Modular SOEC Core Plant Segmentation and Heat Recovery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell (SOEC) plants face challenges in optimizing performance parameters such as process gas utilization, electrical efficiency, lifetime, cost, dimensions, and production time, due to interrelated value trade-offs and limitations in stack design and operation.
Innovation Solution
The SOEC plant is divided into multiple SOEC cores, each comprising a plurality of SOEC stacks, allowing for individual isolation, control, and independent operation. This design includes thermal insulation and a recuperating space to minimize heat loss and optimize thermal efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the SOEC plant is divided into multiple SOEC cores that can be individually isolated and controlled, then the reliability and continuous operation capability is improved, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The SOEC plant is divided into multiple independent SOEC cores, each capable of individual isolation and control. This segmentation allows one core to be taken offline for maintenance while others continue operating, improving reliability without requiring complete plant shutdown. The modular core structure balances the increase in component数量 with the benefit of continuous operation capability.
2Loss of energy
If thermal insulation and recuperating space are added to minimize heat loss, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and material use increases
Solution Approach 1:
The recuperating space is designed to capture waste heat that would otherwise be lost through thermal insulation, and redirect it back into the system to preheat process gases or maintain operating temperatures. This converts the harmful heat loss into a beneficial resource, improving energy efficiency while the thermal insulation layer provides the necessary thermal barrier. The combined structure integrates insulation and heat recovery in a unified design.
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 modular design enables continuous operation of the SOEC plant even when individual cores require maintenance, reduces production downtime, and improves overall efficiency by recuperating thermal energy, thus addressing the interrelated performance challenges.
Implementation Method 1
thermal insulation and a recuperating space to minimize heat loss and optimize thermal efficiency
Implementation Method 2
a recuperating space arranged at least partly around the outside of said hot zone thermal insulation and within the SOEC core shell to separate the hot zone from the SOEC core shell and provide a recuperating fluid path for a recuperating fluid
Data Source
AI summary
An SOEC core plant, comprising a plurality of SOEC stacks assembled in a plurality of SOEC cores, wherein each of the SOEC cores may be individually isolated and controlled independently from the other SOEC cores of the plant.