Hydrogen delivery system and hydrogen delivery method

Abstract

A hydrogen transport system according to one embodiment is provided with: a hydrogen transport flow path for transporting hydrogen gas or hydrogen gas obtained by gasifying liquefied hydrogen gas from a hydrogen supply source to a hydrogen transport destination; an inhibitor supply; and an inhibitor supply flow path that connects an inhibitor supply source to a certain connection site of the hydrogen transport flow path and guides an inhibitor from the inhibitor supply source to the connection site.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to hydrogen delivery systems and hydrogen delivery methods. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a system for supplying liquid hydrogen stored in a tank or the like to a point of use as hydrogen gas.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-070301 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] However, hydrogen embrittlement, in which the strength and toughness of metal materials are deteriorated by hydrogen, is known. In a system that transports hydrogen from a hydrogen transport source to a hydrogen transport destination, it is desirable to suppress hydrogen embrittlement.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a hydrogen transport system and a hydrogen transport method capable of suppressing hydrogen embrittlement.

[0009] Means for solving problems

[0010] A hydrogen transport system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a hydrogen transport flow path that transports hydrogen gas or hydrogen gas obtained by gasifying liquefied hydrogen from a hydrogen supply source to a hydrogen transport destination; an inhibitor supply source; and an inhibitor supply flow path that connects the inhibitor supply source to a connection portion of the hydrogen transport flow path and guides the inhibitor from the inhibitor supply source to the connection portion.

[0011] In a hydrogen transport method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, hydrogen gas or hydrogen gas obtained by gasifying liquefied hydrogen flows from a hydrogen supply source that supplies hydrogen gas or liquefied hydrogen toward a hydrogen transport destination through a hydrogen transport flow path, and an inhibitor is added to the hydrogen gas at a portion of the hydrogen transport flow path where the hydrogen gas flows.

[0012] Effects of the Invention

[0013] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a hydrogen transport system and a hydrogen transport method that can suppress hydrogen embrittlement. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 It is a schematic configuration diagram of the hydrogen transport system according to the first embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram of the hydrogen transport system of Modification Example 1.

[0016] Figure 3It is a schematic configuration diagram of a hydrogen transport system according to a second embodiment.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a schematic structural diagram of a hydrogen transport system according to Modification Example 2.

[0018] Figure 5 This is a schematic structural diagram of a hydrogen transport system according to Modification 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] <First embodiment>

[0021] Figure 1 It is a schematic configuration diagram of a hydrogen transport system 1A according to the first embodiment.

[0022] The hydrogen delivery system 1A is a system for delivering hydrogen gas obtained by gasifying liquefied hydrogen from a hydrogen supply source 2 that supplies liquefied hydrogen to a gas consumer 3 that is a hydrogen delivery destination. In the present embodiment, the hydrogen supply source 2 is a storage device that stores liquefied hydrogen. In addition, the gas consumer 3 is a hydrogen engine that uses hydrogen as fuel. That is, the hydrogen delivery system 1A of the present embodiment is a fuel supply system that supplies hydrogen fuel to the hydrogen engine.

[0023] The hydrogen transport system 1A includes a hydrogen transport flow path 4, a booster 5, a vaporizer 6, an inhibitor supply source 7, and an inhibitor supply flow path 8. The flow paths described in this specification, such as the hydrogen transport flow path 4 and the inhibitor supply flow path 8, are composed of pipes and devices that allow fluid to flow.

[0024] The hydrogen transport flow path 4 guides liquefied hydrogen or hydrogen gas from the hydrogen supply source 2 to the gas consumer 3. The pipes and equipment constituting the hydrogen transport flow path 4 are made of metal. In the present embodiment, the hydrogen transport flow path 4 connects the hydrogen supply source 2 with the gas consumer 3. More specifically, the upstream end of the hydrogen transport flow path 4 is connected to the fluid outlet of the reservoir as the hydrogen supply source 2, and the downstream end of the hydrogen transport flow path 4 is connected to the fuel injection valve of the hydrogen engine as the gas consumer 3.

[0025] In the present embodiment, the hydrogen engine as the gas consumer 3 is a direct injection engine that directly injects hydrogen fuel into a cylinder. As the hydrogen gas supplied to the fuel injection valve, high-pressure hydrogen gas of, for example, 20 MPa or more is required.

