Solid oxide electrolysis unit

Abstract

The invention relates to a solid oxide electrolysis unit for industrial hydrogen, carbon monoxide or synthesis gas production, comprising at least two solid oxide electrolysis cores, an electrical supply for managing electrical power to the solid oxide electrolysis cores, and a conduit connected to the solid oxide electrolysis cores, and each solid oxide electrolysis core comprises a plurality of solid oxide electrolysis stacks of solid oxide electrolysis cells. According to the invention, the solid oxide electrolysis unit comprises a power supply module comprising a transformer and at least one power supply unit, and a pipe module comprising pipe headers and fluid connections to and from the solid oxide electrolysis core, wherein the power supply module and the pipe module are arranged adjacent to each other, and the solid oxide electrolysis core is arranged above the power supply module and / or the pipe module.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a solid oxide electrolysis unit for industrial hydrogen, carbon monoxide or synthesis gas production, the synthesis gas being a combination of hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

[0002] The solid oxide electrolysis unit according to the preamble of independent claim 1 comprises at least two solid oxide electrolysis cores, each of which comprises a solid oxide electrolysis stack of several solid oxide electrolysis cells, an electrical supply for managing power to the solid oxide electrolysis cores and conduits connected to the solid oxide electrolysis cores.

[0003] A solid oxide electrolysis unit according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from US 2021 / 0156039A1. The known solid oxide electrolysis unit comprises three solid oxide electrolysis cores arranged adjacent to each other, wherein a power supply module is connected to the side surface of each solid oxide electrolysis core. The solid oxide electrolysis cores are supplied with water by a common water supply module, which is spatially separated from the solid oxide electrolysis cores and is arranged on a hub surrounding the area on which the solid oxide electrolysis cores are placed. The known solid oxide electrolysis unit further comprises a switching module for supplying power to the three power supply modules and a common heat exchanger module for providing cooling / heating to the solid oxide electrolysis cores, wherein these modules are also arranged at the hub. By using compact modules for certain components of the solid oxide electrolysis unit, these components can be pre-assembled elsewhere and replacement of defective modules is facilitated.

[0004] However, further improvements are needed to improve hydrogen, carbon monoxide or syngas turnover per required installed area as well as construction and maintenance efficiencies to make solid oxide electrolysis units more competitive for industrial hydrogen, carbon monoxide or syngas production.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved solid oxide electrolysis unit.

[0006] A solution according to the purpose of the invention exists in the following situation: the solid oxide electrolysis unit comprises a power supply module and a piping module, the power supply module comprising a transformer and at least one power supply unit, the piping module comprising piping headers and fluid connections to and from the solid oxide electrolysis core, wherein the power supply module and the piping module are arranged adjacent to each other and the solid oxide electrolysis core is arranged above the power supply module and / or the piping module.

[0007] By arranging the main electrical components inside the power supply module and arranging the components for fluid transmission inside the pipeline module, these modules can be designed to be compact and thus reduce the footprint of the solid oxide electrolysis unit. According to the present invention, by arranging the solid oxide electrolysis core above the power supply module and / or the pipeline module, the footprint of the solid oxide electrolysis unit can be further reduced. The solid oxide electrolysis core can be installed or disassembled separately under cold and hot conditions. The solid oxide electrolysis core (including its frame) can be lifted and loaded and unloaded by a crane through the installed lifting eyes and by a forklift through the means of suitable holes in the bottom frame. In addition, in this way, the upper area of ​​the pipeline module and / or the power supply module that is not occupied by the solid oxide electrolysis core can be used to reach the solid oxide electrolysis core during maintenance. In addition, the electrical connector between the power supply unit and the solid oxide electrolysis core and the fluid connector between the header and the solid oxide electrolysis core can be kept short, which simplifies the construction of the solid oxide electrolysis unit and improves its efficiency. According to the present invention, the electrical connector is a part of the power supply module, and the fluid connector is a part of the pipeline module.

[0008] Preferably, electrical and fluid connections are arranged or connected only to the bottom side of the solid oxide electrolytic core. In this way, the upper side of the solid oxide electrolytic core is free of cables and pipes, which facilitates maintenance of the solid oxide electrolytic core and also facilitates debugging.

