Electrolyzer banks

The advantages of using a series connected electrolyzer bank is that you can use a common water or electrolyte reservoir, and BSPMs are readily available to purchase. The downside of the bank configuration is 

Electrolyte connections for a bank of six series connected electrolyzers with a common electrolyte reservoir. 

BSPMs that are connected, pair to pair, in series. 

A bank of parallel connected electrolyzers requires ESPMs that can deliver lower voltage and higher currents. For instance, to power 3 electrolyzers at 4 volts and 20 amps, you would have 

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A BSPM system can incorporate hydrogen production in a number of different configurations. A basic hybrid energy storage system requires several 12 / panels with an approximate 10 amp output. These panels are connected in parallel with a diversion controller. To operate with the higher voltage and to use it efficiently, the system would include a bank of three electrolyzers connected in series (bipolar connection) that will use four volts each. This will be discussed in more detail at the end of the Electrolyzers chapter. 

Although not always possible, the best engineering practice is to design any power supply to match the specific appliance that will use that power, so that as little energy as possible is wasted. Still, BSPMs can be used efficiently for hydrogen production if they are used to power a bank of electrolyzers rather than just one. 

A bank of electrolyzers can be set up as you would set up a bank of batteries, or solar panels, in a series, or parallel, or series/parallel connection or, each electrolyzer can have its own dedicated power source. This last option is actually the most energy efficient configuration. 

The configuration you choose depends on a number of factors. If you already have BSPMs on hand and wish to use them in a solar hydrogen fuel cell system, its best to set up a bank of electrolyzers connected in series. 

Although such panels are specifically designed for charging batteries, they can be used in systems where a bank of electrolyzers is connected in series. In other words, if you have solar panels that deliver a nominal real working voltage of around 15 volts at 10 amps, you can power about three electrolyzers with two panels, if you want to input 4 volts into each electrolyzer cell at 20 amps (see illustration at right). 

In designing a solar hydrogen system, you will need to determine whether it will be more efficient and cost effective to use a bank of smaller size electrolyzers, or a larger electrolyzer or two. 

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