DE102019217219A1 - Cell arrangement for the generation and compression of hydrogen - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a cell arrangement (100) for generating and compressing hydrogen. The cell arrangement (100) comprises a housing (10) which has a first connection point (11) for supplying water to be split and a second connection point (12) for discharging compressed hydrogen. The invention further relates to an energy supply system which has at least one cell arrangement (100) for the production and compression of hydrogen. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle which has at least one cell arrangement (100) for generating and compressing hydrogen or an energy supply system.

Description

The invention relates to a cell arrangement for generating and compressing hydrogen. The cell arrangement comprises a housing which has a first connection point for supplying water to be split and a second connection point for discharging compressed hydrogen.

The invention also relates to an energy supply system which comprises at least one cell arrangement according to the invention.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle which has at least one cell arrangement according to the invention or an energy supply system according to the invention.

State of the art

It is becoming apparent that in the future, especially in vehicles, more and more electrical systems will be used that combine advanced technology for energy generation with electrical drive technology. Fuel cells form one possibility for generating electrical energy for an electrical drive system of a vehicle.

A fuel cell is a galvanic cell that converts the chemical reaction energy of a continuously supplied fuel and an oxidizing agent into electrical energy. A fuel cell is therefore an electrochemical energy converter. In known fuel cells, hydrogen ( H2 ) and oxygen ( O2 ) converted into water (H2O), electrical energy and heat.

An electrolyser is usually used to generate hydrogen. An electrolyser is an electrochemical energy converter that converts water (H2O) into hydrogen ( H2 ) and oxygen ( O2 ) splits. In addition to the classic alkaline electrolyzer, the electrolyzer based on polymer electrolyte membranes, which are also known as proton exchange membranes (PEM), is becoming increasingly important. Similar to a fuel cell, a PEM electrolyser consists of a proton-permeable polymer electrolyte membrane, which is coated on the cathode side with a porous electrode made of platinum supported on carbon and on the anode side with metallic or precious metals present as oxides, such as iridium and ruthenium. An external voltage is applied to these electrodes. Water is supplied on the anode side of the electrolyzer. Oxygen, free electrons and positively charged hydrogen ions are produced on the anode side. The hydrogen ions diffuse through the membrane to the cathode side, where they combine with the electrons to form hydrogen.

Compressors are usually used so that the hydrogen produced can be stored in a high-pressure storage device. The compressor can be designed as an electrochemical compressor. Such an electrochemical compressor is also known as an “Electrochemical Hydrogen Compressor” (EHC). An electrochemical compressor enables the pressure of the fuel, in particular hydrogen, to be increased to several 100 bar and does not require any mechanically moving components.

Disclosure of the invention

A cell arrangement for generating and compressing hydrogen is proposed. The cell arrangement comprises a housing which has a first connection point for supplying water to be split and a second connection point for discharging compressed hydrogen.

According to the invention, at least one electrolyser for generating hydrogen by electrolysis of the water to be split and at least one compressor for compressing the hydrogen generated are arranged in the housing. The at least one electrolyser has an electrolyser membrane electrode unit with an electrolyser anode and an electrolyser cathode, which are separated from one another by an electrolyser membrane, an electrolyser feed area for feeding the water to be split to the electrolyser anode and an electrolyser discharge area for discharging the generated Hydrogen from the electrolyzer cathode. The at least one compressor is designed as an electrochemical compressor and has a compressor-membrane-electrode unit with a compressor anode and a compressor cathode, which are separated from one another by a compressor membrane, a compressor supply area for supplying the hydrogen removed from the electrolyzer discharge area the compressor anode and a compressor discharge area for discharging the compressed hydrogen from the compressor cathode. The electrolyzer discharge area of the at least one electrolyzer and the compressor supply area of the at least one compressor are fluidically connected to one another.

Due to the fluidic connection between the electrolyzer discharge area and the compressor supply area, the at least one compressor takes the hydrogen generated by the at least one electrolyzer from the first discharge area of the at least one electrolyzer.

The at least one electrolyser and the at least one compressor each include a supporting element for the respective membrane-electrode units, which is used for electrical, two-dimensional contact.