[0009] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the solid oxide electrolytic core is arranged above the pipeline module. This arrangement is particularly preferred because the fluid connector can be further simplified, which is conducive to commissioning. The electrical connector is more flexible in form. Therefore, it is easier to connect them to the solid oxide electrolytic core even if the solid oxide electrolytic core is not arranged above the power supply module. Preferably, the electrical connector is only arranged on or connected to the upper side of at least one power supply unit. This keeps the electrical connector short, thereby improving the efficiency of power transmission.

[0011] Preferably, the solid oxide electrolysis core is also arranged above the power supply module.In this way, the floor space of the solid oxide electrolysis unit can be used even more efficiently and the fluid connections as well as the electrical connections can still be kept short and simple.

[0012] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the power supply module comprises a power supply skid frame, and the piping module comprises a piping skid frame. In another embodiment of the present invention, the power supply module comprises a transformer skid frame and a power supply unit skid frame, the transformer being arranged in the transformer skid frame, at least one power supply unit being arranged in the power supply unit skid frame, and the piping module comprises a piping skid frame, wherein preferably the transformer skid frame is placed adjacent to the power supply unit skid frame. By using skid frames for the power supply modules and the piping modules, these modules can be transported more easily and other components of the modules can be better reached during commissioning and maintenance. In case the power supply module comprises a separate transformer skid frame and a power supply unit skid frame, accessibility to the transformer and at least one power supply unit can be further improved. Furthermore, replacement of a part of the power supply module is facilitated.

[0013] In another preferred embodiment, at least two solid oxide electrolysis cores are part of a core module comprising a core skid frame. In this way, the solid oxide electrolysis cores can be transported together and their positioning relative to each other can be fixed. This simplifies the commissioning of the solid oxide electrolysis unit.

[0014] In an alternative embodiment, at least two solid oxide electrolysis cores are each arranged on a separate core frame, and the core frame preferably each includes a junction box for electrical and instrument cable connectors and pipeline connectors. By arranging each solid oxide electrolysis core on a single core frame, the assembly is more compact and can be transported separately more easily. In addition, a single core frame with a solid oxide electrolysis core can be replaced more easily. Preferably, the solid oxide electrolysis unit includes at least one intermediate module supporting at least two solid oxide electrolysis cores and their core frames, and includes intermediate cables and pipelines connecting the solid electrolysis core to the power supply module and the pipeline module. An intermediate module preferably supports two solid oxide electrolysis cores on their respective core frames. By using an intermediate module that connects the power supply module and the pipeline module to several solid oxide electrolysis cores, the number of connection points required for the pipeline module and the power supply module can be reduced. In addition, in the case where at least one intermediate module is stretched on the power supply module and the pipeline module, it can be used as an additional fixation between the power supply module and the pipeline module.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the skid frames all have the external dimensions of a standard 40' high cube container, and preferably have the same connection points, wherein the skid frames of the modules are fixed to each other. By using these standard dimensions and preferred connection points, the transportation of the corresponding modules can be further simplified. In addition, the corresponding skid frames can be connected to each other by a known and efficient system, which increases the stability of the solid oxide electrolysis unit. In an alternative embodiment, the transformer skid frame has the external dimensions of a 20' high cube container, and the power supply unit skid frame and the pipeline skid frame have the external dimensions of a standard 40' high cube container and preferably the same connection points, wherein the power supply unit skid frame and the pipeline skid frame are fixed to each other, and the transformer skid frame and the power supply unit skid frame are also fixed to each other. This brings the same advantages as the continuous use of a standard 40' high cube container skid frame, whereby the separate power supply modules particularly facilitate the connection of the transformer to the main power grid, and at the same time, one or more power supply units in the power supply unit skid frame can be made even larger.

[0016] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the piping module and its piping skid frame are configured so that at least one of the transformer and the power supply unit and the bottom side of the preferred solid oxide electrolysis core can be reached through it. This facilitates commissioning and maintenance work on the components of the power supply module, on the bottom side of the solid oxide electrolysis core and on the components of the piping module. Preferably, the piping module and its piping skid frame are configured so that a central heat exchanger as part of each of the solid oxide electrolysis cores can be lowered from the core into the piping skid frame during maintenance of the solid oxide electrolysis core. In this way, the central heat exchanger can be efficiently removed from the solid oxide electrolysis core for maintenance of the central heat exchanger and / or the solid oxide electrolysis core.