[0026] The booster 5 is disposed in the hydrogen transport flow path 4. The booster 5 boosts the pressure of liquefied hydrogen introduced from the hydrogen supply source 2 through a portion of the hydrogen transport flow path 4 upstream of the booster 5. For example, the booster 5 is a high-pressure liquefied hydrogen pump.

[0027] The vaporizer 6 is disposed in the hydrogen transport flow path 4 at a portion downstream of the booster 5. The liquefied hydrogen pressurized by the booster 5 flows into the vaporizer 6. The vaporizer 6 vaporizes the liquefied hydrogen pressurized by the booster 5 to generate hydrogen gas.

[0028] The vaporizer 6 is configured so that the temperature and pressure of the hydrogen gas flowing out of the outlet 6a thereof are predetermined. The predetermined temperature and pressure are the temperature and pressure at which oxygen gas, which is an inhibitor described later, does not liquefy even when it contacts the hydrogen gas flowing out of the outlet 6a.

[0029] The inhibitor supply source 7 is a supply source of an inhibitor mixed with the hydrogen gas flowing in the hydrogen transport flow path 4. The inhibitor is added to the hydrogen gas to suppress hydrogen embrittlement of the metal material caused by the added hydrogen gas. In the present embodiment, the inhibitor is oxygen. In addition, in the present embodiment, the inhibitor supply source 7 is an oxygen cylinder storing oxygen in a high-pressure state.

[0030] The inhibitor supply flow path 8 connects the portion of the hydrogen transport flow path 4 downstream of the vaporizer 6 to the inhibitor supply source 7. More specifically, one end of the inhibitor supply flow path 8 is connected to the discharge port of the oxygen cylinder as the inhibitor supply source 7, and the other end of the inhibitor supply flow path 8 is connected to a certain portion of the hydrogen transport flow path 4 downstream of the vaporizer 6. Hereinafter, the connection portion of the hydrogen transport flow path 4 with the inhibitor supply flow path 8 may be simply referred to as "connection portion 4a". In addition, the connection portion 4a is positioned near the outlet 6a of the vaporizer 6. This is to extend the range in the hydrogen transport flow path 4 where the hydrogen embrittlement suppression effect can be obtained as much as possible.

[0031] Furthermore, the hydrogen delivery system 1A includes a flow rate regulating valve 11 , a flow rate sensor 12 , and a controller 13 .

[0032] The flow regulating valve 11 is disposed in the inhibitor supply flow path 8. The flow regulating valve 11 controls the flow rate of the inhibitor supplied from the inhibitor supply source 7 to the hydrogen transport flow path 4 through the inhibitor supply flow path 8. In this embodiment, the flow regulating valve 11 is an automatic valve that adjusts its opening according to an electrical signal from the controller 13.

[0033] Flow sensor 12 is disposed between vaporizer 6 and connection portion 4a in hydrogen transport flow path 4. Flow sensor 12 detects the flow rate of hydrogen gas flowing between vaporizer 6 and connection portion 4a in hydrogen transport flow path 4, that is, flowing toward connection portion 4a.

[0034] The controller 13 has a processor and a memory in terms of hardware. The processor includes, for example, a processor. The memory includes a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, etc. The controller 13 reads and executes the program stored in the memory through the arithmetic unit to perform various processes. In addition, the controller 13 can be composed of a single device or circuit for centralized control, or a plurality of devices or circuits for decentralized control that cooperate with each other.

[0035] The controller 13 is communicatively connected to the flow rate regulating valve 11 and the flow rate sensor 12. The controller 13 receives flow rate information detected by the flow rate sensor 12. The controller 13 controls the flow rate regulating valve 11 based on the flow rate information detected by the flow rate sensor 12.

[0036] Specifically, the controller 13 controls the flow regulating valve 11 based on the flow rate information detected by the flow sensor 12 so that the ratio of the inhibitor in the hydrogen gas flowing in the portion downstream of the connection portion 4a in the hydrogen transport flow path 4 becomes a set value. The set value is set so that the hydrogen embrittlement suppression effect can be obtained and the requirements of the hydrogen transport destination are met. For example, the controller 13 controls the flow regulating valve 11 so that the volume fraction of the inhibitor in the hydrogen gas becomes, for example, 0.1%.

