Method, device for checking and testing a hydrogen production plant, and use thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device (10) for checking and testing a hydrogen production plant (100) having a plurality of electrolysis devices, which are designed to generate hydrogen from water with the aid of electrical current, having a water circuit for supplying the electrolysis devices with water, and having electrical connections for connecting the hydrogen production plant (100) to an electrical current source or electrical voltage source or an electrical power network which, for generating hydrogen, supplies the electrolysis devices of the hydrogen production plant (100) with electrical power (11), wherein the device (10) has an encapsulated receiving space (11) which is designed to receive the hydrogen production plant (100) to be checked or tested.

Description

[0001] 1 / 25 21111 -P2-PCT / PB06258WO

[0002] Quest One GmbH

[0003] Method, device for testing and inspecting a hydrogen production plant and its use

[0004] The invention relates to a method, a device for testing and inspecting a hydrogen production plant and the use thereof.

[0005] DE 10 2017 108 413 A1 discloses an electrolysis device with a cell stack comprising several cell stack elements, wherein the cell stack elements of the cell stack form several electrolysis cells. Furthermore, the electrolysis device known from this prior art has a force application unit by which a force can be exerted on the cell stack to compress the cell stack elements of the cell stack in a fluid-tight manner. The force application unit has opposing end plates between which the cell stack is arranged and compressed. The force application unit also includes compression devices comprising spring elements and struts, wherein the spring force of the spring elements presses the end plates against each other, compressing the cell stack. Connections are provided on the end plates of the electrolysis device, namely water supply connections, water discharge connections, and hydrogen connections.Water is supplied to the electrolysis device via the water inlet connections, while water and oxygen are removed from the electrolysis device via the water outlet connections. The hydrogen connections are used to remove or pass through the hydrogen produced during electrolysis from the electrolysis device.

[0006] In a hydrogen production plant, several electrolysis devices are installed, wherein the electrolysis devices are connected in series in the respective cascade, forming at least one cascade, preferably several parallel cascades.

[0007] 09 / 12 / 2025 2 / 25 21111 -P2-PCT / PB06258WO

[0008] The electrolysis units of a hydrogen production plant are connected to a water circuit within the plant, which supplies the electrolysis units with hydrogen for hydrogen production. For hydrogen production, the electrolysis units are connected to an electrical power source or voltage source, or to the electrical grid, via electrical connections within the plant.

[0009] The applicant markets an industrial plug-and-play hydrogen production plant under the product name ME450. This plant requires an electrical power supply of approximately 1 MW to produce about 450 kg of high-purity hydrogen per day. The components of such a hydrogen production plant, such as the electrolysis units, are housed in a standard container, allowing the plant to be transported as a single unit. For commissioning, it only needs to be connected to an electrical power source or grid, a water supply, and any necessary ancillary connections (such as wastewater, medium-voltage grid connection, etc.). These transportable hydrogen production plants can be shipped as a single unit from the manufacturer to the customer and commissioned there by connecting to an electrical grid or grid.An electrical power source or voltage source, a water source, and any necessary auxiliary connections must be put into operation. A plug-and-play hydrogen production plant is therefore essentially a turnkey hydrogen production plant.

[0010] Hydrogen production plants must undergo comprehensive inspection and testing. In particular, manufacturer-inspected and tested hydrogen production plants before delivery to the customer is crucial. Since hydrogen is explosive and poses a hazard, the following applies as of September 12, 2025: 3 / 25 21111 -P2-PCT / PB06258WO

[0011] Testing and inspecting a hydrogen production plant requires a safe testing and inspection environment. To date, no devices are known that allow for the safe testing and inspection of a fully operational hydrogen production plant, particularly by the manufacturer, before delivery to a customer.

[0012] The object of the invention is to provide a device for inspecting and testing a hydrogen production plant and the use thereof to safely inspect and test a hydrogen production plant inside or outside a building before delivery to a customer. This object is achieved by a device according to claim 1 and the use according to claim 8, as well as the method according to claim 9.

[0013] The device according to the invention for testing and inspecting a hydrogen production plant has an encapsulated receiving chamber designed to accommodate the hydrogen production plant to be tested. Encapsulation is understood to mean a substantially gas-tight enclosure.

