Author(s)

Mohamed H. Shedid^*, S. Elshokary

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Mattaria, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt.

Egypt is bordered by coastal sea2450 km, while incident solar radiation is in the order of magnitudes of 1900-2200 W/m² in that area of the world. The present work is aimed to assess the hydrogen production from the solar-hydrogen system composed of photovoltaic cell motivated by solar energy and supplies electricity to alkali electrolyzer. The electrolyzer uses sea and Nile water as electrolytes. Indoor tests are done to identify the optimum concentration ratio of the sea water to produce hydrogen. Experimental results showed that stand-alone sea water gives a higher production rate. The results of the outdoor tests revealed the need for about seven units of electrolyzer working with the sea water to produce the same amount of hydrogen that KOH solution electrolyte would provide. However, the efficiency of solar-hydrogen units working with the sea water gives a lower constant efficiency of about 0.13%, followed by Photovoltaic/electrolyzer unit using Nile water of approximately 0.005%. The KOH solution electrolyte provides an efficiency of approximately 8% at solar noon. The sea water is recommended to be used instead of KOH solution in all coming electrolyzers.

Alkali Electrolyzer, Hydrogen Production, Sea Water, Photovoltaic, Egypt Climate, Egypt Resources

Shedid, M. and Elshokary, S. (2015) Hydrogen Production from an Alkali Electrolyzer Operating with Egypt Natural Resources. Smart Grid and Renewable Energy, 6, 14-25. doi: 10.4236/sgre.2015.61002.