Hydrogen / ammonia liquefaction storage, transportation, and utilization system and method based on heat pipe heat exchanger

Abstract

This invention discloses a heat pipe heat exchanger and a hydrogen / ammonia liquefaction storage and transportation system and method based on the heat pipe heat exchanger. The design of the heat pipe heat exchanger fully utilizes the cold energy of liquid hydrogen / liquid ammonia and the water vapor produced by hydrogen combustion. The hydrogen production method is selected according to the ambient temperature. When the ambient temperature is low, a hydrogen liquefaction storage and transportation system based on the heat pipe heat exchanger is used; when the ambient temperature is high, an ammonia liquefaction storage and transportation system based on the heat pipe heat exchanger is used. This solves the problem of difficulty in liquefying hydrogen in high-temperature environments.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of integrated utilization and storage of offshore wind, solar and hydropower using hydrogen / ammonia as a medium, and specifically to a hydrogen / ammonia liquefaction storage, transportation and utilization system and method based on a heat pipe heat exchanger. Background Technology

[0002] The information disclosed in this background section is intended only to enhance understanding of the overall background of the invention and is not necessarily to be construed as an admission or in any way implying that such information constitutes prior art known to those skilled in the art.

[0003] With the development of hydrogen production technology, utilizing deep-sea wind, solar, and hydropower to produce hydrogen and then delivering it to the hydrogen energy market via hydrogen liquefaction technology provides a feasible approach for the development of offshore wind power, which is of great significance for achieving the national goal of "carbon peaking and carbon neutrality." However, liquid hydrogen has a low temperature (-253℃) and requires a large amount of cooling energy during the conversion of ortho- and para-hydrogen, making hydrogen liquefaction difficult in tropical or subtropical regions with high ambient temperatures. The inventors discovered that ammonia has a higher liquefaction temperature (-35℃), a simpler liquefaction process, and lower costs. Therefore, ammonia can be produced using wind, solar, and hydropower, liquefied, stored, and transported ammonia to shore, where it is vaporized and decomposed into hydrogen and nitrogen, providing a feasible approach for the development of offshore wind and solar power in areas with high ambient temperatures. Simultaneously, the inventors found that existing hydrogen production technologies do not utilize the combustion products (water vapor) of hydrogen, resulting in significant energy loss. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the problems existing in the prior art, this invention provides a hydrogen / ammonia liquefaction storage, transportation, and utilization system and method based on a heat pipe heat exchanger. The hydrogen production method can be selected according to the ambient temperature, and the integrated condensation and vaporization heat pipe heat exchanger can fully utilize the cold energy of liquid hydrogen / liquid ammonia and the water vapor produced by hydrogen combustion, with zero carbon emissions throughout the process.

[0005] The technical solution of the present invention is as follows:

[0006] In a first aspect of the invention, a heat pipe heat exchanger is provided, comprising a vaporization section shell, a condensation section shell, heat pipes, and a heat insulation layer. The vaporization section shell is disposed at the top and has a liquid hydrogen / liquid ammonia inlet and a hydrogen / ammonia outlet. The condensation section shell is disposed at the bottom and has a water vapor inlet and a liquid water outlet. The heat insulation layer is disposed between the vaporization section shell and the condensation section shell. The heat pipes are uniformly arranged on the heat insulation layer, with one end of the heat pipe inside the vaporization section shell and the other end inside the condensation section shell. A phase change material is disposed inside the heat pipes.

[0007] In some embodiments of the present invention, a distributor is provided at the liquid hydrogen / liquid ammonia inlet.

[0008] In some embodiments of the present invention, the liquid water outlet is located at the bottom of the condensation section shell, and a water-storage slope is provided around the liquid water outlet at the bottom of the condensation section shell.

[0009] In some embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of fins are provided on the outer wall surface of the heat pipe.

