Solar Energy and Hydrogen are possible replacement options for fossil fuel, But a major drawback to the full implementation of solar energy, in particular photovoltaic (PV), is the lowering of conversion efficiency of PV cells due to elevated cell t
emperatures while in operation. Also, hydrogen must be produced in gaseous or liquid form before it can be used as fuel; but its‟ present major conversion process produces an abundance of carbon dioxide which is harming the environment through global warming. In search of resolutions to these issues, this research investigated the application of Thermal Management to Photovoltaic (PV) modules in an attempt to reverse the effects of elevated cell temperature. The investigation also examined the effects of the thermally managed PV module to a Electrolyzer (Hydrogen Generator) for the production of hydrogen gas in an environmentally friendly way.
The results of the investigation showed that the cooling system stopped the cell temperature from rising, reversed the negative effects on conversion efficiency, and increased the power output of the module by as much as 33%. The results also showed that the thermally managed PV module when coupled to the hydrogen generator impacted positively with an appreciablely increase of up to 26% in hydrogen gas production.
It is known that, the available power from a photovoltaic system is unpredicted and
differs with climatic changes, so it has an intermittent nature, in other words it is unable to
supply the load continuously and steadily. Because of that, storage
methods of its energy
must be studied to use it again in a way that could be predicted. Hydrogen production is
one of these methods by connecting the PV system to water electrolysers, and this stored
hydrogen could be used either in fuel cells or burning it to get thermal energy. This study
focuses on PV system and the available energy taken from it, and the electrolysers and its
requirements and products. Making a mathematical model would be done and plotting the
curves that represent the system by programming it using MATLAB. A simple numeral
example that clears the system would be calculated. By this way, the energy efficiency
would be between 23 to 67 % according to the way the produced hydrogen is used.
A protection Method for the primary loops metals of nuclear power plant
from corrosion was investigated. Hydrogen molecules were added to the
primary circuit to eliminate oxygen molecules produced by radiolysis of coolant
at the reactor core. The
hydrogen molecules were produced by electrolyses of
water and then added when the coolant water was passing through the primary
coolant circuit.
Thermodynamical process and the protection methods from corrosion were
discussed, the discussion emphasized on the removal of oxygen molecules as one
of the protection methods, and compared with other methods .The amount of
hydrogen molecules needed for complete removal of oxygen was estimated in
two cases: in the case without passing the water through the oxygen removal
system, and in the case of passing water through the system. A pressurized
water reactor VVER was chosen to be investigated in this study. The amount of
hydrogen molecules was estimated so as to eliminate completely the oxygen
molecules from coolant water. The estimated value was found to be less than
the permissible range for coolant water for such type of reactors.
Hydrogen production, vector of energy, by water electrolysis can be economically
viable by using electrical energy from renewable sources such as photovoltaic solar
energy. In this research was the study of solar hydrogen production using electroly
ser
based on polymeric exchange membrane electrolysis technology manufactured locally at
the Faculty of Technical Engineering in Tartous. The experimental studies were achieved
in two different methods: the first, direct coupling to the hydrogen electrolyser with PV
module. The second method, designed PV-electrolyzer system consists of the following
components: PV module, a maximum power point tracker (MPPT), A DC-DC converter,
which is used to operate the system at the maximum power of the PV system at all times
and to supply the necessary DC current to the electrolyzer, and tank hydrogen. The results
showed that the second method more effective and highly efficient when compared with
the first method because of the change in the intensity of solar radiation during the day.
Also, results show that some additives such as (KOH) play an important role in enhancing
the ionization process of the electrolyte liquid and improve process flow.
