HYDROGEN GENERATION PLANT FOR THE CHARACTERISATION OF HYDROGEN BATTERIES AT THE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF CATALONIA

ARPA designs and builds an ultra-pure electrolytic hydrogen installation to supply a hydrogen fuel cell characterisation test bench at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia. It is necessary to continue researching and characterising hydrogen fuel cells to improve their performance and useful life, and for this reason the University contracts ARPA for this plant in its laboratory.

This hydrogen plant is powered by a photovoltaic installation and consists of an electrolytic system that includes a system of high-performance anionic membrane electrolysers, installed in a multistack arrangement, in such a way that, as the level of photovoltaic surplus increases, each of the modules is activated.

The hydrogen power plant is equipped with a hydrogen storage system.

In addition, the plant also has a compact and modular piston compression system that can reach up to 350 bar, as well as a hydrogen reservoir, together with a low-pressure hydrogen reservoir and a high-pressure type IV and III reservoir, respectively.

The plant is also equipped with a system for utilising surplus hydrogen, which is consumed in hydrogen fuel cells that reuse the hydrogen fuel.

Fuel cells will re-electrify the laboratory according to the balance of the plant.

YEAR OF COMPLETION: 2023

Location: Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Barcelona.

ARPA EMC: basic and detailed engineering, integration and balance of plant (BOP).

PHASE I

  • 6x Electrolysers with a total capacity of 6.2 kgH2/day at 35.
  • Electrolysis technology: AEM, anionic membrane.
  • Electrolysis power: 18 kW.
  • Purity of the hydrogen generated: 99.999%.
  • H2 storage in low-level buffer: 850 L type IV.
  • Compression flow: 3 Nm³/h.
  • Compression technology: low consumption piston.
  • Maximum compression pressure: 300 bar.
  • High-buffer H2 storage: 16 kgH2 type III.
  • 2x fuel cells with a total capacity of 4.8 kW.
  • Fuel cell technology: PEM, proton exchange membrane.

PHASE II: 

  • 40 electrolysers.