EP-4735670-A1 - ELECTROLYZER MODELING AND OPERATION

Abstract

Methods, systems, and computing systems for operating an electrolyzer include obtaining a ratio of diffusivity in a material at a reference temperature, simulating operation of the electrolyzer in the material at a plurality of current density values at an operating temperature that is different from the reference temperature based at least in part on the ratio of diffusivity, and displaying a result comprising data representing the operation of the electrolyzer using a computer monitor.

Inventors

• SARAWAGI, Anshuman
• ARTHUR, Christopher James
• MOTTAGHI-TABAR, Sogol

Assignees

• Services Pétroliers Schlumberger
• GeoQuest System B.V.

Dates

Publication Date

20260506

Application Date

20240614

Claims (20)

1. 1. A method for operating an electrolyzer, comprising: obtaining a ratio of diffusivity in a material at a reference temperature; simulating operation of the electrolyzer in the material at a plurality of current density values at an operating temperature that is different from the reference temperature based at least in part on the ratio of diffusivity; and displaying a result comprising data representing the operation of the electrolyzer using a computer monitor.
2. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining an experimentally-derived curve for current density and voltage, the experimentally-derived curve representing operation of the electrolyzer in the material at an experimental temperature, wherein the simulating operation of the electrolyzer is based at least in part on the experimentally-derived curve.
3. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the experimental temperature is different from the reference temperature and different from the operating temperature.
4. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting an operating point for the electrolyzer based at least in part on the simulating operation of the electrolyzer.
5. 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising causing the electrolyzer to operate at the operating point.
6. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein simulating operation of the electrolyzer includes calculating a potential difference generated by the electrolyzer at the plurality of current density values.
7. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the simulating of the operation of the electrolyzer is independent of a diffusivity of the material at the operating temperature.
8. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the ratio of diffusivity is a ratio of diffusivity of a proton and a diffusivity of a mobile ion in the material at the reference temperature.
9. 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a plurality of current-voltage (IV) curves based on the simulating operation of the electrolyzer, wherein each of the IV curves corresponds to a potential difference as a function of current density in the electrolyzer at a different temperature.
10. 10. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a computing system, cause the computing system to perform operations, the operations comprising: obtaining a ratio of diffusivity in a material at a reference temperature; simulating operation of an electrolyzer in the material at a plurality of current density values at an operating temperature that is different from the reference temperature based at least in part on the ratio of diffusivity; and displaying a result comprising data representing the operation of the electrolyzer using a monitor.
11. 11. The medium of claim 10, wherein the operations further comprise obtaining an experimentally-derived curve for current density and voltage, the experimentally-derived curve representing operation of the electrolyzer in the material at an experimental temperature, wherein the simulating operation of the electrolyzer is based at least in part on the experimentally-derived curve.
12. 12. The medium of claim 11, wherein the experimental temperature is different from the reference temperature and different from the operating temperature.
13. 13. The medium of claim 10, wherein the operations further comprise selecting an operating point for the electrolyzer based at least in part on the simulating operation of the electrolyzer.
14. 14. The medium of claim 13, further comprising causing the electrolyzer to operate at the operating point.
15. 15. The medium of claim 10, wherein the simulating operation of the electrolyzer is independent of a diffusivity of the material at the operating temperature.
16. 16. The medium of claim 10, wherein the ratio of diffusivity is a ratio of diffusivity of a proton and a diffusivity of a mobile ion in the material at the reference temperature.
17. 17. The medium of claim 10, wherein the operations further comprise generating a plurality of current-voltage (IV) curves based on the simulating operation of the electrolyzer, wherein each of the IV curves corresponds to a potential difference as a function of current density in the electrolyzer at a different temperature.
18. 18. A computing system, comprising: one or more processors; and a memory system comprising one or more non-transitory, computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, cause the computing system to perform operations, the operations comprising: obtaining an experimentally-derived curve for current density and voltage, the experimentally-derived curve representing operation of an electrolyzer in a material at an experimental temperature; obtaining a ratio of diffusivity in the material at a reference temperature; simulating operation of an electrolyzer in the material at a plurality of current density values at an operating temperature that is different from the reference temperature based at least in part on the ratio of diffusivity and the experimentally-derived curve; and selecting an operating point for the electrolyzer based at least in part on the simulating operation of the electrolyzer.
19. 19. The computing system of claim 18, wherein the simulating operation comprises calculating a power input for the electrolyzer based on the current density and voltage.
20. 20. The computing system of claim 18, wherein the operations further comprise causing the electrolyzer to operate at the operating point in response to selecting the operating point.

