Operation method for electrolytic device, control device for electrolytic device, and electrolytic system

By supplying hot water to the temperature regulator and gas-liquid separator during shutdown, the electrolysis device maintains temperature and quickly reaches rated load, enhancing startup efficiency and hydrogen production.

JP2025132408APending Publication Date: 2025-09-10MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024029947
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-02-29
Publication Date
2025-09-10

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing electrolysis devices take a long time to reach rated load due to temperature drops when shut down, affecting startup efficiency and hydrogen production.

Method used

Supplying hot water to the temperature regulator and gas-liquid separator when the electrolysis device is stopped to maintain and quickly raise the temperature, utilizing waste heat from a power generation facility.

Benefits of technology

Prevents temperature drops, shortens startup time, improves efficiency, and allows rapid achievement of rated load, increasing hydrogen production.

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Abstract

To provide an operation method of an electrolytic device that is able to quickly reach a rated load, a control device of the electrolytic device, and an electrolytic system.SOLUTION: Provided is an operation method for an electrolytic device 100 that is provided with: a temperature adjuster 30 which adjusts a temperature of an electrolytic solution supplied to an electrolytic cell 40; the electrolytic cell 40 which electrolyzes the electrolytic solution supplied thereto via the temperature adjuster 30; and a gas-liquid separator 20 which separates a gas and a liquid produced by the electrolytic cell 40. Warm water is supplied to the temperature adjuster 30 in a stop state where the electrolytic device 100 is stopped.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for operating an electrolysis device, a control device for an electrolysis device, and an electrolysis system. [Background technology]

[0002] Improvement of energy efficiency in electrolysis devices, particularly water electrolysis devices, has been studied. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that, in order to improve energy efficiency during startup of a water electrolysis device, hot water heated using heat recovered from a power generation device is stored and the heat of the hot water is supplied to make-up water for the water electrolysis device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-299322 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the invention of Patent Document 1 only considers increasing the temperature of makeup water at startup, and does not consider what happens when the water electrolysis device is shut down. At startup, the electrolyte (water) of the water electrolysis device needs to be heated to the operating temperature (rated temperature) for operation at rated load, but because the temperature drops when the device is shut down, it takes time for the temperature to rise, which is a problem.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an operation method for an electrolysis device, a control device for an electrolysis device, and an electrolysis system that can quickly reach a rated load. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the electrolysis device operation method, electrolysis device control device, and electrolysis system of the present disclosure employ the following measures. The method for operating an electrolytic device disclosed herein is a method for operating an electrolytic device including a temperature regulator that adjusts the temperature of an electrolytic solution supplied to an electrolytic cell, the electrolytic cell that performs electrolysis of the electrolytic solution supplied via the temperature regulator, and a gas-liquid separator that separates the gas and liquid generated in the electrolytic cell, and when the electrolytic device is in a stopped state where it is stopped, hot water is supplied to the temperature regulator.

[0007] The control device for an electrolytic device of the present disclosure includes a temperature regulator that adjusts the temperature of the electrolytic solution supplied to an electrolytic cell, an electrolytic cell that performs electrolysis of the electrolytic solution supplied via the temperature regulator, and a gas-liquid separator that separates the gas and liquid generated in the electrolytic cell, and when the electrolytic device is in a stopped state where it is stopped, the control device controls so that hot water is supplied to the temperature regulator.

[0008] The electrolysis system disclosed herein comprises an electrolysis device including a temperature regulator that regulates the temperature of an electrolytic solution supplied to an electrolytic cell, the electrolytic cell that performs electrolysis of the electrolytic solution supplied via the temperature regulator, and a gas-liquid separator that separates gas and liquid produced in the electrolytic cell, a hydrogen storage facility that stores hydrogen produced by the electrolysis device, and a power generation facility that generates electricity using the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage facility, and hot water generated using exhaust gas from the power generation facility is supplied to the temperature regulator or the gas-liquid separator of the electrolysis device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, supplying hot water to the temperature regulator can prevent a temperature drop in the electrolyte when the electrolysis device is stopped. Suppressing the temperature drop allows for a rapid temperature rise the next time the device is started up, shortening the startup time. Furthermore, maintaining the temperature of the entire electrolysis device improves startup efficiency, enables the electrolysis device to quickly reach its rated load, and allows more hydrogen to be produced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an electrolysis system as a conventional example. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an overview of an electrolysis system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a control device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates an overview of an electrolysis system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a method for operating an electrolysis device, a control device for an electrolysis device, and an electrolysis system according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a conventional electrolysis system. As shown in FIG. 1, the electrolysis system 1000 mainly includes an electrolysis device 100, a dehumidification device 71, a hydrogen storage facility 72, a power generation facility 73, a water purification device 81, and a cooling tower (radiator) 83. The electrolysis device 100 mainly includes gas-liquid separators (separators) 20a and 20b, temperature regulators 30a and 30b, and an electrolytic cell 40. In FIG. 1, the thick line indicates the electrolyte, the solid line indicates pure water or cooling water, the dashed line indicates hydrogen, the two-dot chain line indicates oxygen, and the thick dashed dot line indicates exhaust gas.

