US 2023/0420714 A1 · OPERATING SELF-REFUELING POWER-GENERATING SYSTEMS

Abstract

Self-refueling power-generating systems and methods of configuring them are provided, which enable operation in a self-sustained manner, using no external resource for water, oxygen or hydrogen. The systems and methods determine the operation of reversible device(s) in fuel cell or electrolyzer mode according to power requirements and power availability, supply oxygen in a closed circuit, compressing received oxygen in the electrolyzer mode, and supplying water or dilute electrolyte in a closed circuit in conjunction with the closed oxygen supply circuit by separating oxygen produced by the reversible device(s) in the electrolyzer mode from the water or dilute electrolyte received from the reversible device(s). Membrane assemblies may comprise a binder and be hot-pressed to enhance their long-term performance and durability.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method of operating a self-refueling power-generating system comprising a reversible device that is operable in a fuel cell mode using hydrogen from a hydrogen tank, and in an electrolyzer mode providing hydrogen to the hydrogen tank, the method comprising:

operating the reversible device in the fuel cell mode when energy is required therefrom,
when not in the fuel cell mode:
calculating an amount of hydrogen needed to fill the hydrogen tank,
determining a tank filling time or a target electrolysis efficiency according to a pre-defined criterion, and
operating the reversible device in the electrolyzer mode at a set electrolysis current corresponding to the target electrolysis efficiency if sufficient filling time is available, or providing an alert and operating the reversible device in the electrolyzer mode at a maximal electrolysis current if sufficient filling time is not available.

2 more elements

A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having a computer readable program embodied therewith, the computer readable program comprising:

computer readable program configured to operate a self-refueling power-generating system comprising a reversible device that is operable in a fuel cell mode using hydrogen from a hydrogen tank, and in an electrolyzer mode providing hydrogen to the hydrogen tank, the computer readable program comprising:
computer readable program configured to operate the reversible device in the fuel cell mode when energy is required therefrom, and, when not in the fuel cell mode:
calculate an amount of hydrogen needed to fill the hydrogen tank, determine a tank filling time or a target electrolysis efficiency according to a pre-defined criterion, and operate the reversible device in the electrolyzer mode at a set electrolysis current corresponding to the target electrolysis efficiency if sufficient filling time is available, or provide an alert and operating the reversible device in the electrolyzer mode at a maximal electrolysis current if sufficient filling time is not available.

A self-refueling power-generating system comprising:

a reversible device that comprises a single stack that is operable in a fuel cell mode and in an electrolyzer mode, wherein hydrogen and oxygen are supplied and received from the reversible device in respective hydrogen and oxygen closed circuits, and are optionally compressed by respective compressors in respective containers in the electrolyzer mode, and water or dilute alkaline electrolyte is supplied and received from the reversible device in a closed circuit that is in conjunction with the oxygen closed circuit, wherein the oxygen received from the reversible device is separated from the water or dilute alkaline electrolyte in a gas/liquid separation module, and
a controller configured to operate the self-refueling power-generating system by:
operating the reversible device in the fuel cell mode when energy is required therefrom,
when not in the fuel cell mode:
calculating an amount of hydrogen needed to fill the hydrogen tank,
determining a tank filling time or a target electrolysis efficiency according to a pre-defined criterion, and
operating the reversible device in the electrolyzer mode at a set electrolysis current corresponding to the target electrolysis efficiency if sufficient filling time is available, or providing an alert and operating the reversible device in the electrolyzer mode at a maximal electrolysis current if sufficient filling time is not available.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Operating self-refueling power-generating systems

Life of this patent

Operating self-refueling power-generating systems

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19