Method for assembling and / or disassembling an alkaline electrolyzer unit of a hydrogen production plant

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for assembling and / or disassembling alkaline electrolyzer units (101, 101a, 101b, 401, 401a, 401b, 401c, 401d, 401e) of a hydrogen production plant (500), the method comprising providing (S101) an industrial robotics system (300) comprising a controller (18) with robotic functionality and a plurality of robots (10, 310, 310a, 310b), transporting (S103) the plurality of robots to a plurality of electrolyzer unit sites (20a, 20b, 520, 520a, 520x), assembling (S107) the alkaline electrolyzer units at the electrolyzer unit sites by the plurality of robots executing assembly instructions provided in the controller and / or disassembling (S109) at least one of the alkaline electrolyzer units at the electrolyzer unit site by at least one of the plurality of robots executing disassembly instructions provided in the controller.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates generally to an industrial robotic system for assembling and / or disassembling an alkaline electrolyzer unit of a hydrogen production plant, and more particularly to a method for assembling and / or disassembling an alkaline electrolyzer unit of a hydrogen production plant, and a hydrogen production plant comprising the industrial robotic system. [Background technology]

[0002] As more countries pursue decarbonization strategies, hydrogen as an energy carrier will most likely become more important. The use of hydrogen is particularly relevant in sectors where direct charging is difficult, such as the production of steel and certain chemicals, long-distance transportation, shipping, and aviation. Preferably, the hydrogen produced has a low carbon footprint and is ultimately environmentally friendly, for example, by being produced by water electrolysis using electricity from renewable sources. In addition to regulations and market design, the cost of hydrogen production remains a barrier.

[0003] An electrolyzer, or water electrolyzer, is an electrochemical device used to separate water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen by passing an electric current through it. An electrolyzer comprises an electrolyzer cell in which the electrochemical process occurs. An electrolyzer cell typically consists of two electrodes (anode and cathode) immersed in a liquid electrolyte or adjacent to a solid electrolyte, and a membrane or other porous transport layer that facilitates the transport of reactants and the removal of products. At the electrodes, water is separated into oxygen and hydrogen, along with ions, typically H+ or OH-, that pass through the liquid or solid membrane electrolyte. The membrane between both electrodes also serves to keep the produced gases (hydrogen and oxygen) separate and prevent the gases from mixing.

[0004] Electrolyzers typically comprise a plurality of such electrolyzer cells arranged in a cell stack, positioned between two end plates that provide mechanical support. The cell stack may further comprise spacers, which are insulating materials between the two opposing electrodes in the electrolyzer cells, seals, and frames for further mechanical support. Furthermore, multiple electrolyzer units can be arranged in an electrolyzer system, including equipment for cooling, hydrogen processing (e.g., for purity and compression), electrical input conversion (e.g., transformers and rectifiers), feedwater treatment (e.g., deionization), and gas output (e.g., of oxygen). Such electrolysis systems may be included, for example, in hydrogen production plants.

[0005] Electrolyzers are typically classified into different technologies based on the electrolyte and operating temperature: for example, alkaline electrolyzers use a liquid alkaline electrolyte, while proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers use a solid polymer electrolyte and solid oxide electrolyzers (SOEC) use a solid ceramic material as the electrolyte.

[0006] All types of electrolyzers incur relatively high costs for the production of hydrogen. However, alkaline electrolyzers are typically associated with cheaper catalysts relative to the platinum group metal-based catalysts commonly used for PEM. Furthermore, alkaline electrolyzers typically have higher durability due to replaceable electrolytes and lower dissolution of the anode catalyst. Furthermore, alkaline electrolyzers typically achieve higher gas purity due to lower gas diffusivity in the alkaline electrolyte.

[0007] However, challenges associated with electrolyzers remain, particularly for hydrogen production plants comprising multiple electrolyzer units. Assembly of electrolyzer units is time-consuming and typically requires heavy lifting equipment and bulky transportation facilities. Moreover, disassembling an electrolyzer unit, for example for maintenance, while other electrolyzer units are in operation is difficult due to a dangerous or even hazardous environment for personnel. Moreover, electrolyzer units are relatively bulky, resulting in a relatively low hydrogen production capacity per surface area of installation. This leaves the industry in need of further improvements. Summary of the Invention

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to overcome at least some of the above problems and to provide an improvement in the assembly and / or disassembly of alkaline electrolyzer units of hydrogen production plants. This object, and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a method for assembling and / or disassembling alkaline electrolyzer units of hydrogen production plants, an industrial robotics system for assembling and / or disassembling alkaline electrolyzer units of hydrogen production plants, and a hydrogen production plant comprising such an industrial robotics system.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for assembling and / or disassembling an alkaline electrolyzer unit of a hydrogen production plant, wherein the hydrogen production plant is housed in a building having a controlled indoor environment, the method comprising: - providing an industrial robotics system comprising a controller having robotic functionality and a plurality of robots, each robot comprising a manipulator having a base and a tool movable by the manipulator relative to the base about a plurality of axes; - transporting multiple robots to the site of multiple electrolyzer units; - providing alkaline electrolyzer unit components including at least a plurality of electrolyzer electrodes and a plurality of electrolyzer membranes; - assembling the alkaline electrolyzer units at the electrolyzer unit site by a plurality of robots executing assembly instructions comprised in a controller, wherein assembling comprises, for each assembled alkaline electrolyzer unit, placing, by tools and manipulators of at least one robot, a plurality of electrolyzer electrodes and a plurality of electrolyzer membranes into electrolyzer cells forming a cell stack; and / or - dismantling at least one of the alkaline electrolytic cell units at the electrolytic cell unit site by at least one of a plurality of robots executing dismantling instructions comprised in the controller, wherein the dismantling comprises, for each dismantled alkaline electrolytic cell unit, removing at least one alkaline electrolytic cell unit component by a tool and manipulator of the at least one robot; Equipped with.

[0010] This provides an efficient method for assembling and / or disassembling alkaline electrolyzer units of a hydrogen production plant. Hence, a hydrogen production plant, or at least part of a hydrogen production plant, may be efficiently constructed by robotically assisted assembly of alkaline electrolyzer units. Additionally or alternatively, maintenance or dismantling may be efficiently achieved by robotically assisted disassembly of alkaline electrolyzer units. Thus, there is no need, or at least a reduced need, for manual assembly and / or disassembly of alkaline electrolyzer units. This achieves a reduced need for personnel to be present on-site at the electrolyzer units.

[0011] By providing robot-assisted assembly and / or disassembly of alkaline electrolyzer units of a hydrogen production plant as described above, heavy lifting equipment and bulky transportation facilities can be omitted in the hydrogen production plant. Moreover, because the assembly and / or disassembly of the alkaline electrolyzer units is performed at the hydrogen production plant (i.e., on-site), the alkaline electrolyzer unit components can be transported to the hydrogen production plant instead of an already (off-site) assembled alkaline electrolyzer unit, minimizing cumbersome transportation. This simplifies the configuration of the hydrogen production plant. Moreover, because the alkaline electrolyzer units are assembled and / or disassembled on-site instead of off-site, qualification and testing can be simplified. Moreover, the method of the present invention allows the hydrogen production plant to be scaled up or down based on the desired need for the overall capacity of the hydrogen production plant, using the same industrial robotic system, where the scaling is based at least on the number of alkaline electrolyzer units. The method for assembling and / or disassembling alkaline electrolyzer units of a hydrogen production plant may be referred to as on-site assembling and / or on-site disassembly of alkaline electrolyzer units of a hydrogen production plant.

