Ramp Up
The ramp up time of the device depends on the electrolyte temperature (the ramp up is slower at
low ambient temperatures). Typically, the device will start with a hydration period of 60 seconds,
and then ramp up to the nominal production rate with the following values:
• Warm-up time (time taken for the electrolyte to heat up to 55 °C): The electrolyser can
reach a heating ratio of 1 °C/min. If starting the device with an electrolyte temperature of
e.g. 25 °C it will take about 30 min to be fully operational and perform at its maximum
efficiency at 55°C.
• Ramp up time (time to reach nominal production rate): Usually, the 500 NL/hr production
rate is reached in about ⅔ of the total warm-up time (the warmup time is 30 min, so if
starting at 25 °C, it will need 20 min to reach max production rate).
• Build pressure time: The heat up and the hydrogen production start immediately. With
standard set-points, the pressure is completely built in ⅙ of the total warm up time (if
starting at 25 °C, the warm-up time is 30 min, so it will need 5 min to build pressure).
During ramp up, the device performs periodical purges to guarantee high purity H
2
on the outlet,
as well as to release condensed water from the produced H
2
.
Ramp Down
Like the Ramp Up, the Ramp Down slowly switches off the stack and the other components and moves
the device into a safe state. The device should always be ramped down via the start/stop button or
via the app/cloud to preserve the components. Switching it off via the breaker, the Dry-Con or
switching off the power supply should be performed in emergency cases only.
Blowdown Routine
This routine runs if the electrolyser has not been in STEADY or RAMP UP mode for a longer time. A
warning appears that notifies the operator when the routine starts: WARNING "WO_20". The
blowdown routine does not interfere with the normal ramp up routine.
If the pressure on the hydrogen line outside the electrolyser is higher than 25 barg the blowdown
routine will not take place.
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