[0014] The device according to the invention has an encapsulated receiving chamber in which the hydrogen production plant to be inspected and tested can be placed. Should hydrogen escape uncontrollably from the hydrogen production plant during inspection or testing, this hydrogen is contained within the encapsulated receiving chamber, preventing it from escaping into the environment.

[0015] Preferably, the device according to the invention comprises a supply blower or an intake device, which is configured to supply air, in particular ambient air, to the receiving chamber from the outside, and / or an exhaust blower or an extraction device, which is configured to discharge air from the receiving chamber to the outside. A defined atmosphere can be established in the encapsulated receiving chamber via the supply blower or intake device and / or the exhaust blower or extraction device of the device according to the invention, for example, by supplying air to the encapsulated receiving chamber via the supply blower or intake device and / or by extracting atmosphere from the receiving chamber via the exhaust blower or extraction device. This can be achieved through a continuous air exchange between the atmosphere in the receiving chamber of the device according to the invention and the environment.

[0016] Preferably, the supply blower or intake device and / or the exhaust blower or extraction device is integrated into a substantially completely or partially closed air circuit. A closed air circuit in which the supply blower or intake device and / or the exhaust blower or extraction device are integrated is particularly preferred in order to provide a defined atmosphere while reducing or minimizing pressure differences within the encapsulated receiving space. In a closed air circuit, it is possible to control the extent to which air is returned from the exhaust blower or extraction device to the supply blower or intake device, the extent to which fresh air is supplied from outside, and the extent to which stale air is discharged to the outside. In a completely closed air circuit, no air exchange takes place at all.In a partially closed air circuit, the proportion of air exchange can be adjusted as required using suitable means, e.g., proportional valves.

[0017] A closed air circuit exists, for example, when air from the room (building) surrounding the testing and inspection device is drawn in and returned to the same room, rather than air from the environment. In this way, at least some of the exhausted air is drawn back in and supplied to the testing and inspection device. An open air circuit, on the other hand, is one in which air is drawn in from the environment and also returned to it.

[0018] Preferably, at least one hydrogen sensor is assigned to the encapsulated receiving chamber, which is configured to measure the hydrogen concentration in the receiving chamber, and a control unit is provided that controls the supply blower.

[0019] 12.09.2025 5 / 25 21111 -P2-PCT / PB06258WO or the intake device and / or the exhaust fan or the extraction device depending on the measured hydrogen concentration in the receiving chamber. The hydrogen sensor measures the hydrogen concentration in the receiving chamber, i.e., in the atmosphere within the receiving chamber. Depending on this, the control unit can activate the supply fan or the intake device and / or the exhaust fan or the extraction device to prevent an explosive mixture of hydrogen and oxygen from being present within the receiving chamber.

[0020] Preferably, the device according to the invention for testing and inspecting a hydrogen production plant comprises a conversion device for converting the hydrogen produced during testing and inspecting the hydrogen production plant back into water, in particular at least one catalyst and / or at least one fuel cell. The hydrogen produced during testing and inspecting the hydrogen production plant can be directly converted back into water via the conversion device, whereby heat is primarily generated in a catalyst and electrical energy is primarily generated in a fuel cell. The conversion device is preferably arranged within the encapsulated receiving space.This allows the total amount of hydrogen present at any given time to be significantly limited, thus reducing the overall risk and consequences of explosions compared to a test or inspection device where the amount of hydrogen present increases continuously during operation. By immediately eliminating the produced hydrogen, it is possible to test or inspect even high-capacity hydrogen production plants essentially without risk.

[0021] The recycled water is preferably collected in a water collection tank. The water collection tank is expediently designed to be pressure-tight in order to receive and temporarily store the pressurized water.

[0022] The water collection container is only depressurized and emptied after the inspection or test has been completed.

[0023] 09 / 12 / 2025 6 / 25 21111 -P2-PCT / PB06258WO

[0024] Since the water is ultrapure water, and the production of ultrapure water is complex, the converted water can optionally be temporarily stored for reuse in a hydrogen production plant or a testing or inspection device according to the invention.

[0025] Alternatively or additionally, further devices can be connected to or attached to the testing and inspection device, through which the produced hydrogen is used and / or temporarily stored, for example, a hydrogen tank for (intermediate) storage of the produced hydrogen, a combustion plant for heat generation, a power engine for converting the chemical energy bound in the hydrogen into mechanical energy. Other uses are also possible.