[0012] Typically, transporting a plurality of robots to a plurality of electrolytic cell unit sites is performed by transporting at least one of the robots to at least one of the electrolytic cell unit sites. Thus, different robots of the industrial robot system are transported to different electrolytic cell unit sites. However, it is not necessary to have one robot per electrolytic cell unit site; instead, a robot can be transported around a building and, once the assembly of an alkaline electrolytic cell unit has been completed by the robot, said robot can be transported to another electrolytic cell unit site to assemble another alkaline electrolytic cell unit.

[0013] According to at least one illustrative embodiment, the building and / or industrial robot system comprises a guidance system for transporting a plurality of robots to the sites of a plurality of electrolyzer units. According to at least one illustrative embodiment, the guidance system is a rail system housed in the building, and the plurality of robots are configured to be transported on the rail system. Accordingly, the plurality of robots are configured to be transported to the sites of a plurality of electrolyzer units on the rail system. For example, the rail system may be integrated into the floor of the building, e.g., by being divided into different rail sections. According to at least one illustrative embodiment, the guidance system is comprised in the industrial robot system by autonomous mobile robot functionality. Accordingly, each of the plurality of robots is an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) configured to move inside the building using positioning information. According to at least one illustrative embodiment, a controller comprises instructions comprising the positioning information for each robot. Accordingly, each robot is commanded to move (autonomously or on the rail system) to a predetermined position, typically corresponding to the site of an electrolyzer unit, to perform assembly and / or disassembly of an alkaline electrolyzer unit.

[0014] It should be noted that an electrolyzer unit site is a site for an alkaline electrolyzer unit or an assembly site of an alkaline electrolyzer unit, and thus the term electrolyzer unit site includes intended electrolyzer unit sites, i.e. sites intended for the assembly of alkaline electrolyzer units, and includes actual electrolyzer unit sites, i.e. sites with assembled alkaline electrolyzer units that may, for example, be at least partially disassembled.

[0015] It will be appreciated that an electrolyzer cell in a cell stack of an alkaline electrolyzer unit typically comprises two electrolyzer electrodes (anode and cathode) separated by an electrolyzer membrane. In use, after assembly of the alkaline electrolyzer unit, a liquid alkaline electrolyte solution is provided to the electrolyzer cell (simply referred to as alkaline electrolyte) to achieve water electrolysis. During operation of the alkaline electrolyzer unit, oxygen gas (and water) is produced at the anode by anions of OH, and hydrogen gas (and anions of OH) is produced at the cathode by supplied electrons. Alkaline electrolyte and / or water may be continuously supplied to the alkaline electrolyzer unit. Anions of OH are transported from the cathode to the anode via the electrolyzer membrane. Each cell stack of an alkaline electrolyzer unit typically comprises a plurality of such electrolyzer cells. Hence, assembly typically comprises arranging a plurality of electrolyzer cells into the cell stack by at least one robotic tool and manipulator for each assembled alkaline electrolyzer unit.

[0016] It should be noted that when referring to multiple robots executing assembly instructions provided in a controller, each of the multiple robots carries out the assembly instructions by at least moving a movable tool and a manipulator in response to such assembly instructions.

[0017] According to at least one illustrative embodiment, the surface area of the electrolyzer electrodes in the electrolyzer cells in the cell stack in the alkaline electrolyzer unit is between 0.5 and 3 m2.

[0018] According to at least one illustrative embodiment, removing at least one alkaline electrolyzer unit component by at least one robotic tool and manipulator during disassembly typically comprises removing an electrolyzer cell from a cell stack and / or removing an electrolyzer electrode or an electrolyzer membrane by at least one robotic tool and manipulator.

[0019] According to at least one example embodiment, the alkaline electrolyzer unit components further include end plates, and assembling further comprises arranging the end plates as a first end plate and a second end plate for each assembled alkaline electrolyzer unit, and the cell stack being disposed between the first end plate and the second end plate.

[0020] This provides mechanical support for the cell stack and alkaline electrolyzer unit. The end plates may be referred to as base plates or load-carrying plates. Hence, the first and second end plates form the main carrier structure for the cell stack of the associated alkaline electrolyzer unit. Typically, the first and second end plates are distinct from any electrolyzer electrodes of the cell stack. For each assembled alkaline electrolyzer unit, assembling may comprise placing a first end plate at the first or intended first cell stack end by at least one robotic tool and manipulator, and placing a second end plate at the second cell stack end by at least one robotic tool and manipulator after arranging the plurality of electrolyzer electrodes and the plurality of electrolyzer membranes into the electrolyzer cells forming the cell stack. According to at least one example embodiment, the alkaline electrolyzer unit components further include intermediate support plates, and assembling further comprises, for each assembled alkaline electrolyzer unit, disposing at least one intermediate support plate between a first end plate and a second end plate, the intermediate support plate containing a cell stack disposed between the first end plate and the second end plate.

[0021] According to at least one illustrative embodiment, the alkaline electrolyzer unit components further include connecting rods, and assembling further comprises positioning at least one connecting rod for each assembled alkaline electrolyzer unit to extend from the first end plate to the second end plate to compress the electrolyzer cells in the cell stack.

[0022] This provides further mechanical support for the cell stack and alkaline electrolyzer unit. The connecting rods may be attached to each of the first and second end plates by, for example, nuts or threaded nuts. For each assembled alkaline electrolyzer unit, assembling may comprise positioning, by at least one robotic tool and manipulator, at least one connecting rod to extend from the first end plate to the second end plate.

[0023] According to at least one example embodiment, the alkaline electrolyzer unit components further include piping, and assembling further comprises arranging, for each assembled alkaline electrolyzer unit, piping for transporting gases produced from the electrolyzer cells of the cell stack.

[0024] This provides an efficient way of arranging piping. Hence, piping is assembled in fluid contact with the cell stack of each alkaline electrolyzer unit and configured to transport gas produced from the electrolyzer cells. For example, at least two alkaline electrolyzer units may be configured to provide produced gas to the same piping. The piping may comprise a first piping system for handling produced hydrogen gas and a second piping system for handling produced oxygen gas, the second piping system being separate and distinct from the first piping system. According to at least one illustrative embodiment, the piping is further configured to transport alkaline electrolyte (or its corresponding solution) and / or water to and from the associated alkaline electrolyzer unit(s). Hence, the piping may comprise a third piping system for handling alkaline electrolyte and / or water. Typically, the alkaline electrolyte and / or water are recirculated out of and into the cell stack(s). For each assembled alkaline electrolyzer unit, assembly may comprise arranging, by at least one robotic tool and manipulator, piping to extend from the cell stack for transporting gases produced from the electrolyzer cells. The piping typically includes appropriate valves and pumps. Hence, assembly may further comprise installing and / or operating such valves and pumps.

[0025] According to at least one illustrative embodiment, the alkaline electrolyzer unit components further include electrical wiring, and assembling further comprises arranging, for each assembled alkaline electrolyzer unit, electrical wiring for supplying electricity or electrons to at least a portion of the alkaline electrolyzer unit. The alkaline electrolyzer unit components may further include circuit breakers, disconnectors, and grounding devices.

[0026] According to at least one example embodiment, the method further comprises providing a plurality of electrolyzer unit sites in a plurality of rows, two adjacent rows being separated by a row space.