[0012] The electrolysis device 100 performs, for example, alkaline water electrolysis in an electrolytic cell 40, and is a device that generates hydrogen by electrolyzing water contained in an electrolyte (LYE) when a direct current voltage is applied.

[0013] An electrolyte whose temperature is adjusted by a temperature regulator (LYE cooler) 30 (temperature regulator (oxygen side temperature regulator) 30a and temperature regulator (hydrogen side temperature regulator) 30b) is supplied to the electrolytic cell 40 via a circulation pump 31 (circulation pump (oxygen side circulation pump) 31a and circulation pump (hydrogen side circulation pump) 31b). Electrolysis is carried out in the electrolytic cell 40, and hydrogen and the electrolyte are supplied to the gas-liquid separator 20b, and oxygen and the electrolyte are supplied to the gas-liquid separator 20a.

[0014] The gas-liquid separator 20b separates the hydrogen from the electrolyte, and supplies the hydrogen to the cooler 12b and the electrolyte to the hydrogen-side temperature regulator 30b. The gas-liquid separator 20a separates the oxygen from the electrolyte, and supplies the oxygen to the cooler 12a and the electrolyte to the oxygen-side temperature regulator 30a.

[0015] Cooler 12b cools the hydrogen and supplies it to drum 11b, while cooler 12a cools the oxygen and supplies it to drum 11a. Drum 11b removes droplets (moisture) from the supplied hydrogen and supplies the hydrogen to dehumidifier 71. At start-up, the discharge from drum 11b may contain water or impurities, so the discharge from drum 11b is discharged to the outside via hydrogen vent pipe 60. When the condition of the discharge from drum 11b becomes good and it becomes mostly hydrogen, the discharge destination is switched from hydrogen vent pipe 60 to dehumidifier 71. The drum 11a removes droplets (moisture) contained in the supplied oxygen, and the oxygen is discharged to the outside.

[0016] The dehumidifier 71 dehumidifies and deoxidizes the hydrogen, and supplies only the hydrogen to the hydrogen storage facility 72 .

[0017] The hydrogen storage facility 72 stores hydrogen produced by electrolysis. When the power generation facility 73 generates power, the hydrogen storage facility 72 supplies hydrogen to the power generation facility 73.

[0018] The power generation equipment 73 generates electricity using hydrogen. During power generation, exhaust gas at about 100°C is discharged to the outside.

[0019] When cooling is performed in the temperature regulator 30 described above, cooling water is supplied from a cooling tower (radiator) 83 via a cooling water pump 84 and an on-off valve 85. The cooling water supplied from the cooling tower 83 is not used as the electrolyte, but is used to adjust (cool) the temperature of the electrolyte passing through the temperature regulator 30.

[0020] When cooling is performed in the cooler 12 described above, cooling water is supplied from a cooling tower 83 via a cooling water pump 84, an on-off valve 85, and an on-off valve 86. In this case as well, the cooling water supplied from the cooling tower 83 is not used as the electrolyte, but is used to adjust (cool) the temperature of the hydrogen gas and oxygen gas passing through the cooler 12.

[0021] Pure water used as an electrolyte is supplied to the gas-liquid separator 20b from a pure water device 81 via a pure water pump .

[0022] The electrolysis device 100 is provided with a gas analyzer 13. The gas analyzer 13 measures the inside of the piping in the electrolysis device 100, and measures the oxygen concentration and the concentration of impurities.

[0023] In the following description, when it is necessary to distinguish between the drums 11, coolers 12, gas-liquid separators 20, temperature regulators 30, and circulation pumps 31, either "a" or "b" is added to the end of the name, and when it is not necessary to distinguish between the drums 11, coolers 12, gas-liquid separators 20, temperature regulators 30, and circulation pumps 31, "a" or "b" is omitted.

