Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B15/00—Operating or servicing cells
  • C25B15/08—Supplying or removing reactants or electrolytes; Regeneration of electrolytes
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B9/00—Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
  • C25B9/70—Assemblies comprising two or more cells
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B1/00—Electrolytic production of inorganic compounds or non-metals
  • C25B1/01—Products
  • C25B1/02—Hydrogen or oxygen
  • C25B1/04—Hydrogen or oxygen by electrolysis of water
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B11/00—Electrodes; Manufacture thereof not otherwise provided for
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B9/00—Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
  • C25B9/17—Cells comprising dimensionally-stable non-movable electrodes; Assemblies of constructional parts thereof
  • C25B9/19—Cells comprising dimensionally-stable non-movable electrodes; Assemblies of constructional parts thereof with diaphragms
  • C25B9/23—Cells comprising dimensionally-stable non-movable electrodes; Assemblies of constructional parts thereof with diaphragms comprising ion-exchange membranes in or on which electrode material is embedded
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B9/00—Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
  • C25B9/60—Constructional parts of cells
  • C25B9/65—Means for supplying current; Electrode connections; Electric inter-cell connections
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
  • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
  • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
  • Y02E60/36—Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis

Definitions

• the invention relates to a high temperature steam electrolyser (EVHT) also called high temperature electrolyser (EHT).
• EVHT high temperature steam electrolyser
• EHT high temperature electrolyser
• It relates more particularly to a new architecture of an electrolyser EVHT which allows to obtain a target production per electrolysis cell, typically greater than 370gh / m 2 at 1.3V, while limiting the degradation rate of the cells.
• the electrolysis of water vapor at high temperature is currently considered preferentially for the massive production of hydrogen.
• the rise in temperature and the passage of water vapor make it possible to reduce the electrical energy required for electrolysis with respect to other hydrogen production processes such as low temperature alkaline electrolysis.
• the degradation rate of the cells is primarily a function of the local maximum density of production, secondly of the temperature and, to a lesser extent, the rate of use of the water vapor (also called the conversion rate).
• target target production per cm2 cell is greater than 370gh / m 2 at 1.3V.
• EHT high temperature electrolyser
• An EHT electrolyser must fulfill the following mandatory functions:
• the elements that make up an EHT electrolyser are generally:
• the electrolysis cells each formed of a cathode, an anode and an electrolyte interposed between the cathode and the anode and in which occurs the electrolysis reaction.
• support electrolyte cells the thickness of the electrolyte, typically 100 ⁇ m, is greater than that of the electrodes
• cathode support the thickness of the cathode, typically 500 ym, is greater than that of the electrolyte and the anode.
• interconnection devices electrical and fluidic, which generally provide the power supply and collection functions and which delimit compartments for the circulation of gases,
• FIGS. 1, 1A and 1B show a commonly used channel plate 1.
• the supply or collection of current to the electrode is performed by the teeth or ribs 10 which are in direct mechanical contact with the electrode concerned.
• the supply of steam to the cathode (or draining gas at the anode) is symbolized by the arrows in Figure 1.
• the collection of hydrogen produced at the cathode (or oxygen produced at the anode) is made by the channels 11 which open into a fluid connection, commonly called clarinet, common to the stack of cells.
• the electrochemical reaction being near the interface between electrode and electrolyte, and requiring the presence on the same place of the gas, electrons and ions involved, the areas under the teeth 10 of the collector are easy to supply electrons but difficult to fuel gas.
• the binding parameters are the permeability of the electrode in contact, its thickness and the width of the tooth 10.
• the zone under the channel 11 is difficult to supply with electrons, the existing electrodes to date having a low effective conductivity .
• the binding parameters are the effective conductivity, the thickness and the width of the channel 11.
• the ratio R between the feed / collection surface of the current and the surface of supply of water vapor or The collection of gases produced is a parameter that indicates the actual use of the cell surface.
• the ratio R calculated as below is often less than 50%.
