Robotic On-Site Assembly of Alkaline Electrolyzer Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of alkaline electrolyzer units in hydrogen producing plants is time-consuming, requires heavy lifting equipment, and is challenging due to hazardous environments, leading to low hydrogen production capacity per surface area.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing an industrial robot system with robots equipped with manipulators to assemble alkaline electrolyzer units on-site, reducing the need for manual labor and heavy equipment, and enabling efficient scaling of the hydrogen producing plant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual assembly methods are used for electrolyzer units, then flexibility in assembly location is maintained, but assembly time increases and heavy lifting equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical assembly operations with an automated robot system. The robot equipped with manipulators performs assembly tasks that previously required human workers and heavy lifting equipment, thereby increasing assembly speed while reducing the need for complex manual handling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot system is designed to autonomously perform assembly operations without continuous human intervention. The system includes a controller that manages the robot's movements and manipulation of electrolyzer components, enabling self-service assembly that improves productivity.
2Loss of time
If electrolyzer units are assembled off-site and transported, then pre-assembly quality control is possible, but transportation facilities become bulky and installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing assembly operations on-site before final installation. The robot system assembles electrolyzer units directly at the installation location, eliminating the need for bulky transportation facilities and reducing overall installation time while maintaining quality control through automated precision assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the assembly process into modular operations that can be performed independently by the robot system. This allows assembly to be conducted in stages on-site, making the process more manageable and reducing the need for transporting fully assembled units, thereby decreasing installation time and transportation requirements.
3Productivity
If more electrolyzer units are installed to increase capacity, then hydrogen production increases, but surface area requirements increase proportionally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes vertical space by installing electrolyzer units on support structures at different heights. This three-dimensional arrangement allows multiple units to be positioned within a smaller horizontal footprint, increasing hydrogen production capacity without proportionally increasing the surface area occupied by the facility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs nested arrangements where electrolyzer units are positioned within available spatial volumes, including vertical stacking and compact configurations. This nesting approach maximizes the use of available space, allowing more units to be installed in a given footprint, thereby increasing capacity without linearly increasing surface area requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for assembling and/or disassembling alkaline electrolyzer units (101, 101a, 101b, 401, 401a, 401b, 401c, 401d, 401e) of a hydrogen producing plant (500). The method comprises: providing (S101) an industrial robot system (300) comprising a controller (18) having robot functionality, and a plurality of robots (10, 310, 310a, 310b); transporting (S103) the plurality of robots to a plurality of electrolyzer unit sites (20a, 20b, 520, 520a, 520x), assembling (S107) the alkaline electrolyzer units at the electrolyzer unit sites by the plurality of robots executing assembly instructions comprised in the controller, and/or disassembling (S109) at least one of the alkaline electrolyzer units at an electrolyzer unit site by at least one of the plurality of robots executing disassembly instructions comprised in the controller.