[0037] In addition, the ratio of the inhibitor in the hydrogen gas that can obtain the effect of suppressing hydrogen embrittlement varies depending on the type of the metal material that is the target of hydrogen embrittlement suppression, the type of the inhibitor added to the hydrogen gas, etc. The ratio of the inhibitor allowed by the supplied hydrogen gas also varies depending on the hydrogen delivery destination. Therefore, the set value is appropriately set according to the type of the metal material that is the target of hydrogen embrittlement suppression, the type of the inhibitor added to the hydrogen gas, the type of the equipment that is the hydrogen delivery destination, etc.

[0038] An on-off valve 9 is arranged between the hydrogen supply source 2 and the booster 5 in the hydrogen transport flow path 4. When liquefied hydrogen is introduced from the hydrogen supply source 2 to the booster 5 with the on-off valve 9 opened, the booster 5 boosts the pressure of the liquefied hydrogen. The liquefied hydrogen boosted by the booster 5 flows into the vaporizer 6, and hydrogen gas is generated by the vaporizer 6. After the hydrogen gas flows out of the vaporizer 6, an inhibitor is added at the connection portion 4a in the hydrogen transport flow path 4. In this way, the hydrogen gas added with the inhibitor is guided to the gas consumer 3 through the portion of the hydrogen transport flow path 4 that is downstream of the connection portion 4a.

[0039] As described above, in the hydrogen transport system 1A of the present embodiment, the hydrogen gas to which the inhibitor is added flows in the portion of the hydrogen transport flow path 4 that is downstream of the connection portion 4a with the inhibitor supply flow path 8. Therefore, hydrogen embrittlement of the metal material in the portion of the hydrogen transport flow path 4 that is downstream of the connection portion 4a with the inhibitor supply flow path 8 can be suppressed.

[0040] Therefore, as the metal material constituting at least the inhibitor addition position in the hydrogen transport flow path and the piping and equipment downstream of the addition position, it is easy to use a material that is easily hydrogen embrittled but has high strength, such as a high-strength nickel-based alloy or a titanium alloy with high specific strength.

[0041] In addition, in the present embodiment, a booster 5 is disposed at a portion upstream of the connection portion 4a in the hydrogen transport flow path 4, and a vaporizer 6 is disposed at a portion between the booster 5 and the connection portion 4a in the hydrogen transport flow path 4. Therefore, the inhibitor can be prevented from contacting with liquefied hydrogen, that is, the inhibitor can be prevented from being liquefied by the liquefied hydrogen.

[0042] In addition, in this embodiment, since the flow regulating valve 11 is arranged in the inhibitor supply flow path 8, the ratio of the inhibitor added to the hydrogen gas can be adjusted by adjusting the flow regulating valve 11 so as to obtain the hydrogen embrittlement suppression effect and meet the requirements of the hydrogen transportation destination.

[0043] In addition, in the present embodiment, the controller 13 controls the flow rate regulating valve 11 based on the flow rate information detected by the flow rate sensor 12. Therefore, the ratio of the inhibitor added to the hydrogen gas can be adjusted with high accuracy.

[0044] (Variant 1)

[0045] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of a hydrogen transport system 1B of Modification 1. In the description of Modification 1 and Modifications 2 and 3 described later, the same reference numerals are used for components substantially the same as those of the first embodiment described above and the second embodiment described later, and repeated descriptions are omitted or simplified.

[0046] In the present modification 1, a booster 15 is arranged in the inhibitor supply flow path 8 instead of the flow regulating valve 11. The booster 15 boosts the pressure of the inhibitor, that is, oxygen, supplied from the inhibitor supply source 7 to the hydrogen transport flow path 4 through the inhibitor supply flow path 8. In the present modification 1, the booster 15 is a compressor.

[0047] According to the present modification 1, even when the pressure of the hydrogen gas flowing in the portion of the hydrogen transport flow path 4 downstream of the vaporizer 6 is higher than the gas pressure of the inhibitor supplied from the inhibitor supply source 7, the inhibitor supplied from the inhibitor supply source 7 can be compressed by the booster 15, thereby supplying the inhibitor to the portion of the hydrogen transport flow path 4 downstream of the vaporizer 6. Therefore, it is not required for the inhibitor supply source 7 to supply the inhibitor in a high-pressure state, and thus the inhibitor supply source 7 can be simplified.

[0048] In addition, if Figure 2As shown, the hydrogen transport system 1B of this modification 1 does not have the flow regulating valve 11 , the flow sensor 12 and the controller 13 , but the hydrogen transport system 1B may have the flow regulating valve 11 , the flow sensor 12 and the controller 13 in addition to the booster 15 .

