Methods and systems for performing electrolysis of steam

Abstract

A method for performing electrolysis of steam includes receiving a supply of steam from a steam source, wherein the steam has a first value of steam pressure. The method may include passing the steam through an expansion nozzle thereby causing the steam to undergo Joule-Thomson expansion and receiving expanded steam, the expanded steam having a second value of the steam pressure, the second value being smaller than the first value. The method may include feeding the expanded steam to a High-Temperature Steam Electrolyzer to obtain Hydrogen and Oxygen in gaseous states. The method may include feeding the obtained Hydrogen and / or Oxygen gasses to a power plant and / or storing the obtained Hydrogen and / or Oxygen gasses in storage containers.

Description

[0001] P-655830-PC

[0002] METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PERFORMING ELECTROLYSIS OF STEAM

[0003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of High-Temperature Steam Electrolysis (HTSE), and more particularly to the HTSE of steam received as a byproduct from industrial processes and power plants.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006]

[0002] Steam at high temperatures and pressures is often generated as a byproduct of many industrial processes such as power generation, process cooling, hydration, heat and mass transfer.

[0003] Steam may also be a byproduct of the combustion of fossil and renewable fuels in internal and external combustion engines. Steam generated as the byproduct therefore has a huge potential for being recycled to generate Hydrogen and Oxygen gasses through electrolysis. The process capable of using the steam at high temperatures for generating the Hydrogen and Oxygen gases is known as High-Temperature Steam Electrolysis (HTSE). HTSE has several benefits, such as higher overall efficiency, and the use of non-noble metal catalysts which are relatively more abundant and therefore cheaper than noble metal catalysts used in other forms of electrolysis.

[0007]

[0004] However, the steam received as the byproduct of industrial processes and combustion of fuels is also characterized by relatively high pressures. There are several disadvantages to the use of steam at high pressures in HTSE. For instance, the high pressures of steam necessitate more robust and expensive reactor vessels thereby increasing the overall capital costs of the electrolyzer. Steam at high pressures does not diffuse as efficiently over the surfaces of the electrodes thereby decreasing the efficiency of production of Hydrogen gas. Higher pressures of the steam also demand excessive pumping power to move the steam through the electrolyzer. Generally, an electrolyzer may include two or more electrodes adapted to maintain electric voltage between them to thereby cause electrolysis of water to Oxygen and Hydrogen.

[0008]

[0005] Therefore, there is a need in the art for methods and systems for electrolysis of steam that do not suffer from the aforementioned deficiencies.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010]

[0006] Some embodiments of the present invention may provide a high-temperature and low- pressure steam electrolysis that can reduce the cost of electricity to produce hydrogen. P-655830-PC

[0011]

[0007] Some embodiments of the present invention may provide an expansion nozzle that reduces the cost, lowers the pressure of the steam and reduces the thermal losses during the expansion of the steam.

[0012]

[0008] Some embodiments of the present invention may provide an expansion nozzle and a high- temperature and low-pressure steam electrolysis. Together these two aspects can combine with processes that occur in high temperatures to reduce the amount of electricity that is needed to produce hydrogen.

[0013]

[0009] In some embodiments, the expansion nozzle and a high-temperature and low-pressure steam electrolysis are adjustable to several distinct application scenarios without requiring radical process design modifications.

[0014]

[0010] Some embodiments of the present invention may provide a method for performing electrolysis of steam. The method may include receiving a supply of steam from a steam source, wherein the steam is characterized by a first value of steam pressure. Furthermore, the method may include passing the steam through an expansion nozzle thereby causing the steam to undergo Joule- Thomson expansion and receiving expanded steam, the expanded steam acquiring a second value of the steam pressure, the second value being smaller than the first value. The method may include feeding the expanded steam to a High-Temperature Steam Electrolyzer to obtain Hydrogen and Oxygen in gaseous states. The method may include feeding the obtained Hydrogen and / or Oxygen gasses to a power plant or storing the obtained Hydrogen and / or Oxygen gasses in storage containers.

[0015]

[0011] In some embodiments, the steam source is a combustion engine.

