The Torrent SK Series (TM) is a projected five-model family of advanced, software-controlled water-electrolysers: three-phase, 200-450VAC, 50/60Hz. They produce pure hydrogen (99.999%) and medical-grade oxygen at up to 20bar (300psi, 15510 torrs). Their bipolar cells use potassium hydroxide (KOH) as an electrolyte-catalyst; they run on 1.23VDC at up to 300A. Power is fully adjustable; gas is proportional to current. The nominal power in kilowatts is shown by each model's suffix: SK5, SK10, SK20, SK30 and SK40. Internally, the SK Series (TM) is the same as the K Series (TM). The only difference is that the SK Series has stainless-steel cabinets instead of the dark blue powder-coated cabinets of the K Series. It is intended for marine environments.
The Torrent is modular, so the three biggest machines are multiple SK10's in one cabinet. The SK5 produces a nominal 1000 litres of hydrogen per hour measured at standard pressure (55 Nm3/h, 2085scfm), and 540 litres of oxygen, from a litre of water. So the SK10 producees a nominal 2000L/h, the SK20 4000L/h, the SK30 6000L/h, and the SK40 8000L/h (but they can be expected to produce 1093L/h of hydrogen and 547L/h of oxygen per litre of water on full power). The ambient operating temperature is 1-40°C (33-104°F), non-condensing. The Torrent Series is designed and built for safety. It contains no asbestos, PCBs or other carcinogens.
Torrents are comparatively small and light, and except for the 40kW models have wheels, so they are easy to accomodate and move. The SK5 is 440mm(W) x 580mm(D) x 1000mm(H) and 185kg; the SK10 is 670x650x1000 and 280kg; the SK20 is 1600x600x1200 and 520kg; the SK30 is 2400x600x1200 and 760kg; the SK40 is 3200x600x1200 and 980kg. They use ordinary drinking water (although as always in electrolysers, de-ionised or distilled water is ideal). Any impurities collect in a sludge-chamber that can be drained easily every few months.
What sets the Torrent apart is its EStarPower (TM) module, the advanced three-phase, switch-mode AC-to-DC power-supply developed in conjunction with the University of Auckland's School of Electrical Engineering. It operates under the full control of its embedded EStarControlware (TM); it is small and light, simple, low-cost, highly efficient, rugged, reliable, long-lasting. Its many features include optimising the current to electrolyser cells at all times, exceptional handling of input-power fluctuations, nil power-reflection back to the mains, software-generated wave-forms, and balanced three-phase operation. The E*Controlware (TM) eliminates with precisely varying compensation, at computer speed, the cold-start problems usually exhibited by alkaline electrolysers. And because E*Power (TM) shrugs off input-power fluctuations, the Torrent is well-suited to running off solar and wind generation.
Torrent complies with the BS5500 standard (now called PD5500) and the CE standard. All pressure-vessels are tested to BS5500, which has been called the toughest pressure-
standard in the world; and the machines and all sub-systems are individually and collectively designed and tested to CE.
The Torrent SK Series (TM) is priced at $US5250 for the SK5, $US7500 for the SK10, $US15,000 for the SK20, $US22,500 for the SK30 & $US30,000 for the SK40 (prices are FOB NZ, and may vary with NZD/USD exchange-rates). Volume orders for the same model are discounted 10% and 20%; the break-points are at 100 and 1000 units.
