System and method for producing hydrogen h2 from prototype / validation testing of gas turbine

Abstract

A gas turbine test bench system (100, 200, 300) for producing hydrogen from prototype / validation testing comprising a gas turbine engine (10) and an electric power generator (20) electrically decoupled from any electric grid, the gas turbine engine (10) being mechanically coupled to the electric power generator (20) so to transmit mechanical energy to the electric power generator (20) and the electric power generator (20) being configured to transform mechanical energy into electrical energy, generating at least a first electrical energy flow (EE1). The system (100, 200, 300) further comprises an electrolyzer (30) electrically coupled to the electric power generator (20) and configured to receive a first electrical energy flow (EE1) from the electric power generator (20). The electrolyzer (30) is configured to use at least the first electrical energy flow (EE1) to perform electrolyzation of water so to generate a hydrogen flow (H2).

Description

TITLESystem and method for producing hydrogen H2 from prototype / validation testing of gas turbineDESCRIPTIONTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The subject-matter disclosed herein relates to a gas turbine system for producing hydrogen from prototype / validation testing of gas turbine and relative method.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Typically, gas turbine prototypes and, more in general gas turbines, are tested in gas turbine test facilities, in particular using gas turbine performance test rig, before being placed on the market or before being supplied to customers.

[0003] Gas Turbine Performance Test rig is a test bench for validation of full- scale gas turbines of new product development. The test bench is used for different MW range of new gas turbine design and frequency of test duration depends on the product requirements. During the prototype / validation testing of gas turbine, the power generated from the prototype engines can not be connected to a power grid due to the variable power output from gas turbine. Typically, it is dissipated through load banks (dynamo) or electrical resistors

[0004] Therefore, it would be desirable to have a gas turbine system which can exploit the electrical energy produced during tests. In particular, it would be desirable to have a gas turbine system which, rather than wasting energy, it effectively converts the produced electrical energy to useful form and reused by the same equipment, in particular making the system eco-friendly.SUMMARY

[0005] According to an aspect, the subject-matter disclosed herein relates to a gas turbine test bench system for producing hydrogen from prototype / validation testing comprising a gas turbine engine and an electric power generator electrically decoupled from any electric grid. The gas turbine engine is mechanically coupled to the electric power generator so to transmit mechanical energy to the electric power generator and the electric power generator is configured to transform mechanical energy into electrical energy, generating at least a first electrical energy flow. The system further comprises an electrolyzer electrically coupled to the electric power generator and configured to receive a first electrical energy flow from the electric power generator. The electrolyzer is configured to use at least the first electrical energy flow to perform electrolyzation of water so to generate a hydrogen flow.

[0006] According to another aspect, the subject-matter disclosed herein relates to a method for producing a hydrogen flow (H2) from gas turbine testing, the method comprising the steps ofA. Carrying on a prototype or validation test on a gas turbine test bench system comprising a gas turbine engine mechanically coupled to an electric power generator, so to produce mechanical energy through the gas turbine engine which is transformed into electrical energy by the electric power generator;B. Using at least the electrical energy generated by the electrical power generator to produce a hydrogen flow through an electrolyzer; the electric power generator working only in island mode operation.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] A more complete appreciation of the disclosed embodiments of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readilyobtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of an innovative gas turbine test bench system according to the present disclosure,Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of an innovative gas turbine test bench system according to the present disclosure, andFig. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of an innovative gas turbine test bench system according to the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0008] According to an aspect, the subject-matter disclosed herein relates to a gas turbine test bench system for performing prototype / validation testing of gas turbines which can not be coupled to the electric grid due to fluctuations of the power output of the gas turbine. The system according to the present disclosure, instead of wasting energy produced through the gas turbine engine, converts the energy produced into hydrogen (H2) which can be used by the gas turbine engine itself as fuel and / or be stored into appropriate tanks for later use or sale.

[0009] According to another aspect, the subject-matter disclosed herein relates to a method for producing hydrogen (H2) from gas turbine testing using a gas turbine test bench system which cannot be coupled to the electric grid. The method according to the present disclosure involves the generation of electrical energy from the gas turbine engine operation and the conversion of the generated electrical energy into hydrogen through an electrolyzer.

[0010] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. The examplesand drawing figures are provided by way of explanation of the disclosure and should not be construed as a limitation of the disclosure. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. In the following description, similar reference numerals are used for the illustration of figures of the embodiments to indicate elements performing the same or similar functions. Moreover, for clarity of illustration, some references may be not repeated in all the figures.

[0011] Fig. 1 shows, for example and without limitations, a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of an innovative gas turbine test bench system 100 (referred in the following as “system 100”) for producing hydrogen from prototype / validation testing according to the present disclosure. It is to be noted that other possible embodiments of innovative gas turbine test bench system 200 and 300 are shown, for example and without limitations, in Figs. 2 and 3.

[0012] With non-limiting reference to Fig. 1, the system 100 comprises a gas turbine engine 10 and an electric power generator 20. Typically, the gas turbine engine 10 comprises a compressor configured to compress a gas (e.g. ambient air), a combustor, which receives the compressed gas from the compressor and a fuel and is configured to perform combustion so to generate burned gases, and an expander which receives the burned gases from the combustor and is configured to expand them so to generate mechanical energy.