When the at least one electrolyzer is in operation, the water to be split is supplied to the electrolyzer anode of the at least one electrolyzer via the electrolyzer supply area of the at least one electrolyzer. The water is split up by supplying electrical energy. The resulting protons are conducted through the electrolysis membrane of the at least one electrolyser by ionic conduction. The electrons flow via an external circuit to the electrolyzer cathode of the at least one electrolyzer. At the electrolyzer cathode of the at least one electrolyzer, protons and electrons recombine to form hydrogen.

Between the electrolyser anode and the electrolyser supply area of the at least one electrolyser and between the electrolyser cathode and the electrolyser discharge area of the at least one electrolyser, a gas diffusion layer can be arranged in each case, which is used to evenly distribute the reactants, such as the water to be split and the product, such as of the generated hydrogen / oxygen, is used.

When the at least one compressor is in operation, the hydrogen generated is fed to the compressor anode of the at least one compressor via the compressor feed area of the at least one compressor. The hydrogen is split up by supplying electrical energy. The resulting protons are conducted through the compressor membrane of the at least one compressor by ion conduction. The electrons flow via an external circuit to the compressor cathode of the at least one compressor. At the compressor cathode of the at least one compressor, protons and electrons recombine to form hydrogen. With a closed cell arrangement, this continuous pumping action increases the pressure at the compressor cathode of the at least one compressor in the compressor discharge area of the at least one compressor.

Between the compressor anode and the compressor supply area of the at least one compressor and between the compressor cathode and the compressor discharge area of the at least one compressor, a gas diffusion layer can also be arranged in each case, which for the uniform distribution of the reactants, here the generated hydrogen to be compressed and the product, here the compressed hydrogen is used.

A gas-permeable layer is preferably arranged between the electrolyzer discharge area of the at least one electrolyzer and the compressor supply area of the at least one compressor. This gas-permeable layer serves both for the uniform distribution of the hydrogen generated by the at least one electrolyser to the compressor anode of the at least one compressor and for the electrical separation of the at least one electrolyser and the at least one compressor.

The housing preferably has a third connection point for the discharge of oxygen which has arisen as a result of electrolysis of the water to be split in the electrolyser supply area of the at least one electrolyser. The oxygen can, for example, be transferred as an oxidizing agent directly to a fuel cell or to a storage device via the third connection point. However, the oxygen can also be released into the environment via the third connection point and discarded.

The housing preferably comprises a fourth connection point which serves to discharge the hydrogen generated by the at least one electrolyser from the electrolyser discharge area. This hydrogen can, for example, be transferred as fuel directly to a fuel cell or to a further storage device via the fourth connection point without being compressed by the at least one compressor.

The housing preferably comprises a fifth connection point for supplying water for humidifying the compressor anode of the at least one compressor and a sixth connection point for discharging the water for humidifying the compressor anode of the at least one compressor. Due to osmosis effects, part of the water to be split crosses the electrolysis membrane of the at least one electrolyser and possibly also the gas-permeable layer between the at least one electrolyser and the at least one compressor, which causes an excess of water. This water can be drained off via the sixth connection point or fed back into the compressor anode for humidification. However, it is also conceivable that this water, after hydrogen has been degassed, is fed back to the electrolysis anode of the at least one electrolyser via the sixth connection point.

Advantageously, the housing further comprises channels for the passage of a temperature control medium. The temperature control medium serves to cool or heat the cell arrangement according to the invention for generating and compressing hydrogen. Here, the housing includes two more Connection points that serve to supply and discharge the temperature control medium.

The at least one electrolyser is preferably supplied by a first electrical energy source and the at least one compressor by a second electrical energy source, a first supply current or a first supply voltage of the first electrical energy source and a second supply current or a second supply voltage of the second electrical energy source being adjustable independently of one another are. The at least one electrolyzer and the at least one compressor can also be supplied by a common electrical energy source, the common electrical energy source being set up such that the supply current or the supply voltage for the at least one electrolyzer and the supply current or the supply voltage for the at least one compressor can be set independently of each other.