[0017] Preferably, the headers and fluid connections to and from the solid oxide electrolytic core are arranged along the longitudinal side regions of the piping skid frame and / or on the bottom of the piping skid frame, so that a central passage through the piping module is provided, from which the fluid connections are accessible. This is a preferred and efficient arrangement of the components of the piping module, which allows the above-mentioned features. Furthermore, the corresponding headers and fluid connections are easily accessible from the inside of the piping skid frame, which facilitates working on the piping.

[0018] According to another preferred embodiment, the area on the top of the power supply skid frame or the power supply unit skid frame is configured as a working platform with a grid and handrails. In this way, the area on the top of the power supply skid frame can be advantageously used for the commissioning and maintenance of the solid oxide electrolytic core.

[0019] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the solid oxide electrolysis unit includes six solid oxide electrolysis cores, and the power supply module includes two power supply units, wherein each power supply unit supplies power to three solid oxide electrolysis cores. In particular, when using a core module of a core skid frame having the size of a 40' high cubic container, six solid oxide electrolysis cores of the above size result in a high output of hydrogen, carbon monoxide or synthesis gas per floor area of ​​the solid oxide electrolysis unit. Since the possible power supply of each power supply unit is limited, it may be necessary to include a second power supply unit in the power supply module. Depending on the size of the solid oxide electrolysis core, other numbers of solid oxide electrolysis cores per core module may also be beneficial.

[0020] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the solid oxide electrolysis unit comprises two of the piping modules and at least one of the power supply modules, preferably two of the power supply units, wherein at least two of the solid oxide electrolysis cores, preferably six of the solid oxide electrolysis cores are arranged above each of the two piping modules. By using two piping modules with solid oxide electrolysis cores arranged above, the total output of the solid oxide electrolysis unit can be increased. Since the solid oxide electrolysis core must be easily accessible for maintenance, it is advantageous to arrange several piping modules, one or more power supply modules and solid oxide electrolysis cores. The power supply module or two power supply modules are arranged side by side between the two piping modules, wherein the solid oxide electrolysis core is on top of the two piping modules, or the two piping modules are arranged side by side adjacent to each other and between the two power supply modules, wherein the solid oxide electrolysis core is on top of the two piping modules.

[0021] Preferably, two of the ducting modules are arranged adjacent to one another, wherein two of the ducting modules are identical and are rotated by 180° relative to one another.

[0022] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one core frame is arranged above a piping module and above a power supply module, respectively. Preferably, six core frames are arranged above a piping module and above a power supply module, respectively. This allows even better utilization of the floor space of the solid oxide electrolysis unit.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, at least one intermediate module supports two solid oxide electrolysis cores, wherein at least one intermediate module is arranged above the piping module and the power supply module, so that one of the two solid oxide electrolysis cores is arranged above the piping module and the other of the two solid oxide electrolysis cores is arranged above the power supply module. This allows the piping connections and electrical connections between the intermediate module and the piping module and the power supply module to be kept short, and the intermediate module can be connected to both modules, which in turn improves the stability of the entire solid oxide electrolysis unit.

[0024] In another preferred embodiment, the solid oxide electrolysis unit comprises a central passage between at least one core frame above the piping module and at least one core frame above the power supply module, the central passage is preferably arranged on top of at least one intermediate module, and the central passage is further preferably equipped with at least one ladder for reaching. The passage allows easy access to the solid oxide electrolysis core, the core frame and the terminal box, thereby simplifying the connection and maintenance of the solid oxide electrolysis core.

[0025] In another preferred embodiment, the solid oxide electrolysis unit is configured so that the solid oxide electrolysis cores and / or their upper shells can be lifted by an external crane for maintenance and replacement of the solid oxide electrolysis cores or stacks. In this way, the solid oxide electrolysis cores can be repaired and replaced very efficiently. Since the solid oxide electrolysis cores are above the piping modules and the power supply modules, it is easier for the crane to remove individual solid oxide electrolysis cores or their upper shells without damaging other components of the solid oxide electrolysis unit.

