INTEGRATED ELECTROCHEMICAL HYDROGEN COMPRESSION SYSTEMS
Apparatus and operating methods are provided for integrated electrochemical hydrogen compression systems. In one possible embodiment, an electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell is energized to generate a hydrogen output from a hydrogen source that can be pure hydrogen or a mixed gas containing hydrogen. The hydrogen output is fed to a compressor, and the compressor is energized to provide a compressed hydrogen output to a hydrogen load. In some embodiments, the compressor is configured to feed hydrogen to the cell, which in turn feeds the load. Various methods, features and system configurations are discussed.
1 . A method of operating an integrated electrochemical hydrogen compression system, comprising:
energizing an electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell to generate a hydrogen output;
flowing the hydrogen output to a hydrogen load;
measuring a pressure of a hydrogen gas in the system;
energizing a compressor when the pressure of the hydrogen gas reaches a predetermined threshold;
flowing the hydrogen output to an inlet of the compressor; and
flowing hydrogen from the compressor to the hydrogen load.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the pressure of the hydrogen gas is a pressure of the hydrogen output.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the pressure of the hydrogen gas is a pressure of the hydrogen load.
4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
modulating an electrical potential across the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell to control a pressure of the hydrogen output.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
modulating an electrical current fed through the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell to control a flow rate of the hydrogen output.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
measuring an electrical potential of a reference cell, wherein the reference cell has a first reference electrode and a second reference electrode, wherein the first reference electrode is in fluid communication with a first electrode of the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell, and the second reference electrode is in fluid communication with a second electrode of the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell.
7 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising:
varying an electrical potential applied to the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell in response to the electrical potential measured from the reference cell.
8 . The method of claim 6 , wherein:
the second reference electrode is in fluid communication with the hydrogen load.
9 . A method of operating an integrated electrochemical hydrogen compression system, comprising:
energizing an electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell to flow hydrogen into a vessel;
energizing a compressor when a predetermined vessel pressure is reached; and
flowing hydrogen from the vessel to an inlet of the compressor at a constant pressure.
10 . A method of operating an integrated electrochemical hydrogen compression system, comprising:
energizing an electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell to generate a hydrogen output;
modulating an electrical potential across the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell to control an outlet pressure of the hydrogen output;
flowing the hydrogen output to an inlet of a compressor;
energizing the compressor to compress the hydrogen output; and
flowing hydrogen from the compressor to a hydrogen load.
11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
modulating an electrical current fed through the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell to control a flow rate of the hydrogen output.
12 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
measuring an electrical potential of a reference cell, wherein the reference cell has a first reference electrode and a second reference electrode, wherein the first reference electrode is in fluid communication with a first electrode of the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell, and the second reference electrode is in fluid communication with a second electrode of the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell.
13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
varying an electrical potential applied to the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell in response to the electrical potential measured from the reference cell.
14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein:
the second reference electrode is in fluid communication with the hydrogen load.
15 . A method of operating an integrated electrochemical hydrogen compression system, comprising:
energizing an electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell to flow hydrogen to an inlet of a compressor;
energizing the compressor to flow hydrogen to a hydrogen load;
wherein the compressor has a ratio of (electrical power consumed by the compressor) to (hydrogen flowed to the hydrogen load); and
increasing an electrical potential supplied across the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell when the ratio falls below a predetermined threshold.
16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
modulating an electrical potential across the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell to control a pressure of the hydrogen flowed to the compressor inlet.
17 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
modulating an electrical current fed through the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell to control a flow rate of the hydrogen flowed to the compressor inlet.
18 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
measuring an electrical potential of a reference cell, wherein the reference cell has a first reference electrode and a second reference electrode, wherein the first reference electrode is in fluid communication with a first electrode of the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell, and the second reference electrode is in fluid communication with a second electrode of the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell.
19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising:
varying an electrical potential applied to the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell in response to the electrical potential measured from the reference cell.