[0026] Preferably, the device according to the invention for testing and inspecting a hydrogen production plant comprises at least one hydrogen supply line for supplying the hydrogen produced during testing or inspecting the hydrogen production plant to a tank (mixing tank), at least one compressed air injector for supplying air to the tank, and at least one discharge line for removing a mixture of hydrogen and air from the tank and supplying it to the reconversion device. The mixing tank can be arranged outside or inside the encapsulated receiving space. This is preferred in order to discharge the hydrogen produced during testing or inspecting the hydrogen production plant into a tank in a controlled manner and then to supply a defined mixture of hydrogen and air from the tank to the reconversion device. Air under pressure (compressed air) can be introduced via the compressed air injector.The air in question can be compressed air (using a compressor) or, in particular, compressed ambient air. Due to the hydrogen introduced under pressure, introducing air without pressure is not possible.

[0027] Preferably, the device according to the invention is used for testing and inspecting an industrial hydrogen production plant, in particular a plug-and-play hydrogen production plant, which is designed for the production of 12.09.2025 7 / 25 21111 -P2-PCT / PB06258WO

[0028] Hydrogen can be supplied with an electrical power output in the range of more than 0.2 megawatts, in particular more than 0.5 and up to 5, preferably between 2 and 5 megawatts (MW), and whose components are arranged in a container, in particular in an ISO container with a width of 2.4384 meters (8 feet), a height of 2.591 meters (8.5 feet) and a length of 6.058 meters (20 feet) or a length of preferably 12.192 meters (40 feet), wherein the encapsulated receiving space is designed to accommodate the container and optionally attachments to the container. The device according to the invention is used in particular for testing or trialling an industrial hydrogen production plant. Preferably, the device according to the invention is used for testing or trialling an industrial plug-and-play hydrogen production plant, the components of which are accommodated in a standard container.

[0029] The inventive method for testing and inspecting the hydrogen production plant in a production facility using the aforementioned device comprises the following steps: a) placing the essentially turnkey hydrogen production plant into the encapsulated receiving space of the device, b) connecting the hydrogen production plant to electrical and fluidic interfaces provided in the device to supply the hydrogen production plant with the necessary operating resources for carrying out a test in the production facility, wherein these include at least a water supply and an electrical power connection, c) connecting the hydrogen production plant to fluidic interfaces provided in the device for the controlled removal of the reactants produced during the test in the production facility, comprising at least one hydrogen outlet and one oxygen outlet.d) Fluid-tight sealing of the device and optional commissioning of the feed blower, discharge blower, suction device and / or extraction device to create a controlled atmosphere in the device,

[0030] 12.09.2025 8 / 25 21111 -P2-PCT / PB06258WO e) Commissioning of the hydrogen production plant with the supply of operating materials and production of hydrogen and oxygen for a predetermined period, f) Discharge of the reactants hydrogen and oxygen via the fluidic interfaces, g) Determination of fault-free or fault-free operation of the hydrogen production plant, h) Decommissioning of the hydrogen production plant, and optionally decommissioning of the supply blower, discharge blower, intake device and / or extraction device, i) Decoupling of the hydrogen production plant from all fluidic and electrical interfaces of the device and removal of the hydrogen production plant from the device for transport to the final operating location of the customer or operator.

[0031] The aforementioned method provides a simple and safe way to quickly and easily subject a turnkey hydrogen production plant to a hot test under real or near-realistic conditions with electrical power input. Hot testing differs from cold testing, in which a hydrogen production plant is tested "cold," under simulated conditions without hydrogen production, but not actually operated.

[0032] Preferably, in step f), the extracted hydrogen is converted back to water in the reconversion device and thus rendered harmless. The inspection and testing according to step e) is preferably carried out over a period of less than 2 hours. This is generally sufficient to determine proper operation. The device can include a device controller and the hydrogen production plant a plant controller, so that the determination of fault-free or fault-free operation of the hydrogen production plant according to step g) is expediently carried out using a test or inspection protocol provided by the device controller, which is then sent by the device controller to the plant controller for the execution of predetermined test and inspection steps.

