Electrolyser module

Abstract

Liquid communication means for an electrolyser module comprising a plurality of structural plates each having a sidewall extending between opposite end faces with a half cell chamber opening and at least two degassing chamber openings extending through the structural plate between the opposite end faces, the liquid communication means facilitating liquid communication between the at least two degassing chambers.

1 . An electrolyser module comprising a plurality of structural plates each having a sidewall extending between opposite end faces with a half cell chamber opening and at least two degassing chamber openings extending through said structural plate between said opposite end faces;
 said structural plates being arranged in face to face juxtaposition between opposite end pressure plates;   each said half cell chamber opening at least partially housing electrolytic half cell components comprising at least an electrode, a bipolar plate in electrical communication with said electrode and a membrane, said structural plates and half cell components defining an array of series connected electrolytic cells surmounted by at least first and second degassing chambers each having an upper section above a lower section;   said structural plates defining at least when in said face to face juxtaposition, respective gas-liquid passages extending between a top part of the half cell chambers and a bottom part of said upper section of said first and second degassing chambers to provide fluid communication between an anode part of said electrolytic cells and said first degassing chamber and between a cathode part of said electrolytic cells and said second degassing chamber;   said structural plates further defining, at least when in said face to face juxtaposition, respective discrete degassed liquid passages extending between a bottom part of said lower section of said first and second degassing chambers and a bottom part of said half cell chambers for degassed liquid return from said first and second degassing chambers respectively to said anode and cathode parts of said electrolytic cells;   said electrolyser module further comprising respective gas discharge passages fluidly communicating with said first and second degassing chambers and at least one feed water passage extending therethrough and fluidly communicating with at least one of said first and second degassing chambers for gas discharge from said first and second degassing chambers and for feed water introduction into at least one of said first and second degassing chambers;   said electrolyser module further comprising at least one liquid communication passage for liquid communication between said at least first and second degassing chambers.   
     
     
         2 . An electrolyser module as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said at least one liquid communication passage is defined by at least one surface channel extending into at least one of the opposite end faces of at least one of said end pressure plates and special structural plates in conjunction with the adjacent of said opposite end faces. 
     
     
         3 . An electrolyser module as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said at least one liquid communication passage comprises internal passages in the body of at least one of said end pressure plates and special structural plates. 
     
     
         4 . An electrolyser module as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said at least one liquid communication passage comprises at least one of tube and pipe, in liquid communication with said first and second degassing chambers via internal passages contained in said end pressure plates. 
     
     
         5 . An electrolyser module comprising a plurality of structural plates each having a sidewall extending between opposite end faces with a half cell chamber opening and at least two degassing chamber openings extending through said structural plate between said opposite end faces;
 said structural plates being arranged in face to face juxtaposition between opposite end pressure plates;   each said half cell chamber opening at least partially housing electrolytic half cell components comprising at least an electrode, a bipolar plate in electrical communication with said electrode and a membrane, said structural plates and half cell components defining an array of series connected electrolytic cells surmounted by at least first and second degassing chambers each having an upper section above a lower section;   said structural plates defining at least when in said face to face juxtaposition, respective gas-liquid passages extending between a top part of the half cell chambers and a bottom part of said upper section of said first and second degassing chambers to provide fluid communication between an anode part of said electrolytic cells and said first degassing chamber and between a cathode part of said electrolytic cells and said second degassing chamber;   said structural plates further defining, at least when in said face to face juxtaposition, respective discrete degassed liquid passages extending between a bottom part of said lower section of said first and second degassing chambers and a bottom part of said half cell chambers for degassed liquid return from said first and second degassing chambers respectively to said anode and cathode parts of said electrolytic cells;   said electrolyser module further comprising at least one intermediate pressure plate interspersed between said structural plates along said length of said electrolyser module; each said at least one intermediate pressure plate comprising opposite end faces with a sidewall extending therebetween, said intermediate pressure plate defining at least one of first and second degassing chamber openings and through holes extending between its opposite end faces for fluidly communicating respectively with said first and second degassing chambers for receiving gas therefrom;   said electrolyser module further comprising respective gas discharge passages fluidly communicating with said first and second degassing chambers and at least one feed water passage extending therethrough and fluidly communicating with at least one of said first and second degassing chambers for gas discharge from said first and second degassing chambers and for feed water introduction into at least one of said first and second degassing chambers;   said electrolyser module further comprising at least one liquid communication passage for liquid communication between said at least first and second degassing chambers.   
     
     
         6 . An electrolyser module as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said at least one liquid communication passage is defined by at least one surface channel extending into at least one of the opposite end faces of at least one of said end pressure plates, said intermediate pressure plates and said special structural plates in conjunction with the adjacent of said opposite end faces. 
     
     
         7 . An electrolyser module as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said at least one liquid communication passage comprises internal passages in the body of at least one of said end pressure plates, said intermediate pressure plates and said special structural plates. 
     
     
         8 . An electrolyser module as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said at least one liquid communication passage comprises at least one of tube and pipe, in liquid communication with said first and second degassing chambers via internal passages contained in said at least one intermediate pressure plate.