Electrolyzer cell system including embedded busbar assembly

Abstract

An electrolyzer cell system includes a hotbox, columns of electrolyzer cells disposed in the hotbox, a first heating element disposed in the hotbox, a support base disposed under the hotbox, and a busbar assembly embedded in a bottom surface of the support base and electrically connected to the first heating element.

1 . An electrolyzer cell system, comprising:
 a hotbox;   columns of electrolyzer cells disposed in the hotbox;   a first heating element disposed in the hotbox;   a support base disposed under the hotbox; and   a busbar assembly embedded in a bottom surface of the support base and electrically connected to the first heating element.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the busbar assembly comprises:
 an upper dielectric layer;   a lower dielectric layer disposed below the upper dielectric layer;   busbars disposed between the upper and lower dielectric layers; and   a cover plate disposed below the lower dielectric layer.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the upper dielectric layer, the busbars, and the lower dielectric layer are disposed between the bottom surface of the support base and a top surface of the support base. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the upper dielectric layer and the lower dielectric layer comprise a compliant mica material. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the busbar assembly comprises at least four of the busbars;   two of the busbars are electrically connected to terminals of the first heating element; and   two of the busbars are electrically connected to terminals of a second heating element that is disposed in the hotbox.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the first heating element is configured to directly heat the columns; and   the second heating element is configured to heat steam provided to the columns.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the busbars each comprise:
 an internal terminal disposed inside of the perimeter of the support base; and   an opposing external terminal disposed outside of the perimeter of the support base.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the external terminals are disposed in an access recess in the support base. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the busbar assembly is disposed in an assembly recess in a bottom surface of the support base. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the hotbox further comprises a base pan. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein at least one sidewall of the hotbox is located on the base pan. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a first subfloor disposed over the base pan;   a second subfloor disposed over the first subfloor; and   cell column pedestals disposed on the base pan and extending through the first and second subfloors.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the columns are disposed on the cell column pedestals. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a central pedestal disposed on center of the base pan and extending through the first and second subfloors;   a central column located over the central pedestal; and   a second heating element that is disposed on the central pedestal in the central column.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the cell column pedestals surround the central pedestal. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the first heating element is configured to directly heat the columns; and   the second heating element is configured to heat steam provided to the columns.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the electrolyzer cells comprise solid oxide electrolyzer cells. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising compression seals configured to seal the first heating element between the first subfloor and the base pan. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 fuel inlet conduits disposed between the first and second subfloors and configured to provide steam to the columns; and   hydrogen outlet conduits disposed between the first and second subfloors and configured to receive hydrogen (H 2 ) generated by the electrolyzer cells.   
     
     
         20 . A method of operating the electrolyzer cell system of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 providing steam to the columns;   electrolyzing the steam in the columns to generate hydrogen and oxygen;   providing a hydrogen containing product to a hydrogen processor;   heating at least one of the steam or the columns using the first heating element; and   providing electric power to the first heating element through the busbar assembly.