Integrated ammonia cracker and heat supply system

Abstract

The present invention relates to an integrated system of an ammonia cracker and a heat supply device, comprising: a storage tank for storing raw ammonia; an ammonia cracker that converts at least a portion of the raw ammonia into hydrogen and produces cracked fuel by heating a first burner with heat generated by burning a first fuel; a heat supply device that generates thermal energy using a second burner that burns a second fuel composed of at least one of the raw ammonia, the hydrogen, and the cracked fuel, and supplies the generated thermal energy to an external system; a buffer tank disposed between the ammonia cracker and the heat supply device to store the cracked fuel and supply it to the heat supply device; and a purification unit that purifies at least a portion of the cracked fuel.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ammonia cracker and a heat supply device integrated system configured to convert at least a portion of raw ammonia into hydrogen so that it can be used as fuel for a heat supply device. Background Technology

[0002] Hydrogen fuel is regarded as a key eco-friendly energy source for the era of carbon neutrality because it emits almost no carbon dioxide during combustion and its primary byproduct is water. Furthermore, due to its high energy density relative to mass, it can provide more heat energy than conventional fossil fuels on an equal mass basis, making it highly promising for application across various industries.

[0003] On the other hand, since hydrogen fuel is supplied and stored in high-pressure or cryogenic environments, it faces significant limitations in terms of stability, cost, and infrastructure during long-term storage or large-scale transportation. In contrast, ammonia can be handled more stably than hydrogen fuel, making it advantageous for long-term storage and large-scale transportation. Therefore, a method of using ammonia as a carrier gas and supplying hydrogen fuel through cracking at the point of use, instead of transporting hydrogen fuel directly, is being adopted as a realistic alternative.

[0004] Accordingly, the demand for ammonia crackers, which use high-temperature catalysts to crack ammonia into hydrogen fuel, has recently been increasing. Ammonia crackers are being adopted as a practical alternative that significantly reduces the burden of hydrogen fuel storage and transportation, as they can convert ammonia into hydrogen fuel when needed without the need for separate hydrogen fuel storage infrastructure.

[0005] Meanwhile, conventional ammonia cracker-based systems had the following problems.

[0006] First, since the ammonia cracker and the heat supply devices (boilers, hot air blowers) utilizing it are configured and operated independently, there were difficulties in coordinated control and integrated operation between the two devices.

[0007] Second, although a technology has been proposed to purify and supply hydrogen fuel using purification devices such as PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) after ammonia cracking, this method alone has limitations in that it is difficult to appropriately adjust the purity of the hydrogen fuel to the required level when operating environments and regulatory requirements fluctuate.

[0008] Third, there was a problem with low overall energy efficiency of the system because there was no thermal management structure or integrated control means to efficiently recover and reuse waste heat and excess heat generated during the cracking process.

[0009] Accordingly, there may be a need to provide an integrated system for an ammonia cracker and heat supply unit that can operate the ammonia cracker and heat supply unit in an integrated manner, appropriately adjust the purity of hydrogen fuel in response to changes in the operating environment or regulatory requirements, and efficiently reuse waste heat and surplus heat generated during the ammonia cracking process. The problem to be solved

[0010] One objective of the present invention is to provide an integrated ammonia cracker and heat supply system capable of operating the ammonia cracker and heat supply system integrally, while also appropriately adjusting the purity of hydrogen fuel in response to changes in the operating environment or regulatory requirements.

[0011] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a heat exchange device capable of efficiently reusing waste heat and excess heat generated during the ammonia cracking process.

[0012] Another objective of the present invention is to provide an operating method that can efficiently operate an integrated system of an ammonia cracker and a heat supply device. means of solving the problem

[0013] To achieve the above-mentioned objective, the present invention provides an integrated system of an ammonia cracker and a heat supply device according to one embodiment.

[0014] The above-described integrated system of an ammonia cracker and heat supply unit is characterized in that some of the cracked fuel flows into a buffer tank and other parts flow into a purification unit, and at least some of the purified fuel discharged from the purification unit flows into the buffer tank.

[0015] More specifically, the integrated system of the ammonia cracker and heat supply device comprises: a storage tank for supplying raw ammonia; an ammonia cracker that receives the raw ammonia from the storage tank and converts at least a portion of the raw ammonia into hydrogen by heating a first burner using heat generated by burning a first fuel to produce cracked fuel; a heat supply device that generates thermal energy using a second burner composed of at least one of the raw ammonia, the hydrogen, and the cracked fuel, and supplies the generated thermal energy to an external system; a buffer tank disposed between the ammonia cracker and the heat supply device, formed to store the cracked fuel flowing out of the ammonia cracker internally and to supply the stored cracked fuel into the interior of the second burner; and a purification unit that purifies at least a portion of the cracked fuel flowing out of the ammonia cracker, wherein a branch is formed between the ammonia cracker, the buffer tank, and the purification unit. Piping is arranged such that a portion of the cracked fuel flows into the buffer tank and another portion flows into the purification unit, and a bypass piping is arranged between the purification unit and the buffer tank so that at least a portion of the purified fuel flowing out of the purification unit flows into the buffer tank.

[0016] To achieve the other objectives described above, the present invention provides an integrated system of an ammonia cracker and a heat supply device according to another embodiment. The integrated system of an ammonia cracker and a heat supply device is characterized by including a heat exchanger that recovers and reuses waste heat from flue gas generated during the process of converting at least a portion of raw ammonia into hydrogen.

[0017] More specifically, the integrated system of an ammonia cracker and heat supply unit comprises: a heat exchanger that recovers and reuses waste heat from flue gas generated during the process of converting at least a portion of raw ammonia into hydrogen; an ammonia cracker that receives the raw ammonia from a storage tank and converts at least a portion of the raw ammonia into hydrogen to produce cracked fuel according to the heating of a first burner by heat generated by the combustion of a first fuel; a heat supply unit that supplies thermal energy generated as a second burner heats a heat transfer medium by burning a second fuel composed of at least one of the raw ammonia, the hydrogen, and the cracked fuel to an external system; a buffer tank disposed between the ammonia cracker and the heat supply unit, formed to store the cracked fuel flowing out of the ammonia cracker internally and to supply the stored cracked fuel into the interior of the second burner; and a purification unit that purifies at least a portion of the cracked fuel flowing out of the ammonia cracker. A branch pipe is disposed between the ammonia cracker, the buffer tank, and the purification unit, such that a portion of the cracked fuel flows into the buffer tank and another portion flows into the purification unit, and a bypass pipe is disposed between the purification unit and the buffer tank so that at least a portion of the purified fuel flowing out of the purification unit flows into the buffer tank.

[0018] To achieve the aforementioned other objective, the present invention provides a method of operation for an integrated system of an ammonia cracker and a heat supply device.

[0019] The method of operation of the above-described integrated system of ammonia cracker and heat supply device is a method of operating in a start-up mode, a heat-up mode, a normal-operation mode, and a shutdown mode.

[0020] More specifically, the method comprises the steps of: operating a start-up mode to begin supplying a first fuel to a first burner; operating a heat-up mode to begin supplying raw ammonia to the ammonia cracker when the temperature of the ammonia cracker reaches a preset preheating temperature; operating a normal-operation mode to begin operating the second burner by storing the cracked fuel in a buffer tank and supplying a second fuel to the second burner mounted on the heat supply device when the temperature of the ammonia cracker reaches a preset operating temperature; and operating a shutdown mode to stop the operation of the first burner by cutting off the supply of the first fuel to the ammonia cracker. In the step of operating the normal-operation mode, at least a portion of the purified fuel discharged from the purification unit flows into the buffer tank, the ammonia cracker receives the raw ammonia from the storage tank, and as the first burner is heated by the heat generated by burning the first fuel, at least a portion of the raw ammonia The above cracked fuel is produced by converting it into hydrogen, and the heat supply device supplies thermal energy generated by the second burner combusting the second fuel, which is composed of at least one of the raw ammonia, the hydrogen, and the cracked fuel, to an external system; the buffer tank is disposed between the ammonia cracker and the heat supply device to store the cracked fuel flowing out from the ammonia cracker and is formed to supply the stored cracked fuel into the interior of the second burner; the purification unit is configured to purify at least a portion of the cracked fuel flowing out from the ammonia cracker; a branch pipe is disposed between the ammonia cracker, the buffer tank, and the purification unit so that some portion of the cracked fuel flows into the buffer tank and other portion flows into the purification unit.The bypass piping is positioned between the purification unit and the buffer tank so that at least a portion of the purified fuel discharged from the purification unit flows into the buffer tank. Effects of the invention

[0021] The effects of the present invention obtained through the above-described solution are as follows.