The pressure of the hydrogen generated by the at least one electrolyser can be adjusted by adjusting the first supply current or the first supply voltage. For example, the pressure of the hydrogen generated can be set to a pressure of less than 10 bar so that the hydrogen can be transferred to a fuel cell for use immediately after generation. The pressure of the hydrogen produced can also be set to a pressure of 10 bar or more, in particular to a pressure in the range from 30 bar to 100 bar, so that the hydrogen produced can be transferred to a low-pressure storage device for storage after it has been produced.

The pressure of the hydrogen compressed by the at least one compressor can be adjusted by adjusting the second supply current or the second supply voltage. For example, the pressure of the compressed hydrogen can be set to a pressure of 100 bar or more, in particular to a pressure in the range from 700 bar to 800 bar, so that the compressed hydrogen can be transferred to a high-pressure reservoir for storage after compression.

The electrical energy sources are preferably each designed as a direct current source, the supply current of which is adjustable.

The anode side and cathode side of the at least one electrolyzer can each be provided with a plate which faces the electrolyzer-membrane-electrode unit and has channel-like structures. The plate on the anode side and the cathode side can each be designed as a supporting element for the electrolyzer-membrane-electrode unit, which is used for electrical, two-dimensional contacting. The channel-like structures on the anode side serve to supply the water to be split to the electrolysis anode and, if necessary, to the gas diffusion layer on the anode side and to remove the oxygen generated by electrolysis from the electrolysis anode and possibly from the gas diffusion layer on the anode side, while the channel-like structures on the cathode side are used to remove the hydrogen generated as well as the water from the electrolyzer cathode and possibly the gas diffusion layer on the cathode side which has passed through the electrolysis membrane due to osmosis effects.

The anode-side and cathode-side plate can also have structures for passing a temperature control medium through the electrolyzer.

If several electrolyzers are mechanically arranged one behind the other to form an electrolyzer stack, bipolar plates can be used between the individual electrolyzers. The bipolar plates have, for example, channel-like structures for supplying the water to be split to the electrolysis anode and for removing the generated hydrogen from the electrolysis cathode. The channel-like structures also serve to divert the water that has passed through the electrolysis membrane due to osmosis effects. The bipolar plates can also have structures for passing a temperature control medium through the electrolyzer.

The multiple electrolyzers arranged mechanically one behind the other to form the electrolyzer stack are fluidically connected in parallel to one another and can be connected electrically in series or in parallel to one another. The electrolysers are preferably connected in parallel to one another.

The at least one compressor can also be provided with a plate on its anode side and cathode side, which faces the compressor-membrane-electrode unit and has channel-like structures. The plate on the anode side and the cathode side can each be designed as a supporting element for the compressor membrane electrode units, which is used for electrical, two-dimensional contact. The channel-like structures on the anode side serve to supply the hydrogen to be compressed to the compressor anode and, if necessary, to the gas diffusion layer on the anode side, while the channel-like structures on the cathode side serve to remove the compressed hydrogen and the water that has passed through the compressor membrane due to osmosis effects Compressor cathode and possibly the cathode-side gas diffusion layer are used. The anode-side and cathode-side plate can also have structures for passing a temperature control medium through the compressor.

If several compressors are used to compress the hydrogen produced, they can be mechanically arranged one behind the other to form a compressor stack.

The multiple compressors arranged mechanically one behind the other to form the compressor stack can be fluidically connected in parallel to one another. The hydrogen produced is compressed in one stage. Bipolar plates can be used between the individual compressors. The bipolar plates have, for example, channel-like structures for distributing the hydrogen generated to the compressor anode and for discharging the compressed hydrogen from the compressor cathode. The channel-like structures also serve to drain off the water, moistening the compressor anode. The bipolar plates can also have structures for passing a temperature control medium through the compressor.

In order to compress the generated hydrogen in multiple stages, the multiple compressors arranged mechanically one behind the other to form the compressor stack can be fluidically connected in series. In this way, too great a pressure difference at the compressor-membrane-electrode unit of the compressor can be avoided with only one pressure level. In this case, the use of bipolar plates is not necessary.

The multiple compressors, which are mechanically arranged one behind the other and stacked, can be connected electrically in series or in parallel with one another. The compressors are preferably connected in parallel to one another.