[0027] This allows the row space to be kept to a minimum, since only robots configured to operate on alkaline electrolyzer units need to fit between two adjacent rows. For example, the row space is the same as the width of an alkaline electrolyzer unit. According to at least one illustrative embodiment, the row space is less than twice the width of an alkaline electrolyzer unit. The width of an alkaline electrolyzer unit is typically defined as the distance in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the central axis of the alkaline electrolyzer unit. According to at least one illustrative embodiment, the row space is between 1 m and 5 m, e.g., between 1.5 m and 3 m. For example, an illustrative robot of the present invention, the IRB660 robot from ABB, with a processing capacity of 250 kg, requires a row space of approximately 1.5 m to be able to operate on alkaline electrolyzer units in two adjacent rows. According to at least one illustrative embodiment, the row space is adapted so that a robot operating between two adjacent rows can operate (assemble and / or disassemble) alkaline electrolyzer units in both of the two adjacent rows. Typically, this can be done without changing the position of the robot. In embodiments where the guidance system is a rail system, two adjacent rows are typically separated by a rail section of the rail system, such that multiple robots can move along the rail section between two adjacent rows and also move along another rail section separating two other adjacent rows.

[0028] According to one illustrative embodiment, a first robot is positioned between the first row and the second row, and the assembling comprises assembling, by the first robot, a first alkaline electrolytic cell unit in the first row and a second alkaline electrolytic cell unit in the second row.

[0029] That is, a first robot is configured to assemble at least a first alkaline electrolytic cell unit in a first row and at least a second alkaline electrolytic cell unit in a second row, the first row and the second row being adjacent rows, that is, the robot can simply rotate, typically by 180°, between a first position where the robot operates on a first alkaline electrolytic cell unit in the first row, and a second position where the robot operates on a second alkaline electrolytic cell unit in the second row.

[0030] According to at least one illustrative embodiment, the assembling comprises, for each robot, moving a manipulator to a local storage location for alkaline electrolytic cell unit components, picking up the alkaline electrolytic cell unit component using a tool, moving the manipulator with the tool holding the picked-up alkaline electrolytic cell unit component to an installation location on site for the associated electrolytic cell unit, and assembling the alkaline electrolytic cell unit component for the associated alkaline electrolytic cell unit.

[0031] This provides an efficient method of assembling a particular alkaline electrolytic cell unit at the site of the associated electrolytic cell unit by using at least one robot, for example for a first alkaline electrolytic cell unit the local storage location is a first local storage location for at least alkaline electrolytic cell unit components of the first alkaline electrolytic cell unit.

[0032] According to at least one illustrative embodiment, disassembling comprises, for each robot, moving a manipulator to an associated alkaline electrolytic cell unit, picking up an alkaline electrolytic cell unit component using a tool, moving the manipulator with the tool holding the picked-up alkaline electrolytic cell unit component to a local storage location for the alkaline electrolytic cell unit component, and releasing the alkaline electrolytic cell unit component at the local storage location for the alkaline electrolytic cell unit component.

[0033] This provides an efficient method for dismantling a particular alkaline electrolytic cell unit at the site of the associated electrolytic cell unit by using at least one robot. Dismantling may, for example, be provided during the action of performing maintenance on the particular alkaline electrolytic cell unit. For example, in the case of a second alkaline electrolytic cell unit, the local storage location of the (removed or dismantled) alkaline electrolytic cell unit components from the second alkaline electrolytic cell unit may be the same as or different from the first local storage location described above.

[0034] According to at least one illustrative embodiment, the method further comprises providing a gas sensor configured to detect any leaking gas from the alkaline electrolyzer unit.

[0035] This provides an efficient means for detecting leaking gas. The gas sensor is typically configured to detect hydrogen gas and / or oxygen gas. The gas sensor may be provided, for example, in at least one robot of an industrial robot system. Preferably, each robot of the industrial robot system is provided with such a gas sensor.

[0036] According to at least one illustrative embodiment, the method comprises: operating, by a controller, a first robot of a plurality of robots having primary robotic functionality, where the primary robotic functionality includes controlling movement of a manipulator; operating, by the controller, a second robot of the plurality of robots having primary robotic functionality, such that the first robot and the second robot are operated by cooperative movements of the first manipulator and the second manipulator to cooperatively perform assembly and / or disassembly of a particular alkaline electrolyzer unit; Further provided with:

[0037] This allows at least two robots to cooperate in assembling and / or disassembling a particular alkaline electrolyzer unit, thereby forming an industrial robot system into a multi-robot motion system.

[0038] According to at least one illustrative embodiment, the method comprises: - operating the first robot and the second robot by synchronized movements of the first manipulator and the second manipulator; Further provided with:

[0039] This allows at least two robots to work together in synchronized movements for the assembly and / or disassembly of a particular alkaline electrolyzer unit.

[0040] It should be understood that the controller of the industrial robotic system may comprise a primary controller for each of the robots. Each primary controller may, for example, be integrated into its corresponding robot. The controller may further comprise secondary controllers, such as a cell controller or a system controller. Preferably, at least the primary robotic functions, such as control of manipulator movements, are included in the primary controller. Any other possible functions and / or processes of the robots (e.g., processes that cooperatively perform, for example, assembly and / or disassembly through synchronized movements) may preferably be allocated to secondary controllers. The controller(s) (primary and / or secondary) typically comprise process software and hardware resources for implementing the robotic functions. The process software and hardware resources may, for example, be embodied by computers and logic units in the controller(s).

[0041] According to at least one illustrative embodiment, the method further comprises transporting alkaline electrolyzer unit components to or from the multiple electrolyzer unit site.

[0042] This provides an efficient way of providing alkaline electrolyzer unit components on-site for multiple electrolyzer units, for example the alkaline electrolyzer unit components are transported to and / or from a local storage location as previously described, for example the alkaline electrolyzer unit components are transported on a rail system, for example by multiple robots.

[0043] According to at least one example embodiment, the controlled indoor environment is an area classified according to IEC / EN60079-10, IEC60079-10-1, IEC60079-10-2, or IECEx.

[0044] That is, the controlled indoor environment may be dangerous or even hazardous to personnel. Typically, hydrogen gas and the risk of any leakage is the main concern. However, very high DC currents that create high magnetic fields should also be considered. For example, the controlled indoor environment may be classified as a hazardous area Zone 1 or Zone 21 ATEX, IECEx.

[0045] According to at least one illustrative embodiment, the robots are classified to operate in a classified area, for example by being explosion protected for installation in hazardous area Zone 1 or Zone 21 ATEX, IECEx Ex i / Ex p / Ex c.

[0046] According to at least one illustrative embodiment, the controlled indoor environment is a cleanroom. A cleanroom is an engineered space that maintains very low concentrations of airborne particles. Typically, cleanrooms are well isolated from contamination, well controlled, and actively cleaned. A cleanroom may be configured to retain, for example, dust, airborne organisms, and / or vaporized particles at reduced levels compared to the surroundings (e.g., compared to outside the cleanroom).

[0047] The cleanroom may be configured to achieve a cleanliness level quantified by, for example, the number of particles per cubic meter on a predetermined molecular scale. For example, the cleanroom may have a cleanliness level corresponding to Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, Level 5, Level 6, Level 7, or Level 8 of ISO 14644-1. For example, the number of particles per cubic meter on a predetermined molecular scale may correspond to less than 3,520,000 particles over 0.5 μm, or less than 352,000 particles over 0.5 μm, or less than 35,200 particles over 0.5 μm, or less than 3,520 particles over 0.5 μm, or less than 352 particles over 0.5 μm, or less than 35 particles over 0.5 μm.