• R 1 / (1+ w / L), where w is the width of the channel 11 and L the width of the tooth 10.
• this plate structure 1 involves differentiated production areas with certain areas in which the densities of production and therefore the current densities can be very high, this for a low average density, and therefore localized performance degradation sources. This is illustrated at the local level (millimetric scale) in FIG. 1B on which we can see the very strong current lines represented which are located at the level of the ribs 10. Similarly, considering the electrode surface, the current lines are stronger upstream than downstream due to the evolution of the water content in the gas flow between the upstream and downstream channels. Likewise, this plate structure 1 implies inhomogeneities for supplying water vapor to the channels 11 and forces a strong super-feed of this water vapor (between a surplus of water corresponding to more than 100% of the water).
• the channel structure with an inlet and an outlet has reason to be that when a draining gas is used to evacuate the oxygen produced to the outlet.
• the conditioning of this draining gas also has a significant energy cost.
• this plate structure requires a material thickness that is important for the collection zone of the gases produced and a shaping (machining) that can be prohibitive.
• the use of thin sheets and stamping are used but limit the possibilities of realization for the unit width of tooth and the pitch between teeth.
• Another interconnecting plate has already been proposed [2]. It is represented in FIG. 2 with the circulation of the fluid represented by the arrows: its structure is of the interdigitated type. It solves only partially the problem of the power supply. It does not solve the problem of the mechanical bending mentioned for the plate 1 and can cause a hydraulic tearing of the electrode with which it is in contact.
• the general object of the invention is therefore to propose a novel architecture of high temperature electrolyser EHT which does not have all or some of the aforementioned drawbacks and which makes it possible to obtain a target production per cell, typically greater than 370 g / m 2 at 1.3V while limiting the rate of cell degradation.
• a particular object of the invention is to achieve a uniform production density per electrolysis cell and a rate of use (or conversion rate) of high water vapor also per cell.
• the subject of the invention is a device for electrolysis of water at high temperature, comprising:
• At least one elementary electrolysis cell formed of a cathode, an anode and an electrolyte interposed between the cathode and the anode,
• a first device forming an electrical and fluidic interconnector consisting of a metal part delimited by at least one plane, said metal part internally comprising a chamber and a plurality of holes distributed on the surface, substantially perpendicular to the plane and opening at the same time on this last and in the chamber, the plane of the first interconnector being in mechanical contact with the plane of the cathode.
• a device electrolysis apparatus may comprise a single electrolysis cell with a first interconnector in contact with its cathode and a second interconnector described below in contact with its anode.
• an interconnecting plate may comprise a first interconnector in contact with the cathode of an elementary electrolysis cell and a second interconnector in contact with the anode of the adjacent electrolysis cell.
• the ratio between the surface of the holes and the surface of the plane is less than 50%, preferably less than 30% and more preferably at most 10%.
• the number and / or size of the holes and / or their distribution is preferably determined so as to limit the pressure losses of fluid flowing in the cathode in contact with the plane of the first interconnector.
• design calculations using the ANSYS FLUENT version 12 software can be carried out, like those described in the application. English entitled “Improved High Temperature Water Electrolysis System” and filed under number 1051781.
• the plurality of holes it is possible to inject the water vapor directly into the chamber on which all the holes open or through the cathode, which has the effect, contrary to the state of the art, a limitation of the overvoltage of concentration and activation.
• the collection by each hole of a portion of the hydrogen produced during the course of the water vapor allows for a higher and more uniform rate of water vapor utilization than with an interconnecting channel plate according to the state of the art as shown in FIG. 1. This also makes it possible, by a better homogeneity of the water vapor pressure, to obtain a more homogeneous production on the surface. of the cell.
• the electrolysis device comprises a second device forming an electrical and fluidic interconnector consisting of a metal part delimited by at least one plane, said metal part comprising internally a chamber and a plurality of holes distributed on the surface, substantially perpendicular to the plane and opening on both the latter and in the chamber, the plane of the second interconnector being in mechanical contact with the plane of the anode.
