b of the terminal plates 16a and 16b. A voltage is applied via the electrolytic power supply 28. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in each high-pressure water electrolysis cell 12, water is supplied from the water supply communication hole 50a through the supply passage 52a to the first flow path 54 of the anode separator 34. Moves along the anode feeder 40.

  Therefore, water is decomposed by electricity in the anode catalyst layer 40a, and hydrogen ions, electrons, and oxygen are generated. Hydrogen ions generated by this anodic reaction permeate the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38 and move to the cathode catalyst layer 42a side, and combine with electrons to obtain hydrogen.

  Thereby, hydrogen flows along the inside of the cathode power supply 42 and the second flow path 58 formed in the plate member 46. Hydrogen is maintained at a pressure higher than that of the water supply communication hole 50 a, and can flow out from the discharge passage 56 through the hydrogen communication hole 50 c to the outside of the differential pressure type high-pressure water electrolysis apparatus 10. On the other hand, oxygen generated by the reaction and used water flow in the first flow path 54, and these flow from the discharge passage 52b to the outside of the differential pressure type high-pressure water electrolysis apparatus 10 along the discharge communication hole 50b. To be discharged.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, high-pressure hydrogen exists in the high-pressure gas range HG in a state where the cell fastening load F is applied to the high-pressure water electrolysis cell 12 in the stacking direction. For this reason, the load applied to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38 in the high-pressure gas range HG is a spring load (by a plurality of disc springs 47) + hydrogen gas pressure. On the other hand, in the high-pressure compression range HP extending outward from the outer peripheral end of the first seal member 64a, the load on the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38 is the cell fastening load F-hydrogen gas pressure.

  Therefore, in the first embodiment, a resin sheet member 68 having a compressive strength higher than that of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38 is disposed so as to partially overlap the outer peripheral edge portion of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38 in the stacking direction. Yes. More specifically, the first seal member 64 a is disposed in the stacking direction with respect to the overlapping portion of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38 and the resin sheet member 68.

  Therefore, it is possible to increase the strength of the portion subjected to high pressure compression, and it is possible to easily and reliably suppress damage to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38 due to high pressure compression. And the effect that the water electrolysis driving | operation by each high voltage | pressure water electrolysis cell 12 can be favorably continued is acquired.

  Further, the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38 is set to have the same dimensions as the first seal member 64a, and the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38 can be made as narrow as possible. Thereby, the usage-amount of the expensive solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38 is reduced favorably, and it is economical.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a main part of a high pressure water electrolysis cell 82 constituting a differential pressure type high pressure water electrolysis apparatus 80 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the same referential mark is attached | subjected to the component same as the high pressure water electrolysis cell 12 which comprises the differential pressure type high pressure water electrolysis apparatus 10 which concerns on 1st Embodiment, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The high-pressure water electrolysis cell 82 sandwiches the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 84 between the anode separator 34 and the cathode separator 86. The electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 84 includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane (flat membrane member) 88 having a substantially disc shape, and the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 88 has substantially the same outer shape as the anode separator 34 and the cathode separator 86. Have dimensions.

  A surface 86a of the cathode separator 86 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 84 is formed with a first seal groove 66aa for circulating the cathode chamber 55 and disposing the first seal member 64a. The first seal groove 66aa is formed by notching only the surface 86a, and the inner peripheral surface constituting the cathode chamber 55 is not provided with a notch.

  The surface 86a of the cathode separator 86 is provided with a resin sheet member 90 outward of the first seal member 64a, that is, outward from the outer peripheral end of the first seal groove 66aa. The resin sheet member 90 has a substantially ring shape, and the outer dimensions are set to be the same as the outer dimensions of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 88.

  In the second embodiment configured as described above, the resin sheet member 90 is disposed over a region where the fastening load is directly applied to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 88 (an outer region of the first seal member 64a). ing. For this reason, it is possible to easily and reliably suppress damage to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 88 due to high-pressure compression, and the water electrolysis operation by each high-pressure water electrolysis cell 82 can be favorably continued. The same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the high pressure water electrolysis cell 102 constituting the differential pressure type high pressure water electrolysis apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In addition, the same referential mark is attached | subjected to the component same as the high pressure water electrolysis cell 82 which comprises the differential pressure type high pressure water electrolysis apparatus 80 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted. Similarly, in the fourth and subsequent embodiments described below, the same components as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the high-pressure water electrolysis cell 102, the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 84 is sandwiched between the anode separator 34 and the cathode separator 104. A surface 104a of the cathode separator 104 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 84 is formed with a first seal groove 66a for circulating the cathode chamber 55 and disposing the first seal member 64a.

  A resin sheet member 90 is provided on the surface 104a of the cathode separator 104 outside the first seal member 64a, that is, outward from the outer peripheral end of the first seal groove 66a.

  In the third embodiment configured as described above, the same effects as those of the first and second embodiments can be obtained.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the high pressure water electrolysis cell 112 constituting the differential pressure type high pressure water electrolysis apparatus 110 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  In the high-pressure water electrolysis cell 112, the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 84 is sandwiched between the anode separator 34 and the cathode separator 114. A frame-shaped member 116 is disposed on the surface 114 a of the cathode separator 114 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 84 so as to go around the outside of the cathode chamber 55. A first seal groove 66aa for disposing the first seal member 64a is formed by the inner peripheral surface of the frame member 116.

  A resin sheet member 90 extending outward from the first seal member 64a is provided on a surface 116a of the frame-shaped member 116 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 84.