[0033] 12.09.2025 9 / 25 21111 -P2-PCT / PB06258WO is transferred, and the plant control system transmits the results of the predetermined test and inspection steps to the device control system. A test and inspection protocol can thus be easily adapted by changes in the device control system without requiring any modifications to the device control system itself. The determination of fault-free or fault-free operation of the hydrogen production plant according to step g) is preferably also or exclusively carried out using on-board sensors of the hydrogen production plant. In particular, in a further development of the invention, the plant control system of the hydrogen production device mentioned below performs a self-diagnosis, whereby the test and inspection steps can be specified by the device control system or the plant control system, the hydrogen production plant carries them out, and sensor measurements are logged and / or transmitted to the device control system.The evaluation of the test and inspection results can be performed by the plant control system or the device control system, which checks whether the corresponding sensor readings are within predetermined limits. If so, the plant or device control system outputs a signal classifying the hydrogen production plant as fault-free.

[0034] Preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims and the following description. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, without being limited thereto. The drawing shows:

[0035] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a first device according to the invention for testing and inspecting a hydrogen production plant together with a hydrogen production plant to be tested or inspected.

[0036] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a second device according to the invention for testing and inspecting a hydrogen production plant together with a hydrogen production plant to be tested.

[0037] Fig. 3 shows a cross-section through Fig. 2,

[0038] 09 / 12 / 2025 10 / 25 21111 -P2-PCT / PB06258WO

[0039] Fig. 4 shows a detail of a modification of the device for testing and inspecting a hydrogen production plant according to Fig. 2.

[0040] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a device 10 according to the invention for testing and inspecting a hydrogen production plant 100.

[0041] The hydrogen production plant 100 to be tested or examined in the apparatus 10 comprises several electrolysis devices (not shown) configured to produce hydrogen from water using electric current. The electrolysis devices typically form several cascades connected in parallel, each consisting of several electrolysis devices connected in series. The hydrogen production plant 100 to be tested or examined in the apparatus 10 further comprises a water circuit to which the electrolysis devices are connected in order to supply the electrolysis devices with water for hydrogen production.Furthermore, the hydrogen production plant 100 to be tested or examined in the device 10 has electrical connections to connect the hydrogen production plant to an electrical current source or an electrical voltage source or an electrical power grid for hydrogen production, and thus to supply the electrolysis devices of the hydrogen production plant 100 with electrical power for the production of hydrogen.

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, an industrial plug-and-play hydrogen production plant 100 is tested in the device 10 according to the invention, wherein in such an industrial plug-and-play hydrogen production plant, assemblies thereof, in particular all electrolysis devices, the water circuit, a water treatment device integrated into the water circuit and an oxygen separator integrated into the water circuit are arranged in a container 101, namely in a standard container or ISO container with a width of 2.4384 meters (8 feet), a height of 2.591 meters (8.5 feet) and a

[0043] 09 / 12 / 2025 11 / 25 21111 -P2-PCT / PB06258WO

[0044] The container 101 has a length of 6.058 meters (20 feet) or preferably 12.192 meters (40 feet). According to Fig. 1, a door 102 is incorporated into such a container 101, through which, for example, maintenance personnel can enter the container 101. Furthermore, Fig. 1 shows, as an optional attachment 103 to the container 101, a cooling device 103 of the hydrogen production plant 100 for dissipating heat from the process water circuit.

[0045] The device 10 according to the invention for testing and inspecting the hydrogen production plant 100 has an encapsulated receiving space 11, which is configured to accommodate the hydrogen production plant 100 to be tested or inspected, i.e., in Fig. 1, the container 101 and optional attachments 103 to the container 101. The entire hydrogen production plant 100 to be tested or inspected can therefore be arranged in the encapsulated receiving space 11 of the device 10 according to the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, this is a plug-and-play hydrogen production plant, which only needs to be supplied with water for hydrogen production and connected to an electrical current source, an electrical voltage source, or an electrical power grid via its electrical connections (not shown).

[0046] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the device 10 for checking and testing the hydrogen production plant is arranged in a building 200, for example in a manufacturer's factory hall for the hydrogen production plant 100.

[0047] The device 10 according to the invention, in the illustrated embodiment, has a supply blower 12 or an intake device, wherein the supply blower 12 or the intake device is configured to supply air, namely ambient air, to the encapsulated receiving chamber 11 from the outside. Thus, in Fig. 1, the supply blower 12 or the intake device can draw fresh air from the environment via a line 13, specifically from outside the building 200 in which the

[0048] 09 / 12 / 2025 12 / 25 21111 -P2-PCT / PB06258WO

[0049] Device 10 is arranged to draw in fresh air to supply the encapsulated receiving chamber 11.

