Hydrogen Recycle Heating in Water Electrolysis Blower Loops
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water electrolysis devices suffer from performance degradation and deterioration of blowers due to the condensation of water vapor in the recirculation of hydrogen, which is mixed with saturated water vapor and supplied to the blower.
Innovation Solution
A water electrolysis device with a condenser to condense water vapor from generated hydrogen and a temperature increasing portion to elevate the temperature of the hydrogen between the condenser and the blower, preventing the supply of hydrogen at dew-point temperature or lower, thereby avoiding condensation in the recycle passage and blower.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If water vapor is mixed with generated hydrogen and supplied to the blower, then hydrogen recirculation is achieved, but water vapor condenses in the blower causing performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by condensing water vapor from the generated hydrogen before it enters the blower through the recycle passage. The condensation step is performed in advance to prevent water vapor from reaching the blower, thereby eliminating the harmful effect while maintaining hydrogen recirculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of water vapor condensation into a beneficial process by intentionally condensing water vapor in a controlled manner before the blower. This prevents uncontrolled condensation in the blower while recovering condensed water, transforming a harmful phenomenon into a protective and potentially useful process.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If hydrogen temperature is increased between condenser and blower, then water vapor condensation is prevented, but additional energy consumption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by using the generated hydrogen itself as the heating source to increase its own temperature between the condenser and blower. The system utilizes the thermal energy already present in the hydrogen stream, eliminating the need for external heating devices and associated energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the cooling function of the condenser with the heating function in the recycle passage. The condenser removes water vapor while the subsequent passage allows temperature increase, combining phase separation and thermal management in an integrated flow path that avoids additional energy input.
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 solution effectively reduces performance degradation and deterioration of the blower by preventing water vapor condensation, maintaining blower efficiency and reducing the need for additional heating mechanisms, thus optimizing the water electrolysis process.
Implementation Method 1
a condenser configured to condense water vapor contained in the generated hydrogen
Implementation Method 2
a temperature increasing portion configured to increase a temperature of the generated hydrogen between the condenser and the blower
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A water electrolysis device (1) includes a water electrolysis module (2) that generates hydrogen by water vapor electrolysis. The water electrolysis device includes: a blower (7, 8) configured to supply hydrogen to the water electrolysis module; a recycle passage configured to supply generated hydrogen generated by the water electrolysis module from the water electrolysis module to an intake port of the blower; a condenser (6) configured to condense water vapor contained in the generated hydrogen; and a temperature increasing portion (18) configured to increase a temperature of the generated hydrogen between the condenser and the blower.