[0024] The electrolysis device 100 of the present disclosure can use renewable energy such as solar power generation or wind power generation to generate electricity for electrolysis of water, but is not limited to this. In water electrolysis using renewable energy, if there is a surplus of electricity from the renewable energy, hydrogen is produced in the electrolysis device 100 and stored in the hydrogen storage facility 72. If there is no electricity from the renewable energy, hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage facility 72 is used to generate electricity in the power generation facility 73.

[0025] In the case of the conventional electrolysis system 1000, the operating temperature (rated temperature) of the electrolyte during rated operation is, for example, approximately 90°C. The temperature of the electrolyte drops when the electrolysis device 100 is stopped. Therefore, when the electrolysis system 1000 is started, it takes approximately 1.5 hours to raise the temperature of the electrolyte from room temperature to the rated temperature (for example, 90°C).

[0026] Furthermore, in the conventional electrolysis system 1000, the electrolysis reaction proceeds both at startup and during load increase, generating hydrogen. As electrolysis is performed in the electrolytic cell 40, water is decomposed and becomes insufficient, so pure water must be supplied as make-up water from the pure water system 81. The make-up water from the pure water system 81 is at room temperature, so it may take a long time to heat up.

[0027] As described above, in the conventional electrolysis system 1000, when the load increases, and particularly when starting up, it takes time to reach rated operation.

[0028] Therefore, the electrolysis system 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is configured to be able to quickly reach rated operation. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an overview of an electrolysis system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. This embodiment differs from the conventional example described above in that it includes a heat exchanger 90 and a hot water tank 93, but is otherwise similar to the conventional example. Here, the differences from the conventional example will be mainly explained, and duplicate explanations of the same parts as the conventional example will be omitted. The same reference numerals are used for the same parts as in the conventional example. In FIG. 2, the thick line indicates the electrolyte, the solid line indicates pure water or cooling water, the dashed line indicates hydrogen, the two-dot chain line indicates oxygen, and the thick dashed dot line indicates exhaust gas.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the electrolysis system 1 includes a heat exchanger 90, a hot water pump 91, an on-off valve 92, a hot water tank 93, a hot water pump 94, an on-off valve 95, and a control device 50.

[0030] The heat exchanger 90 is supplied with exhaust gas discharged from the power generation facility 73. Pure water is also supplied from the water purifier 81, and heat is exchanged between the pure water and the exhaust gas discharged from the power generation facility 73, raising the temperature of the pure water to turn it into hot water. The hot water is supplied from the heat exchanger 90 to a hot water pump 91 and a hot water tank 93.

[0031] The hot water supplied from the heat exchanger 90 via the hot water pump 91 and the on-off valve 92 is added to the cooling water supplied from the cooling tower 83 to the temperature regulator 30, thereby heating the cooling water.

[0032] The hot water supplied from the heat exchanger 90 to the hot water tank 93 is temporarily stored in the hot water tank 93 and then supplied to the gas-liquid separator 20b via a hot water pump 94 and an on-off valve 95.

[0033] The control device 50 controls the electrolysis system 1 in accordance with the operating state of the electrolysis system 1.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a control device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 3, the control device (Controller) 50 is a computer system including, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit: Processor) 1100, a secondary storage device (ROM, Secondary storage: Memory) 1200, a main storage device (RAM, Main Memory) 1300, a hard disk drive (HDD) 1400 as a large-capacity storage device, and a communication unit 1500 for connecting to a network or the like. Note that a solid-state drive (SSD) may also be used as the large-capacity storage device. These units are connected via a bus 1800.

[0035] The CPU 1100 controls the entire control device 50 using, for example, an operating system (OS) stored in a secondary storage device 1200 connected via a bus 1800, and executes various processes by executing various programs stored in the secondary storage device 1200. One or more CPUs 1100 may be provided, and may implement processes in cooperation with each other.

[0036] The main memory device 1300 is composed of writable memory such as cache memory, RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and is used as a working area for reading out programs executed by the CPU 1100 and writing data processed by the programs.

