Proposta de sistema de eletrólise para produção de gás HHO com controle simplificado no contexto da hibridização veicular

Abstract

The hydrogen economy has garnered increasing attention in recent years, becoming an integral component of global energy vector electrification strategies and industrial decarbonization efforts (energy transition). Consequently, rather than concentrating on hydrogen production from greenhouse gas-emitting sources, as is currently practiced (referred to as gray hydrogen), there is a growing trend towards future production through pollutant capture in the steam reforming process (blue hydrogen) and also through electrolysis using electricity derived from renewable sources (green hydrogen). In the context of this proposed economy, various applications can be implemented, both stationary (such as heat production) and for mobility purposes, utilizing hydrogen for vehicle propulsion. Concerning the latter, two prominent research avenues have emerged: the first involves the use of hydrogen in fuel cells to power an electric motor (electromobility); or alternatively, as a fuel in internal combustion engines specifically designed for this purpose. Despite the availability of commercial models utilizing these technologies, both approaches currently lack effective industrial scalability. An intermediate alternative in the short and medium term is the utilization of hydrogen, specifically the gaseous combination of Hydrogen (H2) and Oxygen (O2) in the form of oxyhydrogen or HHO gas, in conjunction with conventional fuels—known as Vehicle Hybridization. This field of HHO hybridization necessitates comprehensive studies concerning technical, economic, and environmental feasibility, including the development of models, simulations, and embedded prototypes. According of these considerations, this work proposes the development of a prototype-level electrolysis plant with a simplified closed-loop control system for the production of HHO gas, aiming to contribute to future research and the design of novel HHO hybrid systems for conventional vehicles. The electrolysis plant will be based on supplying electrical power to the input of the electrolyzer (the device responsible for dissociating water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen) and capturing the gas produced at the system’s output. Process control will be managed by the ESP-32 microcontroller, which will implement Proportional-Integral actions through monitoring the controlled variable (HHO gas production rate) via a specific sensor. Flow rates will be adjusted using an H-bridge controlled by Pulse Width Modulation (the manipulated variable), which will serve to modulate the continuous current and voltage supplied to the system.