U.S. patent application number 14/202468 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-11 for modular assembly for coupling electrochemical units.
The applicant listed for this patent is CERAM HYD. Invention is credited to Abd Elghani HAMITI, Martin Johannes HAUSCHILD, Arash MOFAKHAMI.
Application Number | 20140251796 14/202468 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48613864 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140251796 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HAUSCHILD; Martin Johannes ;
et al. |
September 11, 2014 |
MODULAR ASSEMBLY FOR COUPLING ELECTROCHEMICAL UNITS
Abstract
The present invention relates to a modular assembly for coupling
electrochemical units, including at least one module including a
support frame for receiving at least two electrochemical units, the
support frame including main fluidic connection means for coupling
between juxtaposed modules and secondary fluidic connection means
with the electrochemical units borne by the support frame.
Inventors: |
HAUSCHILD; Martin Johannes;
(Fontainebleau, FR) ; MOFAKHAMI; Arash; (Buthiers,
FR) ; HAMITI; Abd Elghani; (Melun, FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CERAM HYD |
Ecuelles |
|
FR |
|
|
Family ID: |
48613864 |
Appl. No.: |
14/202468 |
Filed: |
March 10, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
204/267 ;
204/275.1; 204/279 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02E 60/366 20130101;
C25B 9/18 20130101; Y02E 60/36 20130101; C25B 1/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
204/267 ;
204/275.1; 204/279 |
International
Class: |
C25B 9/18 20060101
C25B009/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 8, 2013 |
FR |
13 52111 |
Claims
1. A modular assembly for coupling electrochemical units,
comprising at least one module comprising a support frame for
receiving at least two electrochemical units, the support frame
comprising: main fluidic connection means for coupling between
juxtaposed modules, secondary fluidic connection means with the
electrochemical units borne by the support frame.
2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, the support frame comprising
plates for receiving the electrochemical units.
3. The assembly as claimed in claim 2, the plates supporting the
electrical connectors for supplying power to the electrochemical
units, notably flameproof connectors.
4. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, the support frame comprising
a column bearing the plates and the main and auxiliary fluidic
connectors.
5. The assembly as claimed in claim 4, the main fluidic connectors
being arranged on opposite faces of the column.
6. The assembly as claimed in claim 4, the plates being arranged in
twos on opposite faces of the column.
7. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, the frame bearing electrical
power supply connectors that are common to all the electrochemical
units of the module.
8. The assembly as claimed in claim 4, the frame bearing electrical
power supply connectors that are common to all the electrochemical
units of the module and the common power supply connectors being
arranged on the top of the column.
9. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, the module comprising relays
allowing a selective electrical supply to the electrochemical
units.
10. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, the secondary fluidic
connection means being equipped with valves with automatic closure
in the event of disconnection.
11. The assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the valves of the
secondary fluidic connection means comprise at least one
anti-return valve.
12. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 the electrochemical units
being electrolysis units.
13. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, the electrical power of a
module being greater than or equal to 20 kW.
14. An electrochemical installation comprising a modular assembly
as defined in claim 1 and at least one electrochemical unit borne
by a module.
15. The installation as claimed in claim 13, comprising at least
two modules each bearing at least one electrochemical unit.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to electrochemical
installations, notably electrolysis installations.
[0002] There is an interest in easily adapting the power of such
installations according to the requirements.
[0003] The aim of the invention is to satisfy this need, and it
achieves this by virtue of a modular assembly for coupling
electrochemical units, comprising at least one module comprising a
support frame for receiving at least two electrochemical units, the
support frame comprising: [0004] main fluidic connection means for
coupling between juxtaposed modules, [0005] secondary fluidic
connection means with the electrochemical units borne by the
support frame.
[0006] By virtue of the invention, the power of the installation
can be easily modulated according to the requirements by coupling
more or fewer modules and by also acting, as necessary, on the
number of units borne by a module.
[0007] Furthermore, the invention makes it possible to easily
replace one unit with another for maintenance operations for
example.
[0008] The support frame can comprise plates for receiving
electrochemical units. The plates can support electrical connectors
for supplying power to the electrochemical units, notably
flameproof connectors (ATEX).
[0009] The support frame can comprise a column bearing the plates
and the main and auxiliary fluidic connectors. The connectors can
comprise integrated electrical or pneumatic valves.
[0010] The main fluidic connectors can be arranged on opposite
faces of the column.
[0011] The plates can be arranged in twos on opposite faces of the
column.