The electrolyzer stack and the compressor stack can advantageously be placed next to one another and form an overall stack. The individual electrolyzers of the electrolyzer stack and the individual compressors of the compressor stack are assembled with clamping plates at the respective ends of the electrolyzer stack and the compressor stack. An adapter plate can be arranged between the electrolyzer stack and the compressor stack.

Several cell arrangements according to the invention can be connected in parallel to one another. The cell arrangements according to the invention can be controlled individually.

Furthermore, an energy supply system is proposed which comprises at least one cell arrangement according to the invention and at least one fuel cell. The energy supply system can furthermore comprise a first and a second electrical energy source, the first electrical energy source being provided for the at least one electrolyzer and the second electrical energy source being provided for the at least one compressor. Alternatively, the energy supply system can have a common electrical energy source which is set up such that the supply current or the supply voltage for the at least one electrolyzer and the supply current or the supply voltage for the at least one compressor can be set independently of one another.

The energy supply system can, however, have an electrical connection point, by means of which the cell arrangement according to the invention can be electrically connected to an external electrical energy source. The external electrical energy source is set up in such a way that the supply current or the supply voltage for the at least one electrolyzer and the supply current or the supply voltage for the at least one compressor can be set independently of one another.

A motor vehicle is also proposed which comprises at least one cell arrangement according to the invention or which comprises an energy supply system according to the invention.

Stationary applications of the cell arrangement according to the invention or the energy supply system according to the invention, for example for generating and compressing hydrogen at a filling station or at a power station for generating electrical energy, are also conceivable.

Advantages of the invention

With the cell arrangement according to the invention, the components of the electrolyzer and the compressor can be optimally used when there is a continuous need for hydrogen. On the one hand, the hydrogen can be generated as required if there is a continuous need for hydrogen. The hydrogen generated can be withdrawn directly after generation without prior, energy-intensive compression, cleaning, storage and expansion. On the other hand, if there is no permanent hydrogen consumer, the hydrogen produced can be compressed directly for storage by the compressor designed as an electrochemical compressor. This reduces the cost of producing hydrogen.

Due to the PEM-based electrolyser, the hydrogen produced is already humidified for compression by means of a compressor designed as an electrochemical compressor. This also reduces the operating costs of the compressor.

The pressure of the hydrogen generated can advantageously be set with the cell arrangement according to the invention. The pressure of the hydrogen generated can be set to a pressure of less than 10 bar, for example, so that the hydrogen can be used directly by a fuel cell to generate electrical energy after generation. Particularly advantageously, the pressure of the hydrogen generated can also be set to a pre-pressure of the compressor, which is, for example, between 30 bar and 100 bar, to facilitate further compression by the compressor designed as an electrochemical compressor. The hydrogen at this pressure can also be transferred to a low-pressure reservoir for storage.

In addition, by arranging a PEM-based electrolyzer and a compressor designed as an electrochemical compressor, a single temperature control system can be designed for cooling or heating the cell arrangement according to the invention. Furthermore, the sealing of the cell arrangement according to the invention from the environment is simplified. Thus, the manufacturing costs are also reduced.

Furthermore, the purity, in particular the absence of water, of the hydrogen at the compressor cathode can be influenced via the pressure. The higher the pressure, the drier the hydrogen. Conversely, by adding water to the compressor cathode and the resulting waste heat of, for example, 80 ° C., the hydrogen can be humidified. Such humidification can be advantageous for the compressor membrane. The humidity can be regulated via the pressure. The cell arrangement according to the invention also works very quietly.

Figure list

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings and the following description.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer Zellanordnung gemäß einer ersten Ausgestaltung und
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung einer Zellanordnung gemäß einer zweiten Ausgestaltung.

Show it:

• 1 a schematic representation of a cell arrangement according to a first embodiment and
• 2 a schematic representation of a cell arrangement according to a second embodiment.

Embodiments of the invention

In the following description of the embodiments of the invention, the same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, with a repeated description of these elements in individual cases being dispensed with. The figures represent the subject matter of the invention only schematically.

1 shows a schematic representation of a cell arrangement 100 according to a first embodiment of the invention.

The cell arrangement includes 100 a housing 10 that is a first junction 11 for supplying water to be split and a second connection point 12th has for the discharge of compressed hydrogen.

