Filter Press End Assembly and Fluid Management System for use in Unipolar Electrochemical Devices

Abstract

Disclosed is an end assembly for use in a unipolar filter press electrolyser, where the unipolar filter press electrolyser has a filter press stack. The end assembly of the unipolar filter press electrolyser includes an end plate component having two apertures, the two apertures being alignable with channels formed in the filter press stack. The two apertures include a first aperture configured to receive a stream of liquid electrolyte and gases from the filter press stack, and a second aperture configured to receive a stream of recirculated liquid electrolyte. In addition, the end assembly includes an end clamp configured to apply a clamping force on the end plate component to securely retain the filter press stack. The end clamp includes one gas offtake port to extract gases from the stream of liquid electrolyte and gases from the first aperture and discharge the gases out of the unipolar filter press electrolyser.

The embodiments for which an exclusive privilege or property is claimed are as follows: 
     
         1 . An end assembly for use in a unipolar filter press electrolyser, the unipolar filter press electrolyser having a plurality of filter press frame components arranged to form a filter press stack, the end assembly comprising:
 an end plate component having at least two apertures defined therein, the at least two apertures being alignable with channels formed in the filter press frame components of the plurality when the end assembly is operatively connected to the filter press stack, the at least two apertures include a first aperture configured to receive a stream of liquid electrolyte and gases from the filter press stack, and a second aperture configured to receive a stream of recirculated liquid electrolyte;   a first gasket member positionable between the end plate component and one of the filter press frame components of the plurality;   an end clamp configured to apply a clamping force on the end plate component to securely retain the filter press stack, the end clamp having a body formed with a hollow, and at least one gas offtake port configured to discharge out of the unipolar filter press electrolyser gases separated from the stream of liquid electrolyte and gases; the hollow of the body of the end clamp being configured to redirect a stream of liquid electrolyte substantially free of gases toward the second aperture for recirculation in the filter press stack; and   a second gasket member positionable between the end plate component and the end clamp, the gasket configured to provide a seal for isolating the internal pressure within the filter press stack from external atmospheric pressure.   
     
     
         2 . The end assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first aperture is disposed adjacent to the upper end of the end plate component and the second aperture disposed adjacent to the lower end of the end plate component. 
     
     
         3 . The end assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second apertures are disposed diagonally relative to each other. 
     
     
         4 . The end assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the at least two apertures of the end plate component include a third aperture disposed side-by-side the second aperture adjacent to the lower end of the end plate component. 
     
     
         5 . The end assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the end plate component includes a pair of opposite faces and first and second mechanical support members attached to one of the faces of the end plate component. 
     
     
         6 . The end assembly of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the first mechanical support member is positioned near the upper end of the end plate component to reinforce an area around the first aperture; and the second mechanical support member is positioned near the lower end of the end plate component to reinforce an area around the second aperture.   
     
     
         7 . The end assembly of  claim 6 , wherein each of the mechanical support members includes a horizontal flange portion and a vertical flange portion fixed to each other to form a generally T-shaped structure. 
     
     
         8 . The end assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the vertical flange portion of the first mechanical support member extends from the horizontal flange portion of the first mechanical support member towards the top end of the end plate component. 
     
     
         9 . The end assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the vertical flange portion of the second mechanical support member extends from the horizontal flange portion of the second mechanical support member towards the bottom end of the end plate component. 
     
     
         10 . The end assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the horizontal flange portion has a semi-circular profile. 
     
     
         11 . The end assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the vertical flange portion has a quarter-circular profile. 
     
     
         12 . The end assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the horizontal flange portion and the vertical flange portion each have through-holes defined therein for the flow of gasses and liquids. 
     
     
         13 . The end assembly of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the first aperture is generally square and is defined by a pair of opposed left and right vertical inner edges and opposed upper and lower horizontal inner edges;
 a part of the horizontal flange portion of the first mechanical support member runs adjacent to the lower horizontal inner edge of the first aperture; and 
 the vertical flange portion of the first mechanical support member runs adjacent to one of vertical inner edges of the first aperture. 
   
     
     
         14 . The end assembly of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the second aperture is generally square and is defined by a pair of opposed left and right vertical inner edges and opposed upper and lower horizontal inner edges;
 a part of the horizontal flange portion of the second mechanical support member runs adjacent to the upper horizontal inner edge of the second aperture; and 
 the vertical flange portion of the second mechanical support member runs adjacent to one of vertical inner edges of the second aperture. 
   
     
     
         15 . The end assembly of  claim 6 , wherein each of the mechanical support members includes a horizontal truss portion and a vertical truss portion fixed to each other to form a generally T-shaped structure. 
     
     
         16 . The end assembly of  claim 15 , wherein each of the horizontal and vertical truss portions are trapezoidal trusses. 
     
     
         17 . The end assembly of  claim 15 , wherein each of the horizontal and vertical truss portions are triangular trusses. 
     
     
         18 . The end assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the end plate component includes a pair of opposite faces and at least one mechanical support member attached to one of the faces of the end plate component. 
     
     
         19 . The end assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the end clamp has an outer surface, an inner surface and a plurality of cooling fins protruding from the outer surface of the end clamp. 
     
     
         20 . The end assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of cooling fins extend longitudinally along the outer surface of the end clamp.