US 12,134,827 B2
Compressor integration and safe operation start up for atmospheric operation of SOEC systems
Joshua Mermelstein, San Jose, CA (US)
Assigned to BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION, San Jose, CA (US)
Filed by Bloom Energy Corporation, San Jose, CA (US)
Filed on Jan. 18, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/155,989.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/300,617, filed on Jan. 18, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0227984 A1, Jul. 20, 2023
Int. Cl. C25B 9/05 (2021.01); C25B 1/02 (2006.01); C25B 9/67 (2021.01); C25B 15/021 (2021.01); C25B 15/08 (2006.01)
CPC C25B 9/05 (2021.01) [C25B 1/02 (2013.01); C25B 9/67 (2021.01); C25B 15/021 (2021.01); C25B 15/08 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC) system comprising:
generator modules comprising stacks of electrolyzer cells and that receive steam and output a hydrogen product comprising hydrogen and steam;
a heat exchanger or condenser configured to cool the hydrogen product output from the generator modules;
a compressor configured to pressurize the hydrogen product output from the heat exchanger or condenser;
a dryer configured to reduce a dew point of the hydrogen product output from the compressor;
transition valves-configured to control an amount of the hydrogen product output from the generator modules that is vented and an amount of the hydrogen product output from the generator modules that is provided to the compressor, based on an operating state of the compressor; and
isolation valves configured to relieve suction line pressure between the compressor and the generator modules in response to a fault event of the compressor,
wherein the transition valves comprise:
a first globe valve configured to control venting of the hydrogen product; and
a second globe valve configured to control flow of the hydrogen product from the heat exchanger or condenser to the compressor, and
wherein the isolation valves comprise:
a first pneumatic valve configured to control venting of the hydrogen product; and
a second pneumatic valve configured to control flow of the hydrogen product from the heat exchanger or condenser to the compressor.