In the case 10 are an electrolyzer 20th to generate hydrogen by electrolysis of the water to be split and a compressor 40 arranged to compress the generated hydrogen.

The electrolyser shows 20th an electrolyzer-membrane-electrode unit 30th with an electrolytic anode 31 and an electrolyzer cathode 32 on which by an electrolysis membrane 33 are separated. The electrolyzer 20th further comprises an electrolyzer feed area 35 for supplying the water to be split to the electrolysis anode 31 and an electrolyzer discharge area 36 to discharge the generated hydrogen from the electrolyzer cathode 32 .

The compressor 40 is designed as an electrochemical compressor and has a compressor-membrane-electrode unit 50 with a compressor anode 51 and a compressor cathode 52 on which through a compressor membrane 53 are separated. The compressor 40 also has a compressor feed area 55 for supplying the from the electrolyser discharge area 36 discharged hydrogen to the compressor anode 51 and a compressor discharge area 56 to discharge the through the compressor 40 compressed hydrogen from the compressor cathode 52 on.

The electrolyzer 20th and the compressor 40 each include a supporting element (not shown) for the electrolyzer or compressor-membrane-electrode unit 30th , 50 , which is used for electrical, two-dimensional contact.

In operation of the electrolyzer 20th the water to be split is supplied via the electrolyser feed area 35 the electrolytic anode 31 fed. By supplying electrical energy, the water becomes split up. The resulting protons are transported through the electrolysis membrane by ionic conduction 33 directed. The electrons flow to the electrolyzer cathode via an external circuit 32 . At the electrolyzer cathode 32 protons and electrons recombine to form hydrogen.

Between the electrolytic anode 31 and the electrolyzer supply area 35 as well as between the electrolyzer cathode 32 and the electrolyzer discharge area 36 A gas diffusion layer (not shown) can be arranged in each case, which serves to uniformly distribute the reactants, here the water to be split, and the product, here the hydrogen / oxygen generated.

During compressor operation 40 the hydrogen produced is via the compressor feed area 55 the compressor anode 51 fed. The hydrogen is split up by supplying electrical energy. The resulting protons are transported through the compressor membrane by ion conduction 53 directed. The electrons flow to the compressor cathode via an external circuit 52 . At the compressor cathode 52 Protons and electrons recombine to form hydrogen. This continuous pumping effect increases with a closed cell arrangement 100 the pressure at the compressor cathode 52 in the compressor discharge area 56 .

Between the compressor anode 51 and the compressor feed area 55 as well as between the compressor cathode 52 and the compressor discharge area 56 A gas diffusion layer (not shown) can also be arranged in each case, which serves to uniformly distribute the reactants, here the hydrogen to be compressed, and the product, here the compressed hydrogen.

The electrolyser discharge area 36 of the electrolyzer 20th is in fluidic connection with the compressor supply area 55 of the compressor 40 . The compressor takes off through this fluidic connection 40 the one through the electrolyser 20th generated hydrogen from the electrolyser discharge area 36 of the electrolyzer 20th .

Between the electrolyser discharge area 36 of the electrolyzer 20th and the compressor feed area 55 of the compressor 40 is a gas-permeable layer 60 arranged both to evenly distribute the water produced by the electrolyser 20th generated hydrogen to the compressor anode 51 of the compressor 40 , as well as for the electrical separation of the electrolyzer 20th and the compressor 40 serves.

The case 10 further comprises a third connection point 13th for the removal of oxygen, which is produced by electrolysis of the water to be split in the electrolyser supply area 35 of the electrolyzer 20th originated. The oxygen can, for example, as an oxidizing agent directly to a fuel cell (not shown) or to a storage device (not shown) via the third connection point 13th be convicted. However, the oxygen can also be supplied via the third connection point 13th released into the environment and discarded.

Furthermore, the housing 10 a fourth junction 14th on, which is used to discharge the by the electrolyser 20th generated hydrogen from the electrolyzer discharge area 36 serves. This hydrogen can be used as fuel, for example, directly to a fuel cell (not shown) or to a further storage device (not shown) via the fourth connection point 14th be transferred without first going through the compressor 40 to be condensed.

