Hydrogen Plant Power Circuits Without Isolation Transformers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrogen is difficult to store and ship due to its combustibility, necessitating local production and consumption, which limits large-scale centralized production and distribution, and existing power connection systems are inefficient and costly, especially with large isolation transformers.
Innovation Solution
The system employs separate buses for power-side AC-DC converters and load-side DC-DC converters, eliminating the need for an isolation transformer, and uses adjustable transformers for auxiliary loads, allowing connection to various grid voltages and flexible grounding mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional power connection systems are used with isolation transformers, then electrical isolation between power source and load is achieved, but system cost and complexity increase due to large isolation transformers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the isolation transformer from the traditional power connection system. By using separate AC-DC converter modules for each phase, electrical isolation is achieved without requiring a large isolation transformer, thereby reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining the necessary electrical isolation for safety and stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the power connection system into three separate AC-DC converter modules, each handling one phase independently. This segmentation eliminates the need for a single large isolation transformer and allows each module to be optimized independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining electrical isolation
2Device complexity
If separate AC-DC converter modules are used for each phase, then system cost and complexity are reduced by eliminating isolation transformers, but electrical isolation between phases must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a common DC bus as an intermediary that connects the three separate AC-DC converter modules. This common DC bus provides the necessary electrical isolation between phases while allowing power distribution to multiple loads, maintaining reliability without requiring isolation transformers
3Productivity
If centralized hydrogen production facilities are built, then large-scale hydrogen production is achieved, but storage and distribution difficulties arise due to hydrogen's combustibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent promotes distributed hydrogen production by deploying separate AC-DC converter modules at local sites rather than relying on centralized production. This segmentation allows hydrogen to be produced where it is consumed, eliminating the need for large-scale storage and distribution infrastructure and thereby reducing safety risks associated with hydrogen's combustibility
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 configuration improves efficiency and reduces costs by eliminating large isolation transformers and allows hydrogen plants to connect to diverse power grids efficiently, supporting scalable and flexible power distribution.
Implementation Method 1
each of the plurality of AC-DC converters converting an AC power signal from the power source to a DC power signal
Implementation Method 2
each comprising an input in electrical connection to at least one of the plurality of AC-DC converters and an output in electrical communication with a load
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to circuits for connecting components of a hydrogen plant to a power grid to power the components in an efficient manner. In one implementation, power-side alternate current (AC) to direct current (DC) converters may be connected to a source power grid without the need for an isolation transformer by providing separate buses between the power-side AC-DC converters and load-side DC-DC converters instead of a shared DC bus between the converters. Other implementations for connecting components of a hydrogen plant to a power grid may include an adjustable transformer, such as a tappable transformer or an autotransformer, to connect any number of auxiliary loads of the plant to the power grid. The adjustable transformer may provide for various types of auxiliary load devices to connect to the power provided by the transformer at the same time, including both three-phase devices and one-phase devices.