Integrated Gas Separator with Direct Cooling for Electrolyser Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial-scale water electrolysis systems face complexity and waste generation due to indirect cooling methods, leading to unnecessary water consumption and potential hazardous waste, as well as impurity accumulation in the electrolyte.
Innovation Solution
An electrolyser system with integrated gas separators that incorporate a direct cooling mechanism using cooling water from the water supply, eliminating the need for separate cooling equipment and allowing for water recycling, thereby reducing waste and impurity accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If indirect cooling method is used with separate cooling equipment, then the electrolysis gas can be cooled effectively, but the system complexity increases and waste water is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The gas separator and cooler are merged into a single integrated unit. The gas separator housing contains both the separation chamber and the cooling section, eliminating the need for separate cooling equipment downstream. The cooling water flows directly through the gas cooling section where it contacts the electrolysis gas, achieving both separation and cooling functions in one device.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling water performs multiple functions: it cools the electrolysis gas, condenses water vapor from the gas, and the condensed water is directly returned to the electrolyte circuit. This multi-functional approach eliminates waste water generation while maintaining effective cooling.
2Temperature
If dedicated cooling and separating equipment is used downstream, then the electrolysis gas can be cooled and water vapor condensed, but the number of separate pieces of equipment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas separator and cooler are merged into a single integrated unit. The gas separator housing contains both the separation chamber and the cooling section, eliminating the need for separate cooling equipment downstream. The cooling water flows directly through the gas cooling section where it contacts the electrolysis gas, achieving both separation and cooling functions in one device.
3Quantity of substance
If fresh water is supplied to balance water consumption, then the electrolyte concentration can be maintained, but impurities accumulate in the electrolyte
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discarding the condensed water from the cooling process as waste, it is recovered and directly returned to the electrolyte circuit. This recovered water is free of impurities because it comes from the condensation of water vapor that was in equilibrium with the electrolyte, thus maintaining electrolyte concentration without introducing harmful impurities.
4Temperature
If condensed water is drained as waste water, then the cooling process can proceed, but additional costs for waste water management arise
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discarding the condensed water from the cooling process as waste, it is recovered and directly returned to the electrolyte circuit. This recovered water is free of impurities because it comes from the condensation of water vapor that was in equilibrium with the electrolyte, thus maintaining electrolyte concentration without introducing harmful impurities.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling water that would normally be considered waste is converted into a beneficial resource. By returning the condensed water to the electrolyte circuit, the system eliminates waste water management costs and simultaneously maintains the electrolyte water balance, turning a potential harm into a benefit.
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 approach simplifies the cooling system, minimizes waste water production, and prevents impurities from accumulating in the electrolyte, while efficiently balancing water consumption and cooling the electrolysis gases.
Implementation Method 1
the water vapour entrained with the electrolysis gas is condensed and afterwards separated in a dedicated separator arranged downstream to the gas separator to trap the condensed water from the cooled electrolysis gas
Implementation Method 2
the separated electrolysis gas is subsequently cooled by indirect cooling, for example by a shell and tube heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
oxygen and hydrogen are generated in the anode and cathode sections of an electrolysis stack comprising a plurality of anodes and cathodes. Subsequent to the water splitting reaction, enabled by the supply of direct current to the electrolysis stack
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrolyser system for water electrolysis. The electrolyser system comprises an electrolysis stack and a direct current source, in order to generate oxygen and hydrogen as electrolysis gas by electrolysis of a water containing electrolysis medium. The electrolysis stack comprises an anode section configured to generate oxygen and a cathode section configured to generate oxygen. Furthermore, the electrolyser system comprises an anode gas separator configured to separate oxygen from the electrolysis medium and a cathode gas separator configured to separate hydrogen from the electrolysis medium. The invention is characterised in that at least one of the gas separators comprises a gas separating section and a gas cooling section, wherein the gas cooling section comprises a water inlet connected with a water supply, in order to supply cooling water to the gas cooling section of the gas separator, for the direct cooling of the electrolysis gas separated in the gas separating section of the gas separator within the gas cooling section.