[0010] In a second aspect of the present invention, a hydrogen liquefaction storage, transportation and utilization system based on a heat pipe heat exchanger is provided, including the heat pipe heat exchanger described in the first aspect, and also including an offshore wind and solar power hydrogen production device, a seabed flexible gas bag, an offshore flexible hose, and an offshore hydrogen liquefaction device.

[0011] The offshore wind and solar power hydrogen production device is used to produce hydrogen using offshore wind, solar and hydropower resources.

[0012] Submarine flexible gas bags and marine flexible hoses are used for the temporary storage and transportation of hydrogen.

[0013] The aforementioned marine hydrogen liquefaction unit is used to dehydrate and liquefy hydrogen for storage.

[0014] The heat pipe heat exchanger exchanges heat between water vapor, the product of hydrogen combustion, and liquid hydrogen.

[0015] In some embodiments of the present invention, the marine hydrogen liquefaction device includes a dehydration device and a liquefaction device.

[0016] In a third aspect of the present invention, an ammonia liquefaction storage, transportation and utilization system based on a heat pipe heat exchanger is provided, including the heat pipe heat exchanger described in the first aspect, and also including an offshore wind and solar power ammonia production device, a seabed flexible gas bag, an offshore flexible hose, an offshore ammonia liquefaction device, and an ammonia decomposition device.

[0017] The offshore wind and solar power ammonia production unit is used to produce ammonia using offshore wind, solar and hydropower resources;

[0018] Submarine flexible air bags and marine flexible hoses are used for the temporary storage and transportation of ammonia.

[0019] The marine ammonia liquefaction unit includes a dehydration unit and a hydrogen liquefaction system, which dehydrates and liquefies hydrogen for storage.

[0020] The ammonia decomposition device decomposes ammonia to obtain hydrogen.

[0021] The heat pipe heat exchanger exchanges heat between the water vapor produced by hydrogen combustion and liquid ammonia.

[0022] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, a method for the liquefaction, storage, transportation and utilization of hydrogen / ammonia is provided, wherein when the ambient temperature is low, a hydrogen liquefaction, storage, transportation and utilization system based on a heat pipe heat exchanger is used.

[0023] When the ambient temperature is high, an ammonia liquefaction storage, transportation and utilization system based on a heat pipe heat exchanger is used.

[0024] In some embodiments of the present invention, the heat exchange is further performed in a heat pipe heat exchanger between the water vapor produced by hydrogen combustion and the vaporization of liquid hydrogen / liquid ammonia.

[0025] In a fifth aspect of the invention, an application of the heat pipe heat exchanger of the first aspect in the process of hydrogen production and utilization by offshore wind and solar power is provided.

[0026] One or more technical solutions of the present invention have the following beneficial effects:

[0027] 1. The heat pipe heat exchanger provided by the present invention adopts a heat pipe type low temperature heat exchanger with better heat exchange performance, which concentrates the water vapor condensation and liquid hydrogen / liquid ammonia vaporization processes in one heat exchanger, greatly reducing the processing cost and floor space of the equipment.

[0028] 2. Due to the significant temperature difference between water vapor and liquid hydrogen / liquid ammonia, the two sides are insulated by a heat exchanger, and heat pipes are used for heat exchange between the hot and cold ends. Energy is transferred through the continuous evaporation and condensation of the phase change medium within the heat pipes, avoiding direct heat exchange between superheated steam and low-temperature liquid hydrogen / liquid ammonia, and solving the problem of water vapor condensing into ice and causing pipe blockage. Additionally, a water-sinking ramp is installed at the bottom to facilitate the collection of liquid water.

[0029] 3. This invention utilizes a water-energy coupling storage and transportation method with ammonia and hydrogen as the medium, enabling any sea area with sufficient wind and solar power resources to become a "hydrogen field" and an "ammonia field," thus breaking through geographical limitations and realizing the interconnection of energy and water resources in various regions.