• any problem of mechanical bending of the cell is avoided since by producing a second interconnector at the anode similar to the first one. interconector at the cathode, the cell is held continuously on its surface between said first and second interconnector. It also avoids the problems of hydraulic tearing electrodes according to the state of the art. It is ensured that the holes of the second interconnector at the anode are uniformly distributed and optimized for the operating pressure. It is also ensured that the holes have sufficiently small sizes ( ⁇ 1 mm in diameter) and are sufficiently well distributed to not allow the detachment or local tearing of the anode.
• draining gas is no longer used to evacuate the product oxygen with the following advantages:
• a stack of elementary electrolysis cells each formed of a cathode, an anode and an intercalated electrolyte. between the cathode and the anode, a plate interconnector comprising a first and a second interconnector being arranged between two adjacent elementary cells, such that the plane of the first interconnector is in mechanical contact with the cathode of one of the two elementary cells and the plane of the second interconnector is in mechanical contact with the anode on the other of the two elementary cells.
• the interconnecting plate consists of three metal plates assembled together at their periphery, the first and second plates each comprising a plurality of holes distributed over their surface, substantially perpendicular to their thickness and opening on both sides thereof planes, the third plate comprising at least one groove opening on one of the faces of the first plate facing the plurality of holes and at least one groove opening on one of the faces of the second, the space delimited between each groove and the first and second plate respectively constituting one of the two chambers.
• a complete interconnector can be obtained between two adjacent elementary electrolysis cells of the same stack, that is to say which allows the electric supply to be electrically charged.
• Electrode and water vapor to the cathode of a cell and the collection of hydrogen to the cathode of the cell and oxygen to the other anode of the other two cells.
• These three plates can be made advantageously from of ferritic stainless steel sheet with 22% chromium.
• Clamping means adapted to provide a determined contact force between two plates on either side of the stack of cells can be provided. Each cell of the stack is thus supported, avoiding any bending or punching.
• the clamping pressure is thus more uniform with respect to clamping on pads.
• the device comprises a first seal arranged at the periphery of the anode of a cell and in direct mechanical contact with the electrolyte of said cell and the second interconnector.
• This first seal may be a metal seal since it relies on the electrolyte which is an electronic insulator.
• a sealed envelope adapted to contain water vapor under pressure, the thickness at the periphery of the cathode being in direct contact with the inside of the sealed envelope,
• a second fluidic connection connected to the chamber of the first interconnector and opening out of the sealed envelope, respectively for collecting and evacuating the hydrogen produced at the cathode
• a third fluidic connection connected to the chamber of the second interconnector and opening outwardly of the sealed envelope, respectively for collecting and evacuating the oxygen produced at the anode.
• the second fluidic connection advantageously comprises a channel for collecting and discharging the hydrogen produced at the cathode of a cell made in the metal part of the first interconnector by being arranged at a distance from said cell.
• the two channels for collecting and discharging the hydrogen produced at the cathode of two adjacent elementary cells are facing each other.
• the third fluidic connection advantageously comprises a channel for collecting and evacuating the oxygen produced at the anode of a cell made in the metal part of the second interconnector by being arranged at a distance from said cell.
• the two channels for collecting and discharging oxygen produced at the anode of two adjacent elementary cells are advantageously opposite one another.
• the two channels are separated from each other by a second pierced spacer, a fourth seal in direct mechanical contact with the second pierced spacer and the first interconnector of one of the two elementary cells and a fifth seal in contact.
• a second pierced spacer mechanical direct with the second pierced spacer and the second interconnector, the height of the second pierced spacer and fourth and fifth seal in the compressed state being substantially equal to the thickness of an electrolysis cell.
• the first, second, third, fourth and fifth seals are metallic.
