Water Electrolysis

Angstrom Advanced Hydrogen Generating Plant by Water Electrolysis

Navigate This Page:

• Introduction:
  • Hydrogen Plant Overview
  • Electrolysis Process
  • Typical Specifications
• Components:
  • Fuel Cell
  • Electrical Components
  • H2 Separator
  • Water Cooler
  • Control Cabinet
  • Gas Analysis System
• Co-generating Concept and Power Distribution:
  • The Electrolyzer
  • The Wind Market
  • Market Application
• Economic Evaluation
• A New Community:
  • Ranson Green
  • New Community Summary

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I. Introduction: ^

The Hydrogen generating plant by water electrolysis is the premier Angstrom Advanced renewable energy line. Otherwise known as our "Verde" system, this patented one-of-a-kind technology is guaranteed to drastically cut energy costs over long periods.
Hydrogen and oxygen flow separately into H₂ separator and O₂ separator, where they are cooled by cooling water and separated from the mixture of gas-lye by gravity. After that H₂ gas flows into the H₂ washer for lye drop to be removed which is contained in gas by DM water. At the same time the gas is cooled by a coil-piped cooler which is erected in the washer. Finally, the hydrogen flows through the demister which located at the top of washer to eliminate the water drop, then flows into the hydrogen drying unit via pneumatic valve for further purification. Oxygen processing will be expelled to atmosphere.

A) Plant Overview: Electrolysis is the passage of a direct electric current through an ionic substance that is either molten or dissolved in a suitable solvent, resulting in chemical reactions at the electrodes and separation of materials. The main components required to achieve electrolysis are:

• An electrolyte: a substance containing free ions which are the carriers of electric current in the electrolyte. If the ions are not mobile, as in a solid salt then electrolysis cannot occur.
• A direct current (DC) supply: provides the energy necessary to create or discharge the ions in the electrolyte. Electric current is carried by electrons in the external circuit.
• Two electrodes: an electrical conductor which provides the physical interface between the electrical circuit providing the energy and the electrolyte. Electrodes of metal, graphite and semiconductor material are widely used. Choice of suitable electrode depends on chemical reactivity between the electrode and electrolyte and the cost of manufacture.

B) Electrolysis Process ^ The key process of electrolysis is the interchange of atoms and ions by the removal or addition of electrons from the external circuit. The required products of electrolysis are in some different physical state from the electrolyte and can be removed by some physical processes. For example, in the electrolysis of brine to produce hydrogen and chlorine, the products are gaseous. These gaseous products bubble from the electrolyte and are collected. A liquid containing mobile ions (electrolyte) is produced by:

• Solvation or reaction of an ionic compound with a solvent (such as water) to produce mobile ions
• An ionic compound is melted (fused) by heating
• An electrical potential is applied across a pair of electrodes immersed in the electrolyte.

Each electrode attracts ions that are of the opposite charge. Positively charged ions (cations) move towards the electron-providing (negative) cathode, whereas negatively charged ions (anions) move towards the positive anode. At the electrodes, electrons are absorbed or released by the atoms and ions. Those atoms that gain or lose electrons to become charged ions pass into the electrolyte. Those ions that gain or lose electrons to become uncharged atoms separate from the electrolyte. The formation of uncharged atoms from ions is called discharging. The energy required to cause the ions to migrate to the electrodes, and the energy to cause the change in ionic state, is provided by the external source of electrical potential.
C) Typical Specifications:^

Typical Specifications
H2 capacity:	2-500 Nm3/h
O2 capacity:	1-250 Nm3/h
H2 purity %:	≥99.9
O2 purity %:	≥99.5