[0022] First, the integrated system of an ammonia cracker and heat supply unit according to one embodiment is configured such that a portion of the cracked fuel flows into a buffer tank and another portion flows into a purification unit through a branch pipe, and at least a portion of the purified fuel discharged from the purification unit flows into the buffer tank through a bypass pipe. This allows for the integrated operation of the ammonia cracker and the heat supply unit, while also providing the effect of appropriately adjusting the purity of the hydrogen fuel in response to changes in the operating environment or regulatory requirements.

[0023] Second, the integrated system of an ammonia cracker and heat supply device according to another embodiment includes at least one heat exchanger that recovers and reuses waste heat from flue gas generated during the process of converting at least a portion of raw ammonia into hydrogen, thereby having the effect of efficiently reusing waste heat and excess heat generated during the ammonia cracking process.

[0024] Third, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the method of operation of an integrated system of an ammonia cracker and a heat supply device has the effect of efficiently performing a process of converting at least a portion of raw ammonia into hydrogen to produce cracked fuel and supplying thermal energy using the cracked fuel through the steps of operating each of the start-up mode, the heat-up mode, the normal-operation mode, and the shutdown mode. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0025] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an integrated system of an ammonia cracker and a heat supply unit. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the connection relationship between the buffer tank and the purification unit. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the operation of the ammonia cracker and heat supply integrated system shown in FIG. 1 in start-up mode. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the operation of the ammonia cracker and heat supply integrated system shown in FIG. 1 in heat-up mode. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the operation of the ammonia cracker and heat supply integrated system shown in FIG. 1 in normal-operation mode. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the operation of the ammonia cracker and heat supply integrated system shown in FIG. 1 in shutdown mode. Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation method of an integrated system of an ammonia cracker and a heat supply device. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0026] Hereinafter, an integrated system (100) for an ammonia cracker and heat supply device will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0027] In describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that a detailed description of related prior art could obscure the essence of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, such detailed description is omitted.

[0028] The attached drawings are intended only to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical concept disclosed in this specification is not limited by the attached drawings; it should be understood that all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions included within the concept and technical scope of the present invention are included.

[0029] In this specification, the same reference numerals are assigned to identical components even in different embodiments, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0030] A singular expression includes a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0031] In this application, terms such as "comprising" or "having" are intended to indicate the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not excluding in advance the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an ammonia cracker and heat supply device integrated system (100). Hereinafter, the ammonia cracker and heat supply device integrated system (100) will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0033] Ammonia cracking refers to a process of decomposing ammonia (NH3) under high-temperature conditions to convert it into cracked fuel. This ammonia cracking is driven by heat generated through heating devices such as burners, and the purity of the converted cracked fuel can vary depending on the reaction temperature, residence time, catalytic activity, etc.

[0034] Meanwhile, if ammonia cracking technology is to be applied to boilers, hot air blowers, etc., it is necessary to configure a system for the linked control and integrated operation of ammonia cracking and heat supply.

[0035] In addition, since the purity of the cracked fuel generated through ammonia cracking directly affects combustion stability and compliance with emission regulations, it needs to be appropriately controlled according to the operating environment or regulatory requirements.

[0036] To this end, the ammonia cracker and heat supply device integrated system (100) of the present invention may be divided into a cracking area (110), a purification area (120), and a heat supply area (130).

[0037] More specifically, in the cracking area (110), at least a portion of the raw ammonia is converted into hydrogen to produce cracked fuel, in the refining area (120), the cracked fuel is refined and stored, and in the heat supply area (130), at least one of the raw ammonia, hydrogen, and cracked fuel is burned to generate thermal energy.

[0038] At this time, the supply of thermal energy can be described as generating hot water, steam, or hot air by heating a heat transfer medium. To this end, the ammonia cracker and heat supply device integrated system (100) may be equipped with a heat transfer medium supply area (140) that supplies an external heat transfer medium into the interior.

[0039] Additionally, the ammonia cracker and heat supply unit integrated system (100) includes a storage tank (111), an ammonia cracker (112), a buffer tank (121), a purification unit (122), and a heat supply unit (131) placed in each area.

[0040] The storage tank (111) is configured to store raw ammonia in a liquefied state in the cracking area (110) and to supply raw ammonia in a vaporized state to the ammonia cracker (112). Here, raw ammonia is defined as ammonia stored in the storage tank (111) or supplied by being discharged from the storage tank (111).

[0041] More specifically, the storage tank (111) can store liquefied raw ammonia at approximately -33°C, because the raw ammonia is easier to store and transport in a smaller volume when in a liquefied state than when in a vaporized state.

[0042] On the other hand, since ammonia is difficult to burn at room temperature, it is necessary to heat the raw ammonia above room temperature and supply it during cracking. Accordingly, a heater (not shown) for heating the raw ammonia during the supply process may be installed in the storage tank (111).

[0043] More specifically, since the ammonia cracking reaction proceeds normally only when contact with the catalyst layer is uniform in the gas phase, the raw ammonia needs to be supplied in a gaseous state. At this time, the heater (not shown) may be configured as an evaporator that vaporizes liquid ammonia.

[0044] The ammonia cracker (112) is configured to produce cracked fuel by converting at least a portion of the raw ammonia supplied from the storage tank (111) into hydrogen through heating of the first burner (112a) by heat generated by burning the first fuel in the cracking area (110).

[0045] More specifically, the first burner (112a) may be provided in the ammonia cracker (112) and configured to burn the first fuel to generate heat required for ammonia cracking.

[0046] The first fuel may be composed of at least one of raw ammonia and / or hydrogen and / or cracked fuel (a mixed fuel of hydrogen and ammonia).

[0047] Meanwhile, the ammonia cracker (112) may be configured to have a nickel (Ni) catalyst layer to activate the NH bonds of ammonia molecules through heat transferred from the first burner (112a) and to promote a heterocatalytic reaction that decomposes NH3 into H2 and N2.

[0048] The nickel catalyst layer above provides thermal stability and surface active sites, thereby enabling the continuous induction of hydrogen generation reactions through adsorption, dissociation, and desorption processes on the surface; thus, the ammonia conversion efficiency and reaction rate can be improved compared to non-catalytic pyrolysis under the same heat supply conditions.

[0049] The heat supply device (131) is configured to supply heat energy generated using a second burner (131a) that burns a second fuel in a heat supply area (130) to an external system.

[0050] More specifically, the second burner (131a) is provided in the heat supply device (131) and may be configured to heat a heat transfer medium, such as water and / or air, by burning a second fuel. Additionally, the heat supply device (131) may be configured to supply thermal energy to an external system through the heated heat transfer medium.

[0051] For example, the heat supply device (131) may be a boiler or a hot air device that supplies heat energy generated as a second burner (131a) heats a heat transfer medium by burning a second fuel composed of at least one of raw ammonia, hydrogen, and cracked fuel.

[0052] More specifically, the heat supply device (131) may be configured to generate hot water or steam using a second burner (131a) or to heat air.

[0053] Meanwhile, a first blower (112b) and a second blower (131b) may be installed in each of the first burner (112a) and the second burner (131a).

[0054] The first blower (112b) and the second blower (131b) can maintain the air-fuel ratio required for combustion at an appropriate level and improve flame stability and combustion efficiency by controlling the flow rate of air supplied to the first burner (112a) and the second burner (131a), respectively. Through this, the emission of NOx that may occur during the combustion operation of the first burner (112a) and the second burner (131a) can be minimized.

[0055] For example, the first blower (112b) and the second blower (131b) can each be made of any one of a centrifugal blower, an axial blower, a Roots blower, a turbo blower, or an inverter-controlled blower.

