Offshore methanol preparation system
By setting up a methanol preparation device on the non-self-navigation marine engineering structure at sea, the methanol production is directly used to use the hydrogen prepared at sea, which solves the problems of high hydrogen transportation costs and safety risks after hydrogen production at sea, and achieves efficient and safe methanol preparation.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202510228720.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-02-28
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-27
AI Technical Summary
In the prior art, hydrogen production is required to be transported to land for methanol production after hydrogen production, resulting in high transportation costs and safety risks.
A offshore methanol preparation system is designed, and by setting up a methanol preparation device on non-autonomous marine engineering structures, hydrogen is directly transported to the methanol preparation device for methanol production.
It effectively reduces hydrogen transportation costs, avoids transportation risks, and realizes direct methanol preparation at sea, improving production efficiency and safety.
Smart Images
Figure CN120037836A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of marine engineering, and in particular to an offshore methanol production system. Background Art
[0002] Hydrogen production from offshore wind power is a new type of energy storage method used to mitigate the imbalance in power generation from large-scale wind farms and improve the utilization rate of offshore wind power. Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is currently an important technical means to achieve the low-carbon utilization of fossil energy. This technology can convert captured carbon dioxide into useful products, thereby realizing the resource utilization of carbon dioxide and further reducing its impact on the environment. At present, the application of these technologies is relatively simple and inflexible, mainly targeting offshore scenarios, and there is no integrated complete solution. This means that hydrogen produced at sea needs to be transported to land to react with carbon dioxide to produce methanol. However, the transportation cost of hydrogen is high and its safety is difficult to guarantee, which greatly reduces the benefits of hydrogen production from offshore wind power. Summary of the Invention
[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the defect in the prior art of high cost of transporting hydrogen produced at sea to land for methanol production, and to provide an offshore methanol production system.
[0004] The present invention solves the above technical problems through the following technical solutions:
[0005] The present invention provides an offshore methanol production system, which includes a methanol production device, a non-self-propelled marine engineering structure and a hydrogen production platform. The methanol production device is arranged on the non-self-propelled marine engineering structure. The non-self-propelled marine engineering structure and the hydrogen production platform can both float on the sea surface. The hydrogen output port of the hydrogen production platform is connected to the hydrogen input port of the methanol production device.
[0006] In this solution, by placing a methanol production device on a non-self-propelled marine engineering structure, the methanol production process can be carried out at sea by making the non-self-propelled marine engineering structure float on the sea surface. The hydrogen produced at sea is directly transported to the methanol production device to complete the production of methanol. Compared with the need to transport hydrogen to land for methanol production after hydrogen production at sea, this effectively overcomes the problems of high transportation costs and transportation risks caused by the large volume, low density, and flammability of hydrogen. Therefore, using the above-mentioned offshore methanol production system, methanol production operations can be carried out directly at sea, eliminating the disadvantages of transporting hydrogen produced at sea to land for methanol production, which can effectively reduce costs.
[0007] Preferably, the hydrogen production energy of the hydrogen production platform comes from offshore wind power.
[0008] In this plan, the hydrogen production platform uses abundant offshore wind energy to produce clean hydrogen, which has the advantages of zero carbon emissions, efficient energy storage, high economy, and technical feasibility, helping to ensure energy security and diversified applications. In addition, offshore wind power production technology is more mature and reliable than other offshore renewable energy production technologies, which is conducive to the industrial large-scale production of methanol.
[0009] Preferably, the non-self-propelled marine engineering structure is a floating ship-type structure.
[0010] In this scheme, the floating ship-type structure has the advantages of adaptability to deep sea, mobility, low cost, environmental friendliness, strong stability, multi-function and economic efficiency, and can meet the needs of loading methanol preparation equipment for methanol production and other operations.
[0011] Preferably, the floating ship-type structure includes a hull and an inner rotating tower, the inner rotating tower is arranged at the bow of the hull, and the inner rotating tower is used to moor the hull; the methanol preparation device includes a methanol production device, a methanol cargo tank and a buffer tank, the buffer tank is arranged close to the inner rotating tower, the hydrogen output port of the hydrogen production platform is connected to the hydrogen input port of the buffer tank through the inner rotating tower, the number of the methanol cargo tanks is multiple, and the multiple methanol cargo tanks are arranged in sequence from the buffer tank to the stern of the hull; the methanol cargo tank and the buffer tank are arranged below the deck of the hull, and the methanol production device is arranged above the deck of the hull.