[0049] <Second embodiment>

[0050] Figure 3 It is a schematic configuration diagram of a hydrogen transport system 1C according to the second embodiment.

[0051] The hydrogen delivery system 1C is a system for delivering hydrogen from a hydrogen supply source 21 that supplies hydrogen to a gas consumer 22 that is a hydrogen delivery destination. In this embodiment, the hydrogen supply source 21 is a storage device that stores hydrogen. In addition, the gas consumer 22 is a hydrogen engine that uses hydrogen as fuel. That is, the hydrogen delivery system 1C of this embodiment is a fuel supply system that supplies hydrogen fuel to the hydrogen engine.

[0052] The hydrogen transport system 1C includes a hydrogen transport flow path 23 , a booster 24 , an inhibitor supply source 25 , and an inhibitor supply flow path 26 .

[0053] The hydrogen transport flow path 23 guides hydrogen from the hydrogen supply source 21 to the gas consumer 22. The hydrogen transport flow path 23 is made of metal. In the present embodiment, the hydrogen transport flow path 23 connects the hydrogen supply source 21 and the gas consumer 22. More specifically, the upstream end of the hydrogen transport flow path 23 is connected to the fluid outlet of the reservoir as the hydrogen supply source 21, and the downstream end of the hydrogen transport flow path 23 is connected to the fuel injection valve of the hydrogen engine as the gas consumer 22.

[0054] In the present embodiment, the hydrogen engine serving as the gas consumer 22 is a direct injection engine that directly injects hydrogen fuel into a cylinder. As the hydrogen gas supplied to the fuel injection valve, high-pressure hydrogen gas of, for example, 20 MPa or more is required.

[0055] The booster 24 is disposed in the hydrogen transport flow path 23. The booster 24 boosts the pressure of hydrogen gas guided from the hydrogen supply source 21 to the upstream side of the booster 24 in the hydrogen transport flow path 23. For example, the booster 24 is a rotary compressor. The booster 24 may also be other types of compressors such as a turbine type or a reciprocating type.

[0056] The inhibitor supply source 25 is a supply source of an inhibitor mixed into the hydrogen gas flowing in the hydrogen transport flow path 23. The inhibitor is added to the hydrogen gas to suppress hydrogen embrittlement of the metal material caused by the added hydrogen gas. In this embodiment, the inhibitor is oxygen. In addition, the inhibitor supply source 25 is an oxygen cylinder storing oxygen under high pressure.

[0057] The inhibitor supply flow path 26 connects a portion of the hydrogen transport flow path 23 on the upstream side of the booster 24 to the inhibitor supply source 25. More specifically, one end of the inhibitor supply flow path 26 is connected to the discharge port of the oxygen cylinder serving as the inhibitor supply source 25, and the other end of the inhibitor supply flow path 26 is connected to a certain portion of the hydrogen transport flow path 23 on the upstream side of the booster 24. Hereinafter, the portion of the hydrogen transport flow path 23 connected to the inhibitor supply flow path 26 may be simply referred to as a "connection portion 23a".

[0058] In addition, the hydrogen transport system 1C includes a flow rate regulating valve 31 , a flow rate sensor 32 , and a controller 33 .

[0059] The flow regulating valve 31 is disposed in the inhibitor supply flow path 26. The flow regulating valve 31 controls the flow rate of the inhibitor supplied from the inhibitor supply source 25 to the hydrogen transport flow path 23 through the inhibitor supply flow path 26. In this embodiment, the flow regulating valve 31 is an automatic valve that adjusts its opening according to an electrical signal from the controller 33.

[0060] The flow sensor 32 is disposed upstream of the connection portion 23a in the hydrogen transport flow path 23. The flow sensor 32 detects the flow rate of hydrogen gas flowing upstream of the connection portion 23a in the hydrogen transport flow path 23, that is, flowing toward the connection portion 23a.

[0061] The controller 33 has a processor and a memory in terms of hardware. The processor includes, for example, a processor. The memory includes a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, etc. The controller 33 reads and executes the program stored in the memory through the arithmetic unit to perform various processes. In addition, the controller 33 can be composed of a single device or circuit for centralized control, or a plurality of devices or circuits for decentralized control that cooperate with each other.

[0062] The controller 33 is connected to the flow regulating valve 31 and the flow sensor 32 in a communicable manner. The controller 33 receives the flow rate information detected by the flow sensor 32. The controller 33 controls the flow regulating valve 31 based on the flow rate information detected by the flow sensor 32.

