1. ELectrolysis for Hydrogen Production by way of Sustainable Energy
G-ELHYPSE Project
ELectrolysis for Hydrogen Production by way of Sustainable Energy
Jérôme Gosset1, Lydie Tchicaya², Béatrice Sala3, Mercedes Bano4, Paul Howard5, Christophe Bidault², Serge De Perthuis3, Thomas Salles3
Objective: To demonstrate the feasibility of massive H2 production by way of water electrolysis using nuclear energy, competitively to the SMR process.
1 – AREVA
DRI – 1 place Jean Millier PARIS LA DEFENSE CEDEX - FRANCE
2 – Helion Domaine du petit Arbois – batiments Jule Verne – BP 71 – Aix en Provence Cedex 4 - FRANCE
3 – AREVA NP
Engineering and Construction - 10 rue Juliette Recamier Lyon Cedex 06 – FRANCE
Technical Center - BP 13 – Saint Marcel - FRANCE
Technical Center Detached at IEM - place Eugene Bataillon – Montpellier - FRANCE
4 – AREVA TA
BP 09 – Saint Paul Lez Durance - FRANCE
5 – AREVA T&D
Technology Center – St Leonards Avenue – Stafford –ST17 4LX - UK
Technical challenges: generic roadmap
From electrolysis
technology…
Cell efficiency + durability
(electrolyte conductivity,
catalysts efficiency, stability vs corrosion)
Material knowledge
Stack efficiency
(fluids, heat, mass transfer management,
Mechanical assembly, Gas tight conception)
Current Status
Study of various electrolysis technologies in order to validate the most promising concept
Alkaline technology
Study of mature technology of high power level
SOEC Technology
Mid term solution engaged in a validation process to ensure the gain of electrical performance.
The development of a low CO2 hydrogen solution opens the doors of new markets. Improved electrical efficiency by using High temperature electrolysis allows a reduction of production cost.
Thermo mechanical, thermo hydraulic, gasketing and assembly knowledge
Module architecture
(stack association, process management )
Electrochemical and thermodynamic processes knowledge
Plant definition
(module association, process management )
…to nuclear H2 plant solutions
Plant process, regulation and safety knowledge
HTSE STACK development
Demonstrate the feasibility of HTSE hydrogen generation
Increase the stack power range
Plant definition
Study of hydrogen massive production plant using High Temperature electrolysis or alkaline electrolysis
Design of the plant:
Preliminary Definition of the component: Heat Exchanger, Pump…
Different HTSE stacks are modeled.
Flow sheet of high temperature electrolysis plant and alkaline plant to ensure technical feasibility
Proposition and selection of sealing concepts based on various prototypes
Improvement of electric interface to stack
Finite element modeling:
electrochemistry
thermo hydraulic
Realistic scenario deployment retained for HTSE plant:
EPRTM use in a cogeneration mode:
Production targeted: 500 t/d of H2
Electrical Input: 720 MW
Thermal Energy extracted: 140 MW at 240°C
HTSE 0.5 kW electrolyser using SOEC membranes has produced hydrogen during 500h
HTSE plant design report will be issued at mid year 2009
Techno-economics comparison
Study of hydrogen production cost for low temperature and high temperature technologies
Conclusions
Stack architectures developed are on the stage of concept validation. Selection criteria and development priorities have been identified
Degradation modes have been identified and partially described.
Key components definition are almost finalized, to allow cost calculations
The higher investment cost for HTSE due to the high temperature (800°C) can be balanced by the lower electrical consumption.
Investment reduction levers will arise from precise cost estimation.
Alkaline consumption
HTSE consumption
Estimation of Hydrogen Cost production by HTSE will be performed at the end of 2009