High-Temperature Electrolyser Steam Supply Pressure Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high temperature electrolysis systems face significant energy consumption due to inefficient thermal and hydraulic management, with a substantial portion of energy being wasted in fluid evaporation and cooling processes, particularly in the steam generation and hydrogen drying phases.
Innovation Solution
A high temperature electrolyser system incorporating a depression module with an expansion device and compressor to reduce pressure in the steam supply line, coupled with a heat pump to recover thermal energy from dihydrogen and dioxygen for efficient steam production, reducing energy consumption and optimizing fluid management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a conventional electric steam generator is used to produce steam, then steam can be supplied to the electrolyser, but energy consumption increases significantly (20% of overall consumption)
Solution Approach 1:
The invention recovers thermal energy from the hot dihydrogen and dioxygen streams that would otherwise be wasted during cooling and condensation, and uses this recovered heat to preheat and evaporate liquid water for steam generation. This converts the harmful waste heat into a beneficial resource, significantly reducing the energy consumption of the steam generator and eliminating the need for additional electric heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The system captures and recovers thermal energy from the hot product gases (dihydrogen and dioxygen) before they are discharged or condensed. Heat exchangers transfer this thermal energy to the liquid water stream, converting waste thermal energy into useful steam generation energy and reducing overall system energy consumption.
2Reliability
If high temperature electrolysis is performed (600-950°C), then reaction activation is more effective and catalyst is not required, but significant energy is discharged into the ambient environment during cooling and condensation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention captures the thermal energy from the hot dihydrogen and dioxygen streams that would otherwise be lost during cooling and condensation, and redirects this energy to generate steam. This converts the harmful energy discharge into a beneficial resource, maintaining the high temperature electrolysis benefits while eliminating the energy loss during product cooling.
3Productivity
If steam is produced at high temperature for electrolysis, then the electrolysis reaction is efficient, but the cooling and condensation of products requires significant energy and discharges waste heat
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers thermal energy from the hot product gases (dihydrogen and dioxygen) that would otherwise be wasted during cooling, and uses this recovered heat to generate steam for the electrolysis reaction. This maintains high electrolysis efficiency while converting the harmful waste heat into a useful resource, significantly reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention captures thermal energy from the hot product streams before discharge or condensation and transfers it to the liquid water stream for steam generation. This recovers what would otherwise be discarded waste heat, maintaining productivity while reducing energy loss.
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 effectively reduces energy consumption by utilizing thermal energy from dihydrogen and dioxygen to lower evaporation temperatures and enhance steam production, improving the overall efficiency and reducing waste heat discharge.
Implementation Method 1
module for depressing a section of the first supply line, the module comprising an expansion device and a compressor, the expansion device being arranged, on the first steam supply line
Implementation Method 2
a module for recovering thermal energy from dihydrogen at the outlet of the first heat exchange module to the benefit of the first steam supply line
Implementation Method 3
the evaporation of the water used in the electrolyser is the greatest energy consumption of this thermal/hydraulic management system
Implementation Method 4
steam generator arranged on the first steam supply line, upstream from the first heat exchange module, and configured to produce steam from liquid water
Implementation Method 5
the compressor being arranged on the first steam supply line, downstream from the steam generator
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a high temperature electrolyser, a first supply line of the electrolyser configured to supply the electrolyser with steam, a first discharge line of the electrolyser configured to discharge dihydrogen from the electrolyser, a second discharge line of the electrolyser configured to discharge dioxygen from the electrolyser, a first heat exchange module configured to ensure a heat exchange between the first supply line and the first dihydrogen discharge line, and a steam generator arranged on the first supply line, upstream from the first heat exchange module, and configured to produce steam from liquid water. The system also includes a module for depressing a section of the first supply line and having an expansion device and a compressor. The expansion device is arranged on the first supply line upstream from the steam generator, and the compressor is arranged on the first supply line downstream from the steam generator.