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Renewable energy conversion integrated system, RECIS
Contract de finantare nr nr. 226/ 20.07.2006
The project "Renewable Enery Conversion Integrated System", RECIS, propose a peculiar interest subject on international plane: the hydrogen like an energy conversion source and
its applications for fuel cells, the main goal being the romanian research integration in european priorities of European Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Technology Platform. Extensive research in the field of
hydrogen production and of its use in electro-chemical devices of energy production (photolysis devices, respectively fuel cells) is currently in progress worldwide, leading to very promising results.
However, the competitive nature of the energy production technologies still give rise to many challenges as regards the application and the implementation of photolysis devices and fuel cells in the society.
The technology has to fit the requirements of the applications, whilst meeting tight performance targets and stringent cost targets.
The proposed project is structured as an integrative project, namely, starting from the different romanian R&D centres accomplishments in the area of hydrogen and fuell cells we want to put
them together in order to establish a scientific and technological pole of research for energy producing from renewable sources and to enhance their capabilities to participate in the future FP7, on the area
under investigation in this project.
A energy production system based on fuel cells by using new and renewable sources is made up of the following sub-units:
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Generator of hydrogen by photolysis;
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Hydrogen storage device;
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Fuel cells stack;
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Current inverter;
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Automation, measurement and control system for the energetic system;
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Adaptive interfaces for inputs/outputs of sub-units;
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Energy co-generation system;
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Supplying module for the cathode of the fuel cells stack.
The block diagram of the system is presented in figure 1.
The hydrogen that was used in supplying the fuel cells was obtained by water decomposition in a photo-electrochemical cell, which has the capacity to break the hydrogen bond of the water molecules under the influence of solar energy.
The voltage generated by the fuel cells stack is distributed by Control Module 6 towards a Li battery or towards a CC/CA converter. Control Module 6 verifies the condition of the battery and the demand of energy and transmits the state
parameters to the automation system. The 4,8 KW lithium battery represents a buffer element so that the momentary malfunctions of the energetic assembly are not transmitted in the output generated voltage. Moreover, the battery will ensure the necessary
voltage to start the installation, not only for the elements of the automation, measurement and control system but also to warm up the hydrogen storage device in case the photolyser does not generate gas. The experiments which will be made on the fuel
cells stack aim at a few aspects: the determination of the functional performances, the determination of the energetic balance and endurance tests. The automation, measurement and control system permanently monitors the normal functional parameters of
the installation by Control Modules 1-7 and uses a computerized data acquisition and command system.
The automation, measurement and control system at experimental level, in an up to date variant, contains constructive configurations with low energy consumptions. The maximum consumption for the entire automation, measurement and control
assembly to not exceed 1,5 kW. The elaboration of data acquisition and command programmes is made based on the Lab View program platform. It has to be mentioned that the installation has an increased complexity level, with many new elements, sensitive to
operation parameters and to influences of external factors, therefore the local monitoring and control are not recommended, because for a long term operation it requires a large number of personnel and the human factor can lead to an increased risk coefficient.
The installation include also an optimized command and control system for a 5KW inverter supplied by the fuel cells stack, that generates an output voltage of 220Vca at a frequency of 50Hz, reducing the number of harmonics. It is also intended to fit
the fuel cells current ripple within the recommended limits and the tests will be done on a dynamic load (AC motor with brake).
The co-generation energy system which uses as a primary source the water resulted at the cathode of the fuel cells, having an outlet temperature of 80 Celsius degrees, but uses also the water obtained from the heat exchanger from the cooling circuit
of the fuel cell assembly. This co-generation system ensures the warm up of the storage device during the de-sorption stage and supplies warm water for an eventual stationary application.
The sub-assemblies obtained in this project were presented to many fairs and expositions for marketing and refer to:
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Fuel cell;
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Fuel cell assembly;
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Fuel cells testing stand;
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Optimized inverter for fuel cell.
Up to now were soled fuel cells and fuel cells assemblies.
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