Fluid heating unit, hot box, and solid oxide electrolysis cell system

Abstract

Disclosed are a fluid heating unit, a hot box, and a solid oxide electrolysis cell system. The disclosed fluid heating unit comprises an electrode recuperator and an electrode heater, wherein the electrode recuperator and the electrode heater are coupled so as to be in fluid communication with each other.

Description

Fluid heating unit, hot box and solid oxide water electrolysis system

[0001] A fluid heating unit, a hot box, and a solid oxide electrolysis system are disclosed. More specifically, a fluid heating unit, a hot box, and a solid oxide electrolysis system are disclosed, which are configured to increase space efficiency and price competitiveness and enable mass production.

[0002] Existing high-temperature water electrolysis systems have the problem that waste heat recovery from the product is limited and a lot of energy is required for cooling to separate water and hydrogen.

[0003] Additionally, cooling through the air cooler, energy consumption due to the water and hydrogen separation process, and waste heat generation due to high-temperature exhaust air (since the waste heat of the exhaust air is recovered through the already heated feed water as it passes through the product / water exchanger, the exhaust air discharged to the outside of the system inevitably becomes high temperature) all reduce energy efficiency.

[0004] Additionally, irreversible energy loss occurs during the process of cooling the product and then recirculating and reheating it.

[0005] Additionally, the separation of the separator and buffer vessel incurs additional CAPEX (Capital ExpenditurPD), and additional costs are incurred due to structural limitations that require the separator to be positioned on top of the buffer vessel for fluid flow from the separator to the buffer vessel.

[0006] In addition, existing solid oxide electrolysis systems have unsatisfactory problems in terms of space efficiency, price competitiveness, and mass production.

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention provides a fluid heating unit configured to increase space efficiency and price competitiveness and to enable mass production.

[0008] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a hotbox comprising a fluid heating unit.

[0009] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a solid oxide electrolysis system including the hot box.

[0010] One aspect of the present invention is:

[0011] Electrode recuperator; and

[0012] Includes an electrode heater,

[0013] The above electrode heater and the above electrode preheater provide a fluid heating unit that is fluidly connected to each other.

[0014] The above electrode radiator may include a fluid heat exchanger.

[0015] The above electrode radiators are in fluid communication with each other and may further include one supply fluid inlet, one or more supply fluid channels, and one supply fluid outlet in that order.

[0016] The above supply fluid inlet and the above supply fluid outlet are arranged to be spaced apart from each other with respect to the x-axis, are arranged to at least partially overlap each other with respect to the y-axis, are arranged to at least partially overlap each other or are spaced apart from each other with respect to the z-axis, and the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis may be perpendicular to each other.

[0017] The above supply fluid path can be extended and changed in this order along the x-axis, the y-axis, the x-axis, the z-axis, the y-axis, and the x-axis.

[0018] The above supply fluid path can be extended and changed in this order along the x-axis, the z-axis, the y-axis, the z-axis, the x-axis, the z-axis, the y-axis, and the x-axis.

[0019] The above electrode heater can be installed between the end of the supply fluid path (i.e., the end toward the supply fluid outlet) and the supply fluid outlet.

[0020] The electrode recuperator may further include a pair of discharge fluid inlets, one or more discharge fluid channels, and one discharge fluid outlet in that order, while being fluidly connected to each other and fluidly isolated from the supply fluid inlet, the supply fluid path, and the supply fluid outlet.

[0021] The pair of discharge fluid inlets are arranged to at least partially overlap each other with respect to the x-axis and the z-axis, and are arranged to be spaced apart from each other with respect to the y-axis, and the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis may be perpendicular to each other.

[0022] The pair of exhaust fluid inlets and the exhaust fluid outlets may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other with respect to the x-axis, the exhaust fluid outlet may be arranged to be located between the pair of exhaust fluid inlets with respect to the y-axis, and may be arranged to at least partially overlap or be spaced apart from each other with respect to the z-axis.

[0023] The above discharge fluid path can be extended and changed in this order along the x-axis, the y-axis, the x-axis, the z-axis, and the x-axis.

[0024] The above discharge fluid path can be extended and changed in this order along the x-axis, the y-axis, and the x-axis.

