Hydrogen Storage Power Generation Using Delayed Recombination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current power generation systems face challenges in achieving cost-effectiveness, reliability, and integration with existing infrastructure while maximizing energy output and minimizing environmental impact, particularly in efficiently utilizing renewable energy sources and optimizing energy storage.
Innovation Solution
The proposed hydro-electrolysis thermal electricity generation (HEF-TEG) system generates hydrogen by dissociating water, stores it, and then recombines it with oxygen to produce electric energy only when sufficient hydrogen is stored, using an electrolyzer powered by a battery or photovoltaic array, with steam from the reaction driving a turbine generator and recycled water reused in the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hydrogen is generated continuously by electrolysis, then energy storage capacity increases, but system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary hydrogen generation and storage during periods when renewable energy is abundant (daytime solar, off-peak hours), building up hydrogen reserves in advance. This allows the system to have sufficient hydrogen stored without requiring continuous large-scale generation infrastructure, thereby increasing storage capacity while managing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides hydrogen generation into separate phases: a first container generates and stores hydrogen in advance, and a second container generates hydrogen immediately before use. This segmentation allows the system to balance between advance storage capacity and on-demand generation, reducing the need for continuously complex infrastructure while maintaining adequate storage.
2Reliability
If hydrogen recombination is delayed until sufficient hydrogen is stored, then energy generation reliability improves, but energy storage time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary hydrogen generation and storage during periods when renewable energy is abundant (daytime solar, off-peak hours), building up hydrogen reserves in advance. This allows the system to have sufficient hydrogen stored without requiring continuous large-scale generation infrastructure, thereby increasing storage capacity while managing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous hydrogen generation capability through multiple containers operating at different stages. While one container is storing hydrogen in advance, another is preparing hydrogen for immediate use, ensuring that the useful action of energy generation can continue without interruption and minimizing idle storage time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If electrolyzer is powered by photovoltaic array, then renewable energy utilization improves, but energy generation consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary hydrogen generation and storage during periods when renewable energy is abundant (daytime solar, off-peak hours), building up hydrogen reserves in advance. This allows the system to have sufficient hydrogen stored without requiring continuous large-scale generation infrastructure, thereby increasing storage capacity while managing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Hydrogen acts as an intermediary energy storage medium between the intermittent photovoltaic power generation and the continuous energy demand. The electrolyzer converts solar energy to hydrogen during daytime, and the stored hydrogen is then used to generate electricity during nighttime or cloudy periods, smoothing out the inconsistencies of renewable energy sources.
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 enables efficient, sustainable, and scalable power generation that reduces environmental impact by utilizing renewable energy sources, optimizing energy storage, and minimizing waste, while allowing for seamless integration with existing infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
generating hydrogen by dissociating hydrogen from water using an electrolyzer
Implementation Method 2
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
Implementation Method 3
The electrolyzer may be powered by a battery or a photovoltaic array
Implementation Method 4
activating hydrogen recombination with oxygen to generate the requested amount of electric energy
Data Source
AI summary
Herein disclosed is receiving a request for an amount of electric energy, generating hydrogen by dissociating hydrogen from water, storing the dissociated hydrogen, determining if sufficient hydrogen has been stored to generate the requested amount of electric energy, refraining from recombining the hydrogen with oxygen until sufficient hydrogen has been stored and in response to determining sufficient hydrogen has been stored, activating hydrogen recombination with oxygen to generate the requested amount of electric energy. The hydrogen may be dissociated using an electrolyzer. The electrolyzer may be powered by a battery or a photovoltaic array. An implementation may selectively charge the battery or power the electrolyzer using the photovoltaic array. 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. Condensed water from the steam may be recycled to the electrolyzer for reuse in hydrogen dissociation.