[0026] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, one or more piping modules and one or more power supply modules are configured so that they can be preassembled before their on-site installation, wherein preferably, the combination of one or more core modules or one or more core frames with one or more intermediate modules having a solid oxide electrolysis core is configured so that they can be preassembled before on-site installation. By using preassembled modules / assemblies, the cost efficiency of the production and commissioning of solid oxide electrolysis units can be improved. Preferably, the modules are configured so that only the interconnections between several modules and the interconnections to external components must be put in place during commissioning. This also facilitates commissioning.

[0027] In another preferred embodiment, the headers in the piping modules run through the entire length of the piping modules and terminate with flanges or blind flanges at both ends. In this way, the headers of the piping modules can be connected to external components such as water, steam and / or carbon dioxide supplies and hydrogen, carbon monoxide or synthesis gas storage units at both ends. In this way, standardized piping modules can be used and their field orientation is more flexible.

[0028] In a particularly preferred embodiment, each of the solid oxide electrolysis cores has a capacity of at least 0.3MW, preferably at least 0.5MW. By using the solid oxide electrolysis cores of this size, the output of the solid oxide electrolysis unit is suitable for industrial hydrogen, carbon monoxide or synthesis gas production. At the same time, the amount of time required to maintain a separate solid oxide electrolysis core remains efficient. In addition, a separate solid oxide electrolysis core can be maintained while other solid oxide electrolysis cores of the solid oxide electrolysis unit are running.

[0029] The present invention further relates to a method for debugging a solid oxide electrolysis unit according to claims 1 to 24, wherein the method comprises the steps of arranging one or more power supply skid frames of one or more power supply modules and one or more piping skid frames of one or more piping modules adjacent to each other and fixing them to each other, the step of arranging a solid oxide electrolysis core or one or more core modules on top of one or more piping modules, the step of connecting electrical connectors of one or more power supply modules and fluid connectors of one or more piping modules to the solid oxide electrolysis core, and the step of connecting the transformer of one or more power supply modules to an external power supply and connecting the headers of one or more piping modules to external components related to water, steam and / or carbon dioxide supply and hydrogen, carbon monoxide or synthesis gas storage.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the method for debugging a solid oxide electrolysis unit according to claims 1 to 24, the method further includes the step of fixing at least one intermediate module on top of the piping module and the power supply module, wherein the step of connecting the electrical connectors of one or more power supply modules and the fluid connectors of one or more piping modules to the solid oxide electrolysis core includes a first part of connecting the electrical connectors of the power supply module and the fluid connectors of the piping module to at least one intermediate module, and a second part of connecting the electrical connectors and the fluid connectors of one or more intermediate modules to the solid oxide electrolysis core.

[0031] The present invention also relates to a method for repairing a solid oxide electrolysis core of a solid oxide electrolysis unit according to claims 1 to 15, wherein the method comprises the steps of lifting the upper shell of one of the solid oxide electrolysis cores from the solid oxide electrolysis core by an external crane, preferably lowering the central heat exchanger of one of the solid oxide electrolysis cores into the piping module, repairing a solid oxide electrolysis stack or solid oxide electrolysis cell of a solid oxide electrolysis core, and reassembling one of the solid oxide electrolysis cores.

[0032] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a solid oxide electrolysis unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention, the solid oxide electrolysis unit having a power supply module, a piping module and a core module,

[0034] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A view on a longitudinal end of a first embodiment of a solid oxide electrolysis unit shown in,

[0035] Figure 3A, B, C show schematic views on the longitudinal ends of other embodiments of the solid oxide electrolysis unit according to the present invention,

[0036] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a solid oxide electrolysis unit according to another embodiment of the present invention, the solid oxide electrolysis unit having a power supply module, a piping module, six intermediate modules and twelve solid oxide electrolysis cores on a core frame,

[0037] Figure 5 Shows Figure 4 A view on the longitudinal end of an embodiment of a solid oxide electrolysis unit shown in,

[0038] Figure 6 Shows the Figure 4 A perspective view of a solid oxide electrolytic core on a core frame of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , and

[0039] Figure 7 Shows the Figure 4 A perspective view of a portion of the intermediate module and channel of the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0040] Figure 1 and 2 A first embodiment of a solid oxide electrolysis unit 1 according to the invention is shown in Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a solid oxide electrolysis unit 1, and Figure 2 A view onto a longitudinal end of a solid oxide electrolysis cell 1 according to a first embodiment is shown.

