A method and system for hydrogen production, storage, and addition

Abstract

This invention discloses a method for hydrogen production, storage, and refueling, comprising: S1, electrolyzing water to produce oxygen and hydrogen, with waste heat stored in a heat storage device; S2, the produced oxygen entering an oxygen storage tank, with waste heat stored in the heat storage device; S3, the produced hydrogen entering a first solid hydrogen storage material, with waste heat stored in the heat storage device; S4, when the first solid hydrogen storage material is full, hydrogen enters a second solid hydrogen storage material, with waste heat transferred to the first solid hydrogen storage material, enabling the first solid hydrogen storage material to refuel at a hydrogen refueling station; S5, when the second solid hydrogen storage material is full, hydrogen re-enters the first solid hydrogen storage material, with waste heat transferred to the second solid hydrogen storage material, enabling the second solid hydrogen storage material to refuel at a hydrogen refueling station; S6, repeating steps S4 and S5, until the reaction stops, the heat storage device transfers heat to the first and second solid hydrogen storage materials, causing them to release remaining hydrogen into the hydrogen refueling station. This invention achieves highly efficient hydrogen storage and refueling operations.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method and system for hydrogen production, storage, and refueling in the field of hydrogen energy applications. Background Technology

[0002] Hydrogen refueling stations are gas stations that provide hydrogen to fuel cell vehicles. Among the three major links of hydrogen energy production, hydrogen energy storage and transportation, and hydrogen energy application, hydrogen energy production is the foundation, while storage and transportation are the key to the efficient use of hydrogen energy and an important link affecting the large-scale development of hydrogen energy.

[0003] Currently, the main method of hydrogen production at hydrogen refueling stations is water electrolysis, which is divided into alkaline water electrolysis, proton exchange membrane electrolyzer water electrolysis, and solid oxide water electrolysis. During the water electrolysis process, heat is generated, reducing energy utilization. At the same time, water electrolysis systems are usually equipped with compressors to store hydrogen in high-pressure gas, which is costly.

[0004] Currently, hydrogen storage and transportation methods at hydrogen refueling stations are mainly divided into high-pressure gaseous hydrogen storage and cryogenic liquid hydrogen storage. High-pressure gaseous hydrogen storage is the most widely used and technologically mature, simple to implement, low in cost, fast inflatable and deflatable, and can be used at low temperatures. However, it also has disadvantages such as small storage capacity, high energy consumption, the need for pressure-resistant container walls, and the risk of hydrogen leakage and container explosion. Cryogenic liquid hydrogen storage has high volumetric density and large storage capacity. At normal temperature and pressure, the density of liquid hydrogen is 845 times that of gaseous hydrogen, thus significantly increasing its storage capacity. However, it requires advanced conversion technology and storage materials, resulting in higher costs. Domestic technology in this area is not yet fully mature.

[0005] Besides the two hydrogen storage methods mentioned above, there is also solid-state hydrogen storage. Solid-state hydrogen storage can significantly increase the volumetric hydrogen storage density, improve the safety of hydrogen storage and transportation, avoid the energy consumption of hydrogen liquefaction, and reduce the requirements for hydrogen storage materials. Furthermore, solid-state hydrogen storage allows for controlled hydrogen release through temperature changes, and the released hydrogen pressure is relatively high. For example, solid-state hydrogen storage materials using (Ti 0.97Zr 0.03)1.1Cr 1.6Mn 0.4 alloy have a hydrogen release temperature of 70-80℃ and a release pressure of 30-40MPa. Developing solid-state hydrogen storage systems to achieve efficient and energy-saving hydrogen refueling at hydrogen refueling stations is a primary goal for technical personnel. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a method and system for hydrogen production, storage, and refueling. This method can increase hydrogen storage density, reduce hydrogen storage volume, and improve system safety. It can also take advantage of the inherent advantages of solid-state hydrogen storage, fully utilize its temperature sensitivity, establish a system thermal cycle for hydrogen storage and release, and improve energy utilization. Furthermore, it can utilize the characteristic of releasing high-pressure hydrogen to reduce the use of hydrogen compressors and save costs.

[0007] One technical solution to achieve the above objectives is a method for producing, storing, and adding hydrogen, comprising the following steps:

[0008] S1, water is electrolyzed to produce oxygen and hydrogen. As the reaction proceeds, the temperature of the electrolyzer increases continuously. When the temperature increases to 50-60℃, the heat from the H separator and O separator is discharged and stored in the heat storage device.