[0025] The above electrode recuperator may be a fuel electrode recuperator, the above electrode heater may be a fuel electrode heater, and the above fluid heating unit may be a steam heating unit.

[0026] The above electrode recuperator may be an air electrode recuperator, the electrode heater may be an air electrode heater, and the fluid heating unit may be an air heating unit.

[0027] Another aspect of the present invention is:

[0028] A hot box including the above fluid heating unit is provided.

[0029] The hot box includes a steam heating unit, an air heating unit forming a stacked structure with the steam heating unit, a manifold coupled with the steam heating unit and the air heating unit, and a stack coupled with the manifold, wherein the steam heating unit, the manifold, and the stack are coupled to each other in fluid communication with each other in this order, and the air heating unit, the manifold, and the stack can be coupled to each other in fluid communication with each other in this order.

[0030] The supply steam inlet and product outlet provided in the steam heating unit, and the supply air inlet and exhaust outlet provided in the air heating unit may all be arranged to be exposed to the first side of the hot box, and the supply steam outlet and product inlet provided in the steam heating unit, and the supply air outlet and exhaust inlet provided in the air heating unit may all be arranged to be exposed to the second side of the hot box, which is opposite to the first side of the hot box.

[0031] Another aspect of the present invention is.

[0032] A solid oxide electrolysis system including the above hot box is provided.

[0033] The stack may include a fuel electrode, an electrolyte, and an air electrode, and the stack may include a fuel electrode, an electrolyte, and an air electrode, and the electrode recuperator may include a fuel electrode recuperator configured to heat-exchange a product discharged from the fuel electrode and steam supplied to the fuel electrode, and an air electrode recuperator configured to heat-exchange exhaust discharged from the air electrode and supply air supplied to the air electrode, and the electrode heater may include a fuel electrode heater configured to heat steam discharged from the fuel electrode recuperator and supply it to the fuel electrode, and an air electrode heater configured to heat supply air discharged from the air electrode recuperator and supply it to the air electrode.

[0034] The above solid oxide electrolysis system may further include a recycle blower configured to recirculate a portion of the product discharged from the fuel electrode recuperator to the fuel electrode recuperator.

[0035] The above solid oxide electrolysis system can be configured to discharge the remainder of the product discharged from the fuel electrode recuperator to the outside.

[0036] The above solid oxide electrolysis system may further include an air blower configured to supply the supply air to the air electrode.

[0037] The above solid oxide electrolysis system may further include an air dryer configured to dry the supply air discharged from the air blower.

[0038] The above solid oxide electrolysis system may further include an air preheater configured to heat the supply air discharged from the air blower.

[0039] The above solid oxide electrolysis system may further include a steam generation unit configured to heat the feed water and convert it into steam.

[0040] The above steam generation unit may include a preheater configured to heat-exchange the supply water and exhaust discharged from the air electrode recuperator, and an evaporator configured to secondarily heat the supply water primarily heated in the preheater.

[0041] The above solid oxide electrolysis system may further include a filter configured to remove impurities in the supply air and supply it to the air blower.

[0042] The fluid heating unit, hot box, and solid oxide electrolysis system according to one embodiment of the present invention have the advantages of increasing space efficiency and price competitiveness and enabling mass production.

[0043] FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a fluid heating unit according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Fig. 2 is a drawing showing the movement path of fluids in the fluid heating unit of Fig. 1.

[0045] FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of a fluid heating unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Fig. 4 is a drawing showing the movement path of fluids in the fluid heating unit of Fig. 3.

[0047] Figure 5 is a schematic drawing of a hot box according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a solid oxide electrolysis system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Hereinafter, a fluid heating unit, a hot box, and a solid oxide electrolysis system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0050] In this specification, “fluid heating unit” is a general term for a steam heating unit and an air heating unit.

[0051] Also, in this specification, “electrode recuperator” is a general term for a fuel electrode recuperator and an air electrode recuperator.

[0052] Also, in this specification, “electrode heater” is a general term for a fuel electrode heater and an air electrode heater.

[0053] Also, in this specification, “fluid heat exchanger” is a term that collectively refers to a fuel electrode heat exchanger and an air electrode heat exchanger.

[0054] Also, in this specification, “supply fluid” is a term that collectively refers to supply steam and supply air.

[0055] Also, in this specification, “exhaust fluid” is a term that collectively refers to products and exhaust.

