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DE-102024133255-A1 - Hydrogen production plant

DE102024133255A1DE 102024133255 A1DE102024133255 A1DE 102024133255A1DE-102024133255-A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a hydrogen production plant (100, 200, 400) comprising at least one electrolyzer stack (102, 202), at least one housing (104, 204, 404) with at least one first housing area (106, 206, 406) surrounding the at least one electrolyzer stack (102, 202), and at least one inert gas generation device (108, 208) fluidically connected to the first housing area (106, 206, 406), configured to provide an inert gas, such that the first housing area (106, 206, 406) is filled with an inert gas mixture at least during one operating state of the at least one electrolyzer stack (102, 202).

Inventors

  • Christoph Sandbrink

Assignees

  • RWE GENERATION SE

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20241113

Claims (16)

  1. Hydrogen production plant (100, 200, 400), comprising: - at least one electrolyzer stack (102, 202), - at least one housing (104, 204, 404) with at least one first housing area (106, 206, 406) surrounding the at least one electrolyzer stack (102, 202), - at least one inert gas generation device (108, 208) fluidically connected to the first housing area (106, 206, 406), configured to provide an inert gas, such that the first housing area (106, 206, 406) is filled with an inert gas mixture at least during one operating state of the at least one electrolyzer stack (102, 202).
  2. Hydrogen production plant (100, 200, 400) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that - the inert gas generation device (108, 208) is configured to feed pressurized inert gas into the first housing area (106, 206, 406) such that an overpressure is created in the first housing area (106, 206, 406).
  3. Hydrogen production plant (100, 200, 400) according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that - the inert gas generation device (108, 208) is configured to provide an inert gas selected from the group comprising: - nitrogen, - carbon dioxide, and - helium.
  4. Hydrogen production plant (100, 200, 400) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the hydrogen production plant (100, 200, 400) comprises a gas mixture monitoring device (234), configured at least for determining a hydrogen concentration of the inert gas mixture in the first housing area (106, 206, 406), and - the hydrogen production plant (100, 200, 400) comprises a gas control device (228), configured for controlling the inert gas generation device (108, 208), based on at least one predefined first maximum permissible hydrogen limit and the determined hydrogen concentration.
  5. Hydrogen production plant (100, 200, 400) according to Claim 4 , characterized in that - the gas control device (228) is configured to issue an alarm message and/or to deactivate the at least one electrolyzer stack (104, 204) based on at least one predefined second maximum permissible hydrogen limit and the determined hydrogen concentration, wherein in particular the second maximum permissible hydrogen limit is greater than the first maximum permissible hydrogen limit.
  6. Hydrogen production plant (100, 200, 400) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the hydrogen production plant (100, 200, 400) comprises a temperature monitoring device (232) configured to determine a temperature of the inert gas mixture in the first housing area (106, 206, 406), and - the hydrogen production plant (100, 200, 400) comprises a temperature control device (226) configured to control at least one temperature control device (236) of the hydrogen production plant (100, 200, 400), based on a predefined permissible temperature range and the determined temperature of the inert gas mixture.
  7. Hydrogen production plant (100, 200, 400) according to Claim 6 , characterized in that - the at least one temperature control device (236) comprises an air conditioning unit, configured to control the temperature of the inert gas mixture.
  8. Hydrogen production plant (100, 200, 400) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the hydrogen production plant (100, 200, 400) comprises a humidity monitoring device (250) configured to determine a moisture content of the inert gas mixture, and - the hydrogen production plant (100, 200, 400) comprises a humidity control device (248) configured to control at least one humidity control device (238) of the hydrogen production plant (100, 200, 400), based on a predefined permissible humidity range and the determined moisture content of the inert gas mixture.
  9. Hydrogen production plant (100, 200, 400) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the housing (104, 204, 404) is a container, in particular an ISO-based container.
  10. Hydrogen production plant (100, 200, 400) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the housing (104, 204, 404) comprises a second housing area (214, 414) separated from the first housing area (106, 206, 406) by a first partition (218, 418), - wherein the second housing area (214, 414) comprises at least one hydrogen-based production component fluidly connected to the at least one electrolyzer stack, in particular in the form of a hydrogen separator (222), and - wherein the inert gas generation device (108, 208) fluidly connected to the second housing area (214, 414) is configured to provide the inert gas, such that the second housing area (214, 414) is filled with an inert gas mixture at least during one operating state of the at least one hydrogen-based production component.
  11. Hydrogen production plant (100, 200, 400) according to Claim 10 , characterized in that - the inert gas generation device (108, 208) is fluidically connected to the second housing area (214, 414) and a valve arrangement (244) is arranged in the first partition (218, 418), so that the inert gas supplied by the inert gas generation device (108, 208) first flows into the second housing area (214, 414) and then into the first housing area (106, 206, 406).
  12. Hydrogen production plant (100, 200, 400) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the housing (104, 204, 404) comprises a third housing area (216, 416) separated from the first housing area (106, 206, 406) or a second housing area (214, 414) by a second partition (220, 420), - wherein the third housing area (216, 416) comprises at least one production component from which no hydrogen can escape, and - wherein the third housing area (216, 416) is filled with air.
  13. Hydrogen production plant (100, 200, 400) according to Claim 9 , 10 and 12 , characterized in that - in a first narrow side (256, 456) of the container a door (254, 454) to the third housing area (216, 416) is arranged, and - on the further narrow side (258, 458) of the container a DC voltage connection (264, 464) connected to the at least one electrolyzer stack is arranged.
  14. Hydrogen production plant (100, 200, 400) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the hydrogen production plant (100, 200, 400) comprises at least one further production component (240, 242, 440) comprising at least one oxygen separator, at least one oxygen cooler and/or at least one oxygen venting device, - wherein at least one of the further production components (240, 242, 440) is arranged on a roof (266) of the housing (104, 204, 404).
  15. Hydrogen production system (460), comprising: - a first hydrogen production plant (100, 200, 400) according to Claim 13 , - at least one second hydrogen production plant (100, 200, 400) arranged in parallel to the first hydrogen production plant (100, 200, 400) according to Claim 13 , - a first transformer and/or rectifier device (462) arranged in front of the second narrow side of the first hydrogen production plant (100, 200, 400), which is connected via an electrical connection to the DC voltage connection (264, 464) of the first hydrogen production plant (100, 200, 400), and - a second transformer and/or rectifier device (462) arranged in front of the second narrow side of the second hydrogen production plant (100, 200, 400), which is connected via an electrical connection to the DC voltage connection (264, 464) of the second hydrogen production plant (100, 200, 400).
  16. Method for operating a hydrogen production plant (100, 200, 400), in particular a hydrogen production plant (100, 200, 400) according to one of the previous Claims 1 until 14 , wherein the hydrogen production plant (100, 200, 400) comprises at least one electrolyzer stack (102, 202) and at least one housing (104, 204, 404) with at least one first housing area (106, 206, 406) (completely) surrounding the at least one electrolyzer stack (102, 202), comprising: - injecting an inert gas at least into the first housing area (106, 206, 406) such that the first housing area (106, 206, 406) is filled with an inert gas mixture at least during one operating state of the at least one electrolyzer stack (104, 204, 404).

