Title
Flexible Alkaline Water Electrolysis: Flexibility limitations for transient electrolyzer operation
Author
Lottman, Bas (TU Delft Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering; TU Delft Process and Energy)
Contributor
Haverkort, J.W. (mentor) 
Klein, S.A. (graduation committee)
de Groot, M.T. (graduation committee)
Degree granting institution
Delft University of Technology
Date
2020-11-13
Abstract
A numerical model is developed in Simulink to simulate transient alkaline electrolyzer operation. The model is built to simulate a large scale hydrogen plant in Rjukan, Norway. The model is based on physical relations where available, some plant-specific data is modeled using empirical equations. The model describes the anodic and cathodic compartments using electrochemical equations, lumped heat, and a perfectly mixed mass model. The balance of plant is modeled using the same heat and mass model. The model can predict the potential, temperature, efficiency, temperature, and mass flows and is validated using 30 days of measured data of the large scale plant. Transient current input, such as sudden current ramp up from 0 to 100% load, is used to simulate dynamic operation. From these simulations flexibility limitations of the electrolyzer are determined. The results suggest that the liquid levels in the stack andgas-liquid separator and temperature are limiting flexibility. The liquid levels form the biggest limitation of dynamic operation due to potential flooding or draining of the gas-liquid separators.
Subject
alkaline electrolysis
gas holdup
limitation
flexibility
numerical
transient operation
gas-liquid separators
overflowing
current density
exchange current density
potential
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:112667da-a27b-4424-aace-229565c2ed38
Embargo date
2025-11-13
Part of collection
Student theses
Document type
master thesis
Rights
© 2020 Bas Lottman