[0056] Additionally, in this specification, “supply air” means all air existing between the supply air inlet and the stack, and “exhaust” means all air existing between the stack and the exhaust outlet.

[0057] Also, in this specification, “fluid communication” means that two or more members are connected so that a fluid can flow therethrough.

[0058] Also, in this specification, "fluid separation" means that two or more members are configured so that fluid does not flow from one member to the other.

[0059] Also in this specification, "product" means hydrogen, steam, water or a combination thereof.

[0060] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a fluid heating unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a movement path (i.e., a flow path) of fluids in the fluid heating unit of FIG. 1. Specifically, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a steam heating unit (SHU) according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a movement path (i.e., a flow path) of fluids in the steam heating unit (SHU) of FIG. 1. (a) of FIG. 1 is a one-side perspective view of a steam heating unit (SHU) according to an embodiment of the present invention, and (b) of FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the other side of the steam heating unit (SHU) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 (a) is a partially exploded perspective view of the steam heating unit (SHU) illustrated in Fig. 1 (b) and is a drawing showing the movement path (i.e., flow path) of fluids, Fig. 2 (b) is a plan view showing the movement path (i.e., flow path) of fluids in a part indicated by an arrow in the steam heating unit (SHU) illustrated in Fig. 2 (a), and Fig. 2 (c) is a drawing showing the movement path (i.e., flow path) of supply steam in the steam heating unit (SHU) illustrated in Fig. 1 (a).

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a steam heating unit (SHU) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a fuel electrode recuperator (FR) and a fuel electrode heater (FH).

[0062] The fuel electrode recuperator (FR) and the fuel electrode heater (FH) can be coupled in fluid communication with each other.

[0063] The fuel electrode recuperator (FR) may include a fuel electrode heat exchanger (FHEXP).

[0064] The fuel heat exchanger (FHEXP) may include one or more internal supply steam passages (not shown) and one or more internal product passages (not shown).

[0065] The above internal supply steam flow path may be a part of the supply steam flow path (SSP) described later, and the above internal product flow path may be a part of the product flow path (PDP) described later.

[0066] The internal supply steam flow path and the internal product flow path may be fluidly isolated from each other.

[0067] Additionally, the fuel cell recuperator (FR) may further include one feed steam inlet (SSi), one or more feed steam passages (SSP), and one feed steam outlet (SSo) in that order. The feed steam inlet (SSi), the feed steam passages (SSP), and the feed steam outlet (SSo) may be in fluid communication with each other.

[0068] After low-temperature feed steam (CSS) is supplied to the feed steam inlet (SSi), it passes through the feed steam path (SSP) and is heated by heat exchange with the high-temperature product (HPD), converted into high-temperature feed steam (HSS), and then discharged through the feed steam outlet (SSo).

[0069] Referring to FIG. 2, the supply steam inlet (SSi) and the supply steam outlet (SSo) may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other with respect to the x-axis, arranged to at least partially overlap each other with respect to the y-axis, and arranged to at least partially overlap each other or be spaced apart from each other with respect to the z-axis. Here, the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis may be perpendicular to each other.

[0070] Also, referring to FIG. 2, the supply steam path (SSP) can be extended and oriented in this order along the x-axis, the y-axis, the x-axis, the z-axis, the y-axis, and the x-axis.

[0071] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the fuel electrode recuperator (FR) may further include a pair of product inlets (PDi), one or more product flow paths (PDPs), and one product outlet (PDo) in that order. The pair of product inlets (PDi), product flow paths (PDPs), and product outlets (PDo) may be in fluid communication with each other, but fluidly isolated from a feed steam inlet (SSi), a feed steam flow path (SSP), and a feed steam outlet (SSo).

[0072] Referring to FIG. 1, a pair of product inlets (PDi) may be arranged to at least partially overlap each other with respect to the x-axis and the z-axis, and may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other with respect to the y-axis. Here, the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis may be perpendicular to each other.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 2, a pair of product inlets (PDi) and product outlets (PDo) may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other with respect to the x-axis, with respect to the y-axis, with the product outlet (PDo) positioned between the pair of product inlets (PDi), and with respect to the z-axis, may be arranged to at least partially overlap or be spaced apart from each other.