[0056] The external system may be a facility that uses hot water or steam generated through a heat supply device (131) as a process heat source (automobile painting process, food heating / sterilization process, paper / textile drying process, etc.), a heating facility for residential or commercial buildings, or a facility that uses hot air in the process (powder coating line, metal heat treatment process, heat drying equipment for semiconductor or battery materials, steel process, etc.).

[0057] The buffer tank (121) is positioned between the ammonia cracker (112) and the heat supply device (131) in the purification area (120) to store cracked fuel flowing out from the ammonia cracker (112) and is formed to supply the stored cracked fuel into the interior of the second burner (131a).

[0058] The purification unit (122) is configured to purify at least a portion of the cracked fuel flowing out from the ammonia cracker (112) in the purification area (120).

[0059] For example, the purification unit (122) may be a Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) that removes impurities from cracked fuel converted from raw ammonia through cracking and improves the purity of the cracked fuel by using adsorption and desorption according to pressure change. Here, purity refers to the mole fraction (%) of hydrogen in the cracked fuel.

[0060] More specifically, PSA uses selective adsorbents such as activated carbon and zeolite to selectively capture nitrogen (N2), residual ammonia (NH3), and water vapor (H2O), which have a higher adsorption affinity than hydrogen under pressure swing conditions, and purifies cracked fuel to a high purity by allowing only unadsorbed hydrogen to pass through. Since hydrogen, which is a non-adsorbed component, is preferentially discharged based on the equilibrium adsorption characteristics and kinetics of the adsorbent, the hydrogen ratio of cracked fuel passing through the PSA can be improved to a level of 90% or more and 99% or less.

[0061] Preferably, the hydrogen ratio of the cracked fuel passing through the PSA can be improved to a level of 95% or more and 99.9% or less, depending on the device specifications and operating conditions.

[0062] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the connection relationship between a buffer tank (121) and a purification unit (122). Hereinafter, the buffer tank (121) and the purification unit (122) will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2.

[0063] Meanwhile, a branch pipe (120a) is arranged between the ammonia cracker (112), the buffer tank (121), and the purification unit (122), so that some of the cracked fuel may flow into the buffer tank (121) and other parts may flow into the purification unit (122).

[0064] The flow of cracked fuel through the branch pipe (120a) can be controlled according to the degree of opening and closing of at least one control valve (V11).

[0065] More specifically, the branch pipe (120a) may be provided with one pipe (120a1) connected to the outlet of the ammonia cracker (112) and a plurality of pipes (120a2, 120a3) branching out from the one pipe (120a1). Additionally, each of the plurality of pipes (120a2, 120a3) may be configured to be connected to the inlet of the buffer tank (121) and the purification unit (122).

[0066] Additionally, a bypass pipe (120b1) may be placed between the purification unit (122) and the buffer tank (121) so that at least a portion of the purified fuel discharged from the purification unit (122) flows into the buffer tank (121). Here, purified fuel refers to cracked fuel that is purified and discharged by the purification unit (122).

[0067] The flow of refined fuel can be controlled according to the degree of opening and closing of at least one control valve (V12) installed in the bypass pipe (120b1).

[0068] For example, the buffer tank (121) can be configured to store cracked fuel converted through cracking even after the operation of the ammonia cracker and heat supply integrated system (100) has ended. Additionally, the stored cracked fuel can be used in the operation of the next ammonia cracker and heat supply integrated system (100).

[0069] Meanwhile, the ammonia cracker and heat supply integrated system (100) may further include a controller (101). The controller (101) may be configured to control the operation of the ammonia cracker and heat supply integrated system (100) according to control commands from an external system.

[0070] More specifically, the controller (101) may include a first controller (101a) that controls the operation of the ammonia cracker (112) according to a control command, and a second controller (101b) that controls the operation of the heat supply device (131).

[0071] For example, an ammonia cracker and heat supply integrated system (100) may include a plurality of control valves (V1 to V32) installed on at least one pipe through which fluid flows to control the fluid flow path and / or supply flow rate and / or application and / or blockage.

[0072] Additionally, the ammonia cracker and heat supply unit integrated system (100) may include a plurality of sensors to support the control of the first controller (101a) and the second controller (101b).

[0073] For example, the plurality of sensors may include temperature sensors (S1~S3, S6~S9, S12~S18) that measure the temperature of the fluid flowing in each section and lambda sensors (S4, S5, S10, S11) that measure the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas.

[0074] Here, the fluid refers to a heat transfer medium such as raw ammonia, cracked fuel, exhaust gas, water or air used in an external system, and is supplied, transported, or discharged during the operation of the ammonia cracker (112) and the heat supply device (131).

[0075] The first controller (101a) and the second controller (101b) can control the opening and closing of the control valves (V1 to V32) by sharing the responsibility.

[0076] More specifically, the first controller (101a) and the second controller (101b) can control the air supply amount of the first blower (112b) and the second blower (131b), respectively, based on sensing of the lambda sensors (S4, S5, S10, S11).

[0077] In addition, the first controller (101a) and the second controller (101b) can control the amount of fuel supplied according to the degree of opening and closing of the first control valve (112a1) and the second control valve (131a1), which will be described later.

[0078] By controlling the air supply amount and fuel supply amount as described above, the air-fuel ratio of the ammonia cracker and heat supply unit integrated system (100) can be easily adjusted.

[0079] For example, the first controller (101a) and the second controller (101b) may be configured to control the opening and closing of the above-described control valves (V1~V32) by sharing the responsibility based on sensing of a plurality of temperature sensors (S1~S3, S6~S9, S12~S18).

[0080] For example, a temperature sensor (S1) configured to sense the heating temperature of the ammonia cracker (112) by the first burner (112a) may be installed in the ammonia cracker (112).

[0081] Additionally, the controller (101) can be implemented to control the operation and switching of multiple operating modes related to cracking based on the sensing of the temperature sensor (S1).

[0082] Multiple operating modes may include a Start-Up mode, a Heat-Up mode, a Normal-Operation mode, and a Shut-Down mode.

[0083] The start-up mode may be a mode for starting the supply of the first fuel to the first burner (112a).

[0084] More specifically, the start-up mode may be a mode that supplies the first fuel to the first burner (112a) to perform pilot and main combustion of the first fuel.

[0085] The heat-up mode may be a mode for starting the supply of raw ammonia to the ammonia cracker (112) when the temperature of the ammonia cracker (112) reaches a preset preheating temperature based on the sensing of the temperature sensor (S1).

[0086] The normal-operation mode may be a mode in which the second burner (131a) is started when the temperature of the ammonia cracker (112) reaches a preset operating temperature based on the sensing of the temperature sensor (S1).

[0087] The shutdown mode may be a mode that stops the operation of the first burner (112a) by cutting off the supply of the first fuel to the ammonia cracker (112).

[0088] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the operation of the ammonia cracker and heat supply integrated system (100) illustrated in FIG. 1 in a start-up mode. Hereinafter, the start-up mode will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0089] The start-up mode may be an operating mode for preheating the ammonia cracker (112) for the operation of the ammonia cracker (112).

[0090] In start-up mode, the temperature of the ammonia cracker (112) for converting raw ammonia into cracked fuel is insufficient, so raw ammonia is not supplied to the ammonia cracker (112), and the second burner (131a) for generating thermal energy also does not operate.

[0091] An ammonia transfer pipe (110a) for transferring raw ammonia can be arranged between the storage tank (111), the first burner (112a), and the ammonia cracker (112).

[0092] More specifically, the storage tank (111) may be configured to receive raw ammonia from the outside and to introduce the stored raw ammonia into the ammonia transfer pipe (110a).

[0093] The flow of raw ammonia through the external storage tank (111)-ammonia transfer pipe (110a) can be controlled according to the degree of opening and closing of the control valves (V1, V2) installed at the inlet and outlet of the storage tank (111).

[0094] Between the ammonia transfer pipe (110a) and the first burner (112a), a first cracking fuel pipe (110b1) may be arranged to supply at least a portion of the raw ammonia flowing along the ammonia transfer pipe (110a) as the first fuel of the first burner (112a).

