Reciprocating Piston Compressor Control for Electrolysis Pressure Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluctuating energy supply to electrolysis units leads to pressure fluctuations in hydrogen production, negatively impacting the durability and service life of electrolysis units, particularly when using renewable energy sources like wind power and photovoltaics.
Innovation Solution
A reciprocating piston compressor with an automatic intake valve, unloader, and an electrically actuable actuator, controlled by a control unit to maintain a predetermined outlet pressure or differential pressure, using closed-loop or open-loop control, to stabilize hydrogen production despite fluctuating energy supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If renewable energy sources are used to supply electricity to the electrolysis unit, then CO2 emissions are reduced, but the electricity supply becomes fluctuating which leads to pressure fluctuations and reduced service life
Solution Approach 1:
A buffer volume (accumulator) is introduced as an intermediary between the electrolysis unit and the downstream system. This buffer absorbs pressure fluctuations generated by the electrolysis unit when supplied with fluctuating renewable energy, preventing these fluctuations from affecting the downstream hydrogen consumption systems while allowing the electrolysis unit to operate directly connected to renewable energy sources.
2Device complexity
If the electrolysis unit is directly connected to renewable energy sources, then system complexity is reduced, but pressure fluctuations occur which negatively impact durability
Solution Approach 1:
A buffer volume (accumulator) is introduced as an intermediary between the electrolysis unit and the downstream system. This buffer absorbs pressure fluctuations generated by the electrolysis unit when supplied with fluctuating renewable energy, preventing these fluctuations from affecting the downstream hydrogen consumption systems while allowing the electrolysis unit to operate directly connected to renewable energy sources.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the outlet pressure of hydrogen is kept constant, then downstream systems benefit from stable pressure, but the electrolysis unit cannot adapt to fluctuating energy supply
Solution Approach 1:
A buffer volume (accumulator) is introduced as an intermediary between the electrolysis unit and the downstream system. This buffer absorbs pressure fluctuations generated by the electrolysis unit when supplied with fluctuating renewable energy, preventing these fluctuations from affecting the downstream hydrogen consumption systems while allowing the electrolysis unit to operate directly connected to renewable energy sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic operation of the electrolysis unit with fluctuating power input while maintaining stable outlet pressure through the buffering action of the accumulator, enabling the system to adapt to varying renewable energy supply without compromising downstream pressure stability.
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
Ensures a constant outlet pressure or differential pressure, enhancing the durability and service life of electrolysis units by compensating for energy fluctuations, particularly effective with renewable energy sources.
Implementation Method 1
Electrolysis is known in the art for the production of hydrogen. Water is broken down into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) using electrical energy.
Implementation Method 2
a reciprocating piston compressor is provided for compressing the hydrogen produced by the electrolysis unit
Data Source
AI summary
In order to provide a device for providing hydrogen by means of an electrolysis unit which allows the longest possible service life of the electrolysis unit even in case of fluctuating energy supplies to the electrolysis unit, a reciprocating piston compressor is provided to compress the hydrogen generated by the electrolysis unit, the reciprocating piston compressor having at least one automatic intake valve. A unloader is provided in order to hold the intake valve selectively in an open position, an electrically actuatable actuator is provided to activate the unloader, and a control unit is provided to control the actuator, the control unit being designed to actuate the actuator in such a way that an outlet pressure (p1) of the hydrogen at the outlet of the electrolysis unit, or a differential pressure (Δp) between an anode and a cathode of the electrolysis unit, is adjustable to a predefined target value (p1_target, Δp_target).