Passive Hydrogen Dewatering by Compression and Condensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
RSOFC energy storage systems face challenges in removing water from hydrogen gas produced in electrolysis mode, as existing water removal systems require significant pressure differential and result in hydrogen loss, making them unsuitable for RSOFC systems.
Innovation Solution
A method involving passive water removal from saturated hydrogen gas, which includes compressing the gas to elevated pressure, chilling it to a low temperature, and condensing the water, followed by separation, to achieve a water content below 100 ppm, minimizing hydrogen loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If existing water removal systems are used to remove water from hydrogen gas, then water content is reduced, but significant pressure differentials are required causing hydrogen loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the pressure and temperature parameters of the hydrogen gas stream to enable water condensation. By compressing the gas to elevated pressure and then chilling it to low temperature, water condenses at near-atmospheric pressure conditions, avoiding the need for significant pressure differentials that would cause hydrogen loss in traditional systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the phase transition of water from vapor to liquid through condensation. By chilling the compressed hydrogen gas to low temperature, water vapor in the gas stream condenses into liquid water, which can then be separated using a water trap, achieving water removal without requiring pressure differentials.
2Loss of substance
If compression and chilling is applied to hydrogen gas, then water condensation is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the hydrogen gas stream itself to drive the water removal process. The compression and chilling steps prepare the gas for passive condensation, where the water trap automatically separates condensed water from the hydrogen stream without requiring additional active control mechanisms or complex equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical water removal systems that require significant pressure differentials with a simpler thermal-based approach. By using compression and chilling to enable condensation, the system substitutes mechanical pressure-driven separation with a thermal-phase change-based separation that is less complex.
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 approach effectively reduces water content in hydrogen gas to acceptable levels for storage without significant hydrogen loss, making it suitable for later use in RSOFC systems, thereby enhancing energy storage and grid stabilization capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
compressing the stream of hydrogen gas to an elevated pressure
Implementation Method 2
chilling the compressed stream of hydrogen gas to a low temperature
Implementation Method 3
condensing water from the compressed and chilled stream of hydrogen gas
Data Source
AI summary
A method for passively removing water from a stream of hydrogen gas includes receiving a stream of hydrogen gas that is water-saturated, having an initial pressure below about 1 psig and an initial temperature above about 25° C., compressing the stream of hydrogen gas to an elevated pressure, chilling the compressed stream of hydrogen gas to a low temperature, and condensing water from the compressed and chilled stream of hydrogen gas until the water content of the stream of hydrogen gas is below about 100 ppm.