[0013] The gas turbine engine 10 of the system is mechanically coupled to the electric power generator 20 so to transmit the mechanical energy to the electric power generator 20 and the electric power generator 20 is configured to transform the mechanical energy into electrical energy, generating at least a first electrical energy flow EE1.

[0014] It is to be noted that the first electrical energy flow EE1 is generatedduring a prototype / validation testing of the gas turbine engine 10; therefore, the first electrical energy flow EE1 generated from the gas turbine engine 10 is variable and fluctuates. Moreover, the duration of the prototype / validation testing may vary from few minutes to hours and may be intermittent (i.e. it can last for several days).

[0015] Given the above, the electric power generator 20 is electrically decoupled from any electric grid (i.e. it is an off-grid system). In other words, the system 100 works in island mode operation.

[0016] Typically, the electric power generated from prototype gas turbine engines is dissipated through load banks (dynamo) or electrical resistors. According to the present disclosure, however, the system 100 is able to convert the electric power produced by the electric power generator 20 coupled to the gas turbine engine 10 into a hydrogen flow.

[0017] With non-limiting reference to Fig. 1, the system 100 further comprises an electrolyzer 30 electrically coupled to the electric power generator 20 and configured to receive the first electrical energy flow EE1 from the electric power generator 20. The electrolyzer 30 is configured to use at least the first electrical energy flow EE1 to perform electrolyzation of water so to generate a hydrogen flow H2. In particular, the electrolyzer 30 receives the first electrical energy flow EE1 at a first inlet and a water flow at a second inlet so to perform electrolization of water and generate a hydrogen flow at a first outlet of the electrolyzer 30.

[0018] Advantageously, the electrolyzer 30 is a solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC) or an alkaline electrolyzer or a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) or a AEM (Anion Exchange Membrane) electrolyzer or an arrangement thereof (i.e. a plurality of cells).

[0019] With non-limiting reference to Fig. 1, the system 100 furthercomprises a compressor 40 located downstream of the electrolyzer 30 and fluidly coupled to the electrolyzer 30; advantageously, the compressor 40 is a rotary compressor. In particular, the compressor 40 is configured to receive the hydrogen flow generated by the electrolyzer 30 and to perform compression of the hydrogen flow, so to discharge a compressed hydrogen flow.

[0020] According to a first possibility, the compressed hydrogen flow discharged by the compressor 40 is directly supplied to the gas turbine engine 10 as a fuel. Advantageously, the compressed hydrogen flow may be mixed with one or more fluids before being supplied to the gas turbine engine 10.

[0021] According to a second possibility, the system 100 comprises further a storage unit 50 located downstream of the compressor 40 and fluidly coupled to the compressor 40, the storage unit 50 being configured to receive and to store the compressed hydrogen flow at least for a predetermined time.

[0022] Advantageously, the system (see for example the system 200 of Fig. 2 or the system 300 of Fig. 3) is configured to store the compressed hydrogen flow at least for a predetermined time and then all or part of the compressed hydrogen flow stored by the storage unit 250 and 350 is selectively supplied to the gas turbine engine 210 and 310 as a fuel and / or to an external unit. As already stated, the compressed hydrogen flow may be mixed with one or more fluids before being supplied to the gas turbine engine 210 and 310.

[0023] With non-limiting reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the gas turbine test bench system 200 and 300 further comprises a battery storage unit 260 and 360 electrically coupled to the electric power generator 220 and 320. In particular, the electric power generator 220 and 320 is configured to generate a second electrical energy flow EE2 and the battery storage unit 260 and 360 is configured to receive the second electrical energy flow EE2 from the electric power generator 220 and 320 and to store the second electrical energy flow EE2 at least for a predetermined time.

[0024] Advantageously, see for example Fig. 3, the battery storage unit 360 is electrically coupled to the electrolyzer 330 and is configured to selectively provide a third electrical energy flow EE3 generated by the battery storage unit 360 to the electrolyzer in order to perform electrolyzation of water so to generate the hydrogen flow.

[0025] With non-limiting reference to Fig. 3, the system 300 may further comprise a renewable power plant 370, in particular a solar power plant or a wind power plant. Specifically, the renewable power plant 370 is electrically coupled to the electrolyzer 330 and is configured to produce electrical energy, so to provide a fourth electrical energy flow EE4 to the electrolyzer 330 in order to perform electrolyzation of water so to generate the hydrogen flow.

[0026] According to another aspect, the subj ect-matter disclosed herein refers to a method for producing a hydrogen flow from gas turbine testing, the method comprising the steps ofA. Carrying on a prototype or validation test on a gas turbine test bench system comprising a gas turbine engine mechanically coupled to an electric power generator, so to produce mechanical energy through the gas turbine engine which is transformed into electrical energy by the electric power generator, the electric power generator working only in island mode operation;B. Using at least the electrical energy generated by the electrical power generator to produce a hydrogen flow through an electrolyzer.

[0027] In other words, step A of the method involves that the electric power generator is electrically decoupled from any electric grid (i.e. it is an off-grid system).