[0095] Additionally, a second cracking fuel pipe (120c1) may be disposed between the buffer tank (121) and the first burner (112a) to supply hydrogen and / or cracked fuel, which has been discharged from the ammonia cracker (112) and stored in the buffer tank (121), as the first fuel of the first burner (112a).

[0096] That is, the first burner (112a) may be configured to heat the ammonia cracker (112) by burning at least one of raw ammonia and / or hydrogen and / or cracked fuel.

[0097] Meanwhile, the ammonia cracker and heat supply integrated system (100) may further include an auxiliary buffer tank (123).

[0098] The auxiliary buffer tank (123) is positioned between the heat supply unit (131) and the purification unit (122), and at least a portion of the purified fuel discharged from the purification unit (122) can be stored therein.

[0099] More specifically, an auxiliary bypass pipe (120b2) may be disposed between the auxiliary buffer tank (123) and the purification unit (122) so that at least a portion of the purified fuel flowing out of the purification unit (122) may flow into the auxiliary buffer tank (123).

[0100] The flow of refined fuel can be controlled according to the degree of opening and closing of the control valve (V13) installed on the auxiliary bypass pipe (120b2).

[0101] That is, some of the refined fuel flowing out of the refining unit (122) may flow into the buffer tank (121), and other parts may flow into the auxiliary buffer tank (123).

[0102] In addition, the auxiliary buffer tank (123), like the buffer tank (121), can be configured to store purified fuel discharged from the purification unit (122) even after the operation of the ammonia cracker and heat supply integrated system (100) has ended. At this time, the purified fuel can be used in start-up mode during the operation of the next ammonia cracker and heat supply integrated system (100).

[0103] Additionally, a third cracking fuel pipe (120c2) may be disposed between the auxiliary buffer tank (123) and the first burner (112a) to supply at least a portion of the refined fuel as the first fuel of the first burner (112a).

[0104] For example, the buffer tank (121) and the auxiliary buffer tank (123) may each be equipped with a supply pipe (121a1, 123a1) that additionally supplies at least one of a separately stored ammonia and hydrogen and a mixture of ammonia and hydrogen fuel to the inside to control the purity of the cracked fuel and the refined fuel.

[0105] More specifically, a supply pipe (121a1) for additionally supplying ammonia may be installed in the buffer tank (121), and a supply pipe (123a1) for additionally supplying hydrogen may be installed in the auxiliary buffer tank (123).

[0106] Here, separately stored ammonia and hydrogen and mixed fuel of ammonia and hydrogen refers to ammonia and hydrogen and mixed fuel of ammonia and hydrogen stored in a storage space configured separately externally.

[0107] Meanwhile, since ammonia, hydrogen, and a mixture of ammonia and hydrogen fuel can be stored in the storage tank (111), buffer tank (121), and auxiliary buffer tank (123), there is a need to respond preemptively in emergency situations such as flashback.

[0108] To this end, a purging pipe (111a1, 121a2, 123a2) may be installed in each of the storage tank (111), buffer tank (121), and auxiliary buffer tank (123). Additionally, a catalytic combustor (not shown) and / or a combustion burner (not shown) may be installed in each of the purging pipes (111a1, 121a2, 123a2) to oxidize or burn ammonia and cracked fuel discharged during the purging process through a catalytic reaction to convert them into harmless nitrogen and water vapor.

[0109] Meanwhile, the ammonia cracker and heat supply unit integrated system (100) may further include a first burner fuel supply pipe (110c) and a first control valve (112a1).

[0110] The first burner fuel supply pipe (110c) may be configured to be positioned between the first burner (112a), the first cracking fuel pipe (110b1), the second cracking fuel pipe (120c1), and the third cracking fuel pipe (120c2) to deliver fuel to the first burner (112a).

[0111] Additionally, the first control valve (112a1) may be installed on the first burner fuel supply pipe (110c) and configured so that the degree of opening and closing is controlled by the controller (101). More preferably, the first control valve (112a1) may be controlled by the first controller (101a).

[0112] Accordingly, in start-up mode, the amount of first fuel supplied to the first burner (112a) through at least one of the first cracking fuel pipe (110b1), the second cracking fuel pipe (120c1), and the third cracking fuel pipe (120c2) can be controlled according to the degree of opening and closing of the first control valve (112a1).

[0113] Meanwhile, since raw ammonia has a slower combustion rate compared to cracked fuel and hydrogen, a method of increasing the hydrogen ratio of the first fuel supplied to the first burner (112a) may be considered in order to more quickly reach the ammonia cracker (112) to a preset preheating temperature and a preset operating temperature.

[0114] To this end, the first burner fuel supply pipe (110c) may be configured to receive all of the raw ammonia, cracked fuel, and refined fuel from the first cracking fuel pipe (110b1), the second cracking fuel pipe (120c1), and the third cracking fuel pipe (120c2), or to receive at least a portion of them, depending on the degree of opening and closing of the first control valve (112a1).

[0115] For example, the first control valve (112a1) can be implemented as a plurality of one-way valves, three-way valves, four-way valves, or multi-port rotary valves.

[0116] The supply of the first fuel through the first cracking fuel pipe (110b1), the second cracking fuel pipe (120c1), the third cracking fuel pipe (120c2), and the first burner fuel supply pipe (110c) can be controlled according to the degree of opening and closing of the control valves (V3, V15, V16) installed in each.

[0117] Accordingly, by means of the first control valve (112a1), raw ammonia, cracked fuel, and refined fuel are mixed at the front end of the first burner (112a) as they pass through the first burner fuel supply pipe (110c), and the purity of the first fuel supplied to the first burner (112a) can be appropriately controlled.

[0118] Meanwhile, the ammonia cracker and heat supply integrated system (100) may further include a first preheater (112a2).

[0119] The first preheater (112a2) may be installed between the first control valve (112a1) and the first burner (112a) and configured to preheat the first fuel supplied to the first burner (112a).

[0120] For example, the first preheater (112a2) may be composed of at least one of an electric preheater, a catalytic preheater, a fluid circulation preheater, and an indirect preheater of high-temperature gas.

[0121] Additionally, a first preheater bypass pipe (110c1) may be arranged between the first preheater (112a2) and the first burner (112a), so that the first fuel can selectively pass through the first preheater (112a2) via the first preheater bypass pipe (110c1) and be supplied to the first burner (112a).

[0122] For example, the first controller (101a) may control the degree of opening and closing of the control valve (V10) installed on the first preheater bypass pipe (110c1) based on the temperature of the first fuel sensed by at least one temperature sensor (S2) installed in the first burner fuel supply pipe (110c), so that at least a portion of the first fuel may pass through or not pass through the first preheater (112a2) and be supplied to the first burner (112a).

[0123] Between the ammonia cracker (112) and the first burner (112a), a first combustion heat supply line (110d) may be arranged to supply the heat of the flame formed by the first burner (112a) burning the first fuel to the catalyst layer of the ammonia cracker (112).

[0124] The first combustion heat supply line (110d) may be a line formed of piping and / or a flow path that transfers the heat of the flame to the ammonia cracker (112).

[0125] For example, to prevent an accident caused by damage to or flashback of the first burner (112a), a first flashback preventer (112a3) may be installed between the first preheater (112a2) and the first burner (112a).

[0126] For example, the first flashback arrestor (112a3) may be implemented as at least one of a porous metal filter-type disc flame arrester, a mesh disc-type flame arrester, or a rolled plate-type flame arrester.

[0127] Additionally, a first flame detector (112c) may be installed in the first burner (112a). For example, the flame detector may be an Electrode or a Photo-type Flame Detector (PFD). An Electrode may be a flame detection sensor that utilizes the principle of detecting the ion current of a flame and converting the presence or absence of a flame into an electrical signal. A PFD may be a flame detection sensor that utilizes the principle of detecting ultraviolet (UV) or infrared (IR) emitted from a flame and converting the presence or absence of a flame into an electrical signal.

[0128] Additionally, the first controller (101a) can control the first control valve (112a1) to cut off the first fuel supplied to the first burner (112a) when an abnormal flame or backfire is detected based on the sensing result of the first flame detector (112c).