[0016]

[0012] In some embodiments, the steam source is an industrial process that uses water or steam as a cooling agent.

[0017]

[0013] In some embodiments, the expansion nozzle is a fixed geometry expansion nozzle.

[0018]

[0014] In some embodiments, the expansion nozzle is a variable geometry expansion nozzle.

[0019]

[0015] In some embodiments, the power plant is a Solid-Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC).

[0020]

[0016] In some embodiments, the power plant is a fuel combustor.

[0021]

[0017] In some embodiments, the fuel combustor uses Hydrogen gas as a fuel.

[0022]

[0018] In some embodiments, the fuel combustor uses a petroleum product as a fuel. P-655830-PC

[0023]

[0019] In some embodiments, the supply of the steam is received from a turbine of a turbocharger in fluidic communication with the fuel combustor, and the obtained Oxygen is fed to a compressor of the turbocharger.

[0024]

[0020] Some embodiments of the present invention may provide a system for performing electrolysis of steam. The system may include a steam source, an expansion nozzle downstream of the steam source, and a High-Temperature Steam Electrolyzer downstream of the nozzle. The steam source may be configured to supply steam, the steam being characterized by a first value of steam pressure. The expansion nozzle may be configured to cause the steam to undergo Joule- Thomson expansion, the expanded steam acquiring a second value of the steam pressure, the second value being smaller than the first value. The High-Temperature Steam Electrolyzer may be configured to electrolyze the expanded steam to obtain Hydrogen and Oxygen in gaseous states. Also, the obtained Hydrogen and / or Oxygen gasses are fed to a power plant or stored in storage containers.

[0025]

[0021] Some embodiments of the present invention may provide a method of performing electrolysis of steam, which may include: receiving a supply of steam from a steam source, the steam having a first value of pressure; passing the steam through an expansion nozzle to cause the steam to undergo Joule-Thomson expansion to provide an expanded steam, the expanded steam having a second value of pressure that is smaller than the first value of pressure; and feeding the expanded steam to an electrolyzer to electrolyze the expanded steam to provide Hydrogen and Oxygen gases.

[0026]

[0022] In some embodiments, the expanded steam has same or a greater temperature value than a temperature value of the received steam.

[0027]

[0023] In some embodiments, the method includes keeping a geometry of the expansion nozzle fixed.

[0028]

[0024] In some embodiments, the method includes changing a geometry of the expansion nozzle to cause a reduction of the pressure of the steam from the first value of pressure to the second value of pressure.

[0029]

[0025] In some embodiments, the method includes storing at least one of the Oxygen and the Hydrogen.

[0030]

[0026] In some embodiments, the method includes feeding at least one of the Oxygen and the Hydrogen to a power plant. P-655830-PC

[0031]

[0027] In some embodiments, the method includes filtering the steam to remove contaminants from the steam.

[0032]

[0028] In some embodiments, the method includes feeding the Oxygen into a compressor of a combustion engine.

[0033]

[0029] In some embodiments, the method includes feeding the Hydrogen into a combustion chamber of the combustion engine.

[0034]

[0030] Some embodiments of the present invention may provide a system for performing electrolysis of steam, which may include: an expansion nozzle to: receive a supply of steam, the steam having a first value of pressure, and cause the steam to undergo Joule-Thomson expansion to provide an expanded steam, the expanded steam having a second value of pressure that is smaller than the first value of pressure; and an electrolyzer in fluid communication with the expansion nozzle, the electrolyzer to electrolyze the expanded steam to provide Hydrogen and Oxygen gases.

[0031] In some embodiments, a geometry of the expansion nozzle is fixed.

[0035]

[0032] In some embodiments, a geometry of the expansion nozzle is variable to cause a reduction of the pressure of the steam from the first value of pressure to the second value of pressure.

[0036]

[0033] In some embodiments, the electrolyzer is in fluid communication with at least one storage container for providing at least one of the Hydrogen and the Oxygen to the at least one storage container.

[0037]

[0034] In some embodiments, the electrolyzer is in fluid communication with a power plant for providing at least one of the Hydrogen and Oxygen to the power plant.