The case 10 includes a fifth junction 15th for supplying water to humidify the compressor anode 51 of the compressor 40 and a sixth connection point 16 for draining the water to humidify the compressor anode 51 of the compressor 40 . Due to osmosis effects, the water to be split can damage the electrolyzer membrane 33 and the gas permeable layer 60 between the electrolyzer 20th and the compressor 40 traverse what causes an excess of water. This water can be via the sixth connection point 16 be drained or again to humidify the compressor anode 51 are fed. But it is also conceivable that this water after degassing of hydrogen via the sixth connection point 16 again the electrolytic anode 31 of the electrolyzer 20th is fed.

The case 10 also includes channels 17th for the passage of a temperature control medium. The temperature control medium is used to cool or heat the cell arrangement 100 for the production and compression of hydrogen. Here, the housing includes 10 two further connection points (not shown), which are used to supply and discharge the temperature control medium.

In 1 are a first source of electrical energy 80 with a first positive pole 81 and a first negative pole 82 and a second source of electrical energy 90 with a second positive pole 91 and a second negative pole 92 shown.

The electrolytic anode 31 is with the first positive pole 81 the first source of electrical energy 80 electrically connected while the electrolyzer cathode 32 with the first negative pole 82 the first source of electrical energy 80 is electrically connected.

The compressor anode 51 is with the second positive pole 91 the second electric Energy source 90 electrically connected while the compressor cathode 52 with the second negative pole 92 the second electrical energy source 90 is electrically connected.

An advantage of using two sources of electrical energy 80 , 90 lies in the fact that a first supply current or a first supply voltage of the first electrical energy source 80 and a second supply current or a second supply voltage of the second electrical energy source 90 can be set independently of each other. But it is also conceivable that the electrolyzer 20th and the compressor 40 are supplied by a common electrical energy source, with a first supply current or a first supply voltage for the electrolyzer if necessary 20th and a second supply current or a second supply voltage for the compressor 40 can be set independently of one another via a control circuit.

Preferably, the first and the second electrical energy source 80 , 90 each be designed as a direct current source, the supply current of which is adjustable.

The pressure of the electrolyser 20th The hydrogen generated can be adjusted by adjusting the first supply current. For example, the pressure of the hydrogen generated can be set to a pressure of less than 10 bar so that the hydrogen can be transferred for use directly after the generation of a fuel cell. The pressure of the hydrogen produced can also be set to a pressure between 30 bar and 100 bar so that the hydrogen produced can be transferred to a low-pressure storage device for storage after it has been produced.

The pressure of the through the compressor 40 compressed hydrogen can be adjusted by adjusting the second supply current. For example, the pressure of the compressed hydrogen can be set to a pressure of 100 bar or more, in particular to a pressure in the range from 700 bar to 800 bar, so that the compressed hydrogen can be transferred to a high-pressure reservoir for storage after compression.

In 2 is a cell arrangement 100 shown schematically according to a second embodiment of the invention.

The cell arrangement includes 100 a housing 10 that is a first junction 11 for supplying water to be split and a second connection point 12th has for the discharge of compressed hydrogen.

In the case 10 are two electrolysers 20th , namely a first electrolyser 20a and a second electrolyzer 20b , arranged to generate hydrogen by electrolysis of the water to be split. In the case 10 are also two compressors 40 , namely a first compressor 40a and a second compressor 40b , arranged to compress the generated hydrogen.

The two electrolysers 20a , 20b one electrolyzer-membrane-electrode-unit each 30a , 30b with an electrolytic anode 31a , 31b and an electrolyzer cathode 32a , 32b on which by an electrolysis membrane 33a , 33b are separated. The two electrolysers 20a , 20b each also include an electrolyzer feed area 35a , 35b for supplying the water to be split to the electrolysis anode 31a , 31b and an electrolyzer discharge area 36a , 36b to discharge the generated hydrogen from the electrolyzer cathode 32a , 32b . Stand by. The two electrolysers 20a , 20b are mechanically one behind the other to form an electrolyzer stack 200 arranged and fluidically connected in parallel to one another, the two electrolyzer supply areas 35a , 35b are fluidically connected to each other and the two electrolyser discharge areas 36a , 36b are fluidically connected to each other. The two electrolysers are electric 20a , 20b connected in parallel to each other.