[0030] 4. This invention uses liquid ammonia as the energy storage and transportation medium in areas with high marine ambient temperatures, replacing liquid hydrogen for energy storage, which greatly reduces the difficulty of liquefaction, simplifies the floating liquefaction process, and saves costs.

[0031] 5. By using offshore wind power to produce and store hydrogen / ammonia, the challenges of grid connection and consumption of offshore wind power have been solved.

[0032] 6. The novel hydrogen / ammonia energy storage, transportation and utilization method proposed in this invention does not produce carbon dioxide or other pollutants in the chemical reactions involved in the production, storage, transportation and application processes. It can greatly reduce the pollution of fossil fuels and carbon emissions, which is beneficial to environmental protection. At the same time, it is of great significance to achieving the national goal of "carbon peaking and carbon neutrality". Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the heat pipe heat exchanger of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the heat pipe structure of the heat pipe heat exchanger of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the hydrogen liquefaction, storage, transportation, and utilization system based on a heat pipe heat exchanger according to the present invention;

[0036] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the hydrogen production principle of the hydrogen liquefaction, storage, transportation and utilization system based on a heat pipe heat exchanger according to the present invention.

[0037] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the ammonia liquefaction, storage, transportation, and utilization system based on a heat pipe heat exchanger according to the present invention;

[0038] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the hydrogen production principle of the ammonia liquefaction storage, transportation and utilization system based on a heat pipe heat exchanger of the present invention.

[0039] In the diagram: 1-Distributor, 2-Liquid hydrogen / liquid ammonia inlet, 3-Hydrogen / ammonia outlet, 4-Gasification section shell, 5-Insulation layer, 6-Water vapor inlet, 7-Condensation section shell, 8-Water storage landslide 1, 9-Water storage landslide 2, 10-Liquid water outlet, 11-Heat pipe, 111-Fin, 12-Offshore wind and solar power hydrogen production unit, 13-First subsea flexible gas bag, 14-Second offshore flexible hose, 15-Offshore hydrogen liquefaction unit, 16-Heat pipe heat exchanger, 17-Ammonia decomposition unit, 18-Offshore ammonia liquefaction unit, 19-Offshore wind and solar power ammonia production unit, 20-Second subsea flexible gas bag, 21-Second offshore flexible hose. Detailed Implementation

[0040] It should be noted that the following detailed description is illustrative and intended to provide further explanation of the invention. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.

[0041] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to this application. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0042] For ease of description, the words "up," "down," "left," and "right" appearing in this invention only indicate that they are consistent with the up, down, left, and right directions of the accompanying drawings themselves. They do not limit the structure and are merely for the purpose of facilitating the description of this invention and simplifying the description. They do not indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0043] Example 1

[0044] In a typical embodiment of the present invention, a heat pipe heat exchanger is proposed, such as... Figure 1 As shown, it includes: distributor 1, liquid hydrogen / liquid ammonia inlet 2, hydrogen / ammonia outlet 3, vaporization section shell 4, insulation layer 5, water vapor inlet 6, condensation section shell 7, water storage landslide 8, water storage landslide 9, liquid water outlet 10, and heat pipe 11.

[0045] The vaporization section shell 4 is located at the top, and the vaporization section shell 4 is provided with a liquid hydrogen / liquid ammonia inlet 2 and a hydrogen / ammonia outlet 3; the condensation section shell 7 is located at the bottom, and the condensation section shell 7 is provided with a water vapor inlet 6 and a liquid water outlet 10; the heat insulation layer 5 is located between the vaporization section shell 4 and the condensation section shell 7; the heat pipes 11 are evenly arranged on the heat insulation layer 5, with one end of the heat pipes 11 inside the vaporization section shell 4 and the other end inside the condensation section shell 7.

[0046] A distributor 1 is installed at the liquid hydrogen / liquid ammonia inlet 2 so that the liquid hydrogen / liquid ammonia is distributed at the inlet and enters the gasification section shell 4 evenly. The distributor 1 adopts the existing structure.