[0028] Advantageously, the method further comprises the step ofC. Store part of the electrical energy generated by the electrical power generator in a battery storage unit at least for a predetermined time and then supply the stored electrical energy to the electrolyzer.

[0029] Advantageously, the method further comprises the step of:D. Compress the hydrogen flow produced by the electrolyzer through a compressor and supply the compressed hydrogen flow to the gas turbine engine as a fuel and / or to an external unit.

[0030] According to a possibility, during step D the compressed hydrogen flow is stored in a storage unit at least for a predetermined time before being selectively supplied (all or part of it) to the gas turbine engine as a fuel and / or to an external unit.

[0031] Advantageously, the method further comprises the step of: E. Provide electrical energy produced by a renewable power plant to the electrolyzer when the gas turbine engine is not operating.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A gas turbine test bench system (100, 200, 300) for producing hydrogen from prototype / validation testing comprising a gas turbine engine (10) and an electric power generator (20), the gas turbine engine (10) being mechanically coupled to the electric power generator (20) so to transmit mechanical energy to the electric power generator (20) and the electric power generator (20) being configured to transform mechanical energy into electrical energy generating at least a first electrical energy flow (EE1), wherein the system further comprises an electrolyzer (30) electrically coupled to the electric power generator (20) and configured to receive a first electrical energy flow (EE1) from the electric power generator (20), wherein the electrolyzer (30) is configured to use at least the first electrical energy flow (EE1) to perform electrolyzation of water so to generate a hydrogen flow (EI2), wherein the electric power generator (20) is electrically decoupled from any electric grid.

2. The gas turbine test bench system (100, 200, 300) of claim 1, wherein the electrolyzer (30) is a solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC) or an alkaline electrolyzer or a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) or an Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) electrolyzer.

3. The gas turbine test bench system (100, 200, 300) of claim 1, further comprising a compressor (40), in particular a rotary compressor, located downstream of the electrolyzer (30) and fluidly coupled to the electrolyzer (30), wherein the compressor (40) is configured to receive and to perform compression of the hydrogen flow (EI2) generated by the electrolyzer (30).-9-4. The gas turbine test bench system (200) of claim 3, wherein the compressed hydrogen flow (H2) is supplied to the gas turbine engine (210) as a fuel.

5. The gas turbine test bench system (100, 200, 300) of claim 3, further comprising a storage unit (50, 250, 350) located downstream of the compressor (40, 240, 340) and fluidly coupled to the compressor (40, 240, 340), wherein the storage unit (50, 250, 350) is configured to receive and to store the hydrogen flow (H2) compressed by the compressor (40, 240, 340) at least for a predetermined time.

6. The gas turbine test bench system (200, 300) of claim 5, wherein all or part of the compressed hydrogen flow (H2) stored by the storage unit (250, 350) is selectively supplied to the gas turbine engine (210, 310) as a fuel and / or to an external unit.

7. The gas turbine test bench system (200, 300) of claim 1, further comprising a battery storage unit (260, 360) electrically coupled to the electric power generator (220, 320), wherein the electric power generator (220, 320) is further configured to generate a second electrical energy flow (EE2), wherein the battery storage unit (260, 360) is configured to receive the second electrical energy flow (EE2) from the electric power generator (220, 320) and to store the second electrical energy flow (EE2) at least for a predetermined time.

8. The gas turbine test bench system (300) of claim 7, wherein the battery storage unit (360) is electrically coupled to the electrolyzer (330), wherein battery storage unit (360) is further configured to generate a third electrical energy flow (EE3) and to selectively provide the third electrical energy flow (EE3) to the electrolyzer (330).

9. The gas turbine test bench system (300) of claim 1, further comprising a renewable power plant (370), in particular a solar power plant or a wind power plant, electrically coupled to the electrolyzer (330),wherein the renewable power plant (370) is configured to produce electrical energy and to provide a fourth electrical energy flow (EE4) to the electrolyzer (330) to perform electrolyzation of water so to generate the hydrogen flow (EI2).

10. Method for producing a hydrogen flow (EI2) from gas turbine testing, the method comprising the steps ofA. Carrying on a prototype or validation test on a gas turbine test bench system comprising a gas turbine engine mechanically coupled to an electric power generator, so to produce mechanical energy through the gas turbine engine which is transformed into electrical energy by the electric power generator;B. Using at least the electrical energy generated by the electrical power generator to produce a hydrogen flow through an electrolyzer; wherein the electric power generator works only in island mode operation.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step ofC. Store part of the electrical energy generated by the electrical power generator in a battery storage unit at least for a predetermined time and then supply the stored electrical energy to the electrolyzer.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step ofD. Compress the hydrogen flow produced by the electrolyzer through a compressor and supply the compressed hydrogen flow to the gas turbine engine as a fuel and / or to an external unit.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein during step D the compressed hydrogen flow is stored in a storage unit at least for a predetermined time before being supplied to the gas turbine engine as a fuel and / or to the external unit.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of-11-E. Provide electrical energy produced by a renewable power plant to the electrolyzer when the gas turbine engine is not operating.

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