[0063] Specifically, the controller 33 controls the flow regulating valve 31 based on the flow information detected by the flow sensor 32 so that the ratio of the inhibitor in the hydrogen gas flowing in the portion downstream of the connection portion 23a in the hydrogen transport flow path 23 becomes a set value. The set value is set so that the hydrogen embrittlement suppression effect can be obtained and the requirements of the hydrogen transport destination are met. For example, the controller 33 controls the flow regulating valve 31 so that the volume fraction of the inhibitor in the hydrogen gas becomes, for example, 0.1%.

[0064] An on-off valve 27 is disposed at a portion upstream of the connection portion 23a in the hydrogen transport flow path 23. When the on-off valve 27 is open, hydrogen gas flows from the hydrogen supply source 21 to the connection portion 23a. The connection portion 23a in the hydrogen transport flow path 23 adds an inhibitor to the hydrogen gas flowing in the hydrogen transport flow path 23. In this way, the hydrogen gas to which the inhibitor is added is pressurized in the booster 24 and then guided to the gas consumer 22.

[0065] In this embodiment as well, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0066] In addition, in the present embodiment, an inhibitor can be added to the hydrogen gas before the pressure of the hydrogen gas is increased by the booster 24. Thus, hydrogen embrittlement of the metal material constituting the booster 24 can be suppressed.

[0067] <Other embodiments>

[0068] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0069] For example, the hydrogen supply source only needs to be configured to supply liquefied hydrogen or hydrogen gas. For example, the hydrogen supply source may also include a hydrogen storage device that stores liquefied hydrogen or hydrogen gas. Alternatively, for example, the hydrogen supply source may also include a hydrogen generator that generates liquefied hydrogen or hydrogen gas.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the gas consumer is a hydrogen engine, but the gas consumer is not limited to this. For example, the gas consumer that consumes hydrogen as fuel may also be a hydrogen turbine, a hydrogen engine, or a hydrogen fuel boiler. In addition, the hydrogen delivery destination may not be a gas consumer that consumes hydrogen. For example, the hydrogen delivery destination may also be a hydrogen station or other equipment or storage device that stores hydrogen.

[0071] In the above embodiment, the inhibitor is oxygen, but the inhibitor for inhibiting hydrogen embrittlement is not limited thereto. For example, the inhibitor may be other types of gas such as air, carbon monoxide or sulfur dioxide.

[0072] In the above embodiment, an oxygen cylinder is described as an example of an inhibitor supply source, but the inhibitor supply source is not limited thereto. For example, the inhibitor supply source may be a pressure container such as a gas cylinder storing the inhibitor, or may be a device for generating the inhibitor. When the inhibitor supply source is an inhibitor generating device, the inhibitor generating device may not be a dedicated device for generating the inhibitor.

[0073] For example, Figure 4A schematic structural diagram of a hydrogen delivery system 1D according to a second variation is shown. In the hydrogen delivery system 1D, sulfur dioxide or the like in the exhaust gas of a hydrogen engine is used instead of oxygen as an inhibitor to be added to hydrogen. Specifically, the gas consumer 3 as a hydrogen delivery destination is a hydrogen engine that consumes hydrogen and engine oil guided by a hydrogen delivery flow path 4 and discharges exhaust gas including sulfur dioxide. The hydrogen delivery system 1D has an exhaust flow path 41 that transports the exhaust gas generated by the hydrogen engine 3 to an inhibitor supply source 42. The inhibitor supply source 42 is configured to supply sulfur dioxide in the exhaust gas guided by the exhaust flow path 41 to the inhibitor supply flow path 8 as an inhibitor. In this way, the gas consumer at the hydrogen delivery destination can also be an inhibitor supply source.

[0074] In addition, the hydrogen supply source may include a hydrogen generator that generates hydrogen and oxygen by electrolyzing water. In this case, the hydrogen generator as the hydrogen supply source may also serve as an inhibitor supply source.

[0075] For example, Figure 5 A schematic structural diagram of a hydrogen transport system 1E of Modification 3 is shown. The hydrogen transport system 1E has a hydrogen generator 51 that generates hydrogen and oxygen by electrolyzing water. The hydrogen generator 51 is both a hydrogen supply source and an inhibitor supply source. That is, the hydrogen transport flow path 23 guides the hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generator from the hydrogen generator 51 as a hydrogen supply source to the gas consumer 22. In addition, the inhibitor supply flow path 26 guides the oxygen generated by the hydrogen generator 51 as an inhibitor to the connection portion 23a. In addition, the remaining oxygen in the oxygen generated by the hydrogen generator 51 that is not added at the connection portion 23a can be stored in a tank or the like.