[0037] The secondary storage device 1200 is a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Examples of the secondary storage device 1200 include a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, and a semiconductor memory. Examples of the secondary storage device 1200 include a read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), and a solid-state drive (SSD) flash memory. The secondary storage device 1200 stores, for example, an operating system (OS) for controlling the entire information processing device, such as Windows (registered trademark), iOS (registered trademark), or Android (registered trademark), a basic input / output system (BIOS), various device drivers for operating peripheral devices, various application software, and various data and files. The secondary storage device 1200 also stores programs for implementing various processes and various data required for implementing the various processes. A plurality of secondary storage devices 1200 may be provided, and the above-described programs and data may be stored separately in each secondary storage device 1200.

[0038] The control device 50 may also include an input unit such as a keyboard or mouse, a display unit such as a liquid crystal display device that displays data, etc. The control device 50 may also include a notification unit such as a display unit, a lamp, or a speaker that outputs sound, especially an alarm sound.

[0039] A series of processes for realizing the functions of the control device 50 is stored in the secondary storage device 1200 or the like in the form of a program, for example, and the CPU (processor) 1100 reads this program into the main storage device 1300 and executes information processing and arithmetic processing to realize various functions. Note that the program may be pre-installed in the secondary storage device 1200, provided in a state stored in another non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, or distributed via wired or wireless communication means. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable storage media include magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, and semiconductor memories.

[0040] Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an overview of an electrolysis system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 illustrates a case in which there is no renewable energy-based power in the electrolysis system 1, while Fig. 4 illustrates a case in which there is a surplus of renewable energy-based power. 2 and 4, the thick line indicates the electrolyte, the solid line indicates pure water or cooling water, the dashed line indicates hydrogen, the two-dot chain line indicates oxygen, and the thick dashed dot line indicates exhaust gas.

[0041] [When there is no electricity generated from renewable energy sources] 2, when there is no electricity from renewable energy, power is generated in the power generation facility 73 using hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage facility 72. Furthermore, since there is no longer any power supply to the electrolysis device 100 using renewable energy, the electrolysis device 100 is also stopped and enters a stopped state. In the stopped electrolysis device 100, only the circulation pump 31 operates. In this case, the control device 50 controls the on-off valve 95, the on-off valve 85 and the on-off valve 86 to be closed, and the on-off valve 92 to be opened.

[0042] The hydrogen produced by the electrolysis device 100 during operation is stored in the hydrogen storage facility 72. When there is no electricity generated from renewable energy, the power generation facility 73 generates electricity using the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage facility 72.

[0043] Exhaust gas at about 100° C. is discharged during power generation by the power generation facility 73. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the exhaust gas from the power generation facility 73 is supplied to a heat exchanger 90 as indicated by a thick dashed line.

[0044] The heat exchanger 90 exchanges heat between the exhaust gas and the pure water supplied from the pure water device 81 via the pure water pump 82, to produce hot water.

[0045] A portion of the hot water discharged from the heat exchanger 90 is supplied to the hot water tank 93. Because the on-off valve 95 is closed, the hot water is stored in the hot water tank 93. In this way, the temperature of the makeup water to be supplied to the gas-liquid separator 20 can be increased in advance.

[0046] The hot water discharged from the heat exchanger 90 is also supplied to the temperature regulators 30a and 30b via the hot water pump 91 and the open on-off valve 92. By supplying hot water to the temperature regulator 30 while the electrolysis device 100 is stopped in this manner, the temperatures of the temperature regulator 30 and the electrolytic solution can be maintained higher than room temperature.

[0047] At this time, the cooling water supplied from the cooling tower 83 is not supplied to the temperature regulator 30 and the cooler 12 because the on-off valves 85 and 86 are closed. Therefore, the cooling water from the cooling tower 83 does not lower the temperature of the temperature regulator 30 or the electrolyte.

[0048] Furthermore, the gas-liquid separator 20b has the on-off valve 95 closed and no make-up water is supplied. Because the electrolysis device 100 is in a stopped state, water electrolysis is not performed and there is no shortage of water.

[0049] [When there is a surplus of renewable energy electricity] As shown in Fig. 4, when there is a surplus of electricity generated by renewable energy, hydrogen is produced in the electrolysis device 100 using the renewable energy and stored in the hydrogen storage facility 72. In this manner, the electrolysis device 100 is operated and in an operating state. Because hydrogen is stored in the hydrogen storage facility 72, it is not supplied to the power generation facility 73, and the power generation facility 73 does not generate electricity. Therefore, no exhaust gas is generated in the power generation facility 73, and the exhaust gas is not supplied to the heat exchanger 90. In this case, the control device 50 controls the on-off valve 95, the on-off valve 85 and the on-off valve 86 to be opened, and the on-off valve 92 to be closed.