II. Components of the Power Plant: ^

• Bipolar pressurized electrolyser by Angstrom Advanced
• The cell of the electrolyser is divided into an anode cell and a cathode cell
• Hydrogen is generated in the cathode side
• Oxygen is generated in the anode side
• Electrolyser is filled with electrolyte KOH mixed with DM water (30% KOH)
• On Electrical Side Rectifying transformer is used to change high AC voltage electricity to low voltage electricity and then through rectifying to become DC power
• The positive pole of DC power is connected to the anode of electrolyser, cathode of electrolyser directly comes from transformer
• Rectifying transformer and rectifier are two main parts of the electric power supply unit.
• Cathodic reaction is 4H₂O+4e == 2H₂+4OH-
• Anodic reaction is 4OH == O₂+2H₂O+4e-
• The pressure of the system is raised to and maintained at the set pressure by means of regulating valve.
• The electrolyte at the bottom of hydrogen and oxygen separators is pumped back to electrolyser after filtering and cooling, to complete one process cycle.
• Hydrogen & oxygen generated in the electrolyser, mixed with the electrolyte, are sent to Hydrogen and oxygen separators. Hydrogen and oxygen are then separated from the electrolyte due to gravity.
• Hydrogen and oxygen gases are allowed to pass through hydrogen and oxygen coolers separately and are cooled to the temperature of 30 - 40°C
• The hydrogen is allowed to pass through a pd deoxo unit and hydrogen dryer to remove its moisture and oxygen.
• Electrolyte tank is used for storing electrolyte and feed water.
• Electrolyte pump makes the electrolyte and pumps it into the system and back.
• Feed water pump is a piston pump, used to pressurize feed water into the system.

A) Fuel Cell: ^

In the archetypal hydrogen–oxygen proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) design, a proton-conducting polymer membrane, (the electrolyte), separates the anode and cathode sides. This was called a "solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell" (SPEFC) in the early 1970s, before the proton exchange mechanism was well-understood. (Notice that "polymer electrolyte membrane" and "proton exchange mechanism" result in the same acronym.)

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On the anode side, hydrogen diffuses to the anode catalyst where it later dissociates into protons and electrons. These protons often react with oxidants causing them to become what is commonly referred to as multi-facilitated proton membranes. The protons are conducted through the membrane to the cathode, but the electrons are forced to travel in an external circuit (supplying power) because the membrane is electrically insulating. On the cathode catalyst, oxygen molecules react with the electrons (which have traveled through the external circuit) and protons to form water — in this example, the only waste product, either liquid or vapor.

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In addition to this pure hydrogen type, there are hydrocarbon fuels for fuel cells, including diesel, methanol (see: direct-methanol fuel cells and indirect methanol fuel cells) and chemical hydrides. The waste products with these types of fuel are carbon dioxide and water.

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Construction of a high temperature PEMFC: Bipolar plate as electrode with in-milled gas channel structure, fabricated from conductive plastics (enhanced with carbon nanotubes for more conductivity); Porous carbon papers; reactive layer, usually on the polymer membrane applied; polymer membrane.

The materials used in fuel cells differ by type. In a typical membrane electrode assembly (MEA), the electrode–bipolar plates are usually made of metal, nickel or carbon nanotubes, and are coated with a catalyst (like platinum, nano iron powders or palladium) for higher efficiency. Carbon paper separates them from the electrolyte. The electrolyte could be ceramic or a membrane.

B) Electrical Components: ^

• Transformer & Rectifier
• The transformer changes the voltage from AC 415 V to the low voltage value required
• Rectifier Changes the Low voltage to DC Current to be supplied to electrolyser.
• The capacity of rectifying transformer is designed as per the size of electrolyser.
• At the input of rectifying transformer, a current and voltage measurement is provided with interlocks to protect the system in case of some malfunctions.
• Rectifying component includes rectifying components, control with interlocks.
• Rectifier function is for stabilization of current and voltage
• The voltage can be regulated from 0.6~1.05 times of the rated voltage
• The rated current of rectifier is 1.1 times of the rated current of electrolyser.