  In the fourth embodiment configured as described above, the same effect as in the first to third embodiments can be obtained.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the high-pressure water electrolysis cell 122 constituting the differential pressure type high-pressure water electrolysis apparatus 120 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

  In the high-pressure water electrolysis cell 122, the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 84 is sandwiched between the anode separator 34 and the cathode separator 124. A surface 124a of the cathode separator 124 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 84 is formed with a first seal groove 66aa for circulating the cathode chamber 55 and disposing the first seal member 64a.

  On the surface 124a of the cathode separator 124, a resin sheet member 126 is provided on the outer periphery of the cathode chamber 55, that is, outside the inner peripheral end of the first seal groove 66aa so as to cover the first seal groove 66aa. The resin sheet member 126 has a substantially ring shape, and the outer dimensions are set to be the same as the outer dimensions of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 88, and the first seal member 64a and the solid polymer electrolyte are disposed along the stacking direction. It overlaps with the film 88. It is preferable that the resin sheet member 126 is bonded to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 88 to suppress hydrogen leakage from the contact surface.

  In the fifth embodiment configured as described above, the same effects as in the first to fourth embodiments can be obtained.

  FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the high-pressure water electrolysis cell 132 constituting the differential pressure type high-pressure water electrolysis apparatus 130 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

  In the high-pressure water electrolysis cell 132, the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 134 is sandwiched between the anode separator 34 and the cathode separator 86. The electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 134 includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38a, and the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38a is set to have the same diameter as the outer peripheral end of the first seal member 64a.

  The inner peripheral end surface of the resin sheet member 136 is in contact with the outer peripheral end surface of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38a. The resin sheet member 136 is set to the same thickness as the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38 a and has the same shape as the anode separator 34 and the cathode separator 86.

  In the sixth embodiment configured as described above, the same effects as those of the first to fifth embodiments can be obtained.

  FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the high-pressure water electrolysis cell 142 constituting the differential pressure type high-pressure water electrolysis apparatus 140 according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

  The high-pressure water electrolysis cell 142 sandwiches the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 144 between the anode separator 34 and the cathode separator 86. The electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 144 includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38a, and the inner peripheral end surface of the resin sheet member 146 contacts the outer peripheral end surface of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38a. The resin sheet member 146 is set to a thickness larger than that of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 38 a and has the same shape as the anode separator 34 and the cathode separator 36.

  In the seventh embodiment configured as described above, the same effects as those of the first to sixth embodiments can be obtained, and the first seal member 64a is outward from the outer peripheral end of the first seal groove 66aa. It is possible to reliably suppress the protrusion.

10, 80, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140 ... differential pressure type high-pressure water electrolyzer 12, 82, 102, 112, 122, 132, 142 ... high-pressure water electrolysis cell 14 ... laminate 16a, 16b ... terminal plate 18a, 18b ... Insulating plates 20a, 20b ... End plates 24a, 24b ... Terminals 28 ... Electrolytic power sources 32, 84, 134, 144 ... Electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 34 ... Anode separators 36, 86, 104, 114, 124 ... Cathode separators 38, 38a, 88 ... solid polymer electrolyte membrane 40 ... anode feeder 40a ... anode catalyst layer 42 ... cathode feeder 42a ... cathode catalyst layer 46 ... plate member 50a ... water supply communication hole 50b ... discharge communication hole 50c ... hydrogen communication Hole 53 ... Anode chamber 54, 58 ... Flow path 55 ... Cathode chamber 60a-60 , 64a-64d ... sealing member 62a~62d, 66a, 66aa, 66b~66d ... seal groove 68,90,126,136,146 ... resin sheet member 116 ... frame member

Claims (6)

An electrolyte membrane ;
An anode feeder and a cathode feeder that sandwich the electrolyte membrane ;
An anode separator that is disposed opposite to the anode feeder and forms an anode chamber that houses the anode feeder;
A cathode separator disposed opposite to the cathode feeder and forming a cathode chamber for accommodating the cathode feeder;
A sealing member that surrounds and seals the cathode chamber outside the electrolysis region;
A high-pressure water electrolysis cell that electrolyzes the supplied water, generates oxygen on the anode power supply side, and generates hydrogen higher in pressure than the oxygen on the cathode power supply side,
A plurality of the high-pressure water electrolysis cells are stacked and a differential pressure type high-pressure water electrolysis apparatus fastened in the stacking direction,
An insulating reinforcing member having a compressive strength higher than that of the electrolyte membrane is disposed on the outer periphery of the seal member so as to correspond to a portion compressed at a high pressure between the anode separator and the cathode separator by fastening. A differential pressure type high pressure water electrolyzer characterized. The differential pressure type high-pressure water electrolysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrolyte membrane and the reinforcing member have portions overlapping each other along the stacking direction,
The differential pressure type high pressure water electrolysis apparatus, wherein the seal member is disposed in the overlapping portion of the electrolyte membrane and the reinforcing member. The differential pressure type high pressure water electrolysis apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the electrolyte membrane is interposed between the sealing member and the reinforcing member along the stacking direction. apparatus. The differential pressure type high pressure water electrolysis apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the reinforcing member is interposed between the seal member and the electrolyte membrane along the stacking direction. apparatus. The differential pressure type high-pressure water electrolysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a frame-like member is disposed between the cathode separator and the reinforcing member and located on an outer periphery of the seal member.
The differential pressure type high pressure water electrolysis apparatus, wherein the reinforcing member is joined to the frame member. The differential pressure type high pressure water electrolysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member is arranged around the outer periphery of the electrolyte membrane ,
The differential pressure type high pressure water electrolysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the reinforcing member is set larger than a thickness of the electrolyte membrane .

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