[0050] In the illustrated embodiment, the device 10 further comprises a discharge fan 14 or an extraction device, wherein the discharge fan 14 or the extraction device is configured to discharge atmosphere, namely air located in the receiving space 11, from the receiving space 11 to the outside, as shown in Fig. 1 via a line 15, which leads outwards from the building 200 into its surroundings.

[0051] In Fig. 1, to provide a defined atmosphere within the encapsulated receiving chamber 11, fresh air is drawn in from the surroundings of the building 200, in which the device 10 is located, via the supply blower 12 or the intake device and supplied to the receiving chamber 11. At the same time, atmosphere is extracted from the receiving chamber 11 into the surroundings of the building 200 via the exhaust blower or the extraction device. This provides an open air circuit for ventilating the encapsulated receiving chamber 11, in particular to ensure that no explosive hydrogen mixture is present in the receiving chamber 11.

[0052] Fig. 1 further shows a vent line 16 for discharging the hydrogen produced during the testing and inspection of the hydrogen production plant 100 into the environment. A valve 17 can be integrated into this vent line 16.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 1, a hydrogen sensor 18 is arranged inside the encapsulated receiving chamber 11. The hydrogen sensor 18 can be used to measure the hydrogen concentration inside the receiving chamber 11, i.e., within the atmosphere located in the receiving chamber 11, and provides its measured value to a control unit 19.

[0054] 09 / 12 / 2025 13 / 25 21111 -P2-PCT / PB06258WO

[0055] The control unit 19 is configured to control the supply fan 12 or the intake device and / or the exhaust fan 14 or the extraction device, depending on the measured value of the hydrogen sensor 18, i.e., depending on the hydrogen concentration within the encapsulated intake chamber 11. If the hydrogen concentration within the atmosphere of the encapsulated intake chamber 11 exceeds a limit value, the supply fan 12 and / or exhaust fan 14 are controlled in such a way as to increase the air exchange within the encapsulated intake chamber 10 in order to reduce the hydrogen concentration below the limit value.

[0056] In Fig. 1, the control unit 19 is further set up to control the optional valve 17 integrated into the drain line 16 for the hydrogen.

[0057] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the device 10 according to the invention for testing and inspecting a hydrogen production plant 100 therefore has the encapsulated receiving chamber 11. This encapsulated receiving chamber 11 is designed to accommodate the hydrogen production plant 100 to be tested or inspected as a single unit. The hydrogen production plant 100 to be tested or inspected is an industrial hydrogen production plant, which is specifically designed to produce more than 100 kg of hydrogen per day during operation. The device 10 according to the invention is therefore intended for testing and inspecting industrial hydrogen production plants and not for testing or inspecting hydrogen production plants on a laboratory scale.

[0058] A controlled atmosphere prevails in the encapsulated receiving chamber 10, which is provided in particular by the supply blower 12 or the intake device and / or the exhaust blower 14 or the extraction device. The controlled atmosphere in the encapsulated receiving chamber 11 can be monitored metrologically using a hydrogen sensor 18 in order to control the supply blower 12 and / or exhaust blower 14 accordingly.

[0059] 09 / 12 / 2025 14 / 25 21111 -P2-PCT / PB06258WO

[0060] Fig. 2 shows a modification of the device 10 according to the invention of Fig. 1, in which the supply blower 12 or the intake device and the exhaust blower 14 or the extraction device are integrated into a closed air circuit 20. The atmosphere extracted via the extraction device 14 is thus returned towards the supply blower 12 and continuously recirculated. This reduces pressure differences and increases the efficiency of the device 10. A device 21 can be integrated into the closed air circuit 20 to purify the recirculated air, in particular to remove hydrogen from it. The air circuit 20 is not necessarily to be understood as a closed duct system.The closed air circuit should also be understood to mean that—if the testing and inspection device 10 is located, for example, in a building 200—the air is discharged into the building via the device 21 and drawn back in from the building interior. The closed air circuit can therefore also be a virtual air circuit. In contrast to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, a closed air circuit 20 therefore does not have any chimneys 13, 15 projecting into the environment. The exhaust and intake devices 12 and 14 are 'short-circuited' via the interior of the building 200.