[0012] The frame can bear electrical power supply connectors that
are common to all the electrochemical units of a module.
[0013] The common power supply connectors are preferably arranged
on the top of the column.
[0014] The module can comprise relays allowing a selective
electrical supply to the electrochemical units.
[0015] The secondary fluidic connection means are preferably
equipped with valves with automatic closure in the event of
disconnection.
[0016] The valves of the secondary fluidic connection means may
comprise at least one anti-return valve. All valves secondary
fluidic connection means may be anti-return valves. More
particularly, the supply valves are anti-return valves. Preferably,
one or more valves disposed between an electrochemical unit placed
at the top and an electrochemical unit placed in the bottom are
anti-return valves. Thus, in operation, it can be avoided that an
electrochemical unit placed at the top run down in an
electrochemical unit placed underneath.
[0017] The electrochemical units are preferably electrolysis units.
The electrical power of a module is, for example, greater than or
equal to 20 kW.
[0018] The modules can be identical, like the units.
[0019] Another subject of the invention is an electrochemical
installation comprising a modular assembly and at least one
electrochemical unit borne by a module.
[0020] The installation can comprise at least two modules each
bearing at least one electrochemical unit, better at least four
modules each bearing at least two units.
[0021] The invention will be able to be better understood on
reading the following detailed description of a nonlimiting
exemplary implementation thereof, and on studying the attached
drawing, in which:
[0022] FIG. 1 represents a modular assembly according to the
invention,
[0023] FIG. 2 represents a module on its own, with the
electrochemical units removed,
[0024] FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, the panels of the column
of the frame being removed,
[0025] FIG. 4 is a front view according to IV of FIG. 3,
[0026] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 with the electrochemical
units in place,
[0027] FIG. 6 represents an interconnection element on its own,
[0028] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 4, with the electrochemical
units in place,
[0029] FIG. 8 represents, in isolation, the assembly of the
distribution or collection columns of a module,
[0030] FIG. 9 illustrates the system of connections from the power
supply terminals to the different units,
[0031] FIG. 10 represents an electrochemical unit on its own,
and
[0032] FIGS. 11 and 12 are views respectively from below and from
above of the unit of FIG. 10.
[0033] The assembly 1 represented in FIG. 1 comprises a plurality
of modules 10, in this case five in number, interconnected and
receiving a plurality of electrochemical units 50.
[0034] Each module 10 comprises, as can be seen notably in FIGS. 2
to 4, a support frame 11 comprising a column 12 bearing top plates
20 each intended to support an electrochemical unit 50.
[0035] In addition to the column 12, the rack comprises two lateral
bases 13 bearing bottom plates 20 each also intended to support an
electrochemical unit 50.
[0036] The column 12 comprises a chassis 16 to which facade panels
17 are fixed, but which are removed in FIG. 3.
[0037] The chassis 16 supports top and bottom interconnection
elements 30, one of which is represented in isolation in FIG.
6.
[0038] Two distribution columns 60 and 61 for the supply of
electrolyte and two columns 80 and 81 for collecting electrolyte
and gases produced extend inside the column 12 of the frame 11 to
convey liquid or gaseous fluids to and from the electrochemical
units 50.
[0039] The latter are preferably electrolysis units, in which case
they must, as illustrated in FIG. 10, be passed through by an
electrolyte circulating between an O.sub.2 side electrolyte intake
70, an H.sub.2 side electrolyte intake 72, an O.sub.2 side
electrolyte return 71 and an H.sub.2 side electrolyte return
74.
[0040] The returns 71 and 74 respectively convey the gases O.sub.2
and H.sub.2. The electrolyte is, for example, a solution of
H.sub.2SO.sub.4 (acid), of demineralized water or even a solution
of KOH (basic).
[0041] All the intakes 70 of the units of one and the same module
10 communicate with the H.sub.2 side electrolyte distribution
column 60, nozzles 92 and couplings 170, the latter being borne by
the chassis 16.
[0042] All the intakes 72 communicate with the O.sub.2 side
distribution column 61 via nozzles and couplings 172, the latter
being borne by the chassis 16.
[0043] Inlet couplings 175 and 176 borne by the chassis 16 make it
possible to recover the gases O.sub.2 and H.sub.2 produced by the
electrolysis and are respectively connected by nozzles 83 to the
recovery columns 80 and 81.