Description

The invention relates to a hydrogen production plant comprising at least one electrolyzer stack. Furthermore, the invention relates to a hydrogen production system and a method for operating a hydrogen production plant. Hydrogen, especially hydrogen gas, is increasingly used today as an energy carrier or process gas. Hydrogen can be produced from water through electrolysis. In water-based electrolysis, a redox reaction is forced using electrical energy or power, thereby generating hydrogen. The hydrogen produced can then be stored in suitable storage facilities and/or fed into a hydrogen network or pipeline system. Alternatively, the hydrogen can be converted into methane, which can then be stored and/or fed into a corresponding pipeline system. The stored hydrogen (or methane) can be converted into electrical energy, for example, using a hydrogen fuel cell (also known as reverse electrolysis) or by combustion in a gas-fired power plant. It goes without saying that the produced hydrogen and/or methane can also be used for other chemical processes. Known hydrogen production plants comprise one or more electrolyzer stacks. An electrolyzer stack is designed to generate hydrogen, specifically to perform the electrolysis process described. During operating states (e.g., production or standby) of the electrolyzer, i.e., when electrolysis is being carried out or briefly interrupted, the problem arises that generated hydrogen can escape through (not entirely avoidable) leaks in the area surrounding the electrolyzer stack (including, for example, a fluid connection to another production component of the hydrogen plant connected to a hydrogen outlet, or a seal between the electrolysis cells of the stack). In particular, hydrogen can escape from the electrolyzer stack and, for example, the pipe connections (e.g., flanged or screwed) of the electrolyzer stack into the area surrounding the electrolyzer stack. An explosive atmosphere (e.g., > 4% hydrogen in air) can then form locally at these points. Accordingly, in accordance with current best practices, a hazard zone or Ex zone 1 or 2 (according to EN 60079-10-1) is designated, particularly depending on the frequency of such an event. Within such a zone, only equipment that cannot act as an ignition source may be used. To reduce the risk associated with operating hydrogen production plants, it is common practice to designate hazardous areas (Ex zones) where an explosive atmosphere may occur. Access to these areas is restricted, and only equipment and coatings that do not emit sparks and/or ignition energy, as required by the designated zones, are used. Due to hydrogen's tendency to spontaneously ignite, this can only reduce the probability of an accident. Equipment certified for use in hazardous areas is complex and costly, both during installation and operation of the hydrogen production plant. Furthermore, it is known from the prior art to provide natural or forced air exchange in the area surrounding the at least one electrolyzer stack. For example, it is known to arrange an electrolyzer stack in a housing with air slots, whereby an airflow generation device (e.g., a fan) creates an airflow through the housing and into the air slots. A potentially escaping hydrogen jet can be quickly diluted by the constant airflow, and the extent of the explosive atmosphere (e.g., > 4% hydrogen in air) can be reduced. This is also associated with considerable effort and correspondingly high costs. The necessary air exchange significantly increases the operating costs of the hydrogen production plant, as the supply air must be heated, cooled, or cleaned depending on the ambient conditions. Typically, the supply air temperature must be within a permissible range of 5°C to 40°C. The energy required for this reduces the overall efficiency of the hydrogen production plant. Furthermore, the equipment necessary for air exchange (especially the airflow generation device) requires more complex systems and higher investment costs. Furthermore, mechanical ventilation is associated with significant noise emissions, which can lead to exceeding the permissible sound pressure level at the system boundary. The state-of-the-art solutions described above are, for example, described in Chapter 4.6 of TRGS 722 (Technical Rules for Hazardous Substances: Avoidance or Limitation of Hazardous Explosive Mixtures). In summary, the problems and disadvantages of state-of-the-art solutions include the high cost (as well as high investment costs, operating costs, and noise emissions). Furthermore, while state-of-the-art measures reduce the probability and severity of an explosion, they do not eliminate it entirely. In particular, a so-called "jet fire" with an invisible flame, which is difficult to detect, can occur if hydrogen escapes into air. Therefore, the invention is based on the objective of providing a hydrogen production plant in which the problems of the prior art are reduced and, in particular, safe