[0047] The liquid water outlet is located at the bottom of the condensing section shell. A water storage slope is set around the liquid water outlet at the bottom of the condensing section shell. The water storage slope includes water storage slope 18 and water storage slope 29. The inclination angle of the water storage slope is 10-30°. The liquid water accumulates under the action of the water storage slope at the bottom of the heat exchanger and flows out from the bottom liquid water outlet.

[0048] Due to the large temperature difference between liquid hydrogen / liquid ammonia and water vapor, in order to avoid direct heat exchange between liquid hydrogen / liquid ammonia and water vapor, and the formation of solid ice by water vapor blocking the pipeline, a heat insulation layer 5 is installed between the outer shell 4 of the vaporization section and the outer shell 7 of the condensation section to reduce heat loss and ensure that liquid hydrogen / liquid ammonia and water vapor exchange heat only through heat pipe 11.

[0049] The structure of heat pipe 11 is as follows Figure 2 As shown, a phase change material is installed inside the heat pipe. The heat exchange principle is to transfer heat up and down through the phase change process of the phase change material inside the heat pipe. In order to further improve the heat exchange efficiency, fins are installed on the outside of the heat exchange pipe.

[0050] The working principle of the heat pipe heat exchanger provided in this embodiment is as follows:

[0051] Liquid hydrogen / liquid ammonia is distributed at the inlet by a distributor and enters the vaporization shell side evenly. In the vaporization shell side, it exchanges heat with the heat pipes and gradually heats up, vaporizing into hydrogen / ammonia. The ammonia is further decomposed in the ammonia decomposition unit to obtain hydrogen. Water vapor enters the water vapor condensation shell side, where it exchanges heat with the heat pipes and gradually cools and condenses into liquid water. The liquid water accumulates at the bottom of the heat exchanger due to the water accumulator slope and flows out from the bottom liquid water outlet.

[0052] To achieve the storage and transportation of hydrogen / ammonia, it is usually necessary to liquefy hydrogen / ammonia into liquid hydrogen and liquid ammonia for transport. The liquid hydrogen and liquid ammonia are then delivered to the energy market. Before use, both liquid hydrogen and liquid ammonia need to be vaporized. The vaporization process requires heat. The vaporized liquid hydrogen is converted into hydrogen for combustion, and the vaporized ammonia is decomposed into hydrogen and nitrogen. The hydrogen is then used for combustion. The inventors discovered that the water vapor produced during hydrogen combustion is usually directly emitted, and the heat in the water vapor is not utilized. Therefore, the heat pipe heat exchanger of this embodiment exchanges the heat energy of the water vapor, a product of hydrogen combustion, with the cold energy in the liquid hydrogen / liquid ammonia, thus fully utilizing the heat energy in the water vapor and the cold energy in the liquid hydrogen / liquid ammonia to obtain hydrogen and ammonia, as well as condensed fresh water.

[0053] Example 2

[0054] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, a hydrogen liquefaction storage and transportation system based on a heat pipe heat exchanger includes a heat pipe heat exchanger 16, and also includes an offshore wind and solar power hydrogen production device 12, a first subsea flexible gas bag 13, a first offshore flexible hose 14, and an offshore hydrogen liquefaction device 15.

[0055] The offshore wind and solar power hydrogen production device 12 is used to produce hydrogen using offshore wind, solar and hydropower resources. The hydrogen production principle is 2H2O→2H2+O2. The hydrogen produced by the offshore wind and solar power hydrogen production device 12 is transported to a flexible gas bag on the seabed through a flexible hose.

[0056] The first seabed flexible air bag 13 is used to temporarily store the hydrogen produced by the offshore wind and solar power hydrogen production device 12, and then the hydrogen is transported to the offshore hydrogen liquefaction device 15 for liquefaction using the first offshore flexible hose 14. Both the seabed flexible air bag and the offshore flexible hose adopt existing structures.

