Operation of an electrolysis device having a plurality of electrolysis cells

Abstract

A support device for an electrolysis device having a plurality of electrolysis cells having connection contacts for electrical coupling to respective electrodes of the electrolysis cells is provide. The support device has at least one voltage detection unit for detecting a cell voltage of each of the electrolysis cells and an evaluation unit, which is coupled in terms of signal technology to the at least one voltage detection unit, for determining at least one cell characteristic or at least one state of health for each of the electrolysis cells, and a number of controllable electronic current source circuits corresponding to the plurality of electrolysis cells. Each of the current source circuits is electrically coupled to electrodes of each of the electrolysis cells and is designed to supply the respective electrolysis cell individually with a direct current that can be adjusted depending on a current source control signal.

1 . A support device for an electrolysis device having a plurality of electrolysis cells, comprising:
 connection contacts for electrically coupling to respective electrodes of the electrolysis cells, wherein at least one voltage detection unit for detecting a cell voltage of each of the electrolysis cells;   an evaluation unit coupled in terms of signal technology to the at least one voltage detection unit for determining at least one cell characteristic or at least one state of health for each of the electrolysis cells; and   a number of controllable electronic current source circuits corresponding to the plurality of electrolysis cells,   wherein each of the current source circuits is electrically coupled to electrodes of each of the electrolysis cells and is designed to supply the respective electrolysis cell individually with a direct current that can be adjusted depending on a current source control signal,   wherein the electrolysis cells are operated outside of normal electrolysis operation by supplying the electrolysis cells with a protective current or polarization current to suppress a fuel cell functionality,   wherein the voltage detection unit has a number of voltage sensors corresponding to the plurality of electrolysis cells,   wherein each of the voltage sensors is electrically coupled to electrodes of each of the electrolysis cells and is designed to detect a cell voltage of the respective electrolysis cell and output a respective voltage signal depending on the detected cell voltage,   wherein the evaluation unit is designed to determine control data depending on the state of health for starting or shutting down the electrolysis device, and   wherein the state signal is used to adjust the individual current source control signals.   
     
     
         2 . The support device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one current sensor for detecting a cell current of at least one of the electrolysis cells and outputting a current signal depending on the detected cell voltage. 
     
     
         3 . The support device according to  claim 1 , wherein the evaluation unit is designed to detect the cell voltage and the cell current for a pre-settable period of time and, depending on the same, determine the cell characteristic and/or the state of health of the electrolysis cell. 
     
     
         4 . The support device according to  claim 1 , wherein a separately handled housing having a connector to electrically connect the support device to the electrolysis cells. 
     
     
         5 . The support device according to  claim 1 , wherein the evaluation unit is designed to determine operating states of all of the electrolysis cells coupled to the evaluation unit and provide a state signal for a higher level electrolysis controller depending on the determined operating states to control the cell current depending on the state signal. 
     
     
         6 . An electrolysis device comprising a plurality of electrolysis cells, characterized by a support device according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         7 . A method for operating an electrolysis device having a plurality of electrolysis cells, wherein, for electrically coupling to a support device for the electrolysis device according to  claim 1 , respective electrodes of the electrolysis cells are electrically coupled to connection contacts of the support device, wherein cell voltages of the electrolysis cells are detected using at least one voltage detection unit of the support device electrically coupled to the connection contacts, wherein voltage detection unit provides a respective voltage signal depending on the respective detected electrical voltage, wherein the voltage signals are evaluated using an evaluation unit to determine at least one cell characteristic or at least a state of health for a respective electrolysis cell, wherein each of the current source circuits of the support device is electrically coupled to electrodes of each of the electrolysis cells, wherein the respective electrolysis cell is supplied individually with a direct current that can be adjusted depending on a current source control signal, wherein the electrolysis cells are operated outside the intended electrolysis operation by supplying the electrolysis cells with a protective current or polarization current to suppress a fuel cell functionality, wherein the voltage detection unit has a number of voltage sensors corresponding to the plurality of electrolysis cells, wherein each of the voltage sensors is electrically coupled to electrodes of each of the electrolysis cells and detects a cell voltage of the respective electrolysis cell and outputs a respective voltage signal depending on the detected cell voltage, wherein the evaluation unit is determines control data depending on the determined states of health for starting or shutting down the electrolysis device, wherein the state signal is used to adjust the individual current source control signals.