[0009] S2, the generated oxygen passes through an O separator, purification device, and compression device into an oxygen storage tank, and the heat released by compression is stored in a heat storage device.

[0010] S3, the generated hydrogen gas passes through the H separator and purification device and enters the first solid hydrogen storage material. The heat released by the hydrogen storage is stored in the heat storage device.

[0011] S4. When the first solid hydrogen storage material is full of hydrogen, the purified hydrogen enters the second solid hydrogen storage material. The heat released by the hydrogen storage is transferred to the first solid hydrogen storage material, causing the first solid hydrogen storage material to release high-pressure hydrogen into the hydrogen refueling station.

[0012] S5, when the second solid hydrogen storage material is full of hydrogen, the purified hydrogen enters the first solid hydrogen storage material again. The heat released by the hydrogen storage is no longer transferred to the heat storage device, but to the second solid hydrogen storage material, so that the second solid hydrogen storage material releases high-pressure hydrogen into the hydrogen refueling station.

[0013] S6. Repeat steps S4 and S5. When the reaction stops, the heat storage device transfers heat to the first solid hydrogen storage material and the second solid hydrogen storage material, causing them to release the remaining hydrogen into the hydrogen refueling station.

[0014] Furthermore, hydrogen is produced by electrolyzing water using renewable energy in S1.

[0015] Furthermore, in the process of generating hydrogen from renewable energy electrolytes, the heat absorbed is converted into electrical energy through low-temperature waste heat power generation technology and transferred to the electrolyzer for hydrogen electrolysis.

[0016] A system applying the above-mentioned hydrogen, hydrogen storage, and hydrogen refueling methods includes an electrolyzer, an O separator, an H separator, a first solid hydrogen storage material, a second solid hydrogen storage material, a thermal storage unit, and a hydrogen refueling station. The electrolyzer is used to electrolyze hydrogen production. The O separator and H separator are used to separate oxygen and hydrogen, respectively. The first solid hydrogen storage material and the second solid hydrogen storage material are used alternately for temporary hydrogen storage. The heat generated from hydrogen storage is supplied to the thermal storage unit, and the hydrogen is refueled at the hydrogen refueling station through the heat supplied by the thermal storage unit.

[0017] The hydrogen production, storage, and reprocessing method and system of the present invention have the following advantages:

[0018] 1. The present invention uses a solid hydrogen storage device, which can increase the hydrogen storage density, reduce the hydrogen storage volume, and improve the safety of the system.

[0019] 2. This invention establishes a system thermal cycle, which on the one hand absorbs the heat generated during the electrolytic hydrogen production process and converts it into low-temperature heat, and on the other hand utilizes the temperature sensitivity of solid hydrogen storage to control hydrogen storage and release through temperature control, thereby improving energy utilization.

[0020] 3. This invention uses a solid hydrogen storage device, which releases high-pressure hydrogen, reducing the need for hydrogen compressors and saving costs. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the system flow of a hydrogen production, storage, and addition method according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To better understand the technical solution of the present invention, detailed descriptions are provided below through specific embodiments:

[0023] This invention primarily aims to improve the energy utilization, safety, and economy of hydrogen refueling stations. Current problems mainly fall into two categories. Regarding hydrogen production, heat is generated during electrolysis, and the loss of low-temperature heat reduces energy utilization. Furthermore, current hydrogen production systems are equipped with compressors, increasing production costs. Regarding hydrogen storage, high-pressure gas / low-temperature liquid storage is costly, has poor safety, requires a large footprint, and the pressurization / liquefaction process causes energy loss.

[0024] Please see Figure 1 This invention discloses a hydrogen production, storage, and refueling system, comprising an electrolyzer, an O-separator, an H-separator, a first solid hydrogen storage material, a second solid hydrogen storage material, a thermal storage unit, and a hydrogen refueling station. The electrolyzer is used for electrolytic hydrogen production. The O-separator and H-separator are used to separate oxygen and hydrogen, respectively. The first and second solid hydrogen storage materials are used alternately for temporary hydrogen storage. The heat generated from hydrogen storage is supplied to the thermal storage unit, and the heat from the thermal storage unit is used to refuel the hydrogen at the refueling station. A method for hydrogen production, storage, and refueling based on the above system includes the following steps:

[0025] S1 uses renewable energy to generate hydrogen through water electrolysis, producing oxygen and hydrogen. As the reaction proceeds, the temperature of the electrolyzer continuously increases. When the temperature increases to 50-60℃, the heat from the H separator and O separator is discharged and stored in the heat storage device.