C) H₂ & O₂ Separator: ^
Hydrogen and oxygen enter separately into an H₂ separator and O₂ separator, where they are cooled by cooling water and separated from the mixture of gas-lye by gravity. After the H₂ gas enters the H₂ washer for lye drop to be removed, which is contained in gas by DM water, the gas is cooled by a coil-piped cooler which is erected in the washer. Finally, the hydrogen flows through the demister which is located at the top of washer to eliminate the water drop, then flows into the hydrogen drying unit via pneumatic valve for further purification. Oxygen processing will be expelled to atmosphere.
The function of lye is to improve the electrical-conduction performance of the Angstrom Advanced Verde system during water electrolysis. Under normal operating conditions, the consumption of lye will be nearly zero. Generally, the supplementary of lye will be needed once per year if necessary and the quantity will be a very small. For preparation of lye, solid caustic potash is put into the lye tank which is filled with two-thirds DM water. The lye pump will start to agitate and dissolve caustic potash into the DM water.
The alkaline solution (electrolyte) combined together from the hydrogen (oxygen) separators return to the electrolytic cells via the collection pipe and the filter in which the foreign substances will be removed from the solution, then it will be returned to the electrolyzer via lye pump.
D) Water Cooler ^ - Cooling the source water for the hydrogen electrolyzer serves the following purposes:

• Cooling the SCR element in the rectifier
• Cooling the lye by means of the lye coolers inside the H₂/O₂ separators; the operation temperature of the electrolyzer is kept in the range of 80-90°C.
• Cooling hydrogen and oxygen in the washer; the temperature at the outlet of cooler is not more than 40°C at the outlet of H₂ washer

E) Control Cabinet: ^
The control cabinet is the key part of the entire monitoring system to maintain the safety and stable running of the Hydrogen Generator. The regulating of operating pressure of the hydrogen generator ensures that the generator will be able to operate under the required working pressure. The control arithmetic used in this system is a PID algorithm. The pressure transmitter samples the system pressure and is transferred to PLC through the safety barrier to compare with the working pressure set-point. The arithmetic result gained from PLC will be converted to a standard signal of 4~20 mA DC from the analogue output module and then into a standard gas signal of 0.02~0.1 Mpa through the electric-pneumatic converter. The pneumatic signal controls the opening of a pneumatic regulating valve so that the operating pressure is kept at the set-point value.
Angstrom Advanced hydrogen control system allows the plant to actively control generator parameters such as purity and dew point. Actively controlling hydrogen at optimum levels in the hydrogen generator will:

• Warn the user of excess limit monitored parameters;
• Optimize efficiency;
• Maximize generator capacity;
• Provide safe hydrogen supply;
• Automatically cut off power to rectifier in case excess pressure is reached;

F) Gas Analysis System: ^
Hydrogen is sampled to the gas analysis system via sampling tube, in which the mini-lye drop is separated from it by the gas-moisture separator, then it goes into the online analyzer to check the O₂ content in the hydrogen after its pressure is reduced. Before the product H₂ is transmitted into the corresponding storage tank, it will be sampled into the separated moisture meter to measure its dew-point. The corresponding signal will be sent to a programmable logic controller for display and monitoring. The control program will decide the quantity of H₂ produced and how much H₂ will be sent into their corresponding storage systems or not, depending on certain conditions.

III. Co-generating Concept and Power Distribution: ^

Angstrom Advanced offers a wide variety of renewable energy product lines ranging from wind turbines, fuel cells and solar panels up to renewable hydrogen generation systems with state-of-the-art technology that is first on the market. With our advanced technology, our system is the first system worldwide that is capable of fully adapting intermittent renewable power into a hydrogen production process. Our system can efficiently transfer wind/solar power, which originally can’t be used or delivered, into hydrogen, and then either use hydrogen directly for industrial production or use hydrogen fuel cells/internal combustion engines to produce electricity/heat with hydrogen. With a completely innovative internal design, the hydrogen generating system by Angstrom Advanced can adjust the hydrogen production by a SMART Controller to directly utilize 100% intermittent electricity. This system is suited perfectly for integration with the fluctuating voltages of intermittent power generating equipment, like wind turbines/solar panels.

