System and sub-systems for production and use of hydrogen
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsThomas Gibson, Nelson Kelly
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims32
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.
A photovoltaic electrolyzer system comprising:
- 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.
A method for disassociating water to form hydrogen, comprising:
- 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.
A method for operating an electrolysis system having at least one photovoltaic (PV) cell, supplying power to electrolyze water to produce hydrogen, comprising:
- 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.
A method for operating an electrolysis system having at least one photovoltaic (PV) subsystem supplying power to electrolyze water to produce hydrogen, comprising:
- 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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.