[0048] According to at least one illustrative embodiment, dismantling of at least one of the alkaline electrolyzer units at the electrolyzer unit site by at least one of the plurality of robots is performed while the plurality of other alkaline electrolyzer units are operating in the hydrogen production plant, so that, for example, dismantling for maintenance can be performed while the hydrogen production plant is in operation.

[0049] According to at least one illustrative embodiment, at least one of the alkaline electrolytic cell unit components comprises a load-bearing surface, and assembling further comprises, for at least one sub-portion of the assembled alkaline electrolytic cell unit, positioning the load-bearing surface between the bottom alkaline electrolytic cell unit and the top alkaline electrolytic cell unit such that the top alkaline electrolytic cell unit is positioned vertically above the bottom alkaline electrolytic cell unit and is supported by the load-bearing surface.

[0050] This results in a more efficient use of the surface area for the installation of the alkaline electrolyzer unit. In other words, by using the same amount of surface area for the installation of the alkaline electrolyzer unit, the capacity of the hydrogen production plant is increased. Hence, this embodiment increases the capacity of the alkaline electrolyzer unit per surface area. Capacity may be defined, for example, as hydrogen production capacity.

[0051] When it is stated that the top alkaline electrolyzer unit is positioned vertically above the bottom alkaline electrolyzer unit and supported by a load-bearing surface, it should be understood that the top alkaline electrolyzer unit is positioned on top of the bottom alkaline electrolyzer unit, with the load-bearing surface being located between the bottom alkaline electrolyzer unit and the top alkaline electrolyzer unit. Hence, a sub-portion of assembled alkaline electrolyzer units may comprise alkaline electrolyzer units positioned on ground, i.e., a plurality of bottom alkaline electrolyzer units. Each bottom alkaline electrolyzer unit may thus have a top alkaline electrolyzer unit positioned on top of the corresponding bottom alkaline electrolyzer unit, with the load-bearing surface being located between the bottom alkaline electrolyzer unit and the top alkaline electrolyzer unit.

[0052] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an industrial robotic system for assembling and / or disassembling an alkaline electrolyzer unit of a hydrogen production plant, the alkaline electrolyzer unit comprising alkaline electrolyzer unit components including at least a plurality of electrolyzer electrodes and a plurality of electrolyzer membranes, the hydrogen production plant being housed in a building having a controlled indoor environment. The industrial robotic system comprises: a controller having robotic functions; a plurality of robots, each robot comprising a manipulator having a base and a tool movable by the manipulator relative to the base about a plurality of axes, the plurality of robots being configured to be transported to the site of a plurality of electrolyzer units; wherein the plurality of robots are configured to assemble alkaline electrolytic cell units at the electrolytic cell unit site by executing assembly instructions provided in the controller, so that for each assembled alkaline electrolytic cell unit, the plurality of electrolytic cell electrodes and the plurality of electrolytic cell membranes are arranged into electrolytic cell cells forming a cell stack by using tools and manipulators of the at least one robot; and / or The plurality of robots are configured to disassemble alkaline electrolytic cell units at the site of the electrolytic cell units by means of tools and manipulators by executing disassembly instructions provided in the controller, such that for each disassembled alkaline electrolytic cell unit, at least one alkaline electrolytic cell unit component is removed by using the tools and manipulators of the at least one robot.

[0053] The advantages and features of the second aspect of the invention are largely similar to those described above in relation to the first aspect of the invention, at least with respect to industrial robotic systems. The embodiments mentioned in relation to the first aspect of the invention are largely compatible with the second aspect of the invention, some of which are exemplified below.

[0054] Thus, according to at least one illustrative embodiment, the robots are classified to operate in disassembled areas, for example by being explosion protected Ex i / Ex p / Ex c for installation in hazardous areas Zone 1 or Zone 21 ATEX, IECEx.

[0055] According to a third aspect of the inventive concept, there is provided a hydrogen production plant comprising a building having a controlled indoor environment and an industrial robot system according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0056] The advantages and features of the third aspect of the invention are largely similar to those described above in relation to the first and second aspects of the invention, at least in relation to industrial robotic systems. The embodiments mentioned in relation to the first and second aspects of the invention are largely compatible with the third aspect of the invention, some of which are exemplified below.

[0057] In particular, according to at least one illustrative embodiment, the controlled indoor environment is an area classified by IEC / EN 60079-10, IEC 60079-10-1, IEC 60079-10-2, or IECEx. That is, the controlled indoor environment may be dangerous or even hazardous to personnel. Typically, hydrogen gas and the risk of any leakage thereof are the primary concern. For example, the controlled indoor environment is classified as a hazardous area Zone 1 or Zone 21 ATEX, IECEx.

[0058] In particular, according to at least one illustrative embodiment, the controlled indoor environment is a clean room, and thus the hydrogen production plant may be configured to provide an indoor environment as a clean room as described with reference to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0059] According to at least one illustrative embodiment applicable to both the second and third aspects of the present invention, a building and / or industrial robot system comprises a guidance system for transporting a plurality of robots to the sites of a plurality of electrolyzer units. According to at least one illustrative embodiment, the guidance system is a rail system housed in the building, and the plurality of robots are configured to be transported on the rail system. Thus, the plurality of robots are configured to be transported to the sites of a plurality of electrolyzer units on the rail system. For example, the rail system is integrated into the floor of the building, for example by being divided into different rail sections. According to at least one illustrative embodiment, the guidance system is provided in the industrial robot system with autonomous mobile robot functionality. Thus, each of the plurality of robots is an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) configured to move inside the building using positioning information.

[0060] For example, a single alkaline electrolyzer unit may have a capacity to serve a power demand of several MW and may typically require an energy input of 4-5 kWh per Nm3 H2 (normal cubic meter) produced. For example, a hydrogen production plant may comprise 50-150 alkaline electrolyzer units to serve a power demand of 1 GW.

[0061] Any standards or qualifications referred to in this application should be based on the instructions in effect on the priority date of this application. Further advantages and features of the present invention will be disclosed and discussed in the following description and accompanying drawings.

[0062] These and other aspects of the inventive concepts will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show illustrative embodiments of the inventive concepts. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0063] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an alkaline electrolyzer unit used in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electrolyzer cell used in an alkaline electrolyzer unit, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1A-1C are schematic illustrations of robots operating on first and second alkaline electrolyzer units, in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1A and 1B schematically illustrate a top view of a hydrogen production plant and an industrial robotics system of such a hydrogen production plant, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a flowchart illustrating method steps for assembling and / or disassembling an alkaline electrolyzer unit of a hydrogen production plant, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0064] In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth, such as particular components, interfaces, techniques, etc., in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known units, devices or systems, electrolyzer cells, and methods are omitted so as not to obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail.

[0065] Figure 1 shows schematically an alkaline electrolyzer unit 101 for producing hydrogen gas. The alkaline electrolyzer unit 101 may be used as any or all of the alkaline electrolyzer units described below.

