Water electrolysis system

Abstract

A water electrolysis system has a water electrolysis apparatus for electrolyzing pure water, thereby producing hydrogen, a water storage apparatus for separating between oxygen and residual water discharged from the water electrolysis apparatus, thereby storing the water, a water circulation apparatus for circulating the water stored in the water storage apparatus through the water electrolysis apparatus, and a water supply apparatus for supplying the pure water prepared from city water to the water storage apparatus. An inlet is formed at one end of a return pipe to introduce the oxygen and the residual water discharged from the water electrolysis apparatus into a tank, and the position of the inlet is determined such that the inlet is constantly opened in the water stored in the tank.

1 . A water electrolysis system comprising:
 a water electrolysis apparatus including current collectors and an electrolyte membrane disposed therebetween for electrolyzing water, thereby generating oxygen at an anode side and generating hydrogen at a cathode side; and   a water storage apparatus for separating between the oxygen and residual water discharged from the water electrolysis apparatus, thereby storing the water,   wherein the water storage apparatus includes a tank for storing the water and an inlet for introducing the oxygen and the residual water discharged from the water electrolysis apparatus into the tank, and   the position of the inlet is determined such that the inlet is constantly opened in the water stored in the tank.   
   
   
       2 . A water electrolysis system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a water circulation apparatus for circulating the water stored in the water storage apparatus through the water electrolysis apparatus. 
   
   
       3 . A water electrolysis system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a water supply apparatus for supplying the water to the water storage apparatus, 
     wherein the water storage apparatus includes a water level detector for detecting a water level in the tank in comparison with a predetermined level, and
 the water supply from the water supply apparatus to the water storage apparatus is controlled based on a detection signal from the water level detector. 
 
   
   
       4 . A water electrolysis system according to  claim 3 , wherein the water storage apparatus includes a lower limit water level detector for detecting the water level in the tank in comparison with a predetermined lower limit level, and
 operation of the water electrolysis apparatus is stopped based on a detection signal from the lower limit water level detector.   
   
   
       5 . A water electrolysis system according to  claim 1 , wherein the water storage apparatus includes a partition wall member disposed in the tank, and
 an upper end of the partition wall member is positioned above a predetermined higher limit level in the tank.   
   
   
       6 . A water electrolysis system according to  claim 5 , wherein the tank includes:
 a water return outlet for returning the water in the tank to the water electrolysis apparatus through the water circulation apparatus; and   a discharge outlet for discharging a separated gas component, and   wherein a lower opening is formed in a lower portion of the partition wall member and is in communication with the water return outlet, and an upper opening is formed around an upper portion of the partition wall member and is in communication with the discharge outlet.   
   
   
       7 . A water electrolysis system according to  claim 5 , wherein a plurality of the partition wall members are provided. 
   
   
       8 . A water electrolysis system comprising:
 a water electrolysis apparatus including current collectors and an electrolyte membrane disposed therebetween for electrolyzing water, thereby generating oxygen at an anode side and generating hydrogen at a cathode side,   a water storage apparatus for separating between the oxygen and residual water discharged from the water electrolysis apparatus, thereby storing the water, and   a water circulation apparatus for circulating the water stored in the water storage apparatus through the water electrolysis apparatus,   wherein the water storage apparatus includes a tank for storing the water, an inlet for introducing the oxygen and the residual water discharged from the water electrolysis apparatus into the tank, and a water return outlet for returning the water in the tank through the water circulation apparatus to the water electrolysis apparatus, and   the inlet is positioned below the water return outlet.   
   
   
       9 . A water electrolysis system according to  claim 8 , wherein a partition plate is formed in the tank to prevent the oxygen and the hydrogen introduced from the inlet into the tank from being sucked into the water return outlet.