[0057] The marine hydrogen liquefaction device 15 uses existing equipment, including a dehydration device and a hydrogen liquefaction system, for dehydrating and liquefying hydrogen for storage.

[0058] The heat pipe heat exchanger exchanges heat between water vapor, the product of hydrogen combustion, and liquid hydrogen.

[0059] The system works as follows:

[0060] Hydrogen produced by the offshore wind and solar power hydrogen production unit 12 is transported to the first seabed flexible gas bag 13 via a flexible hose. The first seabed flexible gas bag 13 temporarily stores the hydrogen, and then the hydrogen is transported to the offshore hydrogen liquefaction unit 15 via the first offshore flexible hose 14 for hydrogen dehydration and liquefaction storage. The liquid hydrogen is transported to the energy market for use. The heat pipe heat exchanger is located in the energy market. The liquid hydrogen enters the heat pipe heat exchanger and exchanges heat with the water vapor generated by hydrogen combustion. The heat in the water vapor is used to realize the vaporization of liquid hydrogen, without the need to set up an additional liquid hydrogen vaporization device.

[0061] Example 3

[0062] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, an ammonia liquefaction storage, transportation and utilization system based on a heat pipe heat exchanger includes a heat pipe heat exchanger 16, as well as an offshore wind and solar power ammonia production device 19, a seabed flexible gas bag 20, an offshore flexible hose 21, an offshore ammonia liquefaction device 18, and an ammonia decomposition device 17.

[0063] The offshore wind and solar power ammonia production device 19 is used to produce ammonia using offshore wind, solar and hydropower resources. The ammonia production principle is 2N2+6H2O→4NH3+3O2. The ammonia produced by the offshore wind and solar power ammonia production device 19 is transported to the seabed flexible air bag 20 through a flexible hose.

[0064] The second seabed flexible air bag 20 is used to temporarily store the ammonia produced by the offshore wind and solar power ammonia production unit 19. Then, the second offshore flexible hose 21 is used to transport hydrogen to the offshore ammonia liquefaction unit 18 for liquefaction. Both the seabed flexible air bag and the offshore flexible hose adopt the existing structure.

[0065] The marine ammonia liquefaction unit 18 adopts an existing structure, including a dehydration device and an ammonia liquefaction system, which dehydrates and liquefies ammonia for storage.

[0066] The heat pipe heat exchanger exchanges heat between the water vapor produced by hydrogen combustion and liquid ammonia.

[0067] The ammonia decomposition device 17 uses existing equipment to decompose ammonia into hydrogen.

[0068] The system works as follows:

[0069] The ammonia produced by the offshore wind and solar power ammonia generation unit 19 is transported to the second seabed flexible gas bag 20 via a flexible hose. The second seabed flexible gas bag 20 temporarily stores hydrogen, and then the hydrogen is transported to the offshore ammonia liquefaction unit 18 via the second offshore flexible hose 21 for ammonia dehydration and liquefaction storage. The liquid ammonia is transported to the energy market for use. The heat pipe heat exchanger is located in the energy market. The liquid ammonia enters the heat pipe heat exchanger and exchanges heat with the water vapor generated by the combustion of hydrogen. The heat in the water vapor is used to vaporize the liquid ammonia into ammonia gas. The ammonia gas enters the ammonia decomposition unit 17 to produce hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas is then burned to produce water vapor. In this system, there is no need to set up an additional liquid hydrogen gasification unit, which reduces the use of thermal energy.

[0070] Example 4

[0071] A method for the liquefaction, storage, transportation, and utilization of hydrogen / ammonia includes the following steps:

[0072] When the ambient temperature is low, a hydrogen liquefaction storage, transportation and utilization system based on a heat pipe heat exchanger is used;

[0073] When the ambient temperature is high, an ammonia liquefaction storage, transportation and utilization system based on a heat pipe heat exchanger is used;

[0074] It also includes heat exchange between the water vapor produced by hydrogen combustion and the vaporization of liquid hydrogen / liquid ammonia in a heat pipe heat exchanger.