[0066] The alkaline electrolyzer unit 101 comprises a first end plate 103, a second end plate 105 and a cell stack 107 arranged between the first end plate 103 and the second end plate 105. The cell stack 107 is formed from a plurality of electrolyzer cells 109, only three of which are shown schematically in Figure 1. However, the cell stack 107 will typically comprise many more electrolyzer cells, for example between 50 and 700 electrolyzer cells, typically between 150 and 500 electrolyzer cells. A typical electrolyzer cell is described below with reference to Figure 2. The alkaline electrolyzer unit 101 further comprises two connecting rods 111a, 111b arranged to extend from the first end plate 103 to the second end plate 105 for compressing the electrolyzer cells 109 in the cell stack 107. 1 are shown partially in dashed lines as they extend through the cell stack 107. The connecting rods 111a, 111b may be attached to each of the first and second end plates 103, 105 by, for example, nuts or threaded nuts (not shown).

[0067] The cell stack 107 of the alkaline electrolyzer unit 101 of Figure 1 is connected to piping 113 for transporting gas produced from the cell stack 107 and / or for transporting alkaline electrolyte and / or water to and / or from the cell stack 107.

[0068] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an electrolyzer cell 209. The electrolyzer cell 209 of FIG. 2 can be used for each of the plurality of electrolyzer cells 109 of the cell stack 107 of FIG. 1. The electrolyzer cell 209 comprises a first electrolyzer electrode 201, which is an anode 201, and a second electrolyzer electrode 203, which is a cathode 203. The anode 201 and the cathode 203 are separated by an electrolyzer membrane 205. The anode 201 and the cathode 203 operate in a liquid alkaline electrolyte solution 207, hereinafter simply referred to as alkaline electrolyte 207, to achieve water electrolysis. In use, as shown in FIG. 2, OH anions produce oxygen gas and water at the anode 201, and supplied electrons produce hydrogen gas and OH anions at the cathode 203. Electrons are transferred from the anode side to the cathode side by an electron transfer bridge 211. The anions of OH are transported from the cathode 203 through the electrolyzer membrane 205 to the anode 201. The cell stack 107 of the alkaline electrolyzer unit 101 of Figure 1 typically comprises a plurality of such electrolyzer cells 209.

[0069] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a robot 10 configured to assemble and disassemble alkaline electrolytic cell units 101a, 101b at the respective electrolytic cell unit sites 20a, 20b. The alkaline electrolytic cell units 101a, 101b are only illustrated schematically in Figure 3, but each typically corresponds to the alkaline electrolytic cell unit 101 of Figure 1. As such, each alkaline electrolytic cell unit 101a, 101b comprises first and second end plates, a cell stack disposed between the first and second end plates, and at least one connecting rod. Furthermore, each alkaline electrolytic cell unit 101a, 101b is typically connected to piping, as described with reference to Figure 1. Furthermore, the robot 10 may comprise a gas sensor 19 configured to detect any gas leakage from the alkaline electrolytic cell units 101a, 101b. The robot 10 of Figure 3 is typically used in an industrial robot system, as described with reference to Figure 4.

[0070] The robot 10 comprises a manipulator 12 having a base 14 and a tool 16 movable by the manipulator 12 relative to the base 14 about multiple axes. The robot 10 is configured to be transported to electrolyzer unit sites 20a, 20b on a rail system 30 (described in more detail with reference to FIG. 4). The robot 10 of FIG. 3 is operated by executing instructions provided in a controller 18. In FIG. 3, the controller 18 is integrated into the base 14 of the robot 10, but it may also be located external to the robot 10. The robot 10 may be, for example, an IRB660 robot from ABB, or an adapted version thereof.

[0071] More particularly, the controller 18 is configured to perform at least primary control of the robot 10, in particular control of the movements of the manipulator 12 and the tool 16, and processing related to these activities. However, in addition to the controller 18, the robot 10 may be operated by one or more further controller entities referred to as secondary controllers (e.g., robot cell controllers and / or edge / line controllers).

[0072] The robot 10 is configured to assemble a first alkaline electrolyzer unit 101a at the first electrolyzer unit site 20a by using the tools 16 and manipulators 12 of the robot 10 to execute assembly instructions provided in the controller 18 such that a plurality of electrolyzer electrodes (shown in Figure 2) and a plurality of electrolyzer membranes (shown in Figure 2) are arranged into electrolyzer cells forming a cell stack (shown in Figure 1).

[0073] The robot 10 is also configured to disassemble the second alkaline electrolytic cell unit 101b at the second electrolytic cell unit site 20b by means of the tools 16 and the manipulator 12, by executing disassembly instructions provided in the controller 18, so that at least one alkaline electrolytic cell unit component 201a is removed from the second alkaline electrolytic cell unit 101b by using the tools 16 and the manipulator 12. In the illustrative embodiment of Figure 3, the robot 10 moves an alkaline electrolytic cell unit component 201a, for example an electrolyzer electrode 201a, from the second alkaline electrolytic cell unit 101b to a local storage location 21a. During such disassembly of the second alkaline electrolytic cell unit 101b, the first alkaline electrolytic cell unit 101a may be operating to produce hydrogen gas.

[0074] Figure 4 is a schematic top view of an industrial robotic system 300 for assembling and / or disassembling alkaline electrolyzer units 401 of a hydrogen production plant 500. Each of the alkaline electrolyzer units 401 may be the same as the alkaline electrolyzer units 101 of Figure 1. Accordingly, each of the alkaline electrolyzer units 401 comprises alkaline electrolyzer unit components including at least a plurality of electrolyzer electrodes and a plurality of electrolyzer membranes forming electrolyzer cells in a cell stack, the cell stack being arranged between the first and second end plates and at least one connecting rod. Furthermore, each of the alkaline electrolyzer units 401 is typically connected to piping as described with reference to Figure 1.

[0075] The hydrogen production plant 500 is housed in a building 510 with a controlled indoor environment. Due to the risk of gas leakage from the alkaline electrolyzer unit 401, the controlled indoor environment may be an area classified by IEC / EN 60079-10, IEC 60079-10-1, IEC 60079-10-2, or IECEx. The hydrogen production plant 500 further includes a rail system 530, for example, corresponding to the rail system 30 in FIG. 3 , although other guide systems for the industrial robot system 300 are contemplated. The industrial robot system 300 includes multiple robots 310, each corresponding to the robot 10 in FIG. 3 . That is, each robot may include a manipulator having a base and a tool movable by the manipulator relative to the base about multiple axes (not separately shown in FIG. 4 ). The multiple robots 310 are operated by executing instructions stored in a controller, which may be integrated into the base of each robot 310. The plurality of robots 310 are configured to be transported to the plurality of electrolyzer unit sites 520 on a rail system 530. Some of the alkaline electrolyzer units 401, the plurality of robots 310, and the electrolyzer unit sites 520 are referred to separately by using suffixes such as "a", "b", "c", etc.

[0076] Corresponding to the illustrated configuration of the robot 10 in Figure 3, the plurality of robots 310 are configured to assemble alkaline electrolytic cell units 401 at the electrolytic cell unit site 520 by executing assembly instructions provided in the controller. Hence, for each assembled alkaline electrolytic cell unit 401, the plurality of electrolytic cell electrodes and the plurality of electrolytic cell membranes are arranged into electrolytic cell cells forming a cell stack by using the tools and manipulators of at least one robot 310. Furthermore, the plurality of robots 310 are configured to disassemble the alkaline electrolytic cell unit 401 by executing disassembly instructions provided in the controller by means of the tools and manipulators of the robots 310.

