Hydro-Electrolysis Power Generation With Stored Hydrogen Buffering
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power generation systems face challenges in achieving cost-effective, reliable, and sustainable electricity production, particularly in integrating with existing infrastructure and optimizing energy output while minimizing environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A hydro-electrolysis thermal electricity generation system that stores dissociated hydrogen and refrains from recombining it with oxygen until sufficient hydrogen is stored, using a battery or photovoltaic array to power the electrolyzer, and generates electricity by recombining hydrogen with oxygen in a thermal reaction chamber to produce steam for a turbine generator, with recycled water reused in the electrolysis process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hydrogen is continuously recombined with oxygen to generate electricity, then power generation capacity is improved, but hydrogen storage requirements increase and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary hydrogen generation and storage during periods of low demand or excess renewable energy availability. Hydrogen is generated from water using electrolyzers powered by photovoltaic arrays or batteries, then stored in tanks for later use. This allows the system to accumulate energy reserves in advance, enabling on-demand power generation without requiring complex real-time balancing infrastructure.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If renewable energy sources are used to power electrolyzers, then sustainability is improved, but energy generation reliability worsens due to intermittent availability
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the temporal parameter of energy availability by storing hydrogen during periods of high renewable energy generation and using it during periods of low generation or high demand. This time-shifting capability transforms intermittent renewable energy into reliable on-demand power, maintaining sustainability while ensuring consistent electricity supply regardless of weather conditions or time of day.
3Adaptability or versatility
If hydrogen is stored for extended periods, then demand-responsive power generation is improved, but hydrogen storage capacity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the energy storage function into multiple distributed hydrogen storage tanks rather than requiring one large centralized storage facility. Each tank can be independently managed and sized according to specific demand patterns, allowing flexible scaling of storage capacity to match actual power generation needs while reducing the total hydrogen storage volume required compared to a single large-capacity system.
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 enables demand-responsive electricity generation, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions by time-shifting energy production, optimizing system efficiency, and minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
generating hydrogen by dissociating hydrogen from water using an electrolyzer
Implementation Method 2
recombining the hydrogen with oxygen to generate the requested amount of electric energy
Implementation Method 3
Steam pressurized from recombining the dissociated hydrogen with oxygen may be used to drive a turbine generator to produce the requested amount of electric energy
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to an electrolysis chamber. In some aspects, the electrolysis chamber includes a floor and sidewalls defining an interior region configured to contain an electrolyte solution; a cation pod and an anion pod disposed in the interior region, each of the cation pod and the anion pod including a gas containment cap terminating at a respective gas vent port; a pod divider extending from the gas containment caps partway toward the floor so as to separate at least a portion of the cation pod from the anion pod; a plurality of vertically stacked cation electrolysis mesh screens arranged within the cation pod; and a plurality of vertically stacked anion electrolysis mesh screens arranged within the anion pod.