[0074] Also, referring to FIG. 2, the product euro (PDP) can be extended and oriented in this order along the x-axis, the y-axis, the x-axis, the z-axis, and the x-axis.

[0075] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a fluid heating unit according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a movement path (i.e., a flow path) of fluids in the fluid heating unit of FIG. 3. Specifically, FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an air heating unit (AHU) according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a movement path (i.e., a flow path) of fluids in the air heating unit (AHU) of FIG. 3 (a) is a one-side perspective view of the air heating unit (AHU) according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 (b) is a other-side perspective view of the air heating unit (AHU) according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 (a) is a drawing showing the movement path (i.e., flow path) of fluids in the air heating unit (AHU) shown in Fig. 3 (b), Fig. 4 (b) is a side view showing the movement path (i.e., flow path) of air in a part indicated by an arrow in the air heating unit (AHU) shown in Fig. 4 (a), and Fig. 4 (c) is a drawing showing the movement path (i.e., flow path) of supply air in the air heating unit (AHU) shown in Fig. 3 (a).

[0076] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, an air heating unit (AHU) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an air electrode recuperator (AR) and an air electrode heater (AH).

[0077] The air electrode recuperator (AR) and the air electrode heater (AH) can be coupled in fluid communication with each other.

[0078] The air electrode recuperator (AR) may include an air electrode heat exchanger (AHEXP).

[0079] The air electrode heat exchanger (AHEXP) may include an internal supply air passage (not shown) and an internal exhaust passage (not shown).

[0080] The above internal supply air may be a part of the supply air path (SAP) described later, and the above internal exhaust path may be a part of the exhaust path (EAP) described later.

[0081] The internal supply air path and the internal exhaust path may be fluidly isolated from each other.

[0082] Additionally, the air electrode recuperator (AR) may further include one supply air inlet (SAi), one or more supply air passages (SAP), and one supply air outlet (SAo) in that order. The supply air inlet (SAi), the supply air passages (SAP), and the supply air outlet (SAo) may be in fluid communication with each other.

[0083] After low-temperature supply air (CSA) is supplied to the supply air inlet (SAi), it passes through the supply air path (SAP) and is heated by heat exchange with high-temperature exhaust air (HEA), converted into high-temperature supply air (HSA), and then discharged through the supply air outlet (SAo).

[0084] Referring to FIG. 4, the supply air inlet (SAi) and the supply air outlet (SAo) may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other with respect to the x-axis, arranged to at least partially overlap each other with respect to the y-axis, and arranged to at least partially overlap each other or be spaced apart from each other with respect to the z-axis. Here, the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis may be perpendicular to each other.

[0085] Also, referring to FIG. 4, the supply air path (SAP) can be extended and changed in this order along the x-axis, the z-axis, the y-axis, the z-axis, the x-axis, the z-axis, the y-axis, and the x-axis.

[0086] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the air electrode recuperator (AR) may further include a pair of exhaust inlets (EAi), one or more exhaust passages (EAP), and one exhaust outlet (EAo) in that order. The pair of exhaust inlets (EAi), exhaust passages (EAP), and exhaust outlets (EAo) may be in fluid communication with each other, but may be fluidly isolated from the supply air inlet (SAi), the supply air passage (SAP), and the supply air outlet (SAo).

[0087] Referring to FIG. 3, a pair of exhaust inlets (EAi) may be arranged to at least partially overlap each other with respect to the x-axis and the z-axis, and may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other with respect to the y-axis. Here, the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis may be perpendicular to each other.

[0088] Referring to FIG. 4, a pair of exhaust inlets (EAi) and exhaust outlets (EAo) may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other with respect to the x-axis, an exhaust outlet (EAo) may be arranged to be located between the pair of exhaust inlets (EAi) with respect to the y-axis, and may be arranged to at least partially overlap or be spaced apart from each other with respect to the z-axis.

[0089] Also referring to FIG. 4, the exhaust path (EAP) can be extended and turned in this order along the x-axis, the y-axis, and the x-axis.

[0090] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a hot box (HBX) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] Referring to FIG. 5, a hot box (HBX) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a fluid heating unit (i.e., a steam heating unit (SHU) and an air heating unit (AHU)).

[0092] Specifically, a hot box (HBX) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a steam heating unit (SHU), an air heating unit (AHU), a manifold (MF) and a stack (ST).