[0038]

[0035] In some embodiments, the expansion nozzle receives the supply of steam from the power plant.

[0039]

[0036] In some embodiments, the expansion nozzle receives the supply of steam from a central portion of a rotating turbine of an exhaust port of a combustion engine.

[0040]

[0037] In some embodiments, the system includes a filter disposed upstream the expansion nozzle, the filter to remove contaminants from the steam.

[0041]

[0038] In some embodiments, the electrolyzer is in fluid communication with a compressor of the combustion engine for providing the Oxygen to the compressor.

[0042]

[0039] In some embodiments, the electrolyzer is in fluid communication with a combustion chamber of the combustion engine for providing the Hydrogen to the combustion chamber. P-655830-PC

[0043] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044]

[0040] For a beter understanding of embodiments of the invention and to show how the same can be carried into effect, reference is made, purely by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals designate corresponding elements or sections throughout. In the accompanying drawings:

[0045]

[0041] FIG. 1 illustrates a system for performing electrolysis of steam, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0046]

[0042] FIG. 2A illustrates an internal combustion engine as a steam source, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0047]

[0043] FIG. 2B illustrates an industrial process as the steam source, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[0048]

[0044] FIG. 3 illustrates a method for performing electrolysis of steam, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0049]

[0045] FIG. 4 illustrates variation of loule-Thomson coefficient of steam versus the temperature of the steam; and

[0050]

[0046] FIG. 5 illustrates the feeding of products of the electrolysis of the steam back to the internal combustion engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0052]

[0047] In the following description, various aspects of the present invention are described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention can be practiced without the specific details presented herein. Furthermore, well known features can have been omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the present invention. With specific reference to the drawings, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention can be embodied in practice. P-655830-PC

[0053]

[0048] Before at least one embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is applicable to other embodiments that can be practiced or carried out in various ways as well as to combinations of the disclosed embodiments. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0054]

[0049] Embodiments of the present invention may provide methods and systems for performing electrolysis of steam. In a typical scenario, the steam at high temperatures and high pressures is received as a byproduct of industrial processes and the combustion of fuels in internal and external combustion engines. The methods and the systems of the present invention provide an expansion nozzle that is configured to convert the high-temperature high-pressure steam to high-temperature low-pressure steam through Joule-Thomson expansion. In that regard, the expansion nozzle may be a fixed geometry or a variable geometry nozzle. After the expansion, the high-temperature low- pressure steam may be electrolyzed using High-Temperature Steam Electrolysis (HTSE) to generate Hydrogen and Oxygen in gaseous forms. The gaseous Hydrogen and Oxygen may either be stored under pressure in storage containers or may be used directly in downstream industrial processes and / or in downstream combustion of Hydrogen gas. Alternately, Hydrogen gas may be stored under pressure in a container or converted to Ammonia for transportation, and Oxygen may be fed to an intake port of a turbocharged or a non-turbocharged internal combustion engine.

[0055]

[0050] Several embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail with reference to FIGs. 1 to 5.

[0056]

[0051] FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for performing electrolysis of steam, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The system 100 includes a steam source 102. The steam source 102 is configured to supply steam. FIG. 2A illustrates an internal combustion engine 202 as a steam source 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. However, in several alternate embodiments of the present invention, the steam source 102 may be any other combustion engine, such as an external combustion engine configured to combust carbonaceous fuels (such as gasoline, kerosene, diesel, natural gas, propane, etc.) or Hydrogen gas. The internal combustion engine 202 includes fuel injectors 203 configured to inject fuel into a combustion chamber 201 of the internal combustion engine 202. Furthermore, the internal combustion engine P-655830-PC

[0057] 202 may be in fluidic communication with a turbocharger 204. The turbocharger 204 includes a compressor 206 and a turbine 208 coupled together through a turbocharger shaft 205. The compressor 206 is in fluidic communication with an intake port 207 of the internal combustion engine 202, and the turbine 208 is in fluidic communication with an exhaust port 209 of the internal combustion engine 202.