[0061] Fig. 2 does not show the building 200 in which the device 10 for testing and inspecting the hydrogen production plant 100 may be located. However, the device 10 may also be located in a building 200 in Fig. 2.

[0062] For the sake of simplicity, the hydrogen sensor 18 and the control unit 19 are not shown in Fig. 2. However, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the hydrogen sensor 18 and the control unit 19 described in connection with Fig. 1 can be used in an analogous manner.

[0063] 09 / 12 / 2025 15 / 25 21111 -P2-PCT / PB06258WO

[0064] The device 10 according to the invention of Figs. 2, 3 has a conversion device 22 to preferably completely convert the hydrogen produced during the testing and inspection of the hydrogen production plant 10 back into water.

[0065] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the conversion device 22 comprises several catalysts 23 that convert the hydrogen back into water, primarily generating heat in the process. Alternatively or additionally to such catalysts 23, the conversion device 22 can also include at least one fuel cell to convert the hydrogen produced during the testing and verification of the hydrogen production plant 100 back into water, primarily generating electrical energy in the process.

[0066] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the device 10 has a hydrogen line 24, through which the hydrogen produced during the testing and inspection of the hydrogen production plant 10 can be supplied from the hydrogen production plant 100 to a tank 25.

[0067] Furthermore, Fig. 2 shows oxygen lines 26, through which the oxygen produced during hydrogen production can be supplied to the tank 25 from the hydrogen production plant 100.

[0068] In Fig. 2, at least one compressed air injector 27 is assigned to tank 25 to introduce ambient air into tank 25 in addition to the hydrogen supplied via hydrogen line 24 and the oxygen supplied via oxygen line 26. This serves to form a defined mixture of oxygen, hydrogen, and air in tank 25, which can be discharged from tank 25 via at least one discharge line 28 and directed towards the conversion device 22.

[0069] 09 / 12 / 2025 16 / 25 21111 -P2-PCT / PB06258WO

[0070] This can increase the efficiency of converting hydrogen back into water.

[0071] In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, the water produced during the hydrogen reconversion in the reconversion device 22 flows back into the tank 25, specifically into a bottom area 29 of the tank 25 below the compressed air injectors 27, from where it is discharged from the tank 25 via a water line 30. Figure 3 shows a water collection container 31 for the water discharged from the tank 25 via the line 30.

[0072] According to Fig. 2, 3, the hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production plant 10 during testing and inspection is therefore converted back and mixed with oxygen and / or ambient air before the conversion to provide a mixing ratio advantageous for the conversion of the hydrogen.

[0073] The reconversion device 22, in particular the at least one catalyst 23 thereof, can be temperature-controlled by means of a heating device in order to operate it in a temperature range advantageous for the reconversion, in particular in a temperature range between 250 °C and 350 °C.

[0074] As can be seen in Figures 2 and 3, the recovery device 22 is arranged inside the encapsulated receiving space 11. In Figures 2 and 3, the tank 25 is located outside the encapsulated receiving space 11. However, it is also possible to arrange the tank 25 inside the encapsulated receiving space 11.

[0075] The hydrogen produced during the testing and inspection of the hydrogen production plant 100 is preferably present at a pressure between 25 and 30 bar. The oxygen produced during hydrogen production is preferably present at a pressure between 25 and 30 bar.

[0076] 12.09.2025 17 / 25 21111 -P2-PCT / PB06258WO at atmospheric pressure. Within tank 25, pressure equalization takes place, i.e., the hydrogen is depressurized, in particular to a pressure level between 4 and 8 bar, whereby ambient air is introduced under this pressure via the pressure injectors 27 in order to ultimately provide a mixture of hydrogen, oxygen and air in tank 25 that is advantageous for the reconversion and to supply it to the reconversion device 22.

[0077] Fig. 4 shows a detail of a device 10 according to the invention for testing and inspecting a hydrogen production plant 100, specifically in the area of ​​the tank 25 thereof, wherein, in contrast to the embodiment of Figs. 2 and 3, only hydrogen is supplied to the tank 25 from the hydrogen production plant 100, but no oxygen, in order to mix the hydrogen with ambient air in the area of ​​the tank 25, which is introduced into the tank 25 via the compressed air injectors 27.

