High Differential Pressure Water Electrolysis System with Integrated Gas-Liquid Separators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water electrolysis systems face challenges in efficiently generating high-pressure hydrogen while effectively managing water reuse and pressure dynamics, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A high differential pressure water electrolysis system that includes a high differential pressure water electrolysis device, a water supply tank, high and low pressure gas-liquid separators, and a pressure maintaining mechanism, which separates and recycles water by utilizing the pressure difference between the high and low pressure gas-liquid separators to maintain efficient operation and minimize equipment needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a conventional water electrolysis system is used, then hydrogen can be generated, but the system is complex and requires dedicated equipment for water management and pressure control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the gas-liquid separator: it serves as both a separation device and a pressure control mechanism. The high pressure gas-liquid separator and low pressure gas-liquid separator are integrated with pressure maintaining mechanisms that utilize the pressure difference between them to control water return, eliminating the need for separate dedicated equipment for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas-liquid separator performs multiple functions: separating gas from liquid, controlling pressure differentials, managing water return to the supply tank, and facilitating hydrogen generation. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the system.
2Productivity
If high pressure hydrogen is generated, then hydrogen production efficiency improves, but water management becomes more difficult due to pressure differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes pressure differentials (pneumatic principle) between the high pressure and low pressure gas-liquid separators to control water return to the supply tank. The pressure maintaining mechanism automatically manages water flow based on pressure differences, simplifying water management despite high pressure hydrogen generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes pressure parameters dynamically through the pressure maintaining mechanism that maintains different pressure levels in the high pressure and low pressure gas-liquid separators. This parameter control enables efficient hydrogen production while automatically managing water flow based on pressure gradients.
3Productivity
If water is continuously supplied to the electrolysis device, then hydrogen generation continues, but water reuse efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers water from the gas-liquid separator and returns it to the supply tank through the water return line. This water recovery process enables continuous hydrogen generation while maintaining high water reuse efficiency by recovering and reusing water that would otherwise be lost.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure maintaining mechanism provides feedback control for water management by monitoring pressure differences and automatically adjusting water flow. This feedback mechanism ensures continuous hydrogen generation while optimizing water reuse efficiency through automated pressure-based control.
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 system achieves efficient water reuse, improves system efficiency, and enables miniaturization by leveraging the pressure of generated hydrogen to return water to the supply tank, reducing the need for dedicated equipment and lowering operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a high differential pressure water electrolysis device (12) that electrolyzes water to generate oxygen and high pressure hydrogen
Implementation Method 2
a high pressure gas-liquid separator (38) that separates liquid from high pressure hydrogen
Implementation Method 3
a low pressure gas-liquid separator (52) that separates gas from liquid water
Implementation Method 4
a pressure maintaining mechanism (62) that maintains a pressure in the low pressure gas-liquid separator (52) higher than a pressure in the water supply tank (28)
Implementation Method 5
the water return line (56) returns water to the water supply tank (28)
Data Source
AI summary
A high differential pressure water electrolysis system includes a high differential pressure water electrolysis device, a water supply tank, a high pressure gas-liquid separator, a hydrogen outlet line, a drain line, a low pressure gas-liquid separator, a water return line, and a pressure maintaining mechanism. The drain line is to drain a liquid water separated by the high pressure gas-liquid separator. The low pressure gas-liquid separator is disposed in the drain line and has a discharge line via which a gas separated by the low pressure gas-liquid separator is to be discharged. The water return line connects the low pressure gas-liquid separator and the water supply tank. The pressure maintaining mechanism is disposed in the discharge line and configured to maintain a pressure in the low pressure gas-liquid separator to be higher than a pressure in the water supply tank.