[0050] When power is supplied from renewable energy, the electrolytic cell 40 of the electrolysis device 100 electrolyzes the electrolyte. From the electrolytic cell 40, hydrogen and the electrolyte are supplied to the gas-liquid separator 20b, and oxygen and the electrolyte are supplied to the gas-liquid separator 20a.

[0051] Gas-liquid separator 20b separates hydrogen from the electrolyte, and the hydrogen is supplied to cooler 12b. Gas-liquid separator 20a separates oxygen from the electrolyte, and the oxygen is supplied to cooler 12a. The electrolyte separated by gas-liquid separator 20 is circulated again and supplied to temperature regulator 30.

[0052] The temperature regulator 30 regulates the temperature of the electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution is adjusted to the rated temperature of the electrolytic device 100 (for example, 90° C.), and is supplied to the electrolytic cell 40 by the circulation pump 31 and circulated within the electrolytic device 100.

[0053] When the electrolysis device 100 is in operation, cooling water is supplied to the temperature regulator 30 from the cooling tower 83. Cooling water is also supplied to each cooler 12 from the cooling tower 83. When the electrolysis device 100 changes from a stopped state to an operating state, the on-off valve 92 is changed from open to closed to stop the supply of hot water, and the on-off valves 85 and 86 are changed from closed to open to start the supply of cooling water. Furthermore, together with the start of the supply of cooling water, the supply of makeup water (hot water) to the gas-liquid separator 20b is started.

[0054] As described above, the electrolyte circulates and electrolysis is performed in the electrolytic cell 40, and as water decomposes and becomes insufficient, make-up water is supplied from the pure water device 81. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, hot water stored in the hot water tank 93 is supplied to the gas-liquid separator 20b via the hot water pump 94 and the on-off valve 95. Because the temperature of the make-up water (pure water) used as the electrolyte is elevated, the electrolyte quickly reaches the rated temperature of the electrolysis device 100. The time required for start-up of the electrolysis system 1 can also be shortened.

[0055] <Additional Notes> The electrolysis device operating method, the electrolysis device control device, and the electrolysis system described in the above-described embodiments can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0056] A method for operating an electrolysis device (100) according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is a method for operating an electrolysis device including a temperature regulator (30) that adjusts the temperature of an electrolytic solution supplied to an electrolytic cell (40), an electrolytic cell that electrolyzes the electrolytic solution supplied via the temperature regulator, and a gas-liquid separator (20) that separates gas and liquid produced in the electrolytic cell, wherein when the electrolysis device is stopped, hot water is supplied to the temperature regulator.

[0057] When the electrolysis device is stopped, hydrogen is not produced, the temperature of the thermoregulator drops, and it takes time for the temperature to rise the next time the device is started up. However, by supplying hot water, this temperature drop can be prevented. By suppressing the temperature drop, the temperature can be raised quickly the next time the device is started up, shortening the start-up time. Furthermore, by maintaining the operating temperature of the entire electrolysis device, the efficiency at start-up can be improved, and the electrolysis device can quickly reach its rated load, allowing more hydrogen to be produced.

[0058] The method for operating an electrolysis device according to a second aspect of the present disclosure may be configured such that, in the first aspect, when the electrolysis device is in an operating state, the hot water is supplied to the gas-liquid separator.

[0059] When the electrolysis device is in operation, supplying hot water to the gas-liquid separator can suppress a decrease in the temperature of the electrolyte, thereby improving the efficiency of hydrogen production.

[0060] A third aspect of the present disclosure provides an operating method for an electrolytic device, comprising the steps of: controlling the electrolytic device to supply cooling water to the temperature regulator when the electrolytic device is in the operating state; and, when the electrolytic device is switched from the stopped state to the operating state, switching control so that an on-off valve (92) for supplying the hot water to the temperature regulator is closed to stop the supply of the hot water; opening an on-off valve (85) for supplying the cooling water to the temperature regulator to start the supply of the cooling water; and opening an on-off valve (95) for supplying the hot water to the gas-liquid separator to start the supply of the hot water.

