Electrolysis: processes – compositions used therein – and methods – Electrolytic synthesis – Preparing nonmetal element
Patent
1999-08-19
2000-11-28
Gorgos, Kathryn
Electrolysis: processes, compositions used therein, and methods
Electrolytic synthesis
Preparing nonmetal element
204258, 204267, 204270, 204278, C25C 102
Patent
active
061530832
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an electrolyzer for the electrolysis of water in hydrogen and oxygen with a number of electrolytic cells, each containing an anode and a cathode, connected in series in a cell block surrounded by a pressure vessel. At one end of the cell block, a first electrode (anode) is situated, and at the opposite end of the cell block, a second electrode (cathode) is situated, which are each connected with leading-in cables which run through the pressure vessel and conduct electric current to the cell block, the interior of the pressure vessel being filled with pressurized water surrounding the cell block.
An electrolyzer of the above-mentioned type is used for the electrolytic disintegration of water into hydrogen and oxygen, for example, for obtaining hydrogen within the scope of future hydrogen technologies. A modern electrolyzer of this type operates by means of an alkaline electrolyte and at an increased pressure and an increased temperature of, for example, 30 bar and 150.degree. C. The leading-in cables required for the electric connection of the cell block extend from the cell block through the pressurized water surrounding it through the pressure vessel. In this case, special demands are made on the electric insulation of these leading-in cables, since these must withstand the above-mentioned high pressures and temperatures, as in particular also the pressure differences and temperature differences occurring during a change of the operating condition. The known polymeric isolations withstand these conditions only for a short time so that electric shunts occur in the interior of the pressure vessel which may result in power losses, shunt electrolysis and the formation of electrolytic gas.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide an electrolyzer with an improved current feeding.
The electrolyzer according to the invention, which is used for the electrolysis of water in hydrogen and oxygen, contains a number of electrolytic cells, each containing an anode and a cathode, connected in series in a cell block surrounded by a pressure vessel. At one end of the cell block, a first electrode is situated, and at the opposite end of the cell block, a second electrode is situated, which are each connected with leading-in cables which run through the pressure vessel to the outside and conduct electric current to the cell block. The interior of the pressure vessel is filled with pressurized water surrounding the cell block. According to the invention, it is provided that the first electrode is arranged in the interior of the cell block in an encapsulated, electrically isolated manner with respect to the pressurized water, and in that a channel is provided which leads from the cell block through the pressure vessel to the outside, is sealed off with respect to the pressurized water and through which the leading-in cable connected with the first electrode is led to the first electrode,
It is an advantage of the electrolyzer according to the invention that, when the current is supplied, it can be fed to the first electrode in a dry and pressureless manner. No negative effect therefore occurs with respect to the isolation of the leading-in cables.
According to a further development of the invention, it is provided that the second electrode and the leading-in cable connected with the second electrode are on the same potential as the pressure vessel, and that the leading-in cable connected to the second electrode is led through the pressurized water to the outside. This has the advantage that, because of the same potential of the second electrode and of the pressure vessel, no special demands are made with respect to isolating the leading-in cable of the second electrode.
It is particularly advantageous for the potential of the second electrode to simultaneously be the ground potential (mass). By the compensation of the potential of the pressure vessel and the second electrode, an intrinsic contact protection of the vessel
Hofmann Hans
Mueller-Froelich Lutz
Gorgos Kathryn
MTU Motoren-Und Turbinen-Union Friedrichshafen GmbH
Parsons Thomas H.
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