[0012] In this solution, the inner turret is located at the bow, with the buffer tank positioned close to it, resulting in a more compact structure and ample space for equipment such as the methanol cargo tank. Furthermore, since methanol production typically involves high temperatures, high pressures, and chemical reactions, the methanol production unit and the methanol cargo tank are located on separate upper and lower decks, keeping the unit away from the cargo tank and reducing the risk of fire or explosion.
[0013] Preferably, the offshore methanol production system further includes a seabed hydrogen storage tank, and the hydrogen output port of the hydrogen production platform and the hydrogen input port of the methanol production device are connected through the seabed hydrogen storage tank.
[0014] In this plan, the hydrogen demand of the methanol production device will fluctuate. The submarine hydrogen storage tank can store a certain amount of hydrogen to meet the peak demand and avoid affecting the equipment operation due to insufficient supply.
[0015] Preferably, there are multiple submarine hydrogen storage tanks, and the tank bodies of the multiple submarine hydrogen storage tanks are connected to each other in series.
[0016] In this plan, the hydrogen storage capacity is increased to further meet peak demand and avoid affecting equipment operation due to insufficient supply.
[0017] Preferably, the offshore methanol production system further includes a hydrogen filling device, and the hydrogen output port of the hydrogen production platform is connected to the seabed hydrogen storage tank through the hydrogen filling device.
[0018] In this plan, the hydrogen filling function can be realized by setting up a hydrogen filling device, broadening the use of hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production platform and providing offshore green fuel supply services for ships passing by.
[0019] Preferably, the hydrogen filling device is arranged on the hydrogen production platform.
[0020] In this solution, by arranging the hydrogen filling device on the hydrogen production platform, the overall structure of the offshore methanol production system can be made more compact, avoiding the need to build a separate offshore filling platform and thus increase costs.
[0021] Preferably, the offshore methanol production system further comprises a carbon dioxide delivery end, the carbon dioxide delivery end comprises a submarine carbon dioxide storage tank, and the submarine carbon dioxide storage tank is connected to the carbon dioxide input port of the methanol production device.
[0022] In this scheme, the demand for carbon dioxide from the methanol production unit will fluctuate. The submarine carbon dioxide storage tank can store a certain amount of carbon dioxide to meet peak demand and avoid affecting equipment operation due to insufficient supply.
[0023] Preferably, there are a plurality of submarine carbon dioxide storage tanks, and the tank bodies of the plurality of submarine carbon dioxide storage tanks are connected to each other in series.
[0024] In this plan, the carbon dioxide storage capacity is increased to further meet peak demand and avoid affecting equipment operation due to insufficient supply.
[0025] The positive progress effect of the present invention is:
[0026] The offshore methanol production system of the present invention, by placing a methanol production device on a non-self-propelled marine engineering structure so that the non-self-propelled marine engineering structure floats on the sea surface, allows the methanol production process to be carried out at sea. The hydrogen produced at sea is directly transported to the methanol production device to complete the production of methanol. Compared with the need to transport hydrogen to land for methanol production after hydrogen production at sea, this effectively overcomes the high transportation costs and transportation risks caused by the large volume, low density, and flammability of hydrogen. Therefore, using the offshore methanol production system provided above, methanol production, storage and unloading operations can be carried out directly at sea, eliminating the disadvantages of transporting hydrogen produced at sea to land for methanol production, which can effectively reduce costs. The above-mentioned offshore methanol production system allows methanol production operations to be carried out at sea, eliminating the disadvantages brought about by hydrogen transportation, effectively reducing costs, and providing an integrated green solution for offshore methanol production, storage and unloading, carbon emission treatment, etc. At the same time, it helps to solve the difficulties in various links of offshore hydrogen energy "production, storage, transportation and addition", and provides a landing path for the safe and efficient use of offshore hydrogen energy. It is an important tool for building a modern energy system and is expected to accelerate the world's transition from low-carbonization to zero-carbonization and negative carbonization. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the layout of the offshore methanol production system according to an embodiment of the present invention
[0028] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the connection between the carbon dioxide transport ship and the offshore methanol production system according to an embodiment of the present invention
[0029] Figure 3 A right side view of a non-self-propelled marine engineering structure according to an embodiment of the present invention
[0030] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the top view of the layout below the hull deck according to an embodiment of the present invention
[0031] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the top view of the ship deck according to an embodiment of the present invention
[0032] Description of reference numerals:
[0033] Offshore methanol production system 100
[0034] Methanol preparation unit 1
[0035] Methanol production unit 11
[0036] Methanol cargo tank 12
[0037] Buffer tank 13
[0038] Non-self-propelled marine engineering structures2
[0039] Hull 21
[0040] Bow inner turret area 211
[0041] Raw material pretreatment and catalyst storage area 212
[0042] Raw material mixing and compression area 213
[0043] Tundish pump area 214
[0044] Methanol reaction synthesis area 215
[0045] Methanol distillation area 216
[0046] Byproduct processing area 217
[0047] Public auxiliary system area 218
[0048] Power distribution central control area 219
[0049] Inner turret 22
[0050] Hydrogen production platform 3
[0051] Subsea hydrogen storage tank 4
[0052] Hydrogen filling device 5
[0053] Subsea CO2 storage tank 6
[0054] CO2 transport ship 7 DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0055] A preferred embodiment is given below and the present invention is described more clearly and completely in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[0056] This embodiment provides an offshore methanol production system 100, such as Figure 1-Figure 5 As shown, it includes a methanol production device 1, a non-self-propelled marine engineering structure 2 and a hydrogen production platform 3. The methanol production device 1 is arranged on the non-self-propelled marine engineering structure 2. The non-self-propelled marine engineering structure 2 and the hydrogen production platform 3 can both float on the sea surface. The hydrogen output port of the hydrogen production platform 3 is connected to the hydrogen input end of the methanol production device 1.