[0075] Example 5

[0076] The application of the heat pipe heat exchanger in the process of hydrogen production and utilization in offshore wind and solar power.

[0077] The embodiments described above provide a detailed explanation of the technical solution of the present invention. It should be understood that the above descriptions are merely specific embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, additions, or similar substitutions made within the scope of the principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hydrogen liquefaction, storage and utilization system based on heat pipe heat exchanger, characterized in that, The heat pipe heat exchanger, the offshore wind and solar power hydrogen production device, the submarine flexible gas bag, the offshore flexible hose and the offshore hydrogen liquefaction device are provided. The offshore wind and solar power hydrogen production device is used for producing hydrogen by using offshore wind, solar and hydroelectric resources. The submarine flexible gas bag and the offshore flexible hose are used for temporarily storing and transporting hydrogen. The offshore hydrogen liquefaction device is used for dehydrating and liquefying hydrogen. The heat pipe heat exchanger exchanges water vapor produced by hydrogen combustion with liquid hydrogen.

2. The hydrogen liquefaction, storage and utilization system based on heat pipe heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat pipe heat exchanger comprises a gasification section shell, a condensation section shell, heat pipes and a heat insulation layer. The heat pipes are uniformly arranged on the heat insulation layer, one end of each heat pipe is in the gasification section shell, and the other end of each heat pipe is in the condensation section shell.

3. The hydrogen liquefaction, storage and utilization system based on heat pipe heat exchanger according to claim 2, characterized in that, The heat pipe heat exchanger is provided with a distributor at the liquid hydrogen / liquid ammonia inlet.

4. The hydrogen liquefaction, storage and utilization system based on heat pipe heat exchanger according to claim 2, characterized in that, The heat pipe heat exchanger is provided with a water storage landslide around the liquid water outlet at the bottom of the condensation section shell.

5. The hydrogen liquefaction, storage and utilization system based on heat pipe heat exchanger according to claim 2, characterized in that, The heat pipe heat exchanger is provided with a plurality of fins on the outer wall surface of the heat pipes.

6. The heat pipe heat exchanger based hydrogen liquefaction, storage and utilization system of claim 1, wherein, The offshore hydrogen liquefaction device comprises a dehydration device and a liquefaction device.

7. An ammonia liquefied storage and utilization system based on a heat pipe heat exchanger, characterized in that, The heat pipe heat exchanger, the offshore wind and solar power ammonia production device, the submarine flexible gas bag, the offshore flexible hose, the offshore ammonia liquefaction device and the ammonia decomposition device are provided. The offshore wind and solar power ammonia production device is used for producing ammonia by using offshore wind, solar and hydroelectric resources. The submarine flexible gas bag and the offshore flexible hose are used for temporarily storing and transporting hydrogen. The offshore ammonia liquefaction device comprises a dehydration device and an ammonia liquefaction system. The ammonia decomposition device decomposes ammonia to obtain hydrogen. The heat pipe heat exchanger exchanges water vapor produced by hydrogen combustion with liquid ammonia.

8. A hydrogen / ammonia liquefied storage and utilization method, characterized by, The following steps are included: When the ambient temperature is low, the hydrogen liquefaction storage and transportation and utilization system based on the heat pipe heat exchanger is used. When the ambient temperature is high, the ammonia liquefaction storage and transportation and utilization system based on the heat pipe heat exchanger is used.

9. The hydrogen / ammonia liquefaction storage and utilization method of claim 8, wherein, The heat pipe heat exchanger exchanges water vapor produced by hydrogen combustion with the gasification of liquid hydrogen / liquid ammonia. The heat pipe heat exchanger exchanges water vapor produced by hydrogen combustion with the gasification of liquid hydrogen / liquid ammonia.

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