[0077] For example, as shown in Figure 4, a first alkaline electrolytic cell unit 401a at a first electrolytic cell unit site 520a has been disassembled by a first robot 310a, for example for maintenance. From this, for the disassembled alkaline electrolytic cell unit 401a, at least one alkaline electrolytic cell unit component 402a has been removed from the first alkaline electrolytic cell unit 401a by using tools and manipulators generally indicated by reference numeral 311a of the first robot 310a. As shown in Figure 4, a plurality of other alkaline electrolytic cell units 401b, 401c, 401d, 401e are in the process of being assembled by the robot 310a, while another plurality of alkaline electrolytic cell units 401 (not separately shown) have already been assembled. At one electrolytic cell unit site 520x, the alkaline electrolytic cell units have not yet been assembled. From this, this is the intended electrolytic cell unit site.

[0078] The invention will now be described with reference to the flowchart of Figure 5, and in part with further reference to at least the industrial robot system 300 and the hydrogen production plant 500 of Figure 4. The flowchart illustrates generally the steps of a method for assembling and / or disassembling alkaline electrolyzer units of a hydrogen production plant such as the hydrogen production plant 500 of Figure 4. To this end, the hydrogen production plant is housed in a building with a controlled indoor environment and is provided with a guidance system, for example a rail system.

[0079] In step S101, an industrial robot system is provided that includes a controller having robotic functions and a plurality of robots. Each robot in the plurality of robots includes a manipulator having a base and a tool movable by the manipulator relative to the base about a plurality of axes. Thus, the industrial robot system may be the same as the industrial robot system 300 described with reference to FIG. 4, and each robot in the industrial robot system 300 may be the robot 10 described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0080] In step S103, multiple robots are transported to the sites of multiple electrolyzer units. The robots are typically transported by a guide system, for example, a rail system such as rail system 30 of FIG. 4, or rather rail system 530 of FIG. 4.

[0081] In step S105, alkaline electrolyzer unit components are provided, including at least a plurality of electrolyzer electrodes and a plurality of electrolyzer membranes. As described with reference to the alkaline electrolyzer unit 101 in Figure 1, the alkaline electrolyzer unit components also typically include first and second end plates and connecting rods. Furthermore, since each alkaline electrolyzer unit is typically connected to piping, the alkaline electrolyzer unit components may further include piping. In step S106, the alkaline electrolyzer unit components are transported to or from the site of the multiple electrolyzer units, for example on a rail system.

[0082] In step S107, the alkaline electrolyzer units are assembled at the electrolyzer unit site by a plurality of robots executing assembly instructions provided in a controller, and assembly comprises, for each assembled alkaline electrolyzer unit, S107a, by at least one robotic tool and manipulator, placing a plurality of electrolyzer electrodes and a plurality of electrolyzer membranes into electrolyzer cells forming a cell stack, for example as described with reference to Figure 4.

[0083] Since the alkaline electrolyzer unit components may include end plates as previously described, step S107 may comprise, for each assembled alkaline electrolyzer unit, arranging the end plates as a first end plate and a second end plate, S107b, with the cell stack being disposed between the first end plate and the second end plate.

[0084] Accordingly, since the alkaline electrolyzer unit components may include connecting rods as previously described, step S107 may comprise, for each assembled alkaline electrolyzer unit, arranging S107c at least one connecting rod to extend from the first end plate to the second end plate to compress the electrolyzer cells in the cell stack.

[0085] Accordingly, since the alkaline electrolyzer unit components may include piping as previously described, step S107 may comprise, for each assembled alkaline electrolyzer unit, arranging S107d piping for transporting gas produced from the electrolyzer cells of the cell stack.

[0086] Typically, a guidance system such as a rail system is arranged so that a plurality of robots are transported S103 to a plurality of electrolytic cell unit sites in a plurality of rows. Two adjacent rows are typically separated by a rail section of the rail system. From this, step S107 of assembling alkaline electrolytic cell units at the electrolytic cell unit sites by the plurality of robots can be performed to achieve a corresponding row of alkaline electrolytic cell units. Returning momentarily to Figure 4, this is shown as a first row 521 of electrolytic cell unit sites 520 being separated from a second row 522 of electrolytic cell unit sites 520 by a first rail section 531, which in turn is separated from a third row 523 of electrolytic cell unit sites 520 by a second rail section 532, which in turn is separated from a fourth row 524 of electrolytic cell unit sites 520 by a third rail section 533. Preferably, the row spacing is small enough that a robot 310, for example a second robot 310b positioned on a first rail portion 531 between two adjacent rows 521, 522, can operate on the alkaline electrolyzer units 401b, 401c in both rows 521, 522 while remaining in the same position relative to the rail portion 531. Thereby, the assembling step S107 may comprise assembling an alkaline electrolyzer unit 401c in the first row 521 and assembling an alkaline electrolyzer unit 401b in the second row 522 by at least one robot 310b.

[0087] In step S109, which may be performed prior to, simultaneously with, subsequent to, or instead of step S107, at least one of the alkaline electrolytic cell units is disassembled at the electrolytic cell unit site by at least one of a plurality of robots executing disassembly instructions provided in a controller, with disassembly comprising, for each disassembled alkaline electrolytic cell unit, removing at least one alkaline electrolytic cell unit component by tools and manipulators of at least one robot, e.g., as described with reference to Figure 4.

[0088] The assembling step S107 may further comprise, for each robot, moving a manipulator to a local storage location for alkaline electrolytic cell unit components, picking up the alkaline electrolytic cell unit component using a tool, moving the manipulator with the tool holding the picked-up alkaline electrolytic cell unit component to an installation location on site for the associated electrolytic cell unit, and assembling the alkaline electrolytic cell unit component for the associated alkaline electrolytic cell unit.

[0089] Accordingly, the disassembling step S109 may comprise, for each robot, moving a manipulator to an associated alkaline electrolytic cell unit, picking up an alkaline electrolytic cell unit component using a tool, moving the manipulator with the tool holding the picked-up alkaline electrolytic cell unit component to a local storage location for the alkaline electrolytic cell unit component, and releasing the alkaline electrolytic cell unit component at the local storage location for the alkaline electrolytic cell unit component. This is shown, for example, in Figure 3, where the robot 10 moves alkaline electrolytic cell unit component 201a to local storage location 21a.

[0090] In step S111, a gas sensor configured to detect any leaking gas from the alkaline electrolyzer unit is provided. The gas sensor may be provided, for example, on a plurality of robots, for example, as shown in FIG.

[0091] During the assembling step S107 and / or the disassembling step S109, at least two robots may be operated S110 by cooperative action to cooperatively perform the assembly S107 and / or disassembly S109 of a particular alkaline electrolytic cell unit. More specifically, step S107 and / or step S109 may comprise operating S110a, by the controller, a first robot of a plurality of robots having primary robotic functionality, and operating S110b, by the controller, a second robot of the plurality of robots having primary robotic functionality, where the primary robotic functionality includes control of manipulator movement, such that the first robot and the second robot are operated by cooperative movement of the first manipulator and the second manipulator to cooperatively perform the assembly and / or disassembly of a particular alkaline electrolytic cell unit. The two robot operating steps S110a, S110b may be performed to achieve synchronized movement of the first manipulator and the second manipulator, according to one illustrative embodiment.