[0041] The solid oxide electrolysis device 1 includes a power supply module 2, a pipeline module 3 and a core module 4. The power supply module 2 includes an open power supply skid frame 5, in which a transformer 6 and two power supply units 7 are arranged. The transformer 6 is placed between the two power supply units 7 to connect them to an external power supply not shown. The pipeline module 3 includes an open pipeline skid frame 8, in which a header 9 and a fluid connector 10 are arranged along the longitudinal side surface of the pipeline skid frame 8. The header 9 extends along the entire longitudinal length of the pipeline skid frame 8 and terminates with flanges or blind flanges at both ends. In this way, the header 9 can be connected to external components such as water, steam and / or carbon dioxide supply and hydrogen, carbon monoxide or synthesis gas storage at both longitudinal ends of the pipeline module 3. The core module 4 includes an open core skid frame 11, in which six solid oxide electrolysis cores 12 are arranged adjacent to each other. The solid oxide electrolysis core 12 includes several solid oxide electrolysis stacks having a plurality of solid oxide electrolysis cells.

[0042] The respective skid frames 5, 8, 11 of the power supply module 2, the piping module 3 and the core module 4 all have the dimensions of a standard 40' high cube container and its connection points. The power supply module 2 is arranged adjacent to the piping module 3, wherein the piping skid frame 8 and the power supply skid frame 5 are connected to each other, and wherein the longitudinal side surfaces of the piping skid frame 8 are spaced apart from the power supply module 2, and the headers 9 and the fluid connections 10 are arranged inside the piping module 3 along the longitudinal side surfaces of the piping skid frame 8. In this way, an access channel is created inside the piping module 3, from which the headers 9 and the fluid connections 10 from the piping module as well as the power supply unit 7 and the transformer 6 can reach.

[0043] The core module 4 is arranged above the pipeline module 3, and its core skid frame 11 is connected to the pipeline skid frame 8. The power supply unit 7 is connected to the solid oxide electrolytic core 12 via an electrical connector not shown, wherein the electrical connector is guided from the upper surface of the power supply unit 7 to the bottom surface of the solid oxide electrolytic core 12, and wherein three solid oxide electrolytic cores 12 are powered by one of the two power supply units 7. The manifold 9 of the pipeline module 3 is connected to the bottom surface of the solid oxide electrolytic core 12 via a fluid connector 10. Since the core module 4 is arranged above the pipeline module 3 and the power supply module 2 is arranged adjacent to the pipeline module 3, the electrical connector and the fluid connector 10 can be kept very short and can be easily installed. Since the electrical connector and the fluid connector 10 are only connected to the bottom surface of the solid oxide electrolytic core 12, there are no pipes and cables on the upper surface of the solid oxide electrolytic core 12. This facilitates the repair and maintenance of the solid oxide electrolytic core 12. In addition, a working platform 13 with a grid and a handrail is placed on top of the power supply module 2. Repair and maintenance of the solid oxide electrolysis core 12 can be performed from the work platform 13. During maintenance of the solid oxide electrolysis core 12, the central heat exchanger of the solid oxide electrolysis core 12 can be lowered into the access channel inside the piping module 3, and the upper shell of the solid oxide electrolysis core 12 can be lifted from the solid oxide electrolysis core 12 by an external crane (not shown) without the risk of damaging other components of the solid oxide electrolysis unit 1.

[0044] As mentioned above, Figure 1 and 2 The first embodiment of the solid oxide electrolysis unit 1 shown in comprises six solid oxide electrolysis cores 12. Each of these solid oxide electrolysis cores 12 has a rated power of 0,5 MW. In this way, the solid oxide electrolysis unit 1 has a rated power of 3 MW with a compact footprint. Other sizes and numbers of solid oxide electrolysis cores 12 may be located within the core module 4. However, it is important that the solid oxide electrolysis cores 12 are easily accessible for maintenance and that the size of the entire core module 4 does not become too large.