[0129] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the operation of the ammonia cracker and heat supply device integrated system (100) illustrated in FIG. 1 in heat-up mode. Hereinafter, the heat-up mode will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0130] The heat-up mode can be switched from the start-up mode by the controller (101) when the temperature of the ammonia cracker (112) reaches a preset preheating temperature based on the sensing of the temperature sensor (S1).

[0131] For example, the preset preheating temperature can be set to a range of 400°C to 500°C. This is because the ammonia decomposition reaction starts normally in the catalyst layer of the ammonia cracker (112) at that temperature range.

[0132] Meanwhile, between the ammonia transfer pipe (110a) and the ammonia cracker (112), a cracking raw material pipe (110b2) may be arranged to supply at least a portion of the raw ammonia flowing along the ammonia transfer pipe (110a) to the ammonia cracker (112).

[0133] The flow of raw ammonia through the cracking raw material pipe (110b2) and the ammonia cracker (112) can be controlled according to the degree of opening and closing of the control valve (V4) installed on the cracking raw material pipe (110b2).

[0134] Additionally, in heat-up mode, the supply of raw ammonia to the ammonia cracker (112) can be started through the cracking raw material pipe (110b2).

[0135] Meanwhile, in heat-up mode, depending on the operating conditions, it is necessary to reach the temperature of the ammonia cracker (112) more quickly or gradually to the preset operating temperature.

[0136] This is because the flow rate and heat transfer state of the reaction fluid vary depending on the rate of temperature rise; excessive heating may result in non-uniform vaporization or localized overheating, while excessively slow heating may lead to reaction delay or pressure instability.

[0137] To this end, a buffer connecting pipe (120b3) may be arranged between the buffer tank (121) and the auxiliary buffer tank (123), branching from the third cracking fuel pipe (120c2) to connect the interior of the buffer tank (121) and the interior of the auxiliary buffer tank (123).

[0138] Additionally, in heat-up mode, refined fuel stored in the auxiliary buffer tank (123) can be supplied into the buffer tank (121) through the buffer connection pipe (120b3) to be mixed with cracked fuel.

[0139] The mixture of refined fuel and cracked fuel can be controlled according to the degree of opening and closing of at least one control valve (V14) installed on the buffer connection pipe (120b3).

[0140] In addition, as described above, each of the buffer tank (121) and the auxiliary buffer tank (123) is equipped with a supply pipe (121a1, 123a1) configured to additionally supply ammonia and / or hydrogen and / or cracked fuel, so that the purity of the first fuel supplied to the ammonia cracker (112) in heat-up mode can be actively controlled.

[0141] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the operation of the ammonia cracker and heat supply integrated system (100) illustrated in FIG. 1 in normal-operation mode. Hereinafter, the normal-operation mode will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

[0142] The normal-operation mode can be switched from the heat-up mode by the controller (101) when the temperature of the ammonia cracker (112) reaches a preset operating temperature based on the sensing of the temperature sensor (S1).

[0143] For example, the preset operating temperature can be set to a temperature range of 600°C to 800°C. This is because the ammonia decomposition reaction proceeds at a sufficient conversion rate within that temperature range, ensuring that the purity of the cracked fuel is at a suitable level.

[0144] Additionally, in normal-operation mode, at least a portion of the refined fuel discharged from the refining unit (122) can be introduced into the buffer tank (121) through the bypass pipe (120b1).

[0145] At this time, at least a portion of the refined fuel may be mixed with the cracked fuel stored in the buffer tank (121) to control the purity of the cracked fuel. Additionally, between the buffer tank (121) and the second burner (131a), a first heat supply fuel pipe (120c3) may be arranged to supply at least a portion of the cracked fuel flowing out of the buffer tank (121) to the second burner (131a) as second fuel.

[0146] Additionally, a second heat supply fuel pipe (120c4) may be disposed between the auxiliary buffer tank (123) and the second burner (131a) to supply at least a portion of the refined fuel flowing out of the auxiliary buffer tank (123) to the second burner (131a) as second fuel.

[0147] Additionally, a third heat supply fuel pipe (110b11) may be disposed between the storage tank (111) and the second burner (131a) to supply at least a portion of the raw ammonia to the second burner (131a) as a second fuel.

[0148] More specifically, the third heat supply fuel pipe (110b11) can be branched from the ammonia transfer pipe (110a) and arranged to be connected to the second burner (131a).

[0149] Meanwhile, the ammonia cracker and heat supply unit integrated system (100) may further include a second burner fuel supply pipe (130a) and a second control valve (131a1).

[0150] The second burner fuel supply pipe (130a) may be configured to be positioned between the second burner (131a), the first heat supply fuel pipe (120c3), the second heat supply fuel pipe (120c4), and the third heat supply fuel pipe (110b11) to deliver the second fuel to the second burner (131a).

[0151] Additionally, the second control valve (131a1) may be installed on the second burner fuel supply pipe (130a) and configured so that the degree of opening and closing is controlled by the controller (101). More preferably, the second control valve (131a1) may be controlled by the second controller (101b).

[0152] Accordingly, in normal-operation mode, the amount of second fuel supplied to the second burner (131a) through at least one of the first heat supply fuel pipe (120c3), the second heat supply fuel pipe (120c4), and the third heat supply fuel pipe (110b11) can be controlled according to the degree of opening and closing of the second control valve (131a1).

[0153] Meanwhile, a second burner fuel delivery pipe (120d) may be disposed between the second burner fuel supply pipe (130a), the first heat supply fuel pipe (120c3), and the second heat supply fuel pipe (120c4).

[0154] The second burner fuel delivery pipe (120d) may be configured to receive second fuel from at least one of the first heat supply fuel pipe (120c3), the second heat supply fuel pipe (120c4), and the third heat supply fuel pipe (110b11), and to deliver it to the second burner fuel supply pipe (130a). This can be controlled according to the degree of opening and closing of the control valves (V9, V17, V18, V19, V20) installed in each.

[0155] With this connection structure, when the second control valve (131a1) is opened, raw ammonia, cracked fuel, and refined fuel pass through the second burner fuel supply pipe (130a) and are mixed at the front end of the second burner (131a), so that the purity of the second fuel supplied to the second burner (131a) can be appropriately controlled.

[0156] Meanwhile, the ammonia cracker and heat supply integrated system (100) may further include a second preheater (131a2).

[0157] The second preheater (131a2) may be installed between the second control valve (131a1) and the second burner (131a) and configured to preheat the second fuel supplied to the second burner (131a).

[0158] Additionally, a second preheater bypass pipe (130a1) may be arranged between the second preheater (131a2) and the second burner (131a) so that the second fuel can selectively pass through the second preheater (131a2) via the second preheater bypass pipe (130a1) and be supplied to the second burner (131a).

[0159] For example, the second controller (101b) may control the degree of opening and closing of the control valve (V21) installed in the second preheater bypass pipe (130a1) based on the temperature of the second fuel sensed by at least one temperature sensor (S6) installed in the second burner fuel supply pipe (130a), so that at least a portion of the second fuel may pass through or not pass through the second preheater (131a2) and be supplied to the second burner (131a).

[0160] Between the heat supply device (131) and the second burner (131a), a second combustion heat supply line (130b) may be arranged to transfer heat energy generated by the second burner (131a) burning the second fuel to the heat supply device (131).

[0161] The second combustion heat supply line (130b) may be a line formed of piping and / or a flow path that transfers the heat of the flame to the heat supply device (131).

[0162] For example, to prevent an accident caused by damage to or flashback of the second burner (131a), a second flashback arrestor (131a3) may be installed between the second preheater (131a2) and the second burner (131a). Additionally, a second flame detector (131c) may be installed on the second burner (131a).

[0163] Additionally, the second controller (101b) can control the second control valve (131a1) to cut off the second fuel supplied to the second burner (131a) if an abnormal flame or backfire is detected based on the sensing result of the second flame detector (131c).

[0164] The description of the second preheater (131a2), the second flashback arrestor (131a3), and the second flame detector (131c) is the same as the description of the first preheater (112a2), the first flashback arrestor (112a3), and the first flame detector (112c), so further description is omitted.