[0076] In the first embodiment, the connection portion 4a is positioned near the outlet 6a of the vaporizer 6, but the distance between the connection portion 4a in the hydrogen transport flow path 4 and the outlet 6a of the vaporizer 6 may be sufficiently long. In addition, in the case where the temperature of the hydrogen gas flowing out of the vaporizer 6 rises to a predetermined temperature or higher while reaching the connection portion 4a as the inhibitor addition position, the vaporizer 6 may not be configured so that the temperature of the hydrogen gas flowing out of its outlet 6a becomes a predetermined temperature or higher. However, in order to expand the range in which the effect of suppressing hydrogen embrittlement can be obtained, it is preferable to configure the vaporizer 6 so that the temperature of the hydrogen gas flowing out of its outlet 6a becomes a predetermined temperature or higher at which it will not be liquefied even if it contacts the hydrogen gas, and to position the connection portion 4a near the outlet 6a of the vaporizer 6.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the flow control valve is an automatic valve controlled by an electrical signal from a controller, but the flow control valve may be a manual valve that can be manually operated. By setting the flow control valve as a manual valve, the ratio of the inhibitor added to the hydrogen gas can be adjusted with a simple structure.

[0078] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the controller controls the flow rate regulating valve based on the flow rate information detected by the flow rate sensor, but the adjustment method of the flow rate regulating valve is not limited thereto.

[0079] For example, the hydrogen transport system may also have a gas concentration sensor for detecting the concentration of the inhibitor in the gas in the hydrogen transport flow path, and the controller may also control the flow regulating valve according to the concentration information detected by the gas concentration sensor. For example, the controller may also control the flow regulating valve in such a way that the concentration information detected by the gas concentration sensor becomes a set value. In this structure, the ratio of the inhibitor added to the hydrogen gas can also be adjusted with high precision. In addition, the gas concentration sensor may also be arranged at a connection point with the inhibitor supply flow path in the hydrogen transport flow path or at a portion downstream of the above-mentioned connection point. For example, in the case where the structure of the second embodiment has a gas concentration sensor, the gas concentration sensor can be arranged at a portion between the connection point 23a in the hydrogen transport flow path 23 and the booster 24.

[0080] The configurations described in the first and second embodiments, modifications 1 to 3, and other embodiments described above can be combined as appropriate.

[0081] The functions of the elements disclosed in this specification can be performed using a circuit or processing circuit that includes a general-purpose processor, a special-purpose processor, an integrated circuit, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), an existing circuit, or any combination thereof that is constructed or programmed to perform the disclosed functions. The processor includes transistors and other circuits and is therefore considered a processing circuit or circuit. In the present disclosure, a circuit, unit, or component is hardware that performs the listed functions, or hardware that is programmed to perform the listed functions. The hardware may be the hardware disclosed in this specification, or it may be other known hardware that is programmed or constructed to perform the listed functions. In the case where the hardware is a processor that is considered to be a type of circuit, the circuit, component, or unit is a combination of hardware and software, and the software is used for the structure of the hardware or processor.

[0082] [Disclosure method]

[0083] The following aspects are disclosures of preferred embodiments.

[0084] [Method 1]

[0085] A hydrogen transport system comprises: a hydrogen transport flow path that transports hydrogen gas or hydrogen gas obtained by gasifying liquefied hydrogen from a hydrogen supply source to a hydrogen transport destination; an inhibitor supply source; and an inhibitor supply flow path that connects the inhibitor supply source to a certain connection portion of the hydrogen transport flow path and guides the inhibitor from the inhibitor supply source to the connection portion.

[0086] According to the above configuration, the hydrogen gas to which the inhibitor is added flows in the portion of the hydrogen transport flow path downstream of the connection with the inhibitor supply flow path. Therefore, hydrogen embrittlement of the metal material in the portion of the hydrogen transport flow path downstream of the connection with the inhibitor supply flow path can be suppressed.

[0087] [Method 2]

[0088] According to the hydrogen transportation system described in method 1, wherein the hydrogen supply source supplies liquefied hydrogen, the hydrogen transportation system comprises: a booster, which is arranged in a portion of the hydrogen transportation flow path upstream of the connection portion, and pressurizes the liquefied hydrogen derived from the hydrogen supply source; and a vaporizer, which is arranged in a portion of the hydrogen transportation flow path between the booster and the connection portion, and vaporizes the liquefied hydrogen pressurized by the booster.