[0078] Fig. 4 illustrates that within a first zone 25a of the tank 25, the hydrogen is initially depressurized, in particular from a pressure between 25 bar and 30 bar to a pressure between 4 bar and 8 bar, preferably to a pressure of 6 bar. Subsequently, in a zone 25b of the tank 25, the depressurized hydrogen is mixed with compressed air introduced into the tank 25. A mixture then exists in a zone 25c, which is directed towards the catalyst 23 of the reconversion device 22 shown in Fig. 4.

[0079] In Fig. 4, the generated water also flows back into the tank 25 and can be discharged from the tank 25 via a drain 30 and fed into the collection container 31.

[0080] The collection container 31 can have a volume of between 50 and 150 liters for holding water.

[0081] 09 / 12 / 2025 18 / 25 21111 -P2-PCT / PB06258WO

[0082] The device 10 according to the invention allows a safe and reliable inspection and testing of an industrial hydrogen production plant 10, in order to inspect or test it over a defined inspection and testing period of, for example, between 30 and 120 minutes or 30 and 90 minutes or 30 and 60 minutes, in particular on the manufacturer's side in a factory hall of the manufacturer.

[0083] The heat generated during the catalysis of hydrogen can be coupled into a heat cycle (not shown) via a heat exchanger (not shown) of the device 10 according to the invention, in order to heat, for example, process water, a process medium or the like.

[0084] The invention further relates to the use of the device 10 according to the invention for testing and inspecting a hydrogen production plant 100. The hydrogen production plant 100 to be tested or inspected is an industrial hydrogen production plant 100, which is configured to produce more than 100 kg of pure hydrogen per day. In particular, such a hydrogen production plant is supplied with an electrical power of between 0.5 and 5 MW for hydrogen production.

[0085] Preferably, the device 10 according to the invention is used for testing and inspecting a hydrogen production plant 100, which is designed as a plug-and-play hydrogen production plant, i.e., which is transported to a customer as a unit and only needs to be connected there to an electrical power grid or an electrical voltage source or electrical current source. Such a plug-and-play hydrogen production plant 100 preferably comprises a container 101, which accommodates the components of the hydrogen production plant, and optionally also attachments 103 to the container 101. The container 101 is a standard container or ISO container with a length of 6.058 meters (20 feet) or preferably a length of 12.192 meters.

[0086] 09 / 12 / 2025 19 / 25 21111 -P2-PCT / PB06258WO

[0087] Meters (40 feet). The width of such a container is 2.4384 meters (8 feet) and its height is 2.591 meters (8.5 feet).

[0088] The invention is particularly useful for testing and inspecting such industrial, transportable hydrogen production plants 100 for early fault detection and correction with minimal effort.

[0089] 09 / 12 / 2025 20 / 25 21111 -P2-PCT / PB06258WO

[0090] Reference symbol list

[0091] 10 Device

[0092] 11 Recording Room

[0093] 12 feed fans

[0094] 13 Management

[0095] 14 exhaust fans

[0096] 15 Management

[0097] 16 Blow-off line

[0098] 17 valve

[0099] 18 hydrogen sensor

[0100] 19 Control unit

[0101] 20 Air circulation

[0102] 21 Cleaning equipment

[0103] 22 Conversion device

[0104] 23 Catalyst

[0105] 24 Hydrogen pipeline

[0106] 25 Tank (mixing tank)

[0107] 25a Zone

[0108] 25b Zone

[0109] 25°C Zone

[0110] 26 Oxygen line

[0111] 27 Compressed air injector

[0112] 28 Drain line

[0113] 29 Floor area

[0114] 30 Water pipe

[0115] 31 water collection containers

[0116] 100 hydrogen production plants

[0117] 101 containers

[0118] 102 Door

[0119] 103 Extension

[0120] 200 buildings

[0121] September 12, 2025

Claims

21 / 25 21111 -P2-PCT / PB06258WO Claims 1. Device (10) for testing and inspecting a hydrogen production plant (100) with several electrolysis devices designed to produce hydrogen from water using electric current, with a water circuit for supplying the electrolysis devices with water and with electrical connections for connecting the hydrogen production plant (100) to an electric current source or electric voltage source or an electric power grid, which supplies the electrolysis devices of the hydrogen production plant (100) with electrical power for the production of hydrogen, characterized by an encapsulated receiving space (11) designed to receive the hydrogen production plant (100) to be tested or inspected.

2. Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a supply blower (12) or an intake device which is configured to supply air to the receiving chamber (11) from the outside and / or has a discharge blower (14) or an extraction device which is configured to discharge air from the receiving chamber (11) to the outside.

3. Device (10) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one hydrogen sensor (18) is assigned to the encapsulated receiving chamber (11) which is configured to measure the hydrogen concentration in the receiving chamber (11), wherein a control unit (19) is configured to operate the supply blower (12) or the intake device and / or discharge blower (15) or the extraction device depending on the measured hydrogen concentration.

4. Device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by a conversion device (22) for converting back the substance produced during testing and September 12, 2025 22 / 25 21111 -P2-PCT / PB06258WO Testing the hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production plant (100) in water, wherein the reconversion device (22) has at least one catalyst (23) and / or at least one fuel cell.

5. Device (10) according to claim 4, characterized by at least one hydrogen line (24) to supply the hydrogen produced during testing and inspection of the hydrogen production plant (100) from the hydrogen production plant (100) to a mixing tank (25), at least one compressed air injector (27) to supply air to the mixing tank (25), and at least one discharge line (28) to discharge a mixture of hydrogen and air from the mixing tank (25) and supply it to the reconversion device (22).

6. Device (10) according to claim 5, characterized by at least one oxygen line (26) to supply oxygen produced during testing and inspection of the hydrogen production plant (100) to the mixing tank (25).

7. Device (10) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the mixing tank (25) is arranged outside the encapsulated receiving space (11) and the reverse conversion device (22) is arranged inside the encapsulated receiving space (11).

8. Use of a device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7 for testing and inspecting a turnkey hydrogen production plant (100) which can be supplied with electrical power in the range of, in particular, 0.5 to 5 MW for the production of hydrogen, wherein its assemblies are arranged in a container (102), wherein the encapsulated receiving space (11) is designed to receive the container (101) and optionally attachments (103) to the container (101). September 12, 2025 23 / 25 21111 -P2-PCT / PB06258WO 9. Method for testing and inspecting a turnkey hydrogen production plant (100) in production operation in a device (10) designed according to any one of claims 2 to 7, the method comprising the steps of: a) placing the turnkey hydrogen production plant (100) into the encapsulated receiving space (11) of the device (10), b) connecting the hydrogen production plant (100) to electrical and fluidic interfaces provided in the device (10) to supply the hydrogen production plant (100) with the necessary operating resources for carrying out a test in production operation, comprising at least a water supply and an electrical power connection, and c) connecting the hydrogen production plant (100) to fluidic interfaces provided in the device (10) for the controlled discharge of the reactants produced during the test in production operation.comprising at least one hydrogen outlet and one oxygen outlet, d) closing the device (10) and commissioning the feed blower (12), discharge blower (14), intake device and / or extraction device to create a controlled atmosphere in the device (10), e) commissioning the hydrogen production plant (100) by supplying the operating materials and generating hydrogen and oxygen for a predetermined period, f) discharging the reactants hydrogen and oxygen via the fluidic interfaces, g) determining whether the hydrogen production plant is operating correctly or incorrectly, h) decommissioning the hydrogen production plant (100), i) disconnecting the hydrogen production plant (100) from all fluidic and electrical interfaces of the device (10) and removing the hydrogen production plant (100) from the device (10). September 12, 2025 24 / 25 21111 -P2-PCT / PB06258WO 10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that at least the reactant hydrogen removed according to step f) is converted back to water in the conversion device (22) according to claim 4.

11. Method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the predetermined commissioning period from step e) is less than 2h.

12. Method according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the determination of a fault-free or fault-free operation of the hydrogen production plant (100) according to step g) is carried out using on-board sensors of the hydrogen production plant (100).

13. Method according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the device (10) comprises a device control and the hydrogen production plant (100) comprises a plant control, wherein the determination of a fault-free or fault-free operation of the hydrogen production plant (100) according to step g) is carried out with a test or inspection protocol provided by the device control, which is transferred by the device control to the plant control for carrying out predetermined test and inspection steps, and the plant control transmits the results of the predetermined test and inspection steps to the device control. September 12, 2025

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