20 . The method of claim 18 , wherein:
the second reference electrode is in fluid communication with the hydrogen load.
21 . A method of operating an integrated electrochemical hydrogen compression system, comprising:
energizing an electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell to generate a hydrogen output;
flowing the hydrogen output to a hydrogen load;
measuring a pressure of the hydrogen output;
energizing a compressor when the pressure of the hydrogen output reaches a predetermined threshold;
flowing hydrogen from the compressor to an inlet of the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell.
22 . A method of operating an integrated electrochemical hydrogen compression system, comprising:
energizing a compressor to supply output hydrogen to a hydrogen load;
measuring a pressure of the output hydrogen;
energizing an electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell when the pressure reaches a predetermined threshold;
flowing the output hydrogen to an inlet of the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell;
exhausting hydrogen from the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell to the hydrogen load at an elevated pressure.
23 . A method of operating an integrated electrochemical hydrogen compression system, comprising:
energizing an electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell to supply hydrogen to a compressor;
energizing the compressor to supply hydrogen to a hydrogen load;
maintaining a differential pressure across the compressor within a predetermined range; and
varying an outlet pressure of the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell to vary an outlet pressure of the compressor.
24 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the differential pressure across the compressor is held constant.
25 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising:
modulating an electrical potential across the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell to control a pressure of the hydrogen supplied to the compressor.
26 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising:
modulating an electrical potential across the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell to hold constant the pressure of the hydrogen supplied to the compressor.
27 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising:
modulating an electrical current fed through the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell to control a flow rate of the hydrogen supplied to the compressor.
28 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising:
measuring an electrical potential of a reference cell, wherein the reference cell has a first reference electrode and a second reference electrode, wherein the first reference electrode is in fluid communication with a first electrode of the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell, and the second reference electrode is in fluid communication with a second electrode of the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell.
29 . The method of claim 28 , further comprising:
varying an electrical potential applied to the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell in response to the electrical potential measured from the reference cell.
30 . The method of claim 28 , wherein:
the second reference electrode is in fluid communication with the hydrogen load.
31 . A method of operating an integrated electrochemical hydrogen compression system, comprising:
energizing a compressor to supply hydrogen to an electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell;
energizing the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell to supply hydrogen to a hydrogen load;
maintaining a differential pressure across the compressor within a predetermined range; and
varying an outlet pressure of the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell.
32 . The method of claim 31 , wherein the differential pressure across the compressor is held constant.
33 . The method of claim 31 , further comprising:
modulating an electrical potential across the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell to control a pressure of the hydrogen supplied to the compressor.
34 . The method of claim 31 , further comprising:
modulating an electrical potential across the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell to hold constant the pressure of the hydrogen supplied to the compressor.
35 . The method of claim 31 , further comprising:
modulating an electrical current fed through the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell to control a flow rate of the hydrogen supplied to the compressor.
36 . The method of claim 31 , further comprising:
measuring an electrical potential of a reference cell, wherein the reference cell has a first reference electrode and a second reference electrode, wherein the first reference electrode is in fluid communication with a first electrode of the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell, and the second reference electrode is in fluid communication with a second electrode of the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell.
37 . The method of claim 36 , further comprising:
varying an electrical potential applied to the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell in response to the electrical potential measured from the reference cell.
38 . The method of claim 36 , wherein:
the second reference electrode is in fluid communication with the hydrogen load.
39 . An integrated electrochemical hydrogen compression system, comprising:
an electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell;
a compressor;
wherein the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell has an inlet in fluid communication with a hydrogen source;
wherein the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell has an outlet in fluid communication with a compressor inlet of the compressor; and
wherein the compressor has a compressor outlet in fluid communication with a hydrogen load.
40 . The system of claim 39 , further comprising:
a valve adapted to regulate hydrogen flow between the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell and the compressor.
41 . The system of claim 39 , further comprising:
a heater adapted to heat the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell.
42 . The system of claim 39 , further comprising:
a heater adapted to heat hydrogen from the hydrogen source as it is fed to the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell.