[0045] Therefore, another way to increase the output of the solid oxide electrolysis unit 1 is to add additional piping modules 3, additional core modules 4 and possibly additional power supply modules 2 to the solid oxide electrolysis unit 1. A preferred arrangement for this is schematically shown in Figure 3A , B, C. For these arrangements, it is important that the individual components, in particular the solid oxide electrolytic core 12, remain easily accessible. For example, a crane must still be able to easily reach the solid oxide electrolytic core 12. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the modules 2, 3, 4 used twice can have the same design.

[0046] Figure 3A A first arrangement is shown with two piping modules 3, two core modules 4 and one power supply module 2. The power supply module 2 is arranged between the two piping modules 2, wherein the piping modules 3 are identical but arranged rotated 180° with respect to the power supply module 2. In this way, the access channels of the two piping modules 3 are arranged towards the power supply module 2, and the two core modules 4 are arranged above the two piping modules 3. A work platform 13 can be arranged above the power supply module 2, from which the solid oxide electrolytic cores 12 of the two core modules 4 can be easily reached.

[0047] Figure 3B A second arrangement is shown which is similar to the first arrangement, wherein the solid oxide electrolysis unit 1 comprises two power supply modules 2 instead of one. The two power supply units 2 are arranged side by side between two piping modules 3, wherein the components of each power supply module can be reached via one of the access channels inside one of the piping modules 3. By using two power supply units 2, the size and / or number of solid oxide electrolysis cores 12 inside the two core modules 4 above the piping modules 2 can be increased, since the transmittable power of the two power supply modules 2 can be higher than that of one if the outer dimensions are to remain the same.

[0048] Figure 3C A third arrangement is shown with two duct modules 3, two core modules 4 and two power supply modules 2. In this arrangement, the duct modules 3 are arranged side by side between the two power supply modules 2 and the two core modules 4 are arranged on top of the duct modules 3. Likewise, the two duct modules 3 are arranged rotated 180° towards each other so that the access channels of the two duct modules are in the direction of one of the power supply modules 2.

[0049] Figure 4 and 5 Another embodiment of the solid oxide electrolysis unit 21 according to the present invention is shown in Figure 4 A perspective view showing another embodiment of a solid oxide electrolysis unit 21, and Figure 5 A view onto the longitudinal end of a solid oxide electrolysis cell 21 according to another embodiment is shown.

[0050] The solid oxide electrolysis unit 21 includes a power supply module 22, a pipeline module 23, six intermediate modules 214 and twelve solid oxide electrolysis cores 212, wherein Figure 6 The solid oxide electrolytic core 212 mounted on the core frame 218 is shown in more detail in FIG. Figure 7 2 shows a portion of the intermediate module 214 with a passage 217 in more detail. The power supply module 22 comprises a closed power supply skid frame 25 having the dimensions of a standard 40' high cube container and its connection points, in which the transformer and the power supply unit are arranged. The closed power supply skid frame 25 can advantageously limit the impact of weather on the transformer and the power supply unit. The piping module 23 comprises an open piping skid frame 28 having the dimensions of a standard 40' high cube container and its connection points, in which the header 29 and the fluid connector 210 are arranged along the longitudinal side surfaces and the bottom of the piping skid frame 28, so that a central passage through the piping module 23 is provided, from which the fluid connector 210 can be reached. The header 29 extends along the entire longitudinal length of the piping skid frame 28 and terminates with flanges or blind flanges at both ends. In this way, the header 28 can be connected to external components such as water, steam and / or carbon dioxide supply and hydrogen, carbon monoxide or synthesis gas storage at both longitudinal ends of the piping module 23. On top of the power supply module 22 and the piping module 23 are arranged six intermediate modules 214, which are fixed to the piping skid frame 28 and the power supply skid frame 25. On each intermediate module 214 are arranged two solid oxide electrolytic cores 212, one above the power supply module 22 and one above the piping module 23.