• metal seals makes it possible to overcome all the disadvantages of the pasty glass gasket used in electrolysers according to the state of the art, mainly its poor resistance to pressure and its use in gravity positions.
• the proposed architecture can thus be considered in horizontal structure, which does not limit the number of stacked cells.
• the mechanical force exerted on each cell is then the same and is independent of the number of cells constituting the stack.
• a first fluidic connection connected to the chamber of the first interconnector for supplying water vapor under pressure to the cathode
• a third fluidic connection connected to the chamber of the second interconnector and opening outwardly of the sealed envelope, respectively for collecting and evacuating the oxygen produced at the anode.
• a particularly suitable electrolysis device according to the invention is that in which the electrolysis cell section is circular.
• the invention also relates to a hydrogen production assembly comprising a plurality of devices described above.
• FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic front view of an interconnecting plate of an electrolyser EHT according to the state of the art
• FIG. 1A is a detailed sectional view of an interconnecting plate according to FIG. 1,
• FIG. 1B is a view similar to FIG. 1A showing the current lines running through the plate
• FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic front view of another interconnecting plate of an electrolyser according to the state of the art
• FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of an electrolysis device according to the invention on the cathode side of a cell
• FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of an electrolysis device according to the invention on the anode side of a cell
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention comprising a stack of three electrolytic cells and two interconnecting plates each arranged between two adjacent electrolysis cells,
• FIG. 6A is an exploded perspective view of the cathode side of a device according to the invention comprising an electrolysis cell and two interconnecting plates on both sides of the cell,
• FIG. 6B is an exploded perspective view of the same device according to FIG. 6A but on the anode side,
• FIG. 7 is an internal perspective view in transparency of a sealed envelope of an electrolysis device according to the invention.
• the high temperature electrolysis according to the invention can be carried out at temperatures of at least 450 ° C., typically between 700 ° C. and 1000 ° C.
• an electrolysis device comprises an elementary electrolysis cell formed of a cathode 2, an anode 4, and an electrolyte 6 interposed between the cathode and the cathode. 'anode. All the electrolytes 6 are of solid type.
• a first device 8.0 forming an electrical interconnector and fluidic consisting of a metal part 80 delimited by at least one plane Pl.
• the metal part 80 internally comprises a chamber 801 and a plurality of holes 800 distributed on the surface, substantially perpendicular to the plane PI and opening on both the latter PI and in the chamber 801.
• the PI plane of the first interconnector is in mechanical contact with the cathode plane 2.
• water vapor is directly injected for the electrolysis reaction directly over the entire portion of the cathode 2, that is to say on the thickness at the periphery of the cathode.
• the injected water vapor (continuous line in FIG. 3) is transformed into hydrogen with the uniform supply of electric current over the entire cell surface, a part of hydrogen (dotted line in FIG. uniform by each of the holes 800.
• water vapor utilization rate at the cathode it is understood the proportion of water vapor at the inlet of the cathode which is converted by electrolysis into hydrogen at the cathode.
• a second device 8.1 forming an electrical and fluidic interconnector consisting of a metal part 81 delimited by at least one plane P2, said metal part comprising internally a chamber 811 and a plurality of holes 810 distributed on the surface, substantially perpendicular to the plane and opening at the same time on the latter P2 and in the chamber 811, the plane P2 of the second interconnector 8.1 being in mechanical contact with the plane of the anode 4.
• the second interconnector 8.1 completely closes the oxygen recovery chamber produced at the anode 4. There is therefore no entry with a draining gas, which by definition avoids and compared to the state of art, leaks to this place.
• an EHT electrolyser having the characteristics of the electrolysis device detailed above, comprises a plurality of elementary cells C1, C2, C3,... Cn stacked, of circular section and said to be cathode support.
• the cell C1 comprises a cathode 2.1 and anode 4.1, between which is arranged a electrolyte 6.1 of a few ⁇ thickness for so-called cathode support cells.