[0057] Thus, by placing the methanol production device 1 on the non-self-propelled marine engineering structure 2, and by making the non-self-propelled marine engineering structure 2 float on the sea surface, the methanol production process can be carried out at sea, and the hydrogen produced at sea is directly transported to the methanol production device 1 to complete the production of methanol. Compared with the need to transport hydrogen to land for methanol production after hydrogen production at sea, this effectively overcomes the high transportation costs and transportation risks caused by the large volume, low density, and flammability of hydrogen. Therefore, using the above-mentioned offshore methanol production system 100, methanol production operations can be carried out directly at sea, eliminating the disadvantages of transporting hydrogen produced at sea to land for methanol production, which can effectively reduce costs.
[0058] The hydrogen production platform 3 is powered by offshore wind power. Hydrogen production platform 3 utilizes abundant offshore wind energy to produce clean hydrogen, offering advantages such as zero carbon emissions, efficient energy storage, high economic efficiency, and technical feasibility, contributing to energy security and diversified applications. Hydrogen production platform 3 is located near an offshore wind farm. The appropriate form of hydrogen production platform 3 is selected based on the water depth, seabed conditions, and sea conditions of the sea area. Hydrogen production platform 3 can be a self-elevating platform, a floating platform, or a semi-submersible platform. In this embodiment, a semi-submersible platform is used. Those skilled in the art can also select other forms of hydrogen production platform 3.
[0059] Specifically, the non-self-propelled marine engineering structure 2 is a floating ship-type structure. A non-self-propelled marine engineering structure 2 refers to an offshore facility that lacks autonomous navigation capabilities and typically requires the use of a tugboat or other external equipment for movement. Non-self-propelled marine engineering structures 2 include fixed platforms, floating platforms, floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels, and the like. The non-self-propelled marine engineering structure 2 of this embodiment is a floating ship-type structure modeled after an FPSO. This floating ship-type structure utilizes a double-hulled buoyancy structure. Because FPSOs can be deployed in deep sea, offshore, or marginal oil fields, they are suitable for a variety of marine environments. Therefore, this floating ship-type structure offers advantages such as deep-sea adaptability, mobility, low cost, environmental friendliness, strong stability, versatility, and cost-effectiveness, enabling it to accommodate operations such as the methanol production unit 1.
[0060] Specifically, if Figure 3As shown, the floating ship-type structure includes a hull 21 and an inner rotating tower 22. The inner rotating tower 22 is arranged at the bow of the hull 21 and is used to moor the hull 21. The methanol preparation device 1 includes a methanol production device 11, a methanol cargo tank 12 and a buffer tank 13. The buffer tank 13 is arranged close to the inner rotating tower 22. The hydrogen output port of the hydrogen production platform 3 is connected to the hydrogen input port of the buffer tank 13 through the inner rotating tower 22. There are multiple methanol cargo tanks 12, and the multiple methanol cargo tanks 12 are arranged in sequence from the buffer tank 13 to the stern of the hull; the methanol cargo tank 12 and the buffer tank 13 are arranged below the deck of the hull 21, and the methanol production device 11 is arranged above the deck of the hull 21.
