Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Renewable intermittency forces electrolytic hydrogen systems to operate across multiple states, lowering efficiency. We design a thermodynamic cycle that recovers electrolysis waste heat and integrates it with an alkaline electrolyser. A detailed thermodynamic model of the hydrogen system and the heat-recovery loop is developed, and design and operating parameters are optimized to maximize overall exergy efficiency. To improve economic viability, heat-exchanger structural parameters are co-optimized. We further propose an optimal scheduling method for the heat-recovery system under fluctuating renewable supply. The method employs an interactive optimisation framework cantered on the temperature-efficiency curve of alkaline electrolyser cells, jointly optimizing electrolyser current and working-fluid mass flow to enhance economic performance. A case study using real wind-farm data from Qinghai demonstrates that the proposed system with heat recovery significantly improves performance, increasing hydrogen production by up to 9% under wind scarcity compared to that of the system without heat recovery. These results confirm the practical viability of renewable-driven hydrogen production.
Source: Entropy
DOI: 10.3390/e28020194
Authors: Shengchen Li, Wenbin Wu, Zhenhang Wu, Linrui Ma, Yang Si
Institutions: Qinghai University, Qinghai Institute of Technology
Language: English
Subfield: Energy Engineering and Power Technology
Field: Energy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
Award: G1266061020
OpenAlex ID: W7128446171