Pilot plant for hydrogen production using high-temperature solid oxide electrolyser and solar heat and power
Abstract
This work presents the design of a pilot plant for hydrogen production that integrates a high-temperature Solid Oxide Electrolyser (SOE) with solar heat and power. SOE operates at around 750 ºC and requires a balance of plant (BoP) to ensure this condition. Operating at high temperatures also requires less electricity, consequently making the SOE highly efficient. The process flow diagram (PFD) of the integrated plant consists of two main subsystems: (i) BoP of the SOE and (ii) BoP of the solar field. The coupling between these two systems is done in the steam generator. The heat from the solar field and the storage system is used to generate the steam supplied to the electrolyser, and the required electricity is from PV plant and electrical grid. The integrated plant was analysed for four operation models: full, partial, hot standby and night modes. The analysed plant uses a SOE with a capacity of 9 kWe, and at full load will consume 3.7 kg h-1 of steam, and produce 0.24 kg h-1 of hydrogen.