[0061] When the electrolysis device is in operation, cooling water is supplied to the temperature regulator to cool the electrolytic solution. When the device switches from a stopped state to an operating state, that is, when the electrolysis device is started, the supply of hot water to the temperature regulator is stopped and the supply of hot water to the gas-liquid separator is started. Therefore, the efficiency of the entire electrolysis device can be improved simply by switching the supply destination.

[0062] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure may be a method of operating an electrolysis apparatus according to the second or third aspect, wherein the electrolysis apparatus is a water electrolysis apparatus (100), the electrolytic cell of the water electrolysis apparatus generates hydrogen, and when the water electrolysis apparatus is in the operating state, stores the hydrogen in a hydrogen storage facility (72), and when the water electrolysis apparatus is in the stopped state, generates electricity using a power generation facility (73) using the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage facility, and controls the hot water generated using exhaust gas from the power generation facility to be supplied to the temperature regulator or the gas-liquid separator.

[0063] Hot water is generated using exhaust gas from the power generation facility and supplied to the temperature regulator or gas-liquid separator, making it possible to effectively utilize exhaust gas that would otherwise be discarded.Since hot water is generated using the waste heat of the exhaust gas, the cost required for hot water generation can be reduced.

[0064] A fifth aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for operating an electrolysis device according to the fourth aspect, wherein when the water electrolysis device is in the stopped state, hot water generated using exhaust gas from the power generation facility is stored in a hot water tank (93), and when the water electrolysis device is in the operating state, the hot water stored in the hot water tank may be supplied to the gas-liquid separator.

[0065] When the water electrolysis device is stopped, hot water generated using exhaust gas from the power generation facility is stored in the hot water tank, allowing the exhaust gas from the power generation facility to be used effectively without waste.When the water electrolysis device is operating, hot water from the hot water tank is supplied to the gas-liquid separator, reducing the cost of hot water generation and allowing hot water to be supplied to the gas-liquid separator quickly.

[0066] In the method of operating an electrolysis apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, in the fourth or fifth aspect, the power generation facility may generate electricity using renewable energy, and when there is a shortage of the renewable energy, generate electricity using hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage facility.

[0067] The hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage facility can be used to supplement any surplus or shortfall in renewable energy, ensuring stable operation of the entire system. It is also anticipated that surplus renewable energy will be used to produce hydrogen, allowing fluctuations in renewable energy to be absorbed and utilized effectively.

[0068] A seventh aspect of the present disclosure provides a control device (50) for an electrolysis device, the control device including a temperature regulator that regulates the temperature of an electrolytic solution supplied to an electrolytic cell, the electrolytic cell that performs electrolysis of the electrolytic solution supplied via the temperature regulator, and a gas-liquid separator that separates gas and liquid generated in the electrolytic cell, and controls the supply of hot water to the temperature regulator when the electrolysis device is in a stopped state.

[0069] The control device for an electrolysis device according to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure may be configured to control the hot water to be supplied to the gas-liquid separator when the electrolysis device is in an operating state in which it is operating in the seventh aspect.

[0070] The control device of the electrolysis device of the ninth aspect of the present disclosure may be configured in the eighth aspect to control the supply of cooling water to the temperature regulator when the electrolysis device is in the operating state, and when the electrolysis device switches from the stopped state to the operating state, to close an on-off valve that supplies the hot water to the temperature regulator to stop the supply of the hot water, open an on-off valve that supplies the cooling water to the temperature regulator to start the supply of the cooling water, and open an on-off valve that supplies the hot water to the gas-liquid separator to start the supply of the hot water.

[0071] An electrolysis system (1) according to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure comprises an electrolysis device including a temperature regulator that regulates the temperature of an electrolytic solution supplied to an electrolytic cell, the electrolytic cell that performs electrolysis of the electrolytic solution supplied via the temperature regulator, and a gas-liquid separator that separates gas and liquid produced in the electrolytic cell, a hydrogen storage facility that stores hydrogen produced by the electrolysis device, and a power generation facility that generates electricity using the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage facility, and hot water generated using exhaust gas from the power generation facility is supplied to the temperature regulator or the gas-liquid separator of the electrolysis device.