[0093] The steam heating unit (SHU) and the air heating unit (AHU) can be arranged so that one of them is disposed above the other to form a stacked structure. Specifically, the supply steam inlet (SSi) and the product outlet (PDo) provided in the steam heating unit (SHU), and the supply air inlet (SAi) and the exhaust outlet (EAo) provided in the air heating unit (AHU) can all be disposed so as to be exposed to the first side of the hot box (HBX), and the supply steam outlet (SSo) and the product inlet (PDi) provided in the steam heating unit (SHU), and the supply air outlet (SAo) and the exhaust inlet (EAi) provided in the air heating unit (AHU) can all be disposed so as to be exposed to the second side of the hot box (HBX) which is opposite to the first side of the hot box (HBX). Accordingly, the steam heating unit (SHU) and the air heating unit (AHU) can minimize the installation space.

[0094] The manifold (MF) can be combined with a steam heating unit (SHU) and an air heating unit (AHU).

[0095] The stack (ST) can be coupled to the manifold (MF). Specifically, the stack (ST) can be detachably coupled to the manifold (MF). More specifically, the stack (ST) can be mounted on a horizontal plane of the manifold (MF).

[0096] Additionally, the steam heating unit (SHU), manifold (MF) and stack (ST) can be fluidly connected to each other in this order.

[0097] Additionally, the air heating unit (AHU), manifold (MF) and stack (ST) can be fluidly connected to each other in this order.

[0098] The steam heating unit (SHU), air heating unit (AHU) and hot box (HBX) according to the embodiments of the present invention having the above configuration can increase space efficiency and price competitiveness and have the advantage of being capable of mass production.

[0099] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a solid oxide electrolysis system (SOEC) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0100] A solid oxide electrolysis system (SOEC) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a hot box (HBX) described above with reference to FIG. 5.

[0101] Referring to FIG. 6, a solid oxide electrolysis system (SOEC) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a stack (ST), a steam heating unit (SHU), and an air heating unit (AHU).

[0102] A stack (ST) may include a fuel electrode (FE), an electrolyte (EL), and an air electrode (AE).

[0103] At the fuel electrode (FE), the reaction of the following reaction formula 1 occurs, and at the air electrode (AE), the reaction of the following reaction formula 2 occurs, and the overall reaction can be expressed as in the following reaction formula 3.

[0104] [Reaction Formula 1]

[0105] H2O + 2e - → H2+ O 2-

[0106] [Reaction Formula 2]

[0107] 2O 2- → O2+ 4e -

[0108] [Reaction Formula 3]

[0109] 2H2O → 2H2+ O2

[0110] Additionally, the fuel electrode (FE) may include Ni-doped yttrium-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), perovskite lanthanum strontium manganese (LSM), lanthanum strontium manganese chromate (LSCM), scandium-doped LCSM, or a combination thereof.

[0111] The electrolyte (EL) may include 8 mol% Y2O3 doped ZrO2 (YSZ), scandia stabilized zirconia (ScSZ), a ceria-based electrolyte, a lanthanum gallate material, or a combination thereof.

[0112] The air electrode (AE) may include a material obtained by impregnating LSM, Gd-doped CeO2 (GDC) nanoparticles into LSM, or a combination thereof.

[0113] Additionally, the stack (ST) can be operated at high temperatures of 600 to 850°C.

[0114] The steam heating unit (SHU) may include a fuel electrode recuperator (FR) and a fuel electrode heater (FH), as described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0115] The fuel electrode recuperator (FR) may be configured to heat-exchange the product discharged from the fuel electrode (FE) with the steam supplied to the fuel electrode (FE). Specifically, the fuel electrode recuperator (FR) may be configured to heat-exchange the product discharged from the fuel electrode (FE) with the steam supplied to the fuel electrode (FE), thereby cooling the product and heating the steam. At this time, waste heat in the product may be transferred to the steam and recovered (primary recovery of product waste heat).

[0116] In addition, the fuel electrode recuperator (FR), stack (ST) and air electrode recuperator (AR) described below are devices that constitute a high-temperature section that operates at 300°C or higher, and can be packaged with a high-temperature insulating material (not shown) to minimize heat loss.