[0165] Additionally, the heat supply device (131) may be equipped with an external system connection pipe (130c) configured to transfer thermal energy to an external system through a heat transfer medium. Furthermore, the heat supply device (131) may be connected to a second exhaust gas discharge pipe (130d) formed to discharge exhaust gas generated by the combustion of the second fuel to the outside.

[0166] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the operation of the ammonia cracker and heat supply integrated system (100) illustrated in FIG. 1 in shutdown mode. Hereinafter, the shutdown mode will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

[0167] In shutdown mode, the supply of raw ammonia through the first cracking fuel pipe (110b1) is cut off, and cracking may continue after the cut-off until the raw ammonia supplied to the first burner (112a) is exhausted.

[0168] More specifically, the blocking of the supply of raw ammonia can be described as the first controller (101a) controlling the opening and closing of the control valve (V3) or the first control valve (112a1) installed on the first cracking fuel pipe (110b1).

[0169] In addition, even if the supply of raw material ammonia to the first burner (112a) is stopped, the heat accumulated from combustion and the cracked fuel converted by the previously supplied raw material ammonia remain inside the first burner (112a), so the cracking reaction of the raw material ammonia and the heat supply operation therefrom can continue until the accumulated heat and the previously supplied raw material ammonia are exhausted.

[0170] According to the above description, the ammonia cracker and heat supply unit integrated system (100) has the effect of allowing the ammonia cracker (112) and heat supply unit (131) to be operated integrally, while also allowing the purity of the cracked fuel to be appropriately adjusted in response to changes in the operating environment or regulatory requirements, as some of the cracked fuel is introduced into the buffer tank (121) and other parts are introduced into the purification unit (122) through the branch pipe (120a), and at least some of the purified fuel discharged from the purification unit (122) is introduced into the buffer tank (121).

[0171] Below, the heat exchange device will be described in detail.

[0172] The ammonia cracker and heat supply integrated system (100) may further include at least one heat exchanger.

[0173] The heat exchanger includes at least one heat exchanger (100a, 100b, 100c, 100d) that recovers and reuses waste heat and excess heat from flue gas generated during the process of converting at least a portion of raw material ammonia into hydrogen.

[0174] For example, the heat exchanger may include a first heat exchanger (100a), a second heat exchanger (100b), a third heat exchanger (100c), and a fourth heat exchanger (100d).

[0175] The first heat exchanger (100a) and the second heat exchanger (100b) can start heat exchange through a start-up mode.

[0176] The third heat exchanger (100c) can start heat exchange through start-up mode, heat-up mode and normal-operation mode.

[0177] The fourth heat exchanger (100d) can start heat exchange through heat-up mode and normal-operation mode.

[0178] The first heat exchanger (100a) may be configured to be positioned between the storage tank (111) and the ammonia cracker (112) and to preheat raw ammonia supplied to the ammonia cracker (112) using the waste heat of the exhaust gas.

[0179] More specifically, since the exhaust gas discharge begins to be generated simultaneously with the operation of the first burner (112a), the ammonia cracker (112) can be connected to a first exhaust gas discharge pipe (110e) that discharges exhaust gas generated during the process of converting raw ammonia into cracked fuel.

[0180] In addition, the first heat exchanger (100a) may be configured to recover waste heat from the exhaust gas passing through the first exhaust gas discharge pipe (110e) and to preheat the raw ammonia flowing from the ammonia transfer pipe (110a) toward the ammonia cracker (112) and the first burner (112a).

[0181] The second heat exchanger (100b) is positioned between the first heat exchanger (100a) and the heat supply device (131) and can be configured to preheat a heat transfer medium that transfers thermal energy to an external system by utilizing the waste heat of the exhaust gas passing through the first heat exchanger (100a).

[0182] For example, the heat exchanger may further include a reduction catalyst (113).

[0183] A reduction catalyst (113) may be positioned between the first heat exchanger (100a) and the second heat exchanger (100b) to remove nitrogen oxides contained in the flue gas through a reduction or oxidation reaction.

[0184] For example, the reduction catalyst (113) may be a de-NOx catalyst that removes nitrogen oxides (NOx) through a reduction or oxidation reaction. For example, the reduction catalyst (113) may be composed of any one of a vanadium (V)-tungsten (W)-titanium (Ti)-based catalyst, a zeolite-based copper or iron-supported catalyst.

[0185] Additionally, a reduction catalyst bypass pipe (110e1) may be provided in the first exhaust gas discharge pipe (110e) to allow the exhaust gas to selectively pass through a reduction catalyst (113).

[0186] For example, the controller (101) may be configured to control the opening and closing of at least one control valve (V24, V25) installed on the first exhaust gas discharge pipe (110e) and the reduction catalyst bypass pipe (110e1) based on sensing of at least one temperature sensor (S12, S13) installed on the first exhaust gas discharge pipe (110e) for efficient heat exchange.

[0187] Additionally, the exhaust gas from which all heat has been absorbed through the second heat exchanger (100b) can be discharged to the outside through the exhaust gas outlet (110f). Even though the exhaust gas is discharged to the outside, the emission of nitrogen oxides can be prevented because it has passed through the reduction catalyst (113).

[0188] The third heat exchanger (100c) may be configured to be positioned between the heat transfer medium supply pipe (140a) and the heat supply device (131) to preheat the heat transfer medium using excess heat generated by the combustion of the second fuel.

[0189] More specifically, the heat transfer medium supply pipe (140a) may be provided with a first heat transfer medium pipe (140a1) that branches off from the heat transfer medium supply pipe (140a) and passes through a third heat exchanger (100c), and a second heat transfer medium pipe (140a2) that communicates with the same.

[0190] Through this, the heat transfer medium can be supplied to the heat supply device (131) by passing through both the second heat exchanger (100b) and the third heat exchanger (100c), passing through only one of them, or not passing through either one.

[0191] Additionally, a heat transfer medium transfer pipe (140b) for introducing a heat transfer medium into the heat supply device (131) may be disposed between the heat supply device (131), the heat transfer medium supply pipe (140a), and the second heat transfer medium pipe (140a2).

[0192] For example, the second controller (101b) may be configured to control the opening and closing of control valves (V26, V27, V28, V29, V30) installed in each of the heat transfer medium supply pipe (140a), the first heat transfer medium pipe (140a1), the second heat transfer medium pipe (140a2) communicating therewith, and the heat transfer medium transfer pipe (140b), based on sensing of at least one temperature sensor (S8, S9, S13, S14, S15, S16, S17, S18).

[0193] At this time, the sensing of at least one temperature sensor (S8, S9, S13, S14, S15, S16, S17, S18) may be the temperature of the exhaust gas discharged from the ammonia cracker (112), the temperature of the heat transfer medium, and the temperature of the exhaust gas discharged from the heat supply device (131).

[0194] The fourth heat exchanger (100d) may be positioned between the heat transfer medium supply pipe (140a) and the storage tank (111) and configured to heat exchange raw ammonia with the heat transfer medium.

[0195] More specifically, a first ammonia pipe (110a1) may be disposed between the storage tank (111) and the first heat exchanger (100a), a second ammonia pipe (110a2) may be disposed between the first ammonia pipe (110a1) and the first heat exchanger (100a), a third ammonia pipe (110a3) may be disposed between the second ammonia pipe (110a2) and the fourth heat exchanger (100d), and a fourth ammonia pipe (110a4) may be disposed between the first heat exchanger (100a) and the fourth heat exchanger (100d).

[0196] Additionally, the first, second, third, and fourth ammonia pipes (110a1, 110a2, 110a3, 110a4) are interconnected, and the second, third, and fourth ammonia pipes (110a2, 110a3, 110a4) can be connected to the ammonia transfer pipe (110a) at different locations.

[0197] According to this connection structure, raw ammonia can form four paths for flowing from the storage tank (111) to the ammonia transfer pipe (110a).

[0198] First, raw ammonia discharged from the storage tank (111) is transferred from the first ammonia pipe (110a1) to the fourth heat exchanger (100d) to exchange heat with a heat transfer medium, then transferred to the second ammonia pipe (110a2), and then transferred to the first heat exchanger (100a) through the first ammonia branch pipe (110a31) branched from the second ammonia pipe (110a2) to exchange heat with exhaust gas, and then transferred to the ammonia transfer pipe (110a) through the third ammonia pipe (110a3).

