Hydrogen Plant
The plant, which is located approximately 20 km (12.43 mi) away from Comodoro Rivadavia City, in Chubut Province, was commissioned in December 2008
It has two electrolysers with a total capacity of 120 Nm3/h of hydrogen and 60 Nm3/h of oxygen. The high purity hydrogen (99.998%) is mixed with natural gas to feed a 1.4 MW genset equipped with an internal combustion engine especially adapted to operate with rich and/or poor gas mixed with hydrogen.
It is worth noting that the high purity hydrogen produced is especially suitable for use in fuel cells.
Additionally, the hydrogen concentration rates achieved (up to 42%) are above the customary international ranges for these engines, and have shown good performance and efficiency in reducing CO2, CO, and NOx emissions.
The oxygen produced, also of high purity (99.998%), is sold at high pressure in the industrial gas market.
Electrolysers
1.4 MW Genset
The following is a summary of the main results obtained with the electrolysers and the genset, which were presented at the 18th World Hydrogen Energy Conference 2010, held in Essen, Germany, in May 2010:
High Power Genset
Within the operating range of 0-27% H2, equipment may run at full power (1.415 kW).
Within the operating range of 28-42% H2, power is gradually reduced from 1.415 to 1.180 kW to avoid engine knocking.
In our opinion, maximum power (1.415 kW) may be increased with H2 contents above 27%.
In our opinion, a higher H2 content may be obtained, with the ensuing optimization in power values.
Thermal efficiency at maximum power ranges between 40 and 41% for an H2 content of 0-42%.
A reduction in exhaust gas temperature as a result of an increase in the Lambda coefficient has helped bring NOx concentration in exhaust gas down by 58%.
This NOx reduction is observed in the tested powers, i.e. 700 kW, 1.000 kW, and Maximum Power.
As we approach the engine's rated power, a greater NOx content reduction is verified.
Electrolysers
Electrolysers allow operations in the 18-100% range.
Cross contamination measurements are performed (H2 in O2, and vice versa) so as to guarantee compliance with optimum quality and safety standards.
A wide equipment operation range ratio is favorable for power fluctuations of wind turbines.
Each electrolysis unit is made up of 4 cell stacks, each having their own performance.
Typical cell efficiency is between 4.1-4.6 kW/Nm3.
Stack efficiency decreases in line with a higher operating power, which involves higher current, since higher voltage is required to achieve electrolysis.
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