W.S.G. Isaac Newton

Thomas Altena - s2140705

VDL Energy Systems BV

After leaving the oil and gas business, apart from their balancing services, VDL Energy Systems (VES) now concentrates on developing new sustainable systems with the focus on energy storage and conversion. Apart from their state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery technology and PEM fuel cell technology, VES is now concentrating on technology regarding an alkaline electrolyser.

In this type of electrolyser, the reaction is improved by using concentrated lye as an electrolyte which contains a certain percentage of potassium hydroxide (KOH). After separating the product gases i.e. hydrogen and oxygen from the lye, KOH aerosols are incorporated in the gas flow which adjusts KOH levels and damages untreated materials. To prevent this from happening, the product gases are bubbled through a vessel of water using a sintered metal tube sparger. Such a sparger is capable of distributing the gas in very small bubbles leading to a high gas-liquid interfacial area which is beneficial for the mass transfer of KOH out of the bubbles and into the water.

During this internship I had to select a sparger that was capable of providing these small bubbles while able to cope with all other system parameters. I first conducted a literature study after which I performed several experiments on different spargers and system parameters to observe their effect on the formation of the bubbles. Finally, I made a recommendation on the type of sparger and its size.

At VES I worked in a relaxed office environment with a multidisciplinary team that incorporated mechanical engineers, electrical engineers and a salesman. During the internship I experienced all types of activities, both within an engineering project as well as the daily life within a company. These experiences went from design on paper to seeing something get build, but also having meetings or drinks with colleagues.