Capacitor Switch Network for Hydrogen Electrolysis Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power systems are inefficient in powering multiple electrolysis cells simultaneously, limiting the hydrogen production rate due to direct connection constraints.

Innovation Solution

A control system utilizing capacitors and switches, managed by a control circuit, to selectively connect and disconnect the input power source, allowing capacitors to continuously discharge and recharge, thereby optimizing power distribution to multiple electrolysis cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple electrolysis cells are operated simultaneously to increase hydrogen production rate, then productivity increases, but the power system becomes insufficient to provide adequate power to all cells

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen production rateVSAvoidpower supply capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

Capacitors are pre-charged before electrolysis operation to store energy in advance. This preliminary energy storage enables the system to provide sufficient power to multiple electrolysis cells simultaneously without requiring an oversized power source, thereby increasing hydrogen production rate while maintaining power supply adequacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The power delivery to multiple electrolysis cells is segmented into discrete time intervals using switches. Each capacitor-discharger pair operates in alternating cycles, with switches controlling which capacitor receives charging power and which provides power to electrolysis cells. This segmentation allows the limited power source to effectively support multiple cells by distributing power across different time segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If a single power source is used to power multiple electrolysis cells, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to simultaneously power multiple cells is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower source configurationVSAvoidsimultaneous hydrogen production capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Capacitors serve as intermediary energy storage devices between the single power source and multiple electrolysis cells. The capacitors buffer and transfer energy, enabling the simple single power source configuration to effectively power multiple cells simultaneously. The switches act as additional intermediaries to control the timing and distribution of power flow through the capacitors to each electrolysis cell.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If capacitors are used to store and distribute power to multiple electrolysis cells, then simultaneous operation capability improves, but device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous electrolysis operation capabilityVSAvoidcontrol system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple capacitor-discharger-switch units are merged into a single integrated system controlled by one power source. The control circuit coordinates all switches to operate in synchronized alternating cycles, merging the control functions into a unified system. This combining approach enables simultaneous operation of multiple electrolysis cells while managing complexity through systematic integration rather than independent control of each component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enables efficient simultaneous operation of multiple electrolysis cells, significantly increasing hydrogen production rates by effectively managing power distribution and ensuring capacitors remain charged, allowing for concurrent operation with a single input power source.

Implementation Method 1

The control system includes a plurality of capacitors. Each of the plurality of capacitors is connected to at least one of the electrolysis cells. The plurality of capacitors is configured to continuously discharge to provide power to the electrolysis cells.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

Hydrogen can be produces with a large amount of electricity such as electrolysis. Electricity is used by an electrolysis cell to generate hydrogen and oxygen with heat and water as by products.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrolysis: Electrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS10106901B2Scalable energy demand system for the production of hydrogen

Publication Date: 2018.10.23 JOHNSON EDWARD E

AI summary

A control system for optimizing simultaneous operation of multiple electrolysis cells is provided. The control system includes a plurality of capacitors connected to at least one of the electrolysis cells and configured to continuously discharge to provide power to the electrolysis cells. The control system also includes an input power source configured to provide power to charge the plurality of capacitors. The control system further includes a plurality of switches configured to selectively connect and disconnect the input power source to one or more capacitors. The control system also includes a control circuit configured to switch the operation state of the plurality of switches based on a time signal such that at any instant the plurality of capacitors are discharging to provide power to the corresponding electrolysis cells, and the one or more capacitors are being charged by consuming power from the input power source.