[0089] According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the inhibitor from coming into contact with liquefied hydrogen, that is, it is possible to prevent the inhibitor from being liquefied by the liquefied hydrogen.

[0090] [Method 3]

[0091] According to the hydrogen transport system described in embodiment 1, the hydrogen supply source supplies hydrogen gas, and the hydrogen transport system has a booster, which is arranged in the hydrogen transport flow path at a portion downstream of the connection portion and boosts the pressure of the hydrogen gas derived from the hydrogen supply source.

[0092] According to the above configuration, an inhibitor can be added to the hydrogen gas before the pressure of the hydrogen gas is increased by the booster, thereby suppressing hydrogen embrittlement of the metal material constituting the booster.

[0093] [Method 4]

[0094] The hydrogen transport system according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the inhibitor is oxygen, air, carbon monoxide or sulfur dioxide.

[0095] [Method 5]

[0096] The hydrogen transport system according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the hydrogen transport destination includes a gas consumer that consumes hydrogen, and the gas consumer is a hydrogen turbine, a hydrogen engine, or a hydrogen fuel boiler.

[0097] [Method 6]

[0098] The hydrogen transport system according to any one of aspects 1 to 5, further comprising a flow rate regulating valve disposed in the inhibitor supply flow path.

[0099] According to the above configuration, the flow rate regulating valve can be adjusted to adjust the ratio of the inhibitor added to the hydrogen gas so that the hydrogen embrittlement suppression effect can be obtained and the requirements of the hydrogen transport destination can be met.

[0100] [Method 7]

[0101] According to the hydrogen transport system described in method 6, the above-mentioned hydrogen transport system also has: a flow sensor, which detects the flow rate of hydrogen gas flowing in the portion of the above-mentioned hydrogen transport flow path that is closer to the upstream side than the above-mentioned connection portion; and a controller, which controls the above-mentioned flow regulating valve based on the flow rate information detected by the above-mentioned flow sensor.

[0102] According to the above configuration, the ratio of the inhibitor added to the hydrogen gas can be adjusted with high accuracy.

[0103] [Method 8]

[0104] According to the hydrogen transport system described in method 6, the above-mentioned hydrogen transport system also has: a gas concentration sensor, which detects the concentration of the inhibitor in the gas in the above-mentioned hydrogen transport flow path; and a controller, which controls the above-mentioned flow control valve according to the concentration information detected by the above-mentioned gas concentration sensor.

[0105] According to the above configuration, the ratio of the inhibitor added to the hydrogen gas can be adjusted with high accuracy.

[0106] [Method 9]

[0107] A hydrogen transport system according to any one of methods 1 to 8, wherein the hydrogen transport destination includes a hydrogen engine that burns oil and hydrogen guided by the hydrogen transport flow path and discharges exhaust gas containing sulfur dioxide, and the hydrogen transport system also has an exhaust flow path that transports the exhaust gas generated by the hydrogen engine to the inhibitor supply source, and the inhibitor supply source supplies sulfur dioxide in the exhaust gas guided by the exhaust flow path as the inhibitor to the inhibitor supply flow path.

[0108] According to the above configuration, sulfur dioxide in the exhaust gas can be effectively utilized.

[0109] [Method 10]

[0110] A hydrogen transport system according to any one of methods 1 to 8, wherein the inhibitor supply source includes a hydrogen generating device, which is the hydrogen supply source, electrolyzes water to generate hydrogen and oxygen, the hydrogen transport flow path transports the hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generating device to the hydrogen transport destination, and the inhibitor supply flow path guides the oxygen generated by the hydrogen generating device as the inhibitor to the connection portion.

[0111] According to the above configuration, it is not necessary to prepare an inhibitor supply source separately from the hydrogen supply source.

[0112] [Method 11]

[0113] A hydrogen transport method, wherein hydrogen gas or hydrogen gas obtained by gasifying liquefied hydrogen flows from a hydrogen supply source supplying hydrogen gas or liquefied hydrogen toward a hydrogen transport destination through a hydrogen transport flow path, and an inhibitor is added to the hydrogen gas at a portion of the hydrogen transport flow path where the hydrogen gas flows.