• Cell C2 comprises a cathode 2.2 and anode 4.2, between which an electrolyte 6.2 is disposed.
• the cathodes 2.1, 2.2 and the anodes 4.1, 4.2 are made by screen printing of porous material and have a thickness greater than 500 ⁇ , typically of the order of mm and 40 ⁇ respectively.
• the cathode used is preferably a composite porous electrode made by a cermet nickel and yttria zirconia.
• the anode is preferably a composite porous electrode made of manganite of strained lanthanum and of yttriated zirconia.
• the cathode 2.2 of the cell C2 is electrically connected to the anode 4.1 of the cell C1 by an interconnecting plate 8 arranged between these two adjacent elementary cells C1 and C2.
• the interconnecting plate shown comprises the first 8.0 and second 8.1 interconnector according to the invention and described above.
• each interconnecting plate 8 consists of three metal plates 80, 81, 82 assembled together at their periphery, typically by soldering or brazing.
• the first 80 and second 81 plates each comprise a plurality of holes 800, 810 distributed on their surface, substantially perpendicular to their thickness and opening on its two flat faces.
• the holes 800, 810 are different between the first plate 80 and the second plate 81.
• the holes 800 in the first plate 80 that is to say the one in contact with a cathode 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 have an optimized number, size and distribution for the recovery of hydrogen so as to limit the loss of charge in the passage of the porous cathode.
• the holes 800 are aligned at diameters regularly spaced angularly: thus, each alignment of holes 800 is spaced from an adjacent hole alignment 800 by an angle of 30 °.
• the diameter of the holes is increasing from the outside of the plate towards its center: thus the holes 8000 near the center of the plate 80 have a diameter greater than that of the holes 8001 at the periphery.
• the diameter of the holes 8000 is of the order of 1 mm while that of the holes 8001 is of the order of 1 mm.
• the distribution of holes 800 is similar to a distribution of a shower head.
• the holes 810 of the second plate 81 are all identical to each other and aligned in regularly spaced diameters: thus, each alignment of holes 810 is spaced from an alignment of holes 800 adjacent an angle of 30 °.
• each of the plates 80, 81, 82 comprises, remotely, cells C1, C2, C3, that is to say in an area offset laterally with respect to the cell zone, two eyelets 90, 100; 91, 101; 92, 102 respectively which are diametrically opposed to each other.
• these eyelets 90, 100; 91, 101; 92, 102 have the function of evacuating the hydrogen and oxygen produced and make it possible to avoid any Cl, C2, Cn cell piercing for these purposes.
• the three eyelets 90, 91, 92 of plates 80, 81, 82 are facing each other or in other words vertically above one another. These three eyelets 90, 91, 92 form part of a channel (or clarinet) for collecting and discharging the hydrogen produced by a cell C1, C2, C3. More exactly, as can be seen in FIG. 6B, the chamber 801 for collecting the hydrogen produced at the cathode 2 of a cell opens via a groove 8010 in the eyelet 92 through which the hydrogen in fluid communication with the other two eyelets 90, 91 of the same connector plate 8. As can also be seen in FIG. 6B, the two hydrogen collection and evacuation channels produced at the cathode of two adjacent elementary cells C1, C2 are opposite each other.
• each set of eyelet 90, 91, 92 in fluid communication with a hydrogen collection chamber 801 to an elementary cell is also in hydraulic communication with a hydrogen collecting chamber 801 of an adjacent elementary cell.
• a pierced spacer 20 is provided, a metal seal 200 in mechanical contact direct with the pierced spacer 20 and with the plate 81 of one of the two elementary cells around its eyelet 91 and a metal seal 201 in direct mechanical contact with the pierced spacer 20 and with the plate 82 of the other of the two elementary cells.
• the three eyelets 100, 101, 102 of plates 80, 81, 82 are also facing each other or in other words vertically above one another.