[0199] This flow can be controlled according to the degree of opening and closing of at least one control valve (V31, V32, V5) installed on the first ammonia pipe (110a1), the second ammonia pipe (110a2), and the third ammonia pipe (110a3).

[0200] Secondly, raw ammonia leaked from the storage tank (111) is transferred to the second ammonia pipe (110a2) through the second ammonia branch pipe (110a21) branched from the first ammonia pipe (110a1), and then transferred to the first heat exchanger (100a) through the first ammonia branch pipe (110a31) branched from the second ammonia pipe (110a2) to exchange heat with the exhaust gas, and then transferred to the ammonia transfer pipe (110a) through the third ammonia pipe (110a3).

[0201] This flow can be controlled according to the degree of opening and closing of at least one control valve (V31, V7, V5) installed on the first ammonia pipe (110a1), the second ammonia pipe (110a2), and the third ammonia pipe (110a3).

[0202] Thirdly, raw ammonia flows from the storage tank (111) to the fourth heat exchanger (100d) through the first ammonia pipe (110a1) to exchange heat with the heat transfer medium, and then can be transferred to the ammonia transfer pipe (110a) through the fourth ammonia pipe (110a4).

[0203] This flow can be controlled according to the degree of opening and closing of at least one control valve (V31, V8) installed on the first ammonia pipe (110a1) and the fourth ammonia pipe (110a4).

[0204] Fourth, raw ammonia can be transferred from the storage tank (111) to the ammonia transfer pipe (110a) through the second ammonia branch pipe (110a21) branched from the first ammonia pipe (110a1) without passing through the first heat exchanger (100a) and the fourth heat exchanger (100d).

[0205] This flow can be controlled according to the degree of opening and closing of at least one control valve (V6) installed on the second ammonia pipe (110a2).

[0206] In addition, whether heat exchange is performed in the first heat exchanger (100a) can be controlled according to the degree of opening and closing of the control valves (V7, V32) based on the temperature of the exhaust gas detected by at least one temperature sensor (S3).

[0207] Additionally, the fourth heat exchanger (100d) can be configured so that a heat transfer medium is introduced from the heat transfer medium supply pipe (140a) through a connecting pipe (L1) that is connected to the heat transfer medium supply pipe (140a).

[0208] Additionally, the heat transfer medium that has completed heat exchange in the fourth heat exchanger (100d) can be supplied to the second heat transfer medium pipe (140a2) through another connecting pipe (L2).

[0209] In addition, the external system connection pipe (130c) may be provided with a circulation line configured to recirculate the condensed liquid generated during the process of heating the heat transfer medium to the heat transfer medium supply pipe (140a) when one of the control valves (V22) is opened.

[0210] Additionally, the second controller (101b) can be configured to control the degree of opening and closing of another control valve (V23) based on a temperature sensor (S7) installed on an external system connection pipe (130c), thereby supplying the heat transfer medium to the external system when the temperature of the heat transfer medium meets the reference temperature required by the external system.

[0211] According to the description above, the heat exchanger includes at least one heat exchanger (100a, 100b, 100c, 100d) that recovers and reuses waste heat from flue gas generated during the process of converting at least a portion of raw ammonia into hydrogen, thereby having the effect of efficiently reusing waste heat and excess heat generated during the ammonia cracking process.

[0212] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation method of an ammonia cracker and heat supply device integrated system (100). Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 7, the operation method of the ammonia cracker and heat supply device integrated system (100) will be described.

[0213] Meanwhile, the present invention may provide a method of operation (S100) of an integrated system of an ammonia cracker and a heat supply device comprising the above-described configuration.

[0214] The operation method (S100) of the integrated system of an ammonia cracker and heat supply device can be described by the aforementioned start-up mode, heat-up mode, normal-operation mode, and shutdown mode.

[0215] More specifically, the above operating method (S100) may include the step of operating a start-up mode (S110), the step of operating a heat-up mode (S120), the step of operating a normal-operation mode (S130), and the step of operating a shutdown mode (S140).

[0216] In addition, each step (S110~S140) can be performed by the aforementioned controller (101). Furthermore, depending on the operating state or control conditions, each mode may be performed by switching between them without being limited to a specific order.

[0217] According to the above description, the operation method (S100) of the integrated system for an ammonia cracker and heat supply device has the effect of efficiently performing a process of converting at least a portion of raw ammonia into hydrogen to produce cracked fuel and supplying thermal energy using the cracked fuel through the steps (S110 to S140) of operating each of the start-up mode, heat-up mode, normal-operation mode, and shutdown mode.

[0218] Meanwhile, the above detailed description should not be interpreted restrictively in all respects but should be considered exemplary. The scope of the invention shall be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the invention are included within the scope of the invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0219] 100: Ammonia Cracker and Heat Supply System Integrated System 110: Cracking area 111: Storage tank 112: Ammonia cracker 120: Refining Area 121: Buffer Tank 122: Refining Unit 130: Heat supply area 131: Heat supply unit 100a: First heat exchanger 100b: Second heat exchanger 100c: 3rd heat exchanger 100d: 4th heat exchanger