[0061] There are at least two buffer tanks 13, one for storing hydrogen and the other for storing carbon dioxide. There are 18 methanol cargo tanks 12. The number of methanol cargo tanks 12 can be adjusted according to actual conditions and is not limited in this embodiment. Each methanol cargo tank 12 is equipped with a submersible pump for unloading operations, with a total unloading capacity of approximately 18,000 m 3 / h.
[0062] Therefore, positioning the inner turret 22 at the bow and the buffer tank 13 close to the inner turret 22 makes the structure more compact, providing sufficient space for equipment such as the methanol cargo tank 12. Furthermore, since the methanol production unit 11 typically involves high temperatures, high pressures, and chemical reactions, the methanol production unit 11 and the methanol cargo tank 12 are located on upper and lower decks, keeping the methanol production unit 11 away from the methanol cargo tank 12 and reducing the risk of fire or explosion.
[0063] In this embodiment, if Figure 5 As shown, the area above the deck of the hull 21 can be divided into the bow inner turret 22 area 211, the raw material pretreatment and catalyst storage area 212, the raw material mixing and compression area 213, the intermediate tank pump area 214, the methanol reaction synthesis area 215, the methanol distillation area 216, the by-product processing area 217, the public auxiliary system area 218, the power distribution central control area 219, etc., and the methanol production device 11, power supply and distribution facilities, the engine room supporting system and various living facilities are arranged according to the divided areas. Figure 4 As shown, a methanol cargo tank 12 and a buffer tank 13 may be provided below the deck of the hull 21 , and a ballast water tank may also be provided. The ballast water tank is provided on the sides of the hull 21 .
[0064] Specifically, if Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the offshore methanol production system 100 further includes a seabed hydrogen storage tank 4 , and the hydrogen output port of the hydrogen production platform 3 and the hydrogen input port of the methanol production device 1 are connected via the seabed hydrogen storage tank 4 .
[0065] Therefore, the hydrogen demand of the methanol production device 1 will fluctuate. The submarine hydrogen storage tank 4 can store a certain amount of hydrogen to meet the peak demand and avoid affecting the equipment operation due to insufficient supply.
[0066] There can be multiple submarine hydrogen storage tanks 4. This can increase the hydrogen storage capacity, further meet the demand during peak periods, and avoid affecting equipment operation due to insufficient supply. In this embodiment, the submarine hydrogen storage tanks 4 are 10 cylindrical horizontal high-pressure gaseous hydrogen storage tanks, which are connected in series with each other. The volume of each tank is about 12,000m 3 , with a total volume of approximately 120,000m 3 The maximum allowable operating pressure is 25 MPa, which can store about 2,000 tons of hydrogen. The number of submarine hydrogen storage tanks 4 can be adjusted according to actual conditions and is not limited in this embodiment.
[0067] In this embodiment, a hydrogen delivery pipeline interface is provided on the submarine hydrogen storage tank 4, which receives hydrogen produced and compressed by the hydrogen production platform 3 through the underwater hydrogen delivery pipeline. A manifold interface is also provided on the submarine hydrogen storage tank 4, which is connected to the methanol production device 1 via the underwater hydrogen delivery pipeline to deliver the hydrogen to the buffer tank 13 for storage.
[0068] Specifically, the offshore methanol production system 100 further includes a hydrogen filling device 5 , and the hydrogen output port of the hydrogen production platform 3 is connected to the seabed hydrogen storage tank 4 through the hydrogen filling device 5 .
[0069] Therefore, by providing the hydrogen filling device 5, the hydrogen filling function can be realized, the use of the hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production platform 3 can be broadened, and an offshore green fuel supply service can be provided for ships traveling back and forth.
[0070] In this embodiment, the hydrogen refueling device 5 is installed on the hydrogen production platform 3. This placement of the hydrogen refueling device 5 on the hydrogen production platform 3 makes the overall structure of the offshore methanol production system 100 more compact, avoiding the need for a separate offshore refueling platform and the resulting increased costs. Furthermore, an underwater hydrogen circulation pipeline is provided on the seabed hydrogen storage tank 4, through which hydrogen is returned to the hydrogen production and refueling platform as a backup supply for hydrogen refueling.
[0071] Specifically, if Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the offshore methanol production system 100 further includes a carbon dioxide delivery end, which includes a submarine carbon dioxide storage tank 6 , and the submarine carbon dioxide storage tank 6 is connected to the carbon dioxide input port of the methanol production device 1 .