[0117] Additionally, the fuel electrode recuperator (FR) can be configured to transfer as much waste heat from the product as possible to the feed water (SW) to minimize the temperature of hydrogen (H2) discharged to the outside of the solid oxide electrolysis system (SOEC) and to minimize heat loss in the piping.

[0118] The supply water (SW) may be demineralized water.

[0119] Additionally, the fuel electrode recuperator (FR), stack (ST), and air electrode recuperator (AR) described below can be configured to minimize volume and weight and maximize high-temperature durability.

[0120] The fuel electrode heater (FH) may be configured to additionally heat the steam and / or unevaporated residual water discharged from the fuel electrode recuperator (FR) and supply them to the fuel electrode (FE) of the stack (ST).

[0121] The air heating unit (AHU) may include an air electrode recuperator (AR) and an air electrode heater (AH), as described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0122] An air electrode recuperator (AR) may be configured to heat-exchange exhaust air (EA) discharged from an air electrode (AE) of a stack (ST) and supply air (SA) supplied to the air electrode (AE). Specifically, the air electrode recuperator (AR) may be configured to heat-exchange exhaust air (EA) discharged from an air electrode (AE) of a stack (ST) and supply air (SA) supplied to the air electrode (AE) to cool the exhaust air (EA) and heat the supply air (SA) (primary recovery of exhaust air (EA) waste heat).

[0123] Additionally, the air electrode recuperator (AR) can be configured to transfer as much waste heat as possible in the exhaust (EA) to the supply air (SA) to minimize the temperature of the exhaust (EA) discharged to the outside of the solid oxide electrolysis system (SOEC), and also to minimize heat loss in the piping.

[0124] The air electrode heater (AH) can be configured to heat the supply air (SA) discharged from the air electrode recuperator (AR) and supply it to the air electrode (AE) of the stack (ST).

[0125] Additionally, the solid oxide electrolysis system (SOEC) may further include a recycle blower (RB).

[0126] A recycle blower (RB) may be configured to recirculate a portion (the first portion) of the product discharged from the fuel electrode recuperator (FE) to the fuel electrode recuperator (FE). At this time, waste heat in the product (i.e., the first portion) may be transferred to the fuel electrode recuperator (FR) and recovered (secondary recovery of product waste heat). The recycle blower (RB) may be configured to withstand a high temperature of 200°C or higher based on the discharge temperature, and accordingly, due to the product (i.e., the first portion) recycled to the fuel electrode recuperator (FR), the fluid heat capacity of the fuel electrode recuperator (FR) and the stack (ST), which constitute the high temperature section, increases, thereby increasing temperature homeostasis, which may help extend the life of the stack (ST).

[0127] Additionally, the solid oxide electrolysis system (SOEC) can be configured to discharge the remainder (i.e., the second portion) of the products discharged from the fuel electrode recuperator (FR) to the outside.

[0128] Additionally, the solid oxide electrolysis system (SOEC) may further include an air blower (AB).

[0129] The air blower (AB) can be configured to supply supply air (SA) to the air electrode (AE) of the stack (ST).

[0130] Additionally, the solid oxide electrolysis system (SOEC) may further include an air dryer (AD).

[0131] The air dryer (AD) can be configured to dry the supply air (SA) discharged from the air blower (AB).

[0132] Additionally, the solid oxide electrolysis system (SOEC) may further include a steam generation unit (SGU).

[0133] A steam generation unit (SGU) may be configured to heat feedwater (SW) and convert it into steam.

[0134] Specifically, the steam generation unit (SGU) may include a preheater (PH) and an evaporator (EVP).

[0135] A preheater (PH) may be configured to heat-exchange the feed water (SW) and the exhaust air (EA) discharged from the air cathode recuperator (AR). Specifically, the preheater (PH) may be configured to heat-exchange the feed water (SW) and the exhaust air (EA) discharged from the air cathode recuperator (AR) to heat the feed water (SW) and cool the exhaust air (EA) discharged from the air cathode recuperator (AR). At this time, waste heat in the exhaust air (EA) discharged from the air cathode recuperator (AR) may be transferred to the feed water (SW) and recovered (secondary recovery of exhaust air (EA) waste heat).

[0136] The evaporator (EVP) can be configured to secondarily heat the feed water (SW) that has been primarily heated in the preheater (PH).

