High Temperature Electrolyser with Chemical Compressor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrogen production methods, such as hydrocarbon steam reforming, are high in carbon dioxide emissions and energy consumption, making them inefficient for decentralized hydrogen use, while existing electrolysis technologies face challenges in energy yield and cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A dihydrogen production system incorporating a high temperature electrolyser operating above 500°C, coupled with a chemical compressor using rare earth metal hydrides and an optimized heat exchange system to enhance energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If hydrocarbon steam reforming is used for hydrogen production, then production cost is reduced and industrial maturity is improved, but carbon dioxide emissions increase and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the operating parameters by using high temperature (above 500°C) steam electrolysis instead of conventional low-temperature electrolysis. This parameter change enables the system to achieve competitive production costs while eliminating CO2 emissions, as the high temperature process has lower electrical energy requirements and can utilize waste heat from industrial processes
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the thermal-chemical steam reforming process with an electrochemical electrolysis process. This substitution eliminates the need for hydrocarbon feedstocks and CO2-generating reactions, while the high temperature operation reduces the overall energy input required from the electrical grid
2Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional electrolysis is used for decentralized hydrogen production, then carbon dioxide emissions are reduced, but energy yield deteriorates and production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the temperature parameter from conventional electrolysis (around 80°C) to high temperature (above 500°C). This parameter change fundamentally improves energy yield by reducing the electrical energy required for the electrolysis reaction, as thermodynamic analysis shows that higher temperatures reduce the Gibbs free energy change and thus the minimum electrical work required
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements continuous heat recovery and utilization within the system. Waste heat from the high temperature electrolysis process and from the hydrogen compression process is continuously recovered and used to preheat the feed water, maintaining continuous useful thermal action that improves overall system efficiency and energy yield
3Use of energy by moving object
If high temperature steam electrolysis is used, then energy yield is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into integrated components. The heat exchanger simultaneously cools the high temperature electrolysis gases and preheats the feed water. The compression system is integrated with heat recovery to preheat the compression inlet gas. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The invention designs components to perform multiple functions. The heat exchanger serves both as a cooling device for the electrolysis outlet and as a preheating device for the feed water. The condenser also serves to recover latent heat for preheating purposes. This multi-functionality reduces system complexity by eliminating the need for separate dedicated components for each function
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
The system achieves a significant improvement in energy yield, reaching up to 87%, reducing energy costs and environmental impact by leveraging heat recovery and chemical compression, thus making decentralized hydrogen production more viable.
Implementation Method 1
a high temperature electrolyser adapted to implement steam electrolysis at a temperature higher than 500° C. and produce a steam and dihydrogen mixture
Implementation Method 2
a first exchanger operating heat exchange between the steam from the evaporator and the steam and dihydrogen mixture from the high temperature electrolyser so as to superheat the steam from the evaporator
Implementation Method 3
a condenser and the compressor are successively disposed
Implementation Method 4
a chemical compressor supplied with heat by heat exchange with the condenser
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a system (1) for producing dihydrogen comprising: —a high-temperature electrolyser (2) suitable for implementing steam electrolysis at a temperature greater than 500° C. and producing a mixture of steam and dihydrogen; —a dihydrogen compressor (3); —a main water and dihydrogen circuit (10) on which at least an evaporator (11), the high-temperature electrolyser (2), a condenser (E3) and the compressor (3) are arranged in succession, a first heat exchanger (E1) bringing the steam from the evaporator (11) and the mixture of steam and dihydrogen from the high-temperature electrolyser (2) into heat exchange so as to superheat the steam from the evaporator (11); the system being characterised in that—the compressor (3) is a chemical compressor supplied with heat by heat exchange with the condenser (E3); —the condenser (E3) is disposed directly at the outlet of the first exchanger (E1).