[0026] S2, the generated oxygen passes through an O separator, purification device, and compression device into an oxygen storage tank, and the heat released by compression is stored in a heat storage device.

[0027] S3, the generated hydrogen gas passes through the H separator and purification device and enters the first solid hydrogen storage material. The heat released by the hydrogen storage is stored in the heat storage device.

[0028] S4. When the first solid hydrogen storage material is full of hydrogen, the purified hydrogen enters the second solid hydrogen storage material. The heat released by the hydrogen storage is transferred to the first solid hydrogen storage material, causing the first solid hydrogen storage material to release high-pressure hydrogen into the hydrogen refueling station.

[0029] S5, when the second solid hydrogen storage material is full of hydrogen, the purified hydrogen enters the first solid hydrogen storage material again. The heat released by the hydrogen storage is no longer transferred to the heat storage device, but to the second solid hydrogen storage material, so that the second solid hydrogen storage material releases high-pressure hydrogen into the hydrogen refueling station.

[0030] S6. Repeat steps S4 and S5. When the reaction stops, the heat storage device transfers heat to the first solid hydrogen storage material and the second solid hydrogen storage material, causing them to release the remaining hydrogen into the hydrogen refueling station.

[0031] In the process of generating hydrogen from electrolytes using renewable energy, the absorbed heat is converted into electrical energy through low-temperature waste heat power generation technology and transferred to the electrolyzer for hydrogen production.

[0032] Those skilled in the art should recognize that the above embodiments are merely illustrative of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any variations or modifications to the above embodiments that are within the spirit and essence of the present invention will fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for producing, storing, and adding hydrogen, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1, water is electrolyzed to produce oxygen and hydrogen. As the reaction proceeds, the temperature of the electrolyzer increases continuously. When the temperature increases to 50-60℃, the heat from the H separator and O separator is discharged and stored in the heat storage device. S2, the generated oxygen passes through an O separator, purification device, and compression device into an oxygen storage tank, and the heat released by compression is stored in a heat storage device. S3, the generated hydrogen gas passes through the H separator and purification device and enters the first solid hydrogen storage material. The heat released by the hydrogen storage is stored in the heat storage device. S4, when the first solid hydrogen storage material is full of hydrogen, the purified hydrogen enters the second solid hydrogen storage material, and the heat released by the hydrogen storage is transferred to the first solid hydrogen storage material, causing the first solid hydrogen storage material to release high-pressure hydrogen into the hydrogen refueling station. S5, when the second solid hydrogen storage material is full of hydrogen, the purified hydrogen enters the first solid hydrogen storage material again. The heat released by the hydrogen storage is no longer transferred to the heat storage device, but to the second solid hydrogen storage material, so that the second solid hydrogen storage material releases high-pressure hydrogen into the hydrogen refueling station. S6. Repeat steps S4 and S5. When the reaction stops, the heat storage device transfers heat to the first solid hydrogen storage material and the second solid hydrogen storage material, causing them to release the remaining hydrogen into the hydrogen refueling station.

2. The method for producing, storing, and adding hydrogen according to claim 1, characterized in that, S1 uses renewable energy to generate electricity for water electrolysis to produce hydrogen.

3. The method for producing, storing, and adding hydrogen according to claim 2, characterized in that, In the process of generating hydrogen from electrolytes using renewable energy, the absorbed heat is converted into electrical energy through low-temperature waste heat power generation technology and transferred to the electrolyzer for hydrogen production.

4. A hydrogen production, storage, and addition system employing the hydrogen production, storage, and addition method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, It includes an electrolyzer, an O separator, an H separator, a first solid hydrogen storage material, a second solid hydrogen storage material, a thermal storage unit, and a hydrogen refueling station. The electrolyzer is used to produce hydrogen by electrolysis. The O separator and H separator are used to separate oxygen and hydrogen, respectively. The first solid hydrogen storage material and the second solid hydrogen storage material are used alternately for temporary hydrogen storage. The heat generated by hydrogen storage is supplied to the heat storage unit, and hydrogen is added to the hydrogen refueling station through the heat supply of the heat storage unit.

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