[0137] The evaporator (EVP) may be a heater, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0138] Additionally, the solid oxide electrolysis system (SOEC) may further include a filter (FT).

[0139] The filter (FT) can be configured to remove impurities in the supply air (SA) and supply it to the air blower (AB).

[0140] The above impurities may include dust, sulfur-containing compounds, or a combination thereof.

[0141] Additionally, the solid oxide electrolysis system (SOEC) may further include an air preheater (APH).

[0142] The air preheater (APH) can be configured to heat the supply air (SA) discharged from the air blower (AB) and supply it to the air electrode recuperator (AR).

[0143] In addition, the solid oxide electrolysis system (SOEC) can be configured to supply supply air (SA) discharged from an air blower (AB) to an air electrode recuperator (AR) during normal operation (V5: open, V6: closed), and to discharge supply air (SA) discharged from the air blower (AB) to the outside for moisture removal during maintenance (V5: closed, V6: open).

[0144] A solid oxide electrolysis system (SOEC) according to one embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration has the advantages of being able to increase space efficiency and price competitiveness and being capable of mass production.

[0145] While the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings, these are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and equivalent implementations are possible. Therefore, the true scope of technical protection of the present invention should be determined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

[0146] [Explanation of symbols]

[0147] SHU: Steam Heating Unit FR: Fuel Anode Recuperator

[0148] FH: Fuel electrode heater CSS: Low temperature supply steam

[0149] HSS: High temperature supply steam SSi: Supply steam inlet

[0150] SSo: Supply Steam Outlet SSP: Supply Steam Euro

[0151] HPD: High Temperature Product CPD: Low Temperature Product

[0152] PDi: Product Inlet PDo: Product Outlet

[0153] PDP: Product Euro FHEXP: Fuel Anode Heat Exchanger

[0154] AR: Air electrode recuperator AH: Air electrode heater

[0155] CSA: Low temperature supply air HSA: High temperature supply air

[0156] SAi: Supply air inlet SAo: Supply air outlet

[0157] SAP: Supply air flow HEA: High temperature exhaust

[0158] CEA: Low Temperature Exhaust EAi: Exhaust Inlet

[0159] EAo: Exhaust outlet SAP: Exhaust flow path

[0160] AHEXP: Air electrode heat exchanger MF: Manifold

[0161] ST: Stack HBX: Hotbox

[0162] SOEC: Solid Oxide Electrolysis System SW: Feedwater

[0163] PH: Preheater EVP: Evaporator

[0164] RB: Recycle blower FE: Fuel electrode

[0165] EL: Electrolyte AE: Air electrode

[0166] SA: Supply air FT: Filter

[0167] AB: Air blower AD: Air dryer

[0168] APH: Air Preheater EA: Exhaust

[0169] SGU: Steam Generation Unit V1~V6: Valve

Claims

1. Electrode recuperator; and Includes an electrode heater, A fluid heating unit in which the electrode recuperator and the electrode heater are connected to each other in fluid communication.

2. In paragraph 1, The above electrode recuperator is a fluid heating unit including a fluid heat exchanger.

3. In paragraph 1, A fluid heating unit further comprising, in this order, one supply fluid inlet, one or more supply fluid channels, and one supply fluid outlet, wherein the electrode recuperators are in fluid communication with each other.

4. In paragraph 3, A fluid heating unit in which the supply fluid inlet and the supply fluid outlet are arranged to be spaced apart from each other with respect to the x-axis, are arranged to at least partially overlap each other with respect to the y-axis, are arranged to at least partially overlap each other or are spaced apart from each other with respect to the z-axis, and the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis are perpendicular to each other.

5. In paragraph 4, A fluid heating unit in which the supply fluid path extends in this order along the x-axis, the y-axis, the x-axis, the z-axis, the y-axis, and the x-axis.

6. In paragraph 4, A fluid heating unit in which the supply fluid path extends in this order along the x-axis, the z-axis, the y-axis, the z-axis, the x-axis, the z-axis, the y-axis, and the x-axis.

7. In paragraph 3, The above electrode heater is a fluid heating unit installed between the end of the supply fluid path and the supply fluid outlet.

