System and sub-systems for production and use of hydrogen
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A photovoltaic electrolyzer system comprising:
- an electrolyzer subsystem; and
a photovoltaic subsystem, wherein the electrolyzer subsystem is configured to electrolyze water to generate hydrogen at greater than a predetermined efficiency between a first and second operating voltages, and wherein said photovoltaic subsystem is configured to provide electric power at a voltage between the first and second operating voltages.
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Abstract
A method for optimizing the efficiency of a solar powered hydrogen generation system is disclosed. The system utilizes photovoltaic modules and a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer to split water into hydrogen and oxygen with an efficiency greater than 12%. This high efficiency for the solar powered electrolysis of water was obtained by matching the voltage generated by photovoltaic modules to the operating voltage of the electrolyzer. Optimizing PV-electrolysis systems makes solar generated hydrogen less expensive and more practical for use as an environmentally clean and renewable fuel.
62 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A photovoltaic electrolyzer system comprising:
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an electrolyzer subsystem; and
a photovoltaic subsystem, wherein the electrolyzer subsystem is configured to electrolyze water to generate hydrogen at greater than a predetermined efficiency between a first and second operating voltages, and wherein said photovoltaic subsystem is configured to provide electric power at a voltage between the first and second operating voltages. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A photovoltaic electrolyzer system comprising:
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an electrolyzer having a power input, the electrolyzer being configured to disassociate H2O into H2 and O2;
a DC-DC converter configured to selectively provide energy to a electrolyzer power input;
a photovoltaic subsystem for selectively providing energy directly to the electrolyzer power input or to the DC-DC converter;
a controller for selecting one of the photovoltaic subsystem or the DC-DC converter as a power source to the power input of the electrolyzer. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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20. A method for disassociating water to form hydrogen, comprising:
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providing an electrolyzer subsystem having a power input, the electrolyzer being configured to disassociate H2O into H2 and O2;
providing a DC-DC converter configured to selectively provide energy to a electrolyzer power input;
providing a photovoltaic subsystem configured to selectively provide energy directly to the electrolyzer power input or to the DC-DC converter;
selecting one of the photovoltaic subsystem or the DC-DC converter as a power source to the power input of the electrolyzer based on the energy detected by a solar irradiance sensor.
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31. A method for operating an electrolysis system having at least one photovoltaic (PV) cell, supplying power to electrolyze water to produce hydrogen, comprising:
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a) determining the operating voltage, operating current, and efficiency of the electrolyzer subsystem by measurements and calculations, b) determining a maximum power point voltage (Vmpp) for said PV cell based on a predetermined relationship between actual voltage and actual current under a plurality of loads and a plurality of voltages for said PV cell; and
c) determining a number of PV cells at said Vmpp to achieve a optimal voltage to electrolyze water and satisfy required electrolysis system losses.
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32. A method for operating an electrolysis system having at least one photovoltaic (PV) subsystem supplying power to electrolyze water to produce hydrogen, comprising:
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a) determining the operating voltage, operating current, and efficiency of the electrolyzer subsystem by measurements and calculations;
b) determining a maximum power point voltage (Vmpp) for said PV cell based on a predetermined relationship between actual voltage and actual current under a plurality of loads and a plurality of voltages for said PV cell; and
c) determining a number of PV cells at said Vmpp to achieve a desired voltage to electrolyze water and satisfy the required losses for the electrolysis system, and wherein said electrolysis system comprises an electrolyzer selected from;
(i) an acidic electrolyzer having an acidic electrolyte;
(ii) a basic electrolyzer having a basic electrolyte;
(iii) a steam electrolyzer;
(iv) a PEM electrolyzer comprising at least one electrolysis cell; and
(v) a high-pressure electrolyzer.
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Specification