Electrolyzer

Abstract

An electrolyzer ( 2 ) includes at least one electrolysis cell ( 4 ), arranged between two end plates ( 6.8 ), in a polymer electrolyte membrane construction manner, and a pressing device for producing a pressing force between the end plates ( 6.8 ). The pressing force at least partly is controlled in a manner dependent on the gas pressure produced by the electrolysis cell ( 4 ).

1 . An electrolyzer comprising:
 two end plates;   at least one electrolysis cell arranged between the two end plates, in a polymer electrolyte membrane construction manner; and   a pressing means for producing a pressing force between the end plates, wherein the pressing force at least partly is controlled in a manner dependent on a gas pressure produced by the electrolysis cell.   
     
     
         2 . An electrolyzer according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressing force is controlled directly by the gas pressure produced by the electrolysis cell. 
     
     
         3 . An electrolyzer according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressing force is controlled by the gas pressure of the hydrogen produced by the electrolysis cell. 
     
     
         4 . An electrolyzer according to  claim 1 , wherein a pressing pressure exerted onto the electrolysis cell by the pressing force is greater than the gas pressure produced by the electrolysis cell. 
     
     
         5 . An electrolyzer according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressing force controlled by the gas pressure is produced fluidically. 
     
     
         6 . An electrolyzer according to  claim 1 , wherein a pressure-proof chamber is formed on at least one end plate, at a side facing the electrolysis cell. 
     
     
         7 . An electrolyzer according to  claim 6 , wherein the chamber is conduit-connected to a pressure producer of the pressing means for producing a pressing force. 
     
     
         8 . An electrolyzer according to  claim 7 , wherein a piston cylinder arrangement forms the pressure producer. 
     
     
         9 . An electrolyzer according to  claim 8 , wherein a cylinder chamber of the piston-cylinder arrangement is conduit connected to a hydrogen outlet of the electrolyzer. 
     
     
         10 . An electrolyzer according to  claim 8 , wherein the piston-cylinder arrangement forms a pressure converter. 
     
     
         11 . An electrolyzer according to  claim 10 , wherein the pressure converter has a pressure conversion ratio which lies in a region of 1.1 to 2.5. 
     
     
         12 . An electrolyzer comprising:
 two end plates defining a gas pressure space;   a polymer electrolyte membrane construction electrolysis cell comprising gas diffusion electrodes arranged between the two end plates and producing gas at a gas pressure;   a pressing means for producing a pressing force applied to one or more of the end plates to press the gas diffusion electrodes to one another, which pressing force is dependent on the gas pressure of the gas produced by the electrolysis cell.   
     
     
         13 . An electrolyzer according to  claim 12 , wherein the pressing force is controlled directly by the gas pressure of the gas produced by the electrolysis cell. 
     
     
         14 . An electrolyzer according to  claim 12 , wherein the produced gas is hydrogen. 
     
     
         15 . An electrolyzer according to  claim 12 , wherein a pressure of the pressing force exerted onto the electrolysis cell is greater than the gas pressure of the gas produced by the electrolysis cell. 
     
     
         16 . An electrolyzer according to  claim 12 , wherein the pressing force is fluidically controlled by the gas pressure of the gas produced. 
     
     
         17 . An electrolyzer according to  claim 12 , wherein a pressure-proof chamber is formed on at least one end plate, at a side facing the electrolysis cell. 
     
     
         18 . An electrolyzer according to  claim 17 , wherein the pressure-proof chamber is conduit-connected to a pressure producer of the pressing means for producing the pressing force. 
     
     
         19 . An electrolyzer according to  claim 18 , wherein:
 a piston cylinder arrangement forms the pressure producer;   the piston-cylinder arrangement is conduit connected to a hydrogen outlet of the electrolyzer; and   the piston-cylinder arrangement forms a pressure converter.   
     
     
         20 . An electrolyzer according to  claim 19 , wherein the pressure converter has a pressure conversion ratio which lies in a region of 1.1 to 2.5.