[0072] In the above-described embodiment, hot water is generated using the waste heat of the exhaust gas from the power generation facility 73. However, water or hot water at a temperature higher than room temperature pure water may be used if available. The temperature of the water or hot water may be any temperature higher than room temperature pure water. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1, 1000 electrolysis system 11, 11a, 11b drums 12, 12a, 12b Cooler 13 Gas analyzer 20, 20a gas-liquid separator 30 Temperature Controller (LYE Cooler) 31 Circulation Pump 40 Electrolytic cell 50 Control device 60 Hydrogen vent pipe 71 Dehumidifier 72 Hydrogen storage facility 73 Power generation facilities 81 Pure water equipment 82 Pure water pump 83 Cooling Tower (Radiator) 84 Cooling water pump 85 On-off valve 86 On-off valve 90 Heat exchanger 91 Hot water pump 92 On-off valve 93 Hot Water Tank 94 Hot Water Pump 95 On-off valve 100 Electrolysis device (water electrolysis device) 1100 CPU 1200 Secondary storage 1300 Main storage 1500 Communications Department 1800 Bus

Claims

1. a temperature regulator for adjusting the temperature of the electrolyte supplied to the electrolytic cell; the electrolytic cell for electrolyzing the electrolytic solution supplied via the temperature regulator; a gas-liquid separator that separates the gas and liquid generated in the electrolytic cell, When the electrolysis device is stopped, hot water is supplied to the temperature regulator. Method of operating an electrolysis device.

2. The method for operating an electrolysis apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the hot water is supplied to the gas-liquid separator when the electrolysis apparatus is in operation.

3. When the electrolysis device is in the operating state, control is performed to supply cooling water to the temperature regulator; 3. The method for operating an electrolysis apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, when the electrolysis apparatus is switched from the stopped state to the operating state, control is switched so that an on-off valve for supplying the hot water to the temperature regulator is closed to stop the supply of the hot water, an on-off valve for supplying the cooling water to the temperature regulator is opened to start the supply of the cooling water, and an on-off valve for supplying the hot water to the gas-liquid separator is opened to start the supply of the hot water.

4. the electrolysis device is a water electrolysis device, the electrolytic cell of the water electrolysis device generates hydrogen; When the water electrolysis apparatus is in the operating state, the hydrogen is stored in a hydrogen storage facility; When the water electrolysis device is in the stopped state, power is generated by the power generation facility using the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage facility; The method for operating an electrolysis device according to claim 2 , further comprising controlling the supply of the hot water generated using exhaust gas from the power generation facility to the temperature regulator or the gas-liquid separator.

5. When the water electrolysis device is in the stopped state, the hot water generated using the exhaust gas of the power generation facility is stored in a hot water tank; 5. The method for operating an electrolysis apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the water electrolysis apparatus is in the operating state, the hot water stored in the hot water tank is controlled to be supplied to the gas-liquid separator.

6. 5. The method for operating an electrolysis device according to claim 4, wherein the power generation facility generates power by using renewable energy, and generates power by using the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage facility when the renewable energy is insufficient.

7. a temperature regulator for adjusting the temperature of the electrolyte supplied to the electrolytic cell; the electrolytic cell for electrolyzing the electrolytic solution supplied via the temperature regulator; a gas-liquid separator that separates the gas and liquid generated in the electrolytic cell, a control device for an electrolysis device that controls the supply of hot water to the temperature regulator when the electrolysis device is in a stopped state where the electrolysis device is stopped;

8. The control device for an electrolysis device according to claim 7 , wherein when the electrolysis device is in an operating state, the control device controls so that the hot water is supplied to the gas-liquid separator.

9. When the electrolysis device is in the operating state, control is performed to supply cooling water to the temperature regulator; 9. The control device for electrolysis device according to claim 8, wherein, when the electrolysis device switches from the stopped state to the operating state, control is switched so that an on-off valve for supplying the hot water to the temperature regulator is closed to stop the supply of the hot water, an on-off valve for supplying the cooling water to the temperature regulator is opened to start the supply of the cooling water, and an on-off valve for supplying the hot water to the gas-liquid separator is opened to start the supply of the hot water.

10. a temperature regulator for adjusting the temperature of the electrolyte supplied to the electrolytic cell; the electrolytic cell for electrolyzing the electrolytic solution supplied via the temperature regulator; an electrolysis device including a gas-liquid separator that separates the gas and liquid generated in the electrolytic cell; a hydrogen storage facility for storing the hydrogen produced by the electrolysis device; a power generation facility that generates power using the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage facility, an electrolysis system, wherein hot water generated using exhaust gas from the power generation facility is supplied to the temperature regulator or the gas-liquid separator of the electrolysis device.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Water electrolytic device, power plant and power generating system provided with hot water storage tank

    JP2006299322A