SOFC-SOEC Energy Circulation System for Hydrogen Recycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) face challenges in resource waste and potential power failures due to inadequate control of hydrocarbon or hydrogen resource supply during off-peak hours, and solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) generate single types of resources like hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide, limiting their industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell energy circulative utilization system that includes a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and a solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) connected through an energy circulation control device, allowing for the conversion and feedback of hydrogen and oxygen resources, enabling efficient energy storage and utilization during off-peak hours, and switching between SOFC and SOEC modes based on energy market conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If SOFC operates continuously with constant hydrocarbon or hydrogen supply, then electricity generation capacity is maintained, but resource waste occurs during off-peak hours and power failures may happen due to inadequate control
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between SOFC power generation mode and SOEC hydrogen production mode based on real-time electricity market conditions and demand. During off-peak hours, the system transitions to SOEC mode to produce hydrogen from water, avoiding resource waste while maintaining operational reliability. This dynamic mode switching resolves the contradiction between continuous operation stability and resource efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between fuel cell mode (consuming hydrocarbon/hydrogen to generate electricity) and electrolysis mode (consuming electricity to produce hydrogen from water). This parameter change allows the system to adapt to varying demand conditions, preventing both resource waste during low demand and power failures during high demand.
2Ease of manufacture
If SOEC produces single type of resources like hydrogen, then production process is simple, but industrial application value is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves multi-functionality by integrating both SOFC and SOEC capabilities in a single platform. It can generate electricity through SOFC, produce hydrogen through SOEC, and switch between modes based on market conditions. This multi-functional design greatly enhances industrial application value while maintaining operational simplicity through unified control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its function based on market conditions - operating as a power generator when electricity prices are high, and as a hydrogen producer when electricity prices are low. This dynamic functional adaptation maximizes economic value across different market scenarios while using the same hardware infrastructure.
3Reliability
If hydrogen is stored for subsequent use, then energy security is improved, but additional storage facilities and costs are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system produces its own hydrogen fuel through onboard SOEC electrolysis of water when electricity is inexpensive, eliminating the need for external hydrogen storage facilities. The hydrogen is generated and consumed within the same system, creating a self-sufficient energy cycle that improves energy security without adding storage infrastructure complexity.
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 system reduces resource supply needs, enhances energy saving, and increases the economic value of SOFC operations by allowing multiple energy products to be generated and stored, improving the overall efficiency and flexibility of fuel cell energy systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least one first electric cell (20), the first electric cell comprising at least one energy input terminal (21), an electricity output terminal (22), and at least one energy output terminal (23, 24, 25), the energy input terminal being connected with the input energy (10), so as to have the electricity output terminal (22) generating and outputting electricity (221)
Implementation Method 2
at least one second electric cell (30), the second electric cell comprising at least one electricity input terminal (31), an energy input terminal (32, 32'), and an energy output terminal (33, 34), the electricity input terminal (31) and the energy input terminal (32, 32') being respectively connected with the electricity output terminal (22) and the energy output terminal (23, 24) of the first electric cell (20) to respectively input the electricity (221) and the thermal energy (231) and water (241) output from the first electric cell (20) so as to have the energy output terminal (33, 34) of the second electric cell (30) outputting at least a hydrogen source (331)
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell energy circulative utilization system includes an input energy, a first electric cell having an electricity output terminal and an energy output terminal, a second electric cell having an electricity input terminal, an energy input terminal, and an energy output terminal, and an energy circulation control device connected among the first and second electric cells and the input energy. The input energy includes an energy source containing hydrocarbons or hydrogen and connected to an energy input port of the first electric cell in order to make the first electric cell outputs electricity through the electricity output terminal and energy products of thermal energy and water through the energy output terminal. The electricity output terminal and the energy output terminal for thermal energy and water of the first electric cell are respectively connected to the electricity input terminal and the energy input terminal of the second electric cell, in order to make the second electric cell to at least output a hydrogen source through the energy output terminal thereof to the energy circulation control device, so that the energy circulation control device controls circulation of hydrogen for feeding to the energy input terminal of the first electric cell for reuse. The energy circulation control device is also operable to switch operations of the first and second electric cells between working modes of solid oxide electrolysis cell and solid oxide fuel cell.