Description

ELECTROLYZER MODELING AND OPERATION Cross-Reference to Related Applications [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application having serial no. 63/508,586, which was filed on June 16, 2023 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background [0002] Commercial operators of electrolyzers use current-voltage (IV) curves to select efficient operating points for electrolyzer systems. The curves differ depending on system behavior, which may be influenced, among other things, by the temperature of the water (or other material) in which they are used. Generally, these curves are either provided by the manufacturer or are determined experimentally for certain temperatures. System behavior may then be interpolated between curves at temperatures representing actual operation; however, such interpolation is not entirely accurate and introduces uncertainty and error. Experimentally-derived curves may obviate such interpolation errors; however, experimental determination is cumbersome and expensive. [0003] Accordingly, operators generally use simulations of their operation, process design, and troubleshooting during operation to select an operating point. Accurate process simulations of an electrolyzer call for empirical data to determine the relationship between operating potential and current density. Operators may assume a relationship based on an educated estimate or keep the value constant and leave the adjustment to operator judgement in the field. This may reduce the predictability of the model, however, as the model may not reflect an accurate representation of real-world operation or its safety parameters. Summary [0004] A method for operating an electrolyzer is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a ratio of diffusivity in a material at a reference temperature, simulating operation of the electrolyzer in the material at a plurality of current density values at an operating temperature that is different from the reference temperature based at least in part on the ratio of diffusivity, and displaying a result comprising data representing the operation of the electrolyzer using a computer monitor. [0005] In an example, the method includes obtaining an experimentally-derived curve for current density and voltage, the experimentally-derived curve representing operation of the electrolyzer in the material at an experimental temperature. The simulating operation of the electrolyzer is based at least in part on the experimentally-derived curve. [0006] In an example, the experimental temperature is different from the reference temperature and different from the operating temperature. [0007] In an example, the method includes selecting an operating point for the electrolyzer based at least in part on the simulating operation of the electrolyzer. [0008] In an example, the method includes causing the electrolyzer to operate at the operating point. [0009] In an example, simulating operation of the electrolyzer includes calculating a potential difference generated by the electrolyzer at the plurality of current density values. [0010] In an example, the simulating of the operation of the electrolyzer is independent of a diffusivity of the material at the operating temperature. [0011] In an example, the ratio of diffusivity is a ratio of diffusivity of a proton and a diffusivity of a mobile ion in the material at the reference temperature. [0012] In an example, the method includes generating a plurality of current-voltage (IV) curves based on the simulating operation of the electrolyzer. Each of the IV curves corresponds to a potential difference as a function of current density in the electrolyzer at a different temperature. [0013] A non-transitory, computer-readable medium is disclosed. The medium stores instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a computing system, cause the computing system to perform operations. The operations include obtaining a ratio of diffusivity in a material at a reference temperature, simulating operation of an electrolyzer in the material at a plurality of current density values at an operating temperature that is different from the reference temperature based at least in part on the ratio of diffusivity, and displaying a result comprising data representing the operation of the electrolyzer using a monitor. [0014] A computing system is also disclosed. The computing system includes one or more processors, and a memory system including one or more non-transitory, computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, cause the computing system to perform operations. The operations include obtaining an experimentally- derived curve for current density and voltage, the experimentally-derived curve representing operation of an electrolyzer in a material at an experimental temperature, obtaining a ratio of diffusivity in the material at a reference temperature, simulating oper