Between the two electrolysers 20a , 20b is a bipolar plate 70 arranged. The bipolar plate 70 assigns channels 17th for the passage of temperature control medium for cooling or heating the two electrolysers 20a , 20b on.

The two compressors 40a , 40b are designed as an electrochemical compressor and each have a compressor-membrane-electrode unit 50a , 50b with a compressor anode 51a , 51b and a compressor cathode 52a , 52b on which through a compressor membrane 53a , 53b are separated. The two compressors 40a , 40b furthermore each have a compressor supply area 55a , 55b for supplying the hydrogen to be compressed to the compressor anode 51a , 51b and a compressor discharge area 56a , 56b for discharging the compressed hydrogen from the compressor cathode 52a , 52b on. The two compressors 40a , 40b are mechanically one behind the other to form a compressor stack 400 arranged and fluidically connected in series, with a first compressor discharge area 56a of the first compressor 40a and a second compressor feed area 55b of the second compressor 40b are fluidically connected. The hydrogen produced is thus compressed in two stages. The two compressors are electrical 40a , 40b connected in parallel to each other.

The electrolyzer discharge areas 36a , 36b of the two electrolysers 20a , 20b are in fluid connection with the first compressor supply area 55a of the first compressor 40a . The first compressor takes off through this fluidic connection 40a by the two electrolysers 20a , 20b generated hydrogen from the electrolyser discharge areas 36a , 36b of the two electrolysers 20a , 20b .

Between a second electrolyser discharge area 36b of the second electrolyzer 20b and the first compressor supply section 55a of the first compressor 40a is a gas-permeable layer 60 arranged both for even distribution of the by the two electrolysers 20a , 20b generated hydrogen to the compressor anode 51a of the first compressor 40a , as well as for the electrical separation of the stacked electrolysers 20a , 20b and the stacked compressor 40a , 40b serves.

The case 10 further comprises a third connection point 13th for the removal of oxygen, which is produced by electrolysis of the water to be split in the electrolyser supply areas 35 of the two electrolysers 20a , 20b originated. The oxygen can, for example, as an oxidizing agent directly to a fuel cell (not shown) or to a storage device (not shown) via the third connection point 13th be convicted. However, the oxygen can also be supplied via the third connection point 13th released into the environment and discarded.

Furthermore, the housing 10 a fourth junction 14th on that to discharge the through the two electrolysers 20a , 20b generated hydrogen from the electrolyzer discharge areas 36a , 36b of the two electrolysers 20a , 20b serves. This hydrogen can be used as fuel, for example, directly to a fuel cell (not shown) or to a further storage device (not shown) via the fourth connection point 14th be transferred before going through the two compressors 40a , 40b is compressed.

The case 10 includes a fifth junction 15th for supplying water to humidify the compressor anode 51a , 51b of the respective compressor 40a , 40b and a sixth connection point 16 for draining the water to humidify the compressor anode 51a , 51b of the respective compressor 40a , 40b . Due to osmosis effects, the water to be split can damage the electrolyzer membrane 33a , 33b and the gas permeable layer 60 traverse what causes an excess of water. This water can be via the sixth connection point 16 be drained or again to humidify the compressor anode 51a , 51b of the respective compressor 40a , 40b are fed. But it is also conceivable that this water after degassing of hydrogen via the sixth connection point 16 again the electrolytic anode 31a , 31b of the respective electrolyser 20a , 20b is fed.

The case 10 also includes channels 17th for the passage of temperature control medium. The temperature control medium is used to cool or heat the cell arrangement 100 for the production and compression of hydrogen. Here, the housing includes 10 two further connection points (not shown), which are used to supply and discharge the temperature control medium.

In 2 are a first source of electrical energy 80 with a first positive pole 81 and a first negative pole 82 and a second source of electrical energy 90 with a second positive pole 91 and a second negative pole 92 shown.

The respective electrolysis anodes 31a , 31b are with the first positive pole 81 the first source of electrical energy 80 electrically connected while the respective electrolyzer cathodes 32a , 32b with the first negative pole 82 the first source of electrical energy 80 are electrically connected.