[0058]

[0052] During the operation of the internal combustion engine 202, a carbonaceous fuel or Hydrogen gas may be combusted in the combustion chamber 201. Therefore, exhaust gasses leaving the exhaust port 209 would include unburnt hydrocarbons (HC), oxides of carbon (carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, also referred to as Cox), particulate matter (PM), and steam at high temperatures (for example, 700-1000 °C) and high pressure (for example, greater than 5MPa). Due to the rotation of the turbine 208, centrifugal forces act on the exhaust gasses, and heavier components such as HC, PM, and COx are pushed outwards and the steam at high pressure and high temperature is maintained in the center of the gasses leaving the turbine 208. The steam, therefore, may be collected / harnessed from the central region. In several embodiments of the invention, a filter medium may also be provided downstream of the turbine 208 to filter out any unwanted contaminants, such as HC, PM, or Cox persisting in the steam.

[0059]

[0053] FIG. 2B illustrates an industrial process 250 as the steam source 102, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The industrial process 250 may require heated water or steam at low temperatures (e.g. 20-60°C) as a cooling agent. Therefore, water may be heated or converted into steam at low temperatures in a boiler 252. Furthermore, the heated water or the steam at low temperatures may be pumped to a cross-flow heat exchanger 254 where the heated water or the steam at low temperatures may be heated to steam at high temperature and high pressure by a process fluid. Some examples of process fluids may include turbine oil, transmission oil, liquid sulfur, liquid metals, and the like.

[0060]

[0054] Referring to FIG. 1, the steam leaving the steam source 102 (for example, the internal combustion engine 202 or the industrial process 250) would be characterized by a first value of steam pressure. The first value would generally be higher than the desired pressure value for performing the electrolysis of steam. For example, the first value of steam pressure may be 2 Bar or more. Therefore, an expansion nozzle 104 has been connected downstream of the steam source 102. In several embodiments of the invention, the expansion nozzle 104 may be a fixed geometry nozzle, where the geometry of the expansion nozzle 104 may be optimized for the best efficiency P-655830-PC without needing any power consumption. For example, the geometry of the expansion nozzle 104 may be determined (or predetermined) based on the type of steam, the first value of pressure of the steam, a desired pressure drop, the temperature of the steam and / or any other suitable parameter of the steam. In several alternate embodiments, the expansion nozzle 104 may be a variable geometry expansion nozzle with electrically, hydraulically, or pneumatically controlled vanes to increase or decrease the cross-section of the expansion nozzle 104 in correlation with a desired predefined pressure drop.

[0061]

[0055] The expansion nozzle 104 is configured to cause the steam to undergo Joule- Thomson expansion. The steam undergoes isentropic throttling inside the expansion nozzle 104. Therefore, the steam expands rapidly acquiring a second value of the steam pressure, the second value being smaller than the first value, with no heat loss occurring from the steam in ideal conditions. For example, the second value of the steam pressure may be lower than 2 Bar, e.g. 0.005 Bar. However, in real-world conditions, a very small amount of heat transfer may take place between the steam and the environment surrounding the steam. Since the steam may be at temperatures above 540°C, the steam may undergo heating and increase in temperature during the Joule-Thomson expansion. For example, the temperature of the steam during the Joule-Thomson expansion may be up to 20°C. The steam leaving the expansion nozzle 104 is now a high-temperature (HT) low-pressure (LP) steam. The HT and LP steam is then pumped to High-Temperature Steam Electrolyzer 106 (also referred to as “the electrolyzer 106”) that performs High-Temperature Steam Electrolysis (HTSE) of the HT and LP steam to obtain Hydrogen and Oxygen in gaseous states.

