Transcript Slide 1
Electrolysers for Hydrogen Production by Peter Sudol Methods of Hydrogen Production Hydrogen Electrolysis of Water Reforming of Biogenic and Fossil Fuels Uses of the Water Electrolysis • Submarines, space stations (generation of breathing oxygen) • Medical, chemical and other special applications • In great quantities, economic only in those regions of the world where electric power can be generated very cheaply. This is the case almost exclusively in big hydroelectric plants (e.g. in Egypt, Iceland, Norway..). • In the increasing renewable energy market, Water Electrolysis can be used for compensation of the differences between the demand and supply of energy from the variable renewable energy resources. Hydrogen pipeline project in Totara Valley Pipeline 2km Wind Energy Fuel Cell Electrolyser Hydrogen Burner Types of Water Electrolysis Water Electrolysis Alkaline Electrolysis PEM Electrolysis Steam Electrolysis Characteristic PEM Electrolysis Alkal. Electrolysis Max. pressure of electrochemically generated H2 can be designed to generate H2 at press. of 2000 psi or greater lower pressure of electrochemically generated H2 Efficiency lower parasitic energy losses best alkaline electrolys. have still better efficien. (high heating value) Hydrogen/Oxygen Pressure up to 3,000 psi differential pressure demonstrated very small differential pressure tolerated Purity of the hydrogen output higher lower Characteristic PEM Electrolysis Alkal. Electrolysis Compatibility with renewable energy systems best suited for plants with varying output work better in larger systems which are connected to the power grid Hazardous materials none, system uses clean water only, no hazardous waste system uses KOH, waste disposal rules may apply Occupational safety no special safety equipment required may require eyewash station or full-body shower Explosion risk H2 released safely via normally open valves at shutdown or power failure requires special controls to allow for a safe reaction between O2 and H2 PEM Electrolyser (two cells) Principle of a PEM electrolysis cell Nafion - Membrane hydrophilic (polar) hydrophobic (nonpolar) sulfonated polytetrafluorethylene Cell Voltage [V] UI characteristic curves of an electrolyser Current density [mA/cm2] Cell Voltage [V] UI characteristic curves of an electrolyser Current density [mA/cm2] Cell Voltage [V] UI characteristic curves of two electrolysers Current density [mA/cm2] Further Steps in the Research Project • Simulating the distributed energy system in the laboratory • Determination of the efficiency of the whole system • Optimisation of the efficiency • Observing the performance of the electrolyser at different temperatures, different pressures, different inputs • Observing the distribution and pressure of Hydrogen in the pipeline • Observing the performance of the fuel cell