Electrolyzer Power Supply Branching for Converter Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing power supply systems for electrolyzers are complex and costly due to the need for individual supply systems for each electrolyzer, resulting from non-uniform aging and electric insulation issues, which increases the number of AC/DC power converters and control circuits required.
Innovation Solution
A power supply system with an AC/AC power converter, branch transformers, and rectifiers, where multiple supply branches are connected in series to share a single AC/AC power converter, reducing the number of power converters and control circuits needed, and incorporating switches for fault isolation and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each electrolyzer is supplied by a separate AC/DC power converter and control circuit, then each electrolyzer can be independently controlled to account for non-uniform aging, but the number of power converters and control circuits increases, leading to increased cost and system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple AC/DC power converters into a single AC/AC power converter that supplies multiple series-connected supply branches. Each branch has its own transformer and rectifier, but the power conversion function is consolidated, reducing the total number of power converters and control circuits while maintaining independent control capability through the series connection architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The single AC/AC power converter serves multiple supply branches simultaneously, performing the function of multiple converters. The converter is designed to supply power to N series-connected branches, each serving an electrolyzer, making one device perform the work of N separate devices.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If multiple secondary circuits are connected to the transformer secondary side to reduce harmonic rejection, then harmonic generation is reduced, but the transformer design and manufacturing become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The transformer secondary side is segmented into multiple independent secondary circuits, each connected to a separate rectifier and supply branch. This segmentation allows harmonic reduction through distributed power conversion while maintaining modular design that simplifies manufacturing compared to a fully integrated complex converter.
3Device complexity
If supply branches are connected in series to share a single AC/AC power converter, then the number of power converters is reduced, but the system must maintain power delivery during faults and isolation capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the power supply into independent branches with individual transformers and rectifiers, allowing fault isolation in one branch without affecting others. The series connection reduces the number of power converters while the segmented architecture maintains reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Transformers serve as intermediaries between the single AC/AC power converter and each electrolyzer branch, providing galvanic isolation and enabling fault containment. This intermediary structure allows reduced complexity in power conversion while maintaining reliability through isolation capabilities.
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 design simplifies the power supply system, reduces costs, and maintains power delivery to all electrolyzers even during faults or maintenance by isolating affected branches, while optimizing transformer design and reducing harmonic rejection on the grid.
Implementation Method 1
an AC/AC power converter (7) comprising input terminals (8) connected to the main input terminals (6) and output terminals (9)
Implementation Method 2
a branch transformer (21, 22, 23) including a primary circuit (21a, 22a, 23a) connected to the input terminals (15, 16, 17) of the supply branch (12, 13, 14) and a secondary circuit (21b, 22b, 23b)
Implementation Method 3
a rectifier (24, 25, 26) connected to the secondary circuit (21b, 22b, 23b) of the branch transformer (21, 22, 23), the rectifier comprising output terminals (30, 31, 32) connected to the set of output terminals (18, 19, 20)
Implementation Method 4
Each electrolyzer supplied by a DC power supply splits water into dihydrogen and dioxygen
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A power supply system (5) for a plurality of electrolyzers (2, 3, 4) is proposed. The power supply system (5) comprises: - main input terminals (6) intended to be connected to a grid (G), - an AC/AC power converter (7), - a control circuit (10), - a plurality of supply branches (12, 13, 14), - each supply branch (12, 13, 14) comprising a branch transformer (21, 22, 23) including a primary circuit connected to input terminals (15, 16, 17) of the said supply branch and at least one secondary circuit, and at least one rectifier (24, 25, 26) connected to the secondary circuit of the branch transformer, the rectifier comprising output terminals (30, 31, 32) connected to a set of output terminals (18, 19, 20) of the said supply branch to supply the output terminals of the said supply branch with a DC current.