Angstrom Advanced Inc. is the first to combine wind turbines, solar panels, and fuel cells into a hydrogen generation system. Some of the key components are:

• Wind Turbine
• Solar Panel
• Fuel Cell
• Storage Tank
• Electrolyzer

The key uniqueness and advantage of the Angstrom Advanced product line is that its operation and production of hydrogen can be adjusted widely to operate with the fluctuating power of wind turbines or other power sources; the first and only one of its kind in the world, pioneered by Angstrom Advanced. In this system, a small Hydrogen Generation Unit can adapt a very high electric voltage, and thereby reduces capital cost by over 30%. What’s more, since no transformers are needed, the Hydrogen productivity can be improved by 10-20%.
A) The Electrolyzer: ^
Hydrogen, oxygen and electrolytes are sent to hydrogen and oxygen separators installed in the auxiliary equipment frame. There, hydrogen and oxygen are separated with electrolyte under the action of gravity. Hydrogen and oxygen gases pass through separate hydrogen and oxygen coolers and are cooled to a temperature of 30 - 425℃, then pass through hydrogen and oxygen demisters to remove liquefied water from gases. The hydrogen and oxygen are then supplied out. The pressure of the system is raised to and maintained at a set pressure by means of a regulation valve. The electrolytes at the bottom of the hydrogen and oxygen separators are pumped back to the electrolyzer after filtering and cooling, at which point one cycle has successfully completed.
The hydrogen from water electrolysis has the advantages of high purity and simple composition, normally only has the impurities like oxygen and water, it is easy to purify it to much higher purity used in electronic industry.
The total system includes hydrogen generator, hydrogen purifier, electrical and control unit as well as a hydrogen buffer tank and a storage container. In this unit, water is decomposed into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis, the equation is 2H₂O==2 H₂+O₂. There is a hydrogen buffer tank between the hydrogen generator and the hydrogen purification equipment; it is used to remove dissociative water from hydrogen and to keep the pressure of the hydrogen purification unit stable. Hydrogen flows into the purifier though this buffer. The purpose of purification equipment is to purify the hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generator. The oxygen is removed though a chemical reaction with the help of a catalyst, and water is removed by the way of adsorption.

Because of its unique design in the electric system and controlling capability, Angstrom Renewable Power Generating System can adapt 100% fluctuating power from wind turbines/solar panels, and realize 100% utilization of renewable power during the hydrogen production.
Currently, this patented technology can be applied in 2NM3 – 1000NM3/Hour hydrogen generating systems, and therefore Angstrom Advanced Inc. could provide a variety of renewable energy generating systems, customized for different clients. This technology represents a bright future of massive production and utilization of hydrogen in the 21st century.
B) Wind Market: Hydrogen and Electrolysis ^

The renewable energy market faces many challenges today, some of which are:

• Lack of infrastructures
• Most places with an abundant wind energy resource are located in remote areas with few grid networks (shown in the graph below). It is estimated that $300 Billion would be needed to extend the grid to include all potential wind farms in the US.
• Intermittency of renewable power - Angstrom Advanced aims to solve this problem by using hydrogen production via water electrolysis.
• A big portion (over 20%) of wind power on the grid will risk the stability and safety of the grid network

C) Market Application: ^

• Electricity supply to the grid network using our system to stabilize power supply.
• In more detail; when the power supply is higher than demand, hydrogen will be produced to store the extra electricity; while power supply is lower than demand, hydrogen will be burned in fuel cells or internal combustion engines to provide additional electricity.
• Micro-grid systems for residential areas using our system to produce electricity/hydrogen and heat.
• The time control of producing hydrogen is similar to the electricity supply to the grid network.
• Industrial production of hydrogen using our system to eliminate use of fossil fuels.
• Greenhouse effect is more and more serious while 95% of hydrogen production is relying on fossil fuels like natural gas and coal. The electrolysis process to produce hydrogen by Angstrom Advanced's VERDE system will dominate the future of industrial hydrogen production.