Claims

Claim 1 A storage tank for supplying raw ammonia; an ammonia cracker that receives the raw ammonia from the storage tank and converts at least a portion of the raw ammonia into hydrogen by heating a first burner using heat generated by burning a first fuel to produce cracked fuel; a heat supply device that generates thermal energy using a second burner composed of at least one of the raw ammonia, the hydrogen, and the cracked fuel, and supplies the generated thermal energy to an external system; a buffer tank disposed between the ammonia cracker and the heat supply device, formed to store the cracked fuel flowing out of the ammonia cracker internally and to supply the stored cracked fuel into the interior of the second burner; and a purification unit that purifies at least a portion of the cracked fuel flowing out of the ammonia cracker.The apparatus includes an auxiliary buffer tank disposed between the heat supply device and the purification unit, formed to store at least a portion of the purified fuel discharged from the purification unit and to supply the stored purified fuel into the interior of the second burner; a branch pipe is disposed between the ammonia cracker, the buffer tank, and the purification unit so that some portion of the cracked fuel flows into the buffer tank and another portion flows into the purification unit, and a bypass pipe is disposed between the purification unit and the buffer tank so that some portion of the purified fuel discharged from the purification unit flows into the buffer tank, and an auxiliary bypass pipe is disposed between the purification unit and the auxiliary buffer tank so that another portion of the purified fuel discharged from the purification unit flows into the auxiliary buffer tank, and a supply pipe is installed in the buffer tank and the auxiliary buffer tank to additionally supply at least one of separately stored ammonia, separately stored hydrogen, and a separately stored mixed fuel of ammonia and hydrogen to the interior to control the purity of the cracked fuel and the purified fuel, respectively. An integrated ammonia cracker and heat supply system characterized in that at least one of the cracked fuel flowing out of the buffer tank and the refined fuel flowing out of the auxiliary buffer tank is supplied to the second burner as at least a portion of the second fuel. Claim 2 An integrated system of an ammonia cracker and heat supply device according to claim 1, further comprising: a temperature sensor installed in the ammonia cracker; and a controller that controls the operation and switching of a plurality of operating modes, wherein the plurality of operating modes include: a start-up mode that starts supplying a first fuel to the first burner; and a heat-up mode that starts supplying the raw ammonia to the ammonia cracker when the temperature of the ammonia cracker reaches a preset preheating temperature based on sensing by the temperature sensor. Claim 3 An integrated system of an ammonia cracker and heat supply device according to paragraph 2, characterized in that an ammonia transfer pipe for transferring raw ammonia is arranged between the storage tank, the first burner, and the ammonia cracker. Claim 4 An integrated system of an ammonia cracker and heat supply device according to claim 3, wherein a first cracking fuel pipe is disposed between the ammonia transfer pipe and the first burner to supply at least a portion of the raw ammonia flowing along the ammonia transfer pipe to the first burner as the first fuel, and a second cracking fuel pipe is disposed between the buffer tank and the first burner to supply at least a portion of the cracked fuel to the first burner as the first fuel. Claim 5 An ammonia cracker and heat supply device integrated system according to claim 4, characterized in that a third cracking fuel pipe is disposed between the auxiliary buffer tank and the first burner to supply at least a portion of the refined fuel stored in the auxiliary buffer tank to the first burner as the first fuel. Claim 6 An integrated system of an ammonia cracker and heat supply device according to claim 1, wherein the purification unit is a Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) configured to selectively capture impurities in the cracked fuel to improve the hydrogen ratio. Claim 7 An integrated system of an ammonia cracker and heat supply device according to claim 5, comprising: a first burner fuel supply pipe disposed between the first burner and the first, second, and third cracking fuel pipes to deliver the first fuel to the first burner; and a first control valve installed on the first burner fuel supply pipe and whose opening and closing are controlled by the controller, wherein in the start-up mode, the amount of the first fuel supplied to the first burner through at least one of the first, second, and third cracking fuel pipes is controlled according to the degree of opening and closing of the first control valve. Claim 8 An integrated system of an ammonia cracker and heat supply device according to claim 7, further comprising a first preheater installed between the first control valve and the first burner to preheat the first fuel supplied to the first burner, wherein a first preheater bypass pipe is arranged between the first preheater and the first burner so that the first fuel selectively passes through the first preheater and is supplied to the first burner. Claim 9 An integrated system of an ammonia cracker and heat supply device according to claim 7, wherein a cracking raw material pipe is disposed between the ammonia transfer pipe and the ammonia cracker to supply another portion of the raw ammonia flowing along the ammonia transfer pipe to the ammonia cracker, and in the heat-up mode, the supply of the raw ammonia to the ammonia cracker is started through the cracking raw material pipe. Claim 10 An integrated system of an ammonia cracker and heat supply device according to claim 1, further comprising: a temperature sensor installed in the ammonia cracker; and a controller that controls the operation and switching of a plurality of operating modes, wherein the plurality of operating modes include: a normal-operation mode that starts the operation of the second burner when the temperature of the ammonia cracker reaches a preset operating temperature based on the sensing of the temperature sensor; and a shutdown mode that stops the operation of the first burner by cutting off the supply of the first fuel to the ammonia cracker. Claim 11 An ammonia cracker and heat supply device integrated system according to claim 10, wherein, in the normal-operation mode, a portion of the purified fuel discharged from the purification unit is introduced into the buffer tank through the bypass pipe to control the purity of the cracked fuel, and between the buffer tank and the second burner, a first heat supply fuel pipe is arranged to supply at least a portion of the cracked fuel discharged from the buffer tank to the second burner as the second fuel. Claim 12 An ammonia cracker and heat supply device integrated system according to claim 11, wherein a second heat supply fuel pipe is disposed between the auxiliary buffer tank and the second burner to supply at least a portion of the refined fuel stored in the auxiliary buffer tank to the second burner as the second fuel, and a third heat supply fuel pipe is disposed between the storage tank and the second burner to supply at least a portion of the raw ammonia to the second burner as the second fuel. Claim 13 An integrated system of an ammonia cracker and heat supply device according to claim 12, comprising: a second burner fuel supply pipe disposed between the second burner and the first, second, and third heat supply fuel pipes to deliver the second fuel to the second burner; and a second control valve installed on the second burner fuel supply pipe and whose opening and closing are controlled by the controller, wherein in the normal-operation mode, the amount of the second fuel supplied to the second burner through at least one of the first, second, and third heat supply fuel pipes is controlled according to the degree of opening and closing of the second control valve. Claim 14 A heat exchanger for recovering and reusing waste heat from exhaust gas generated during the process of converting at least a portion of raw ammonia into hydrogen; an ammonia cracker for receiving the raw ammonia from a storage tank and converting at least a portion of the raw ammonia into hydrogen to produce cracked fuel according to the heating of a first burner by heat generated by the combustion of a first fuel; a heat supply device for supplying thermal energy generated as a second burner heats a heat transfer medium by burning a second fuel composed of at least one of the raw ammonia, the hydrogen, and the cracked fuel to an external system; a buffer tank disposed between the ammonia cracker and the heat supply device, formed to store the cracked fuel flowing out of the ammonia cracker internally and to supply the stored cracked fuel into the interior of the second burner; and a purification unit for purifying at least a portion of the cracked fuel flowing out of the ammonia cracker.The apparatus includes an auxiliary buffer tank disposed between the heat supply device and the purification unit, formed to store at least a portion of the purified fuel discharged from the purification unit and to supply the stored purified fuel into the interior of the second burner; a branch pipe is disposed between the ammonia cracker, the buffer tank, and the purification unit so that some portion of the cracked fuel flows into the buffer tank and another portion flows into the purification unit, and a bypass pipe is disposed between the purification unit and the buffer tank so that some portion of the purified fuel discharged from the purification unit flows into the buffer tank, and an auxiliary bypass pipe is disposed between the purification unit and the auxiliary buffer tank so that another portion of the purified fuel discharged from the purification unit flows into the auxiliary buffer tank; and a supply pipe is installed in the buffer tank and the auxiliary buffer tank to additionally supply at least one of separately stored ammonia, separately stored hydrogen, and a separately stored mixed fuel of ammonia and hydrogen to the interior to control the purity of the cracked fuel and the purified fuel, respectively. An integrated ammonia cracker and heat supply system characterized in that at least one of the cracked fuel flowing out of the buffer tank and the refined fuel flowing out of the auxiliary buffer tank is supplied to the second burner as at least a portion of the second fuel. Claim 15 An integrated system of an ammonia cracker and heat supply device according to claim 14, wherein the heat exchanger comprises: a first heat exchanger disposed between the storage tank and the ammonia cracker to preheat the raw ammonia supplied to the ammonia cracker using the waste heat of the flue gas; and a second heat exchanger disposed between the first heat exchanger and the heat supply device to preheat the heat transfer medium using the waste heat of the flue gas passing through the first heat exchanger. Claim 16 An integrated ammonia cracker and heat supply system according to claim 15, further comprising a reduction catalyst disposed between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger to remove nitrogen oxides contained in the flue gas. Claim 17 An ammonia cracker and heat supply device integrated system according to claim 15, wherein the heat exchange device further comprises: a third heat exchanger disposed between the pipe supplying the heat transfer medium and the heat supply device and preheating the heat transfer medium using excess heat generated by the combustion of the second fuel; and a fourth heat exchanger disposed between the pipe supplying the heat transfer medium and the storage tank and configured to heat exchange the raw ammonia and the heat transfer medium. Claim 18 A step of operating a start-up mode to start supplying a first fuel to a first burner; a step of operating a heat-up mode to start supplying raw ammonia to the ammonia cracker when the temperature of the ammonia cracker reaches a preset preheating temperature; a step of operating a normal-operation mode to start operating the second burner by storing the cracked fuel in a buffer tank and supplying a second fuel to a second burner mounted on a heat supply device when the temperature of the ammonia cracker reaches a preset operating temperature;The method includes the step of operating a shutdown mode to stop the operation of the first burner by cutting off the supply of the first fuel to the ammonia cracker, wherein in the step of operating the normal-operation mode, at least a portion of the purified fuel discharged from the purification unit flows into the buffer tank, the ammonia cracker receives the raw ammonia from the storage tank, and as the first burner is heated by the heat generated by burning the first fuel, at least a portion of the raw ammonia is converted into hydrogen to produce the cracked fuel, and the heat supply device supplies thermal energy generated by the second burner burning the second fuel, which is composed of at least one of the raw ammonia, the hydrogen, and the cracked fuel, to an external system, and the buffer tank is disposed between the ammonia cracker and the heat supply device, and is formed to store the cracked fuel discharged from the ammonia cracker internally and to supply the stored cracked fuel into the interior of the second burner, and the purification unit is the A method of operation of an integrated ammonia cracker and heat supply system, characterized in that at least a portion of the cracked fuel discharged from the ammonia cracker is purified, and a branch pipe is disposed between the ammonia cracker, the buffer tank, and the purification unit, such that one portion of the cracked fuel flows into the buffer tank and another portion flows into the purification unit, and a bypass pipe is disposed between the purification unit and the buffer tank so that at least a portion of the purified fuel discharged from the purification unit flows into the buffer tank.

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