[0072] As a result, the demand for carbon dioxide from methanol production unit 11 fluctuates. Subsea carbon dioxide storage tanks 6 can store a certain amount of carbon dioxide to meet peak demand and prevent equipment operation from being impacted by insufficient supply. In this embodiment, subsea carbon dioxide storage tanks 6 consist of 12 cylindrical horizontal high-pressure tanks, interconnected in series. Each tank has a capacity of approximately 12,000 cubic meters, with a total capacity of approximately 144,000 cubic meters. With a maximum allowable operating pressure of 10 MPa, they can store approximately 93,600 tons of carbon dioxide. The number of subsea hydrogen storage tanks 4 can be adjusted based on actual conditions and is not limited in this embodiment.
[0073] There are multiple carbon dioxide storage tanks, which can increase the carbon dioxide storage capacity, further meet the demand during peak periods, and avoid affecting equipment operation due to insufficient supply.
[0074] In this embodiment, two manifold interfaces are provided on the seabed carbon dioxide storage tank 6, one of which receives carbon dioxide discharged from the carbon dioxide transport ship 7 through an underwater carbon dioxide transmission pipeline, and the other is connected to the methanol preparation device 1 through an underwater carbon dioxide transmission pipeline to transport the carbon dioxide to the buffer tank 13 for storing carbon dioxide.
[0075] The offshore methanol production system 100 operates as follows: the methanol production unit 11 extracts carbon dioxide and hydrogen from the buffer tank 13 to synthesize green methanol, which is then transported to the methanol cargo tank 12 for storage. When the methanol cargo tank 12 is nearly full, the methanol is transferred to a shuttle chemical / product tanker via the methanol cargo system and the external transmission system. The shuttle chemical / product tanker then delivers the methanol to land ports as a feedstock for chemical production, or transports the green methanol to other ships and offshore projects at sea. The methanol produced by the methanol production unit 1 can also provide fuel for its own operations.
[0076] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, those skilled in the art will appreciate that these are merely illustrative and that the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. Those skilled in the art may make various changes or modifications to these embodiments without departing from the principles and essence of the present invention, and such changes and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. An offshore methanol production system, characterized in that: It includes a methanol preparation device, a non-self-propelled marine engineering structure and a hydrogen production platform. The methanol preparation device is arranged on the non-self-propelled marine engineering structure. Both the non-self-propelled marine engineering structure and the hydrogen production platform can float on the sea surface. The hydrogen output port of the hydrogen production platform is connected to the hydrogen input port of the methanol preparation device.
2. The offshore methanol production system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hydrogen production energy of the hydrogen production platform comes from offshore wind power.
3. The offshore methanol production system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The non-self-propelled marine engineering structure is a floating ship-type structure.
4. The offshore methanol production system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The floating ship-type structure comprises a hull and an inner turret, wherein the inner turret is arranged at the bow of the hull and is used for mooring the hull; The methanol preparation device comprises a methanol production device, a methanol cargo tank and a buffer tank, wherein the buffer tank is arranged close to the inner rotating tower, the hydrogen output port of the hydrogen production platform is connected with the hydrogen input port of the buffer tank through the inner rotating tower, and the number of the methanol cargo tanks is multiple, and the multiple methanol cargo tanks are arranged in sequence from the buffer tank to the stern of the hull; The methanol cargo tank and the buffer tank are arranged below the deck of the hull, and the methanol production device is arranged above the deck of the hull.
5. The offshore methanol production system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The offshore methanol production system further comprises a seabed hydrogen storage tank, and the hydrogen output port of the hydrogen production platform and the hydrogen input port of the methanol production device are connected via the seabed hydrogen storage tank.
6. The offshore methanol production system according to claim 5, characterized in that: There are multiple submarine hydrogen storage tanks, and the tank bodies of the multiple submarine hydrogen storage tanks are connected in series.
7. The offshore methanol production system according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The offshore methanol production system also includes a hydrogen filling device, and the hydrogen output port of the hydrogen production platform is connected to the seabed hydrogen storage tank through the hydrogen filling device.
8. The offshore methanol production system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The hydrogen filling device is arranged on the hydrogen production platform.
9. The offshore methanol production system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The offshore methanol production system further comprises a carbon dioxide delivery end, which comprises a seabed carbon dioxide storage tank, and the seabed carbon dioxide storage tank is connected to the carbon dioxide input port of the methanol production device.
10. The offshore methanol production system according to claim 9, characterized in that: There are multiple submarine carbon dioxide storage tanks, and the tank bodies of the multiple submarine carbon dioxide storage tanks are connected to each other in series.