[0044] Preferably, the couplings 175 and 176, as well as the
couplings 170 and 172, are equipped with connectors arranged to
cooperate with corresponding connectors of the electrochemical
units and at least one of each pair of connectors, even better
both, is/are advantageously provided with valve which close
automatically in the event of the removal of an electrochemical
unit 50.
[0045] Each connection element 30 comprises main ducts 100 and 101
and auxiliary ducts 102 and 103. The auxiliary ducts 102 and 103
communicate respectively with the main ducts 100 and 101. Seals 110
are provided on the auxiliary ducts 102 and 103 and their
symmetrical placements 104 and 105. The top connection element 30
is identical to the bottom connection element, but inverted.
[0046] Tappings 115 are provided in the element 30 for fixing the
various columns and couplings.
[0047] The connection elements 30 can be produced by machining from
the block or by casting or by other means.
[0048] The auxiliary ducts 102 and 103 emerge on the top face 108
of the bottom connection element 30.
[0049] Conversely, the auxiliary ducts 102 and 103 emerge on the
bottom face 109 of the top connection element 30.
[0050] The columns 60, 61, 80 and 81 are fixed at their ends to the
connection elements 30.
[0051] Thus, the H.sub.2 and electrolyte recovery column 80
communicates at its top end with the main duct 100 of the top
connection element 30 and is blocked at its bottom end by the
bottom connection element 30 in the position 105.
[0052] The column 81 communicates at its top end with the main duct
101 of the top connection element 30 and is blocked at its bottom
end by the bottom connection element 30 in the position 104.
[0053] The column 60 communicates at its bottom end with the main
duct 101 of the bottom connection element 30 and is blocked at its
top end by the top connection element 30 in the position 104.
[0054] The column 61 communicates at its bottom end with the main
duct 100 of the bottom connection element 30 and is blocked at its
top end by the top connection element 30 in the position 105.
[0055] Thus, the intake of the electrolyte for all the units 50 can
be made via the main ducts 100 on the O.sub.2 side and 101 on the
H.sub.2 side of the bottom connection elements 30 and the return of
the electrolyte and of the H.sub.2 and O.sub.2 gases via the main
ducts 101 on the O.sub.2 side and 100 on the H.sub.2 side of the
top connection elements 30.
[0056] Two adjacent modules 10 can be linked together by flexible
or rigid couplings 200 provided with flanges fixed at their ends to
the facing connection elements 30, with the insertion of seals, so
as to enable the main duct of a connection element to communicate
with its neighbor.
[0057] The fluidic connection between two modules can be made by
any connection means, notably using any type of coupling, but also
quick release connectors or pipelines crimped, screwed or welded to
the modules 10.
[0058] The same main ducts 100 and 101 of the same top and bottom
elements 30 of the different modules are linked in series.
Pipelines which are not represented communicate with the main ducts
of the connection elements of an end module 10 for the operation of
the assembly, being linked for example to one or more of the pumps
and to storage tanks.
[0059] The electrical power supply conductors of the units of a
module 10 emerge on the top of the module 10 via tabs 116 through
corresponding piercings 117 produced in the connection elements
30.
[0060] As can be seen in FIG. 9, each module comprises relays 180
associated with each unit 50 which make it possible to electrically
short-circuit this unit, the four units 50 being electrically
linked in series.
[0061] As can be seen in FIGS. 10 to 12, each unit 50 comprises a
mounting 150 intended to be fixed to the corresponding plate 20, a
mounting on which are fixed two conductors 151 and 152 provided,
for example as illustrated, with piercing 153 for the passage of
fixing elements such as screws, in order to make it possible to
press these conductors 151 and 152 against conductors on standby on
the plates 20.
[0062] The mounting 150 has an inset 155 on the side of the various
hydraulic couplings of the unit 50, which fits under a
corresponding ridge 156 provided on the module 10. The conductors
151 and 152 extend in front of the inset 155. The mounting can be
holed at 158 under the connection ends of the conductors 151 and
152 to allow the connection ends on standby on the plates 20 to be
superposed on these connection ends.
[0063] The mounting 150 has openings 190 and 191 through which the
plates of the unit are connected to the conductors 151 and 152. The
number of units 50 per module is not limited to four and can vary.
The number of modules can also vary.
[0064] As a variant, the electrochemical units can be fuel cell
units or even rechargeable fuel cells ("flow batteries").
[0065] Preferably, each module conforms to the ATEX flameproofing
standards, by avoiding the production of sparks in the external
environment.
* * * * *