[0062]

[0056] The electrolyzer 106 includes a cathode 114 connected to a negative or a ground terminal of a power source 108. The cathode 114 may be made up of Nickel or Nickel-based cermets due to their good hydrogen evolution activity and conductivity. Furthermore, the electrolyzer 106 includes an anode 110 connected to a positive terminal of the power source 108. The anode 110 may be made of ceramics like Lanthanum Strontium Cobalt Ferrite (LSCF) or doped Perovskites. These materials exhibit good electrical conductivity, stability at high temperatures, and catalytic activity for water oxidation. Furthermore, an electrolyte 112 has been provided between the anode 110 and the cathode 114. The electrolyte 112 may be a Solid Oxide Electrolyte (SOE). The electrolyte 112 may be made of Yttria-stabilized Zirconia (YSZ). YSZ offers good ionic conductivity for oxygen ions at high temperatures. Alternative materials like Gadolinium Doped Ceria (CGO) are also being explored. P-655830-PC

[0063]

[0057] FIG. 3 illustrates a method 300 for performing electrolysis of steam, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The method 300 includes at Step 302 receiving steam from the steam source 102. Furthermore, the steam is characterized by the first value of the steam pressure. As indicated above, the steam source 102 may be a combustion engine, for example, the internal combustion engine 202. Alternately, the steam source 102 may be an industrial process that uses water or steam as a cooling agent, for example, the industrial process 250.

[0064]

[0058] At Step 304, the steam may be passed through the expansion nozzle 106 thereby causing the steam to undergo Joule- Thomson expansion causing the expanded steam to be received. FIG. 4 illustrates variation of Joule-Thomson coefficient of steam versus the temperature of the steam. Region 410 illustrates the temperature of the steam at high temperature (exhaust gases leaving an internal combustion engine are generally above 800 K). The lower the value of the Joule-Thomson coefficient, the more the expansion of the steam in the expansion nozzle 106 will tend towards an ideal isentropic (or adiabatic) expansion. For example, the value of the Joule-Thomson coefficient may be defined or controlled by the geometry of the expansion nozzle 104. As explained hereinabove, the geometry of the expansion nozzle 104 may be determined (or predetermined) based on the type of steam, the first value of pressure of the steam, a desired pressure drop, the temperature of the steam and / or any other suitable parameter of the steam. The expanded steam acquires the second value of the steam pressure, the second value being smaller than the first value. Referring to FIG. 3, at Step 306, the expanded steam is fed to the electrolyzer 106 where the expanded steam is electrolyzed into Hydrogen and Oxygen in gaseous states. At the cathode 114, the HT and LP steam is reduced, due to the absorption of electrons, into Hydrogen gas and negatively charged Oxygen free radicals. The chemical equation is given as:

[0065]

[0059] H2O + 2e~ H2+ O2~

[0066]

[0060] The Oxygen free radicals travel to the anode 110 through the electrolyte 112 where they lose electrons to convert into Oxygen gas. The chemical equation is given as:

[0067]

[0061] 2O2~ ^ O2+ 4e~

[0068]

[0062] At Step 308, the obtained Hydrogen and / or Oxygen gases are fed to a power plant or stored under pressure storage containers. In several embodiments of the invention, the obtained Hydrogen and / or Oxygen gases may be fed to a Solid-Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) for again generating electricity. Alternately, the obtained Hydrogen and / or Oxygen gases may be fed to a fuel combustor. The fuel combustor may further be configured to use a petroleum product and / or Hydrogen gas as a P-655830-PC combustible fuel. FIG. 5 illustrates the feeding of products of the electrolysis of the steam back to the internal combustion engine 202, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Oxygen gas is fed into an intake side of the compressor 206. Furthermore, Hydrogen gas may be fed into the combustion chamber 201 through the fuel injectors 203.

[0069]

[0063] The embodiments of the present disclosure as discussed above offer several advantages. For instance, the steam at high temperatures provides savings in energy required to pre-heat the steam for HTSE. Low pressures of the incident steam allow a more enhanced diffusion of the steam over the surfaces of the cathodes thereby increasing the overall efficiency of the Hydrogen production. Lower pressures of steam also provide savings in capital costs as the strength requirements of reactor vessels are minimal. Moreover, steam at low pressure requires relatively low amounts of pumping power thereby providing savings in operational costs of the systems and the methods disclosed

[0070]