[0092] The disassembling step S109 may be performed while a number of other alkaline electrolyzer units are operating in the hydrogen production plant. Thus, for example, disassembly for maintenance S109 may be performed while the hydrogen production plant is in operation. Prior to such disassembly step S109, the particular alkaline electrolyzer unit to be disassembled may be prepared for disassembly and / or maintenance. For example, the method may comprise performing necessary actions such as opening and closing valves, opening electrical circuits, and applying necessary grounding devices to the electrical system in a way that allows the other alkaline electrolyzer units to continue operating.

[0093] While the present invention has been described in connection with what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but rather is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements. For example, the guidance system has been described in the detailed description primarily as a rail system housed within a building. However, the guidance system may comprise other means for transporting multiple robots within a building, e.g., via an autonomous mobile robot function as previously mentioned. Accordingly, each of the multiple robots may be an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) configured to navigate inside the building using positioning information. Additionally, variations on the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in implementing the claimed inventive concept, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. The inventions described in the original claims of this application are set forth below. [1] A method for assembling and / or disassembling alkaline electrolyzer units (101, 101a, 101b, 401, 401a, 401b, 401c, 401d, 401e) of a hydrogen production plant (500), the hydrogen production plant being housed in a building (510) having a controlled indoor environment, the method comprising: providing an industrial robot system (300) (S101) comprising a controller (18) having robotic functionality and a plurality of robots (10, 310, 310a, 310b), each robot comprising a manipulator (12) having a base (14) and a tool (16) movable by the manipulator relative to the base about a plurality of axes; - transporting (S103) a plurality of said robots to the sites (20a, 20b, 520, 520a, 520x) of a plurality of electrolyzer units; providing (S105) alkaline electrolysis cell unit components (103, 105, 111a, 111b, 113, 201a, 201, 203, 205) including at least a plurality of electrolysis cell electrodes (201a, 201, 203) and a plurality of electrolysis cell membranes (205); - assembling the alkaline electrolytic cell units at the electrolytic cell unit site by a plurality of the robots executing assembly instructions provided in the controller (S107), wherein assembling comprises, for each assembled alkaline electrolytic cell unit, arranging by the tool or manipulator of at least one robot a plurality of the electrolytic cell electrodes and a plurality of the electrolytic cell membranes into electrolytic cell cells (109, 209) forming a cell stack (107); and / or dismantling at least one of the alkaline electrolytic cell units at the electrolytic cell unit site by at least one of the plurality of robots executing dismantling instructions provided in the controller (S109), wherein dismantling comprises, for each dismantled alkaline electrolytic cell unit, removing at least one alkaline electrolytic cell unit component (201 a) by the tool and manipulator of at least one robot; A method comprising: [2] The method according to [1], wherein the alkaline electrolytic cell unit components (103, 105, 111a, 111b, 113, 201a, 201, 203, 205) further comprise end plates (103, 105), and the assembling further comprises arranging the end plates as a first end plate (103) and a second end plate (105) for each assembled alkaline electrolytic cell unit, and disposing the cell stack (107) between the first end plate and the second end plate (S107b). [3] The method according to [2], wherein the alkaline electrolyzer unit components (103, 105, 111a, 111b, 113, 201a, 201, 203, 205) further comprise connecting rods (111a, 111b), and the assembling further comprises: for each assembled alkaline electrolyzer unit, arranging (S107c) at least one connecting rod extending from the first end plate (103) to the second end plate (105) to compress the electrolyzer cells (109) in the cell stack (107). [4] The method according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the alkaline electrolytic cell unit components (103, 105, 111a, 111b, 113, 201a, 201, 203, 205) further comprise piping (113), and the assembling step further comprises arranging (S107b) the piping for transporting gas produced from the electrolytic cell cells (109) of the cell stack (107) for each assembled alkaline electrolytic cell unit. [5] The method according to any one of [1] to [4], further comprising arranging the plurality of electrolytic cell unit sites (520) in a plurality of rows (521, 522, 523, 524), wherein two adjacent rows are separated by a row space. [6] The method of [5], wherein a first robot (310b) is positioned between a first row (521) and a second row (522), and the assembling comprises assembling, by the first robot, a first alkaline electrolytic cell unit (401c) in the first row and a second alkaline electrolytic cell unit (401b) in the second row. [7] The method according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein assembling comprises, for each robot, moving the manipulator (12) to a local storage location (21a) for the alkaline electrolytic cell unit components, picking up an alkaline electrolytic cell unit component using the tool (16), moving the manipulator with the tool holding the picked-up alkaline electrolytic cell unit component to an installation location at the site (20a) of the associated electrolytic cell unit, and assembling the alkaline electrolytic cell unit component for the associated alkaline electrolytic cell unit (101a). [8] The method according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein disassembling comprises, for each robot, moving the manipulator (12) to the associated alkaline electrolytic cell unit (101b), picking up an alkaline electrolytic cell unit component (201a) using the tool (16), moving the manipulator with the tool holding the picked-up alkaline electrolytic cell unit component to a local storage position (21a) for the alkaline electrolytic cell unit component, and releasing the alkaline electrolytic cell unit component at the local storage position for the alkaline electrolytic cell unit component. [9] The method according to any one of [1] to [8], further comprising providing (S111) a gas sensor (19) configured to detect any leaking gas from the alkaline electrolytic cell unit (101, 101a, 101b, 401, 401a, 401b, 401c, 401d).

[10] - operating (S110a) a first robot of the plurality of robots (10, 310, 310a, 310b) having a primary robotic function by the controller (18), wherein the primary robotic function includes controlling the movement of a manipulator; - operating (S110b) a second robot of the plurality of robots (10, 310, 310a, 310b) having the primary robot functionality by the controller such that the first robot and the second robot are operated by cooperative movements of first and second manipulators to cooperatively perform assembly and / or disassembly of a particular alkaline electrolysis bath unit (101, 101a, 101b, 401, 401a, 401b, 401c, 401d). The method according to any one of [1] to [9], further comprising:

[11] - Operating the first and second robots by synchronized movements of the first and second manipulators (S110a, S110b). The method according to

[10] , further comprising:

[12] The method according to any one of [1] to

[11] , further comprising transporting (S106) the alkaline electrolyzer unit components (103, 105, 111a, 111b, 113, 201a, 201, 203, 205) to or from a plurality of the electrolyzer unit sites (20a, 20b, 520, 520a, 520x).

[13] The method according to any one of [1] to

[12] , wherein the controlled indoor environment is an area classified by IEC / EN60079-10, IEC60079-10-1, IEC60079-10-2, or IECEx.

[14] A hydrogen production plant (500) comprising a building (510) having a controlled indoor environment, the hydrogen production plant further comprising an industrial robotics system (300) for assembling and / or disassembling alkaline electrolyzer units (101, 101a, 101b, 401, 401a, 401b, 401c, 401d) of the hydrogen production plant (500), the alkaline electrolyzer units comprising alkaline electrolyzer unit components (103, 105, 111a, 111b, 113, 201a, 201, 203, 205) including at least a plurality of electrolyzer electrodes (201, 203) and a plurality of electrolyzer membranes (205), the industrial robotics system a controller (18) with robotic functions; a plurality of robots (10, 310, 310a, 310b), each robot comprising a manipulator (12) having a base (14) and a tool (16) movable by the manipulator relative to the base about a plurality of axes, the plurality of robots being configured to be transported to a plurality of electrolytic cell unit sites (20a, 20b, 520, 520a, 520x); wherein the robots are configured to assemble the alkaline electrolytic cell units at the electrolytic cell unit site by executing assembly instructions provided in the controller, so that for each assembled alkaline electrolytic cell unit, the electrolytic cell electrodes and the electrolytic cell membranes are arranged into electrolytic cell cells (109, 209) forming a cell stack (107) by using the tools and manipulators of at least one robot; and / or a plurality of the robots are configured to disassemble the alkaline electrolyzer units at the site of the electrolyzer units by executing disassembly instructions provided in the controller with the tools and manipulators, so that for each disassembled alkaline electrolyzer unit, at least one alkaline electrolyzer unit component (201 a) is removed by using the tools and manipulators of at least one robot.