43 . The system of claim 39 , further comprising:
a bypass line from the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell outlet to the compressor outlet;
a controller adapted to measure a pressure of the compressor outlet;
wherein the controller is adapted to supply the hydrogen load via the bypass line when the compressor outlet pressure is below a predetermined threshold; and
wherein the controller is adapted to close the bypass line when the compressor outlet pressure is above a predetermined threshold.
44 . The system of claim 39 , further comprising:
a vessel in fluid communication between the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell outlet and the compressor inlet.
45 . The system of claim 39 , wherein the compressor has a ratio of (electrical power consumed by the compressor) to (hydrogen flowed to the hydrogen load), further comprising:
a controller adapted to increase an electrical potential supplied across the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell when the ratio falls below a predetermined threshold.
46 . The system of claim 39 , further comprising:
a power supply adapted to vary an electrical potential supplied to the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell to produce a predetermined outlet pressure of hydrogen at the outlet of the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell.
47 . The system of claim 39 , further comprising:
a power supply adapted to vary an electrical current fed through the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell to produce a predetermined flow of hydrogen at the outlet of the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell.
48 . The system of claim 39 , further comprising:
a reference cell, wherein the reference cell has a first reference electrode and a second reference electrode, wherein the first reference electrode is in fluid communication with a first electrode of the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell, and the second reference electrode is in fluid communication with a second electrode of the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell.
49 . The system of claim 48 , further comprising a power supply adapted to vary an electrical potential applied to the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell in response to an electrical potential of the reference cell.
50 . The system of claim 48 , wherein the second reference electrode is in fluid communication with the hydrogen load.
51 . An integrated electrochemical hydrogen compression system, comprising:
a compressor;
an electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell;
wherein the compressor has a compressor inlet in fluid communication with a hydrogen source;
wherein the compressor has a compressor outlet in fluid communication with an inlet of the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell; and
wherein the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell has an outlet in fluid communication with a hydrogen load.
52 . The system of claim 51 , further comprising:
a valve adapted to regulate hydrogen flow between the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell and the compressor.
53 . The system of claim 51 , further comprising:
a heater adapted to heat the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell.
54 . The system of claim 51 , further comprising:
a heater adapted to heat hydrogen from the hydrogen source as it is fed to the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell.
55 . The system of claim 51 , further comprising:
a bypass line from the compressor outlet to the hydrogen load;
a controller adapted to measure a pressure of the compressor outlet;
wherein the controller is adapted to supply the hydrogen load via the bypass line when the compressor outlet pressure is below a predetermined threshold; and
wherein the controller is adapted to close the bypass line when the compressor outlet pressure is above a predetermined threshold.
56 . The system of claim 51 , further comprising:
a vessel in fluid communication between the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell inlet and the compressor outlet.
57 . The system of claim 51 , wherein the compressor has a ratio of (electrical power consumed by the compressor) to (hydrogen flowed to the hydrogen load), further comprising:
a controller adapted to increase an electrical potential supplied across the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell when the ratio falls below a predetermined threshold.
58 . The system of claim 51 , further comprising:
a power supply adapted to vary an electrical potential supplied to the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell to produce a predetermined outlet pressure of hydrogen at an outlet of the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell.
59 . The system of claim 51 , further comprising:
a power supply adapted to vary an electrical current fed through the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell to produce a predetermined flow of hydrogen at an outlet of the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell.
60 . The system of claim 51 , further comprising:
a reference cell, wherein the reference cell has a first reference electrode and a second reference electrode, wherein the first reference electrode is in fluid communication with a first electrode of the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell, and the second reference electrode is in fluid communication with a second electrode of the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell.
61 . The system of claim 51 , further comprising a power supply adapted to vary an electrical potential applied to the electrochemical hydrogen pumping cell in response to an electrical potential of the reference cell.
62 . The system of claim 51 , wherein the second reference electrode is in fluid communication with the hydrogen load.