Thermal energy storage system coupled with a solid oxide electrolysis system
AssigneeRondo Energy, Inc.
InventorsJohn Setel O'Donnell, Yusef Desjardins Ferhani
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An energy storage system (TES) converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. The delivered heat which may be used for processes including power generation and cogeneration. In one application, the energy storage system provides higher-temperature heat to a solid oxide electrolysis system to maintain in an electrolysis operating temperature range during operation and nonoperation, thereby increasing the efficiency of the temperature control.
Claims21
An electrolysis system including:
- a thermal energy storage (TES) system configured to be charged using electrical energy;
- a solid oxide electrolyzer (SOE) configured to receive thermal energy and electrical energy;
- a heat exchange system thermally coupling the TES system to the SOE;
- and
- a thermal power cycle system configured to generate electricity using heat provided by the TES system and/or the SOE,
- wherein the heat exchange system includes a first pathway configured to deliver a heated working fluid from the TES system directly to the SOE and a second pathway configured to route another heated working fluid from the TES system to a steam generator for the thermal power cycle;
- and
- wherein the SOE is configured to be operable using only energy supplied from the TES system as a thermal source and an electrical input source for the SOE.
An electrolysis system, including:
- a thermal energy storage (TES) system configured to be charged using electrical energy;
- a solid oxide electrolyzer (SOE) configured to receive thermal energy and electrical energy;
- a heat exchange system thermally coupling the TES system to the SOE;
- and
- a thermal power cycle system configured to generate electricity using heat provided by the TES system and/or the SOE;
- wherein the SOE is configured to be operable using only energy supplied from the TES system as a thermal source and an electrical input source for the SOE;
- the system further including one or more bypass conduits and flow control valves configured to selectively route working fluid from the TES system around the SOE and toward the steam generator or another heat exchanger.
An integrated electrolysis system including:
- a thermal energy storage (TES) system configured to store and release heat using intermittent electricity as an energy input;
- a solid oxide electrolyzer (SOE) unit configured to produce hydrogen or synthesis gas from steam using both heat and electricity;
- a heat exchange system including:
- a first section for transferring heat from the TES system to the SOE for temperature management and operation;
- a second section for generating steam using heat from the TES system;
- and
- a third section for capturing heat from the output stream of the SOE;
- a thermal power cycle subsystem, including a steam turbine, configured to generate electricity from steam produced using heat from the TES system;
- wherein the system is configured to be operable to run the SOE continuously using only intermittent electrical input stored and dispatched by the TES system, with both heat and electricity provided from within the integrated system;
- and
- wherein the system is configured to route working fluid to one or more of:
- an inlet of the SOE;
- a steam generation heat exchanger;
- and
- a heat exchanger configured to preheat electrolyzer steam.
A system for production and power generation, including:
- a solid oxide electrolyzer (SOE) configured to receive steam and operate within a specified thermally acceptable operating range of temperatures;
- a thermal energy storage (TES) system configured to discharge heated working fluid to heat the steam supplied to the SOE;
- a condensing steam turbine coupled to a steam loop, the steam loop including:
- a pressurized water pump,
- a first heat exchanger configured to receive heat from a product gas stream exiting the SOE, and
- a second heat exchanger configured to receive heated working fluid from the TES system;
- wherein steam is expanded in the condensing steam turbine to generate electricity, and
- wherein the system is configured to be operable to run the SOE continuously using only intermittent electrical input stored and dispatched by the TES system, with both heat and electricity provided from within the system;
- and
- wherein the second heat exchanger is downstream of the first heat exchanger and is configured to provide additional superheating of steam using heated working fluid from the TES system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.