[0064] In the above description, an embodiment is an example or implementation of the invention. The various appearances of "one embodiment”, "an embodiment", "certain embodiments" or "some embodiments" do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiments. Although various features of the invention can be described in the context of a single embodiment, the features can also be provided separately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although the invention can be described herein in the context of separate embodiments for clarity, the invention can also be implemented in a single embodiment. Certain embodiments of the invention can include features from different embodiments disclosed above, and certain embodiments can incorporate elements from other embodiments disclosed above. The disclosure of elements of the invention in the context of a specific embodiment is not to be taken as limiting their use in the specific embodiment alone. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention can be carried out or practiced in various ways and that the invention can be implemented in certain embodiments other than the ones outlined in the description above.

[0071]

[0065] Although embodiments of the invention are not limited in this regard, the terms “plurality” and “a plurality” as used herein can include, for example, “multiple” or “two or more”. The terms “plurality” or “a plurality” can be used throughout the specification to describe two or more components, devices, elements, units, parameters, or the like. The term set when used herein can include one or more items. P-655830-PC

[0072]

[0066] The invention is not limited to those diagrams or to the corresponding descriptions. For example, flow need not move through each illustrated box or state, or in exactly the same order as illustrated and described. Meanings of technical and scientific terms used herein are to be commonly understood as by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs, unless otherwise defined. While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as exemplifications of some of the preferred embodiments. Other possible variations, modifications, and applications are also within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be limited by what has thus far been described, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

P-655830-PCCLAIMS1. A method of performing electrolysis of steam, the method comprising: receiving a supply of steam from a steam source, the steam having a first value of pressure; passing the steam through an expansion nozzle to cause the steam to undergo Joule- Thomson expansion to provide an expanded steam, the expanded steam having a second value of pressure that is smaller than the first value of pressure; and feeding the expanded steam to an electrolyzer to electrolyze the expanded steam to provide Hydrogen and Oxygen gases.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the expanded steam has same or a greater temperature value than a temperature value of the received steam.

3. The method of claim 1, comprising keeping a geometry of the expansion nozzle fixed.

4. The method of claim 1, comprising changing a geometry of the expansion nozzle to cause a reduction of the pressure of the steam from the first value of pressure to the second value of pressure.

5. The method of claim 1, comprising storing at least one of the Oxygen and the Hydrogen.

6. The method of claim 1, comprising feeding at least one of the Oxygen and the Hydrogen to a power plant.

7. The method of claim 1 , comprising filtering the steam to remove contaminants from the steam.

8. The method of claim 1, comprising feeding the Oxygen into a compressor of a combustion engine.P-655830-PC9. The method of claim 8, comprising feeding the Hydrogen into a combustion chamber of the combustion engine.

10. A system for performing electrolysis of steam, the system comprising: an expansion nozzle to: receive a supply of steam, the steam having a first value of pressure, and cause the steam to undergo Joule- Thomson expansion to provide an expanded steam, the expanded steam having a second value of pressure that is smaller than the first value of pressure; and an electrolyzer in fluid communication with the expansion nozzle, the electrolyzer to electrolyze the expanded steam to provide Hydrogen and Oxygen gases.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein a geometry of the expansion nozzle is fixed.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein a geometry of the expansion nozzle is variable to cause a reduction of the pressure of the steam from the first value of pressure to the second value of pressure.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the electrolyzer is in fluid communication with at least one storage container for providing at least one of the Hydrogen and the Oxygen to the at least one storage container.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the electrolyzer is in fluid communication with a power plant for providing at least one of the Hydrogen and Oxygen to the power plant.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the expansion nozzle receives the supply of steam from the power plant.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the expansion nozzle receives the supply of steam from a central portion of a rotating turbine of an exhaust port of a combustion engine.P-655830-PC16. The system of claim 15, comprising a filter disposed upstream the expansion nozzle, the filter to remove contaminants from the steam.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the electrolyzer is in fluid communication with a compressor of the combustion engine for providing the Oxygen to the compressor.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the electrolyzer is in fluid communication with a combustion chamber of the combustion engine for providing the Hydrogen to the combustion chamber.

Images