[0114] According to the above method, hydrogen embrittlement of the metal material constituting the addition position of the inhibitor and the portion downstream of the addition position in the hydrogen transport flow path can be suppressed.

[0115] Description of symbols

[0116] 1A: hydrogen transport system; 1B: hydrogen transport system; 1C: hydrogen transport system; 1D: hydrogen transport system; 1E: hydrogen transport system; 2: hydrogen supply source; 3: gas consumer; 4: hydrogen transport flow path; 4a: connection part; 5: booster; 6: vaporizer; 7: inhibitor supply source; 8: inhibitor supply flow path; 11: flow regulating valve; 12: flow sensor; 13: controller; 15: booster; 21: hydrogen supply source; 22: gas consumer; 23: hydrogen transport flow path; 23a: connection part; 24: booster; 25: inhibitor supply source; 26: inhibitor supply flow path; 31: flow regulating valve; 32: flow sensor; 33: controller; 41: exhaust flow path; 42: inhibitor supply source; 51: hydrogen generation device.

Claims

1. A hydrogen delivery system comprising: A hydrogen transport flow path for transporting hydrogen gas or hydrogen gas obtained by gasifying liquefied hydrogen from a hydrogen supply source to a hydrogen transport destination; an inhibitor supply source; and The inhibitor supply flow path connects the inhibitor supply source to a connection portion of the hydrogen transport flow path and guides the inhibitor from the inhibitor supply source to the connection portion.

2. The hydrogen delivery system according to claim 1, wherein: The hydrogen supply source supplies liquefied hydrogen, The hydrogen delivery system has: a booster disposed in a portion of the hydrogen transport flow path upstream of the connection portion and configured to boost the pressure of the liquefied hydrogen derived from the hydrogen supply source; and A vaporizer is disposed in the hydrogen transport flow path between the booster and the connection portion, and vaporizes the liquefied hydrogen pressurized by the booster.

3. The hydrogen delivery system according to claim 1, wherein: The hydrogen supply source supplies hydrogen gas, The hydrogen transport system includes a booster disposed in a portion of the hydrogen transport flow path downstream of the connection portion and configured to boost the pressure of the hydrogen gas led out from the hydrogen supply source.

4. The hydrogen delivery system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The inhibitor is oxygen, air, carbon monoxide or sulfur dioxide.

5. The hydrogen delivery system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The hydrogen delivery destination includes a gas consumer that consumes hydrogen. The gas consumer is a hydrogen turbine, a hydrogen engine or a hydrogen fuel boiler.

6. The hydrogen delivery system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The hydrogen transport system further includes a flow rate regulating valve disposed in the inhibitor supply flow path.

7. The hydrogen delivery system according to claim 6, wherein: The hydrogen delivery system also features: a flow sensor for detecting a flow rate of hydrogen gas flowing in a portion of the hydrogen transport flow path upstream of the connection portion; as well as A controller controls the flow rate regulating valve based on flow rate information detected by the flow rate sensor.

8. The hydrogen delivery system according to claim 6, wherein: The hydrogen delivery system also has: a gas concentration sensor for detecting the concentration of an inhibitor in the gas in the hydrogen transport flow path; and A controller controls the flow rate regulating valve based on concentration information detected by the gas concentration sensor.

9. The hydrogen delivery system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The hydrogen transport destination includes a hydrogen engine that burns oil and hydrogen guided by the hydrogen transport flow path and discharges exhaust gas containing sulfur dioxide. The hydrogen transport system further includes an exhaust flow path for transporting exhaust gas generated by the hydrogen engine to the inhibitor supply source. The inhibitor supply source supplies sulfur dioxide in the exhaust gas guided through the exhaust flow path as the inhibitor to the inhibitor supply flow path.

10. The hydrogen delivery system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The inhibitor supply source includes a hydrogen generator, which is the hydrogen supply source and generates hydrogen and oxygen by electrolyzing water. The hydrogen transport flow path transports the hydrogen gas generated by the hydrogen generator to the hydrogen transport destination. The inhibitor supply flow path guides the oxygen gas generated by the hydrogen generator as the inhibitor to the connection portion.

11. A method for transporting hydrogen, wherein: The hydrogen gas or the hydrogen gas obtained by gasifying the liquefied hydrogen flows from a hydrogen supply source supplying the hydrogen gas or the liquefied hydrogen toward a hydrogen transport destination through the hydrogen transport flow path. An inhibitor is added to the hydrogen gas at a location where the hydrogen gas flows in the hydrogen transport flow path.

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