[0051] The power supply module 22 is arranged adjacent to the piping module 23, wherein the piping skid frame 28 and the power supply skid frame 25 are connected to each other. The intermediate modules 214 have a width such that they can be connected to the connection points of the piping skid frame 28 and the power supply skid frame 25. An intermediate fluid connector 215 and an intermediate electrical connector 216 are arranged in the intermediate module 214, which connect the fluid connectors of the piping module 23 and the electrical connectors of the power supply module 22 with the corresponding connectors of the two solid oxide electrolysis cores 212 arranged on the top of the corresponding intermediate module 214. Between the two solid oxide electrolysis cores 212, a central channel 217 is mounted to the intermediate module 214. The channel 217 extends over six intermediate modules 214 and therefore over the entire length of the solid oxide electrolysis unit 21, wherein two ladders on the respective ends of the channel 217 lead from the ground to the channel 217. The channel 217 can be used for maintenance and commissioning.

[0052] The solid oxide electrolytic cores 212 are placed on core frames 218, which are then arranged on top of the respective intermediate modules 214. These core frames 218 facilitate the transport of the respective solid oxide electrolytic cores 212, and include terminal boxes 219 that can provide pre-assembled electrical and instrument cable connections between the solid oxide electrolytic cores 212 and themselves, and can then provide simple connections to the intermediate electrical connections 216.

[0053] List of Reference Numerals

[0054] 1,21 Solid Oxide Electrolysis Unit

[0055] 2,22 Power supply module

[0056] 3,23 Pipeline Module

[0057] 4-core module

[0058] 5,25 Powered Skid Frame

[0059] 6 Transformer

[0060] 7 Power supply unit

[0061] 8,28 pipe skid frame

[0062] 9,29 header

[0063] 10,210 Fluid connections

[0064] 11 core skid frame

[0065] 12,212 Solid Oxide Electrolytic Core

[0066] 13 Work Platform

[0067] 214 Intermediate Module

[0068] 215 Intermediate fluid connection

[0069] 216 Intermediate electrical connector

[0070] 217 channels

[0071] 218 core frame

[0072] 219 Junction Box

Claims

1. A solid oxide electrolysis unit for industrial hydrogen, carbon monoxide or synthesis gas production, comprising at least two solid oxide electrolysis cores, an electrical supply for managing power to the solid oxide electrolysis cores and pipes connected to the solid oxide electrolysis cores, each of the solid oxide electrolysis cores comprising a solid oxide electrolysis stack of several solid oxide electrolysis cells, characterized in that The solid oxide electrolysis unit comprises a power supply module and a piping module, wherein the power supply module comprises a transformer and at least one power supply unit, and the piping module comprises a piping header and fluid connections to and from the solid oxide electrolysis core, wherein the power supply module and the piping module are arranged adjacent to each other, and the solid oxide electrolysis core is arranged above the power supply module and / or the piping module.

2. The solid oxide electrolysis unit according to claim 1, characterized in that The solid oxide electrolytic core is arranged above the piping module.

3. The solid oxide electrolysis unit according to claim 2, characterized in that The solid oxide electrolytic core is also arranged above the power supply module.

4. The solid oxide electrolysis cell according to claim 1, characterized in that The power module includes a power skid frame, and the piping module includes a piping skid frame.

5. The solid oxide electrolysis cell according to claim 1 , characterized in that The power supply module comprises a transformer skid frame and a power supply unit skid frame, the transformer is arranged in the transformer skid frame, the at least one power supply unit is arranged in the power supply unit skid frame, and the pipeline module comprises a pipeline skid frame, wherein preferably, the transformer skid frame is placed adjacent to the power supply unit skid frame.

6. The solid oxide electrolysis cell according to claim 1, characterized in that The at least two solid oxide electrolytic cores are part of a core module including a core skid frame.

7. The solid oxide electrolysis cell according to claim 1, characterized in that The at least two solid oxide electrolytic cores are each arranged on a separate core frame, which core frames preferably each include a terminal box for electrical and instrument cable connections and piping connections.

8. The solid oxide electrolysis unit according to claim 7, characterized in that The solid oxide electrolysis unit comprises at least one intermediate module, which supports at least two solid oxide electrolysis cores and their core frames, and comprises intermediate cables and pipes connecting the solid electrolysis cores with the power supply module and the pipe module.

