The basis of the hydrogen plant system involves two main equipment, the hydrogen generator and power supply. Hydrogen generator consists of mechanical equipment and piping systems supporting the electrolysis process. Control systems and instruments are located near the generator.
The control panel shows the process conditions and information data for the efficiency of the operating system. the power supply consists of equipment to convert AC power input into DC power in the electrolysis process. The power supply at the installation is separate from the hydrogen generator.
The process of the hydrogen plant requires demineralized water as raw material, nitrogen as the initial cleaner, and cooling water to remove heat due to the electrolysis process.
With initial input, the system will produce hydrogen at 100 PSIG (7.0 kg / cm2). In the electrolysis process, two products will be produced, namely hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2). The oxygen produced is discharged into the air, the oxygen produced is an average of 1.5 times the hydrogen produced. Generators in complete hydrogen systems must have to supply feedwater, nitrogen, cooling water, electrical power inputs, and piping systems to distribute gas
hydrogen and separates hydrogen and oxygen into the air.
There are differences in the hydrogen plant system at the PLTU and PLTGU. The PLTGU has a plant system that is more complicated than the hydrogen plant at the PLTU. The hydrogen plant in the power plant is equipped with a compressor system, gas holder, and others. The pressure of hydrogen gas in PLTGU is far greater than the pressure of hydrogen gas in the PLTU. The pressure of hydrogen gas in the PLTGU is 26 kg / cm2.
The process of the hydrogen plant begins with electrolysis of pure water on the electrolyzer. The electrolysis process in pure water has very low efficiency, this is because water has a low ionization constant. To increase the efficiency of electrolysis, KOH is added in water. KOH is used as a catalyst that speeds up the electrolysis process. The results of the electrolysis process will produce hydrogen gas (H2) and oxygen gas (O2). Hydrogen gas produced from electrolysis will be separated from the water point by the mist separator. Once separated from the water point, hydrogen gas will be stored in the gas holder.
The hydrogen plant is designed to work automatically. When the initial operating conditions are carried out with a system at low pressure, the system will automatically start the process gradually until the pressure is ready to deliver gas. Average gas production depends on the system requirements to reach the maximum production capacity of the generator.
If the distribution of hydrogen gas is not needed, the system will return to pressure during standby conditions where the gas is ready to be distributed. All important parameters must be monitored continuously. For example, when an operating condition deviates from a predetermined limit, the system will shutdown automatically. If the hydrogen plant system is turned off, the system will return to the initial pressure where the system starts up.
The hydrogen plant has been designed to work in safe and reliable conditions. Although preventive maintenance is also very important to maintain system reliability. When there is a problem with the hydrogen system, the control system will notify the cause and location of the part which results in a shutdown of the hydrogen plant system