The respective compressor anodes 51a , 51b are with the second positive pole 91 the second electrical energy source 90 electrically connected while the respective compressor cathodes 52a , 52b with the second negative pole 92 the second electrical energy source 90 are electrically connected.

The invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments described here and the aspects emphasized therein. Rather, a large number of modifications are possible within the range specified by the claims, which are within the scope of expert action.

Claims (10)

Cell arrangement (100) for generating and compressing hydrogen, comprising a housing (10) which has a first connection point (11) for supplying water to be split and a second connection point (12) for discharging compressed hydrogen, characterized in that in the housing (10) at least one electrolyzer (20, 20a, 20b) for generating hydrogen by electrolysis of the water to be split and at least one compressor (40, 40a, 40b) for compressing the hydrogen generated are arranged, the at least one electrolyzer (20, 20a , 20b) an electrolyzer membrane electrode unit (30, 30a, 30b) with an electrolyzer anode (31, 31a, 31b) and an electrolyzer cathode (32, 32a, 32b), which are separated from one another by an electrolyzer membrane (33), an electrolyzer supply area (35, 35a, 35b) for supplying the water to be split to the electrolyzer anode (31, 31a, 31b) and an electrolyzer discharge area (36, 36a, 36b) Removal of the generated hydrogen from the electrolyzer cathode (32, 32a, 32b), the at least one compressor (40, 40a, 40b) having a compressor membrane electrode unit (50, 50a, 50b) with a compressor anode (51, 51a , 51b) and a compressor cathode (52, 52a, 52b), which are separated from one another by a compressor membrane (53, 53a, 53b), a compressor supply area (55, 55a, 55b) for supplying the electrolyzer discharge area (36, 36a, 36b) has discharged hydrogen to the compressor anode (51, 51a, 51b) and a compressor discharge area (56, 56a, 56b) for discharging the compressed hydrogen from the compressor cathode (52, 52a, 52b), and wherein the electrolyzer Discharge area (36, 36a, 36b) u nd the electrolyser supply area (35, 35a, 35b) are fluidically connected to one another. Cell arrangement (100) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that between the electrolyzer discharge area (36, 36a, 36b) of the at least one electrolyzer (20, 20a, 20b) and the compressor supply area (55, 55a, 55b) of the at least one compressor (40, 40a, 40b ) a gas-permeable layer (60) is arranged. Cell arrangement (100) according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the housing (10) comprises a third connection point (13) for removing oxygen from the electrolysis anode (31, 31a, 31b). Cell arrangement (100) according to one of the Claims 1 to 3rd , characterized in that the housing (10) has a fourth connection point (14) which is set up to discharge the hydrogen produced from the electrolyser discharge area (36, 36a, 36b) of the at least one electrolyser (20, 20a, 20b). Cell arrangement (100) according to one of the Claims 1 to 4th , characterized in that the housing (10) has a fifth connection point (15) for supplying water to humidify the compressor anode (51, 51a, 51b) of the at least one compressor (40, 40a, 40b) and a sixth connection point (16) for discharging the water for moistening the compressor anode (51, 51a, 51b) of the at least one compressor (40, 40a, 40b). Cell arrangement (100) according to one of the Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that the housing (10) comprises channels (17) for the passage of temperature control medium. Cell arrangement (100) according to one of the Claims 1 to 6th , characterized in that the at least one electrolyzer (20, 20a, 20b) is supplied by a first electrical energy source (80) and the at least one compressor (40, 40a, 40b) is supplied by a second electrical energy source (90), a first Supply current or a first supply voltage of the first electrical energy source (80) and a second supply current or a second supply voltage of the second electrical energy source (90) can be set independently of one another. Cell arrangement (100) according to Claim 7 , characterized in that the first and second electrical energy sources (80, 90) are each designed as a direct current source, the supply current of which is adjustable. Energy supply system, the at least one cell arrangement (100) according to one of the Claims 1 to 8th and comprises at least one fuel cell. Motor vehicle having a cell arrangement (100) according to one of the Claims 1 to 8th includes or a power supply system according to Claim 9 includes.

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