• These three eyelets 100, 101, 102 constitute part of a channel (or clarinet) for collecting and discharging oxygen produced by a cell C1, C2, C3. More exactly, as can be seen in FIG. 6A, the oxygen collection chamber 811 produced at the anode 2 of a cell opens via a groove 8110 into the eyelet 102 through which the oxygen in communication fluidic with the two other eyelets 100, 101 of the same connector plate 8.
• FIG. 6A the oxygen collection chamber 811 produced at the anode 2 of a cell opens via a groove 8110 into the eyelet 102 through which the oxygen in communication fluidic with the two other eyelets 100, 101 of the same connector plate 8.
• FIG. 6A the oxygen collection chamber 811 produced at the anode 2 of a cell opens via a groove 8110 into the eyelet 102 through which the oxygen in communication fluidic with the two other eyelets 100, 101
• each set of eyelet 100, 101, 102 in fluid communication with an oxygen collection chamber 811 at a elementary cell is also in hydraulic communication with an oxygen collection chamber 811 of an adjacent elementary cell.
• a pierced spacer 21 In ensure the continuity of fluid communication while sealing between two sets of eyelet 100, 101, 102 adjacent, are arranged a pierced spacer 21, a metal seal 210 in direct mechanical contact with the pierced spacer 21 and with the plate 81 of a of the two elementary cells around its eyelet 101 and a metal seal 211 in direct mechanical contact with the pierced spacer 21 and with the plate 82 of the other of the two elementary cells.
• the collection and recovery of hydrogen and oxygen are provided by identical elements arranged in the same manner and symmetrically, the whole ensuring collection and recovery in a very compact manner.
• a metal gasket 22 arranged at the periphery of the anode 4 of a cell is in direct mechanical contact with the electrolyte 6 of said cell and the plate 81 through which the product oxygen is evacuated.
• the anode seal is effectively effected with a single seal.
• the supply of water vapor is ensured by the wafer, that is to say the thickness at the periphery of each cathode 2, 2.1, 2.2, their porosity permitting said water vapor to pass through. bring on their entire surface homogeneously.
• the holes 800 homogeneously recover the hydrogen produced.
• the final assembly as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 is such that the height of the pierced spacers 20, 21 and joints 200, 201, 210, 211 in the compressed state is substantially equal to the thickness of a electrolysis cell, at the compression of the joint 22 near.
• a gap is clear between the edge of a cathode and the assembly formed by the seals 20, 200, 201 and that constituted by the seals 21, 210, 211 to allow the supply of water vapor in this zone.
• the evacuation of the hydrogen produced from the channels formed by the eyelets 90, 91, 92 and the pierced spacers 20 with their corresponding seals 200, 201 is provided by a pipe 5 towards the outside of the sealed envelope 19.
• clamping means are further arranged inside the sealed envelope to provide a determined contact force between two plates on either side of the stack of cells. This gives a uniform clamping pressure over the entire surface of each cell.
• the architecture shown can be used with a stack of horizontal cells whose number can be very important.
• one or more layers of materials can be deposited on interconnectors or interconnecting plates.
• the invention which has just been described makes it possible to achieve a uniform target production of at least 370 g / m 2 at 1.3 volts per electrolysis cell while limiting the rate of degradation of each cell, thanks to a density of uniform current over the entire cell surface and a high and uniform rate of water vapor utilization (conversion rate to hydrogen).
• the invention proposes a feed of water vapor:
• cathodes Because of operation under water vapor pressure, it is possible to envisage cathodes with a lower porosity than those usually used, which may make it possible to reduce their fragility.
• cathodes of uniform porosity can be made by screen printing as usual or any other technique.

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• 2010
  • 2010-03-12 FR FR1051789A patent/FR2957363B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2011
  • 2011-03-11 US US13/634,029 patent/US9238871B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2011-03-11 JP JP2012556536A patent/JP2013522460A/ja active Pending
  • 2011-03-11 WO PCT/EP2011/053726 patent/WO2011110677A1/fr not_active Ceased
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