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Method of and apparatus for producing hydrogen using geothermal energy

a geothermal power and energy technology, applied in the direction of electrolysis process, electrolysis components, etc., can solve the problems of high cost of constructing such systems, low cost of operation of geothermal power plants, and high cost of hydrogen production methods at presen

Inactive Publication Date: 2005-12-08
ORMAT TECH INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] The integration of geothermal and electrolysis plants of the present invention as described herein is advantageous since the efficiency of the integrated or combined geothermal and electrolysis plant is higher than independently operated plants. This is achieved by using the heat present in the geothermal fluid for heating the solution prior to electrolysis and also permitting the use of the pressure of the hydrogen and / or oxygen electrolysis products in the pumping of brine to be injected into the injection well of the geothermal power plant.
[0015] Furthermore, the method and apparatus of the present invention permits the integrated or combined geothermal and electrolysis plant to have flexible modes of operation during peak and off-peak demand hours. In particular, the hydrogen and oxygen produced by the electrolysis system of the present invention are energy storage vehicles that enable the shift of off-peak geothermal power to be sold and consumed during periods of peak power demand. The local use of the electrolysis hydrogen and oxygen products make it unnecessary to use high-pressure storage or transportation of these gases. Consequently, the available pressure of the electrolysis produced hydrogen and oxygen can be used for other purposes. More importantly, the above-mentioned flexibility of operation of the integrated or combined plant is achieved while the geothermal fluid pumping rate remains substantially constant. This is achieved by using a combination of valves that permits the variable diversion of the geothermal fluid from the geothermal power plant to the electrolysis system.

Problems solved by technology

However, the methods of producing hydrogen at present are rather expensive and also can cause pollution.
Such systems are rather complicated to construct so that the costs for constructing such system could be high.
As a result, operation of such geothermal power plants is not cost effective.
Thus, electrolysis is a relatively expensive method of producing hydrogen.

Method used

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Embodiment Construction

[0022] Turning now to the Figures, FIG. 1 represents an embodiment of a combined power plant that operates in accordance with the present invention. As can be seen from the figure, numeral 10A designates a combined power plant for the production of hydrogen using geothermal energy. Combined power plant 10A includes vaporizer 12A of geothermal power plant 15A for vaporizing working fluid present in the vaporizer using heat present in geothermal liquid or brine supplied thereto, the geothermal liquid or brine being produced by a separator (not shown) that separates the geothermal liquid or brine as well as geothermal steam from geothermal fluid extracted from production well 11A. Working fluid vapor exiting vaporizer 12A is supplied to vapor turbine 14A where it is expanded and power is produced as well as expanded working fluid. Preferably, vapor turbine 14A drives electric generator 16A for producing electric power. Expanded working fluid vapor exiting vapor turbine 14A is supplied ...

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Abstract

The present inventive subject matter is drawn to apparatus for producing hydrogen using geothermal energy comprising: heating means for heating a solution for use in electrolysis with heat from geothermal fluid and producing a heated solution; and electrolysis means for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of said heated solution. The present invention also relates to a method for producing hydrogen using geothermal energy comprising: heating a solution for use in electrolysis with heat from geothermal fluid and producing a heated solution; and producing hydrogen by electrolysis of said heated solution. In addition, in accordance with the present invention, apparatus for producing hydrogen using geothermal energy is provided comprising: heating means for heating a solution for use in electrolysis with heat from geothermal fluid and producing a heated solution; electrolysis means for producing hydrogen by electrolysis of said heated solution; and power producing means utilizing the pressure of said hydrogen for producing power.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Technical Field [0002] This invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing hydrogen using geothermal energy, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for producing hydrogen via electrolysis using geothermal energy. [0003] 2. Background of the Invention [0004] Recently an increasing interest has been developing in methods of producing renewable energy that produces little or minimal pollution. One of the ways is using hydrogen to produce power or electricity. However, the methods of producing hydrogen at present are rather expensive and also can cause pollution. [0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,977 discloses a system for generation of electricity from geothermal energy wherein one or more substances are transported down a well to a depth at which geothermal heat (whether from brine or steam reservoirs or hot, dry rock) is sufficient to cause an endothermic reaction or an electrolysis reaction to occur among substances. In a second em...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): C25B1/02C25B1/04C25B15/08
CPCC25B1/04Y02E70/10Y02E60/366C25B15/08Y02E60/36
Inventor ZACHAR, ORON DAVID
Owner ORMAT TECH INC
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