Claims

1. 1. A method for assembling an alkaline electrolyzer unit (101, 101a, 101b, 401, 401a, 401b, 401c, 401d, 401e) of a hydrogen production plant (500), said hydrogen production plant being housed in a building (510) having a controlled indoor environment, said method comprising: - providing (S101) an industrial robot system (300) comprising a controller (18) with robotic functionality and a plurality of robots (10, 310, 310a, 310b), each robot comprising a manipulator (12) having a base (14) and a tool (16) movable by the manipulator relative to the base about a plurality of axes; - transporting (S103) a plurality of said robots to a plurality of electrolytic cell unit sites (20a, 20b, 520, 520a, 520x), wherein said plurality of electrolytic cell unit sites (20a, 20b, 520, 520a, 520x) are arranged in a plurality of rows (521, 522, 523, 524), two adjacent rows being separated by a row space, such that a first robot (310b) is positioned between a first row (521) and a second row (522); providing (S105) alkaline electrolyzer unit components (103, 105, 111a, 111b, 113, 201a, 201, 203, 205) comprising at least a plurality of electrolyzer electrodes (201a, 201, 203) and a plurality of electrolyzer membranes (205); - assembling the alkaline electrolytic cell units at the electrolytic cell unit site by a plurality of the robots executing assembly instructions comprised in the controller (S107), wherein assembling comprises, for each assembled alkaline electrolytic cell unit, arranging by the tool and manipulator of at least one robot a plurality of the electrolytic cell electrodes and a plurality of the electrolytic cell membranes into electrolytic cell cells (109, 209) forming a cell stack (107) (S107a), and assembling comprises assembling, by the first robot (310b), a first alkaline electrolytic cell unit (401c) in the first row and a second alkaline electrolytic cell unit (401b) in the second row; A method comprising:

2. The method described in claim 1, wherein the first robot (310b) is capable of rotating between a first position in which the robot operates on the first alkaline electrolytic bath in the first row (521) and a second position in which the robot operates on the second alkaline electrolytic bath in the second row (522).

3. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the alkaline electrolyzer unit components (103, 105, 111a, 111b, 113, 201a, 201, 203, 205) further comprise end plates (103, 105), and assembling further comprises arranging the end plates as a first end plate (103) and a second end plate (105) for each assembled alkaline electrolyzer unit, and wherein the cell stack (107) is arranged between the first end plate and the second end plate (S107b).

4. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the alkaline electrolyzer unit components (103, 105, 111a, 111b, 113, 201a, 201, 203, 205) further comprise connecting rods (111a, 111b), and assembling further comprises: for each assembled alkaline electrolyzer unit, positioning (S107c) at least one connecting rod to extend from the first end plate (103) to the second end plate (105) to compress the electrolyzer cells (109) in the cell stack (107).

5. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the alkaline electrolyzer unit components (103, 105, 111a, 111b, 113, 201a, 201, 203, 205) further comprise piping (113), and assembling further comprises arranging (S107d) the piping for transporting gas produced from the electrolyzer cells (109) of the cell stack (107) for each assembled alkaline electrolyzer unit.

6. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein assembling comprises, for each robot, moving the manipulator (12) to a local storage location (21 a) for the alkaline electrolytic cell unit component, picking up an alkaline electrolytic cell unit component using the tool (16), moving the manipulator with the tool holding the picked-up alkaline electrolytic cell unit component to an installation location at the associated electrolytic cell unit site (20 a), and assembling the alkaline electrolytic cell unit component for the associated alkaline electrolytic cell unit (101 a).

7. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising providing (S111) a gas sensor (19) configured to detect any leaking gas from the alkaline electrolyzer unit (101, 101a, 101b, 401, 401a, 401b, 401c, 401d).

8. - operating (S110a) the first robot with a primary robotic function by the controller (18), wherein the primary robotic function includes controlling the movement of a manipulator; - operating (S110b) a second robot of the plurality of robots (10, 310, 310a, 310b) having the primary robot functionality by the controller such that the first robot and the second robot are operated by a cooperative movement (S110) of first and second manipulators for cooperatively performing the assembly of a particular alkaline electrolysis bath unit (101, 101a, 101b, 401, 401a, 401b, 401c, 401d); The method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

9. - operating the first and second robots by synchronized movements of the first and second manipulators (S110a, S110b); The method of claim 8 further comprising:

10. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising transporting (S106) the alkaline electrolyzer unit components (103, 105, 111a, 111b, 113, 201a, 201, 203, 205) to or from a plurality of the electrolyzer unit sites (20a, 20b, 520, 520a, 520x).

11. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the controlled indoor environment is an area classified according to IEC / EN 60079-10, IEC 60079-10-1, IEC 60079-10-2, or IECEx.

12. A hydrogen production plant (500) comprising a building (510) having a controlled indoor environment, the hydrogen production plant further comprising an industrial robotics system (300) for assembling an alkaline electrolyzer unit (101, 101a, 101b, 401, 401a, 401b, 401c, 401d) of the hydrogen production plant (500), the alkaline electrolyzer unit comprising alkaline electrolyzer unit components (103, 105, 111a, 111b, 113, 201a, 201, 203, 205) including at least a plurality of electrolyzer electrodes (201, 203) and a plurality of electrolyzer membranes (205), the industrial robotics system a controller (18) with robotic functions; a plurality of robots (10, 310, 310a, 310b), each robot comprising a manipulator (12) having a base (14) and a tool (16) movable by the manipulator relative to the base about a plurality of axes, the plurality of robots being configured to be transported to a plurality of electrolytic cell unit sites (20a, 20b, 520, 520a, 520x), the plurality of electrolytic cell unit sites (20a, 20b, 520, 520a, 520x) being arranged in a plurality of rows (521, 522, 523, 524), two adjacent rows being separated by a row space, such that a first robot (310b) is positioned between a first row (521) and a second row (522), wherein the robots are configured to assemble the alkaline electrolytic cell units at the electrolytic cell unit sites by executing assembly instructions provided in the controller, such that, for each assembled alkaline electrolytic cell unit, the electrolytic cell electrodes and the electrolytic cell membranes are arranged into electrolyzer cells (109, 209) forming a cell stack (107) by using the tools and manipulators of at least one robot, and the first robot (310b) is configured to assemble a first alkaline electrolytic cell (401c) of the first row (521) and to assemble a second alkaline electrolytic cell (401b) of the second row (522).

13. A hydrogen production plant (500) as described in claim 12, wherein the first robot (310b) is configured to rotate between a first position in which the robot operates on the first alkaline electrolytic cell in the first row (521) and a second position in which the robot operates on the second alkaline electrolytic cell in the second row (522).

Images