IV: Economic Evaluation: ^

When used for grid power management, Angstrom Renewable Power Generating System can save 10% energy from electricity transfer and delivery, and save 5-10% more energy from traditional long-term power storage.
When used for Hydrogen Production, Angstrom Renewable Power Generating System still has a great advantage, taking this project at National Renewable Energy Laboratory for example:

Capital Component (uninstalled)	Baseline System (NREL)	Optimized System (NREL)	Auto-adjust System (Angstrom Advanced)	Notes
Wind Turbine	1.5 MW $1,884,000	1.5 MW $1,884,000	1.5 MW $1,000,000	With a strong Chinese partner network, Angstrom Advanced can lower turbine costs by 30%
Hydrogen Generator	2.33 MW $1,570,000	2.33 MW $1,350,000	1.5 MW $850,000	1.5 MW Hydrogen generator is enough to match 1.5 MW turbine in Angstrom's system
Transformers	$220,000	$0	$0	The Angstrom system doesn't utilize transformers.
New Power Electronics Interface	$0	$80,000	$10,000	Angstrom cost is significantly less than NREL optimized
Maintenance cost ($/kg)	$0.57	$0.57	$0.58	Nearly the same maintenance cost
Hydrogen production (kg/year)	48,576	48,576	55,516	Lower energy loss leads to higher hydrogen production and efficiency
Total Hydrogen cost ($/kg)	$6.25	$5.85 6% lower	$3.40 46% lower

Angstrom system uses clean hydrogen production at costs competitive to fossil fuels

The objective of Angstrom Advanced Inc. is to reduce cost of renewable power generation to a competitive level, to fossil fuels in the market. According to market analysis, if Angstrom Advanced can seize 10% of US renewable energy market, we can realize a yearly sale of $3 Billion; if we take 10% of China’s market simultaneously, the sales will double to $6 Billion.

V. A New Community: ^

The New Community for a Carbon Free Future will use Angstrom Advanced technology.

RansonGreen, LLC has thoughtfully planned a new city that will create, set and achieve a new standard for sustainable communities in the United States and the world leveraging innovative technologies, a superior location, focused resources, new wave economic trends and proven green technologies from Angstrom Advanced Inc. RansonGreen LLC will deliver a comprehensive approach to sustainability that effectively blends economic with environmental sustainability.

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It has been the desire of the Ranson Green team to find methods that can manufacture hydrogen from the resources of wind, solar, micro-biology, trash recycling and aluminum to power the city and the vehicles that belong to residents of Ranson Green. The difficulty in harnessing these technologies has been to find systems that can safely produce and store the hydrogen for release when other sources of power run out.
A) Angstrom Hydrogen Generating System for Ranson Green Community ^
Angstrom Advanced hybrid Renewable Power Generation System (the “Verde” system) is the first system worldwide that is capable to fully adapt intermittent renewable power during hydrogen production process. With a completely innovative internal design, Verde system can adjust the hydrogen production by a SMART Controller to directly utilize 100% intermittent electricity. This system is suited perfectly for integration with the fluctuating voltages of intermittent power generating equipment, like wind turbines/solar panels. This technology leads to a greater energy efficiency and lower capital cost simultaneously, which no other products in the market can realize. Now, the Ranson Green project wants to use Angstrom's Verde system to efficiently transfer wind/solar power into hydrogen, and then use Hydrogen Fuel Cells/Internal Combustion Engines to produce electricity/heat when necessary. In addition, the Hydrogen can be sold to industrial/residential users, and create a profit for the owner.
B) To Summarize: ^
Ranson Green Community is a showcase for new environmental technologies. With the technology from Angstrom Advanced, we believe this city will serve as a model of how to effectively reverse the effects of carbon emissions and the resulting effects known as “Climate Change”, put a cap and control on energy costs, reduce the dependence of fossil fuels, conserve natural resources, and recover renewable materials in our homes and businesses. We believe that it is possible to do all these things without sacrificing many of the creature comforts that we have grown accustomed to in our lives.

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Visit Hydrogen Generator by Water Electrolysis or contact Angstrom Advanced today for more information. ^