8. In paragraph 3, A fluid heating unit wherein the electrode recuperators are fluidly connected to each other, but fluidly isolated from the supply fluid inlet, the supply fluid path, and the supply fluid outlet, and further includes a pair of discharge fluid inlets, one or more discharge fluid paths, and one discharge fluid outlet in that order.

9. In paragraph 8, A fluid heating unit wherein the pair of discharge fluid inlets are arranged to at least partially overlap each other with respect to the x-axis and the z-axis, and are arranged to be spaced apart from each other with respect to the y-axis, and the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis are perpendicular to each other.

10. In paragraph 9, A fluid heating unit in which the pair of exhaust fluid inlets and the exhaust fluid outlets are arranged to be spaced apart from each other with respect to the x-axis, the exhaust fluid outlet is arranged to be located between the pair of exhaust fluid inlets with respect to the y-axis, and the fluid heating unit is arranged to be spaced apart from or at least partially overlap each other with respect to the z-axis.

11. In paragraph 10, A fluid heating unit in which the discharge fluid path extends in this order along the x-axis, the y-axis, the x-axis, the z-axis, and the x-axis.

12. In paragraph 10, A fluid heating unit in which the discharge fluid path extends in this order along the x-axis, the y-axis, and the x-axis.

13. In paragraph 1, A fluid heating unit in which the electrode recuperator is a fuel electrode recuperator, the electrode heater is a fuel electrode heater, and the fluid heating unit is a steam heating unit.

14. In paragraph 1, A fluid heating unit in which the electrode recuperator is an air electrode recuperator, the electrode heater is an air electrode heater, and the fluid heating unit is an air heating unit.

15. A hot box comprising a fluid heating unit according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. In paragraph 15, steam heating unit; An air heating unit forming a laminated structure with the above steam heating unit; a manifold coupled with the steam heating unit and the air heating unit; and A stack coupled with the above manifold, The above steam heating unit, the manifold and the stack are connected to each other in fluid communication in this order, A hot box in which the air heating unit, the manifold and the stack are fluidly connected to each other in this order.

17. In paragraph 16, A hot box in which the supply steam inlet and product outlet provided in the steam heating unit, and the supply air inlet and exhaust outlet provided in the air heating unit are all arranged to be exposed to the first side of the hot box, and the supply steam outlet and product inlet provided in the steam heating unit, and the supply air outlet and exhaust inlet provided in the air heating unit are all arranged to be exposed to the second side of the hot box, which is opposite to the first side of the hot box.

18. A solid oxide electrolysis system including a hot box according to Article 16.

19. In paragraph 18, The above stack includes a fuel electrode, an electrolyte and an air electrode, The electrode recuperator includes a fuel electrode recuperator configured to heat-exchange the product discharged from the fuel electrode and the steam supplied to the fuel electrode, and an air electrode recuperator configured to heat-exchange the exhaust discharged from the air electrode and the supply air supplied to the air electrode. A solid oxide water electrolysis system comprising a fuel electrode heater configured to heat steam discharged from the fuel electrode recuperator and supply it to the fuel electrode, and an air electrode heater configured to heat supply air discharged from the air electrode recuperator and supply it to the air electrode.

20. In paragraph 19, A solid oxide electrolysis system further comprising a recycle blower configured to recirculate a portion of the product discharged from the fuel electrode recuperator to the fuel electrode recuperator.

21. In paragraph 19, A solid oxide electrolysis system configured to discharge the remainder of the products discharged from the above fuel electrode recuperator to the outside.

22. In paragraph 19, A solid oxide electrolysis system further comprising an air blower configured to supply the supply air to the air electrode.

23. In paragraph 22, A solid oxide electrolysis system further comprising an air dryer configured to dry the supply air discharged from the air blower.

24. In paragraph 22, A solid oxide electrolysis system further comprising an air preheater configured to heat the supply air discharged from the air blower.

25. In paragraph 18, A solid oxide electrolysis system further comprising a steam generation unit configured to heat the feed water and convert it into steam.

26. In paragraph 25, A solid oxide electrolysis system comprising a preheater configured to exchange heat between the supply water and exhaust gas discharged from the air electrode recuperator, and an evaporator configured to secondarily heat the supply water primarily heated in the preheater.

27. In paragraph 22, A solid oxide electrolysis system further comprising a filter configured to remove impurities in the supply air and supply the removed air to the air blower.

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