9. The solid oxide electrolysis unit according to claim 4 or 6, characterized in that The skid frames all have the outer dimensions of a standard 40' high cube container and preferably identical connection points where the skid frames of the modules are secured to one another.

10. The solid oxide electrolysis unit according to claim 5, characterized in that The transformer skid frame has the outer dimensions of a 20' high cube container, and the supply unit skid frame and the pipeline skid frame standard have the outer dimensions of a 40' high cube container and preferably the same connection points, wherein the supply unit skid frame and the pipeline skid frame are fixed to each other, and the transformer skid frame and the supply unit skid frame are also fixed to each other.

11. The solid oxide electrolysis cell according to claim 4, characterized in that The piping module and its piping skid frame are configured such that the transformer and the at least one of the power supply units are accessible via it.

12. The solid oxide electrolysis cell according to claim 4, characterized in that The piping module and its piping skid frame are configured so that the bottom side of the solid oxide electrolysis core is accessible through it, wherein preferably, the piping module and its piping skid frame are configured so that a central heat exchanger which is part of each of the solid oxide electrolysis cores can be lowered from the core into the piping skid frame during maintenance of the solid oxide electrolysis core.

13. The solid oxide electrolysis unit according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that The headers and fluid connections to and from the piping modules of the solid oxide electrolytic core are arranged along longitudinal side regions of the piping skid frame and / or on the bottom of the piping skid frame so as to provide a central channel through the piping modules from which the fluid connections are accessible.

14. The solid oxide electrolysis cell according to claim 4, characterized in that The area on top of the power supply sled frame or the power supply unit sled frame is configured as a working platform with a grille and handrails.

15. The solid oxide electrolysis cell according to claim 1, characterized in that The solid oxide electrolysis unit includes six solid oxide electrolysis cores, and the power supply module includes two power supply units, wherein each power supply unit supplies power to three solid oxide electrolysis cores.

16. The solid oxide electrolysis cell according to claim 1, characterized in that The solid oxide electrolysis unit comprises two of the piping modules and at least one of the power supply modules, preferably two of the power supply units, wherein at least two of the solid oxide electrolysis cores, preferably six of the solid oxide electrolysis cores, are arranged above each of the two of the piping modules.

17. The solid oxide electrolysis unit according to claim 16, characterized in that Two of the ducting modules are arranged adjacent to one another, wherein two of the ducting modules are identical and are rotated by 180° relative to one another.

18. The solid oxide electrolysis cell according to claim 7, characterized in that At least one core frame is respectively arranged above the piping module and above the power supply module, and preferably six core frames are respectively arranged above the piping module and above the power supply module.

19. The solid oxide electrolysis unit according to claim 18, characterized in that The at least one intermediate module supports two solid oxide electrolytic cores, wherein the at least one intermediate module is arranged above the piping module and the power supply module, so that one of the two solid oxide electrolytic cores is arranged above the piping module and the other of the two solid oxide electrolytic cores is arranged above the power supply module.

20. The solid oxide electrolysis cell according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that The solid oxide electrolysis unit comprises a central channel between at least one core frame above the piping module and at least one core frame above the power supply module, the central channel being preferably arranged on top of the at least one intermediate module, and the central channel being further preferably equipped with at least one ladder for reaching therethrough.

21. The solid oxide electrolysis cell according to claim 1, characterized in that The solid oxide electrolysis unit is configured so that the solid oxide electrolysis cores and / or their upper casings can be lifted by an external crane for maintenance and replacement of the solid oxide electrolysis cores or stacks.

22. The solid oxide electrolysis cell according to claim 1, characterized in that The one or more piping modules and the one or more power supply modules are constructed so that they can be preassembled before their on-site installation, wherein preferably, the one or more core modules having a solid oxide electrolytic core or the combination of the one or more core frames and the one or more intermediate modules are also constructed so that it / they can be preassembled before their on-site installation.

23. The solid oxide electrolysis cell according to claim 1, characterized in that The header in the piping module runs through the entire length of the piping module and terminates with flanges or blind flanges at both ends.

24. The solid oxide electrolysis cell according to claim 1, characterized in that Each of the solid oxide electrolytic cores has a capacity of at least 0,3 MW, preferably at least 0,5 MW.

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