Oil and gas management off-grid electric valve with methanol fuel cell

Abstract

The invention discloses an oil and gas management off-grid electric valve with a methanol fuel cell, and relates to the technical field of oil and gas conveying pipeline control equipment, in particular to the oil and gas management off-grid electric valve with the methanol fuel cell. The device comprises an electric valve, a photovoltaic panel, an energy storage lithium battery, a methanol fuel cell and a methanol barrel which are arranged on an oil-gas pipeline. The photovoltaic panel converts light energy into electric energy to charge the lithium battery, and the lithium battery provides operation power for the valve. The methanol fuel cell is connected with the lithium battery and is started and stopped under the control of the voltage of the lithium battery. The device preferably further comprises a power management control system which is used for monitoring the voltage of the lithium battery, starting the fuel battery to charge the lithium battery when the voltage is lower than a lower limit, and closing the fuel battery when the voltage is higher than an upper limit, so that automatic management and supplement of energy are realized. According to the invention, a hybrid power supply mode with photovoltaics as a main mode and methanol fuel cells as an auxiliary mode is utilized, and the long-term off-grid stable power supply problem of oil and gas valves in remote areas is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of oil and gas pipeline control equipment, specifically to an off-grid electric valve for oil and gas management with a methanol fuel cell. Background Technology

[0002] In oil and gas field development, long-distance pipelines, and urban gas pipeline networks, electric valves, as key actuation and control devices, are widely used for fluid shut-off, regulation, and safety isolation. Their reliable operation is crucial for process control, safe production, environmental protection, and efficient resource transportation. With the improvement of automation and intelligence levels, more and more electric valves are being deployed in various fields to achieve remote or automatic control.

[0003] However, in many oil and gas management scenarios, especially in remote or geographically complex areas such as deserts, Gobi, mountains, offshore platforms, and border pipelines, stable and continuous power grid supply is often difficult to obtain or extremely costly to construct. Traditional solutions mainly include: 1) Laying long-distance power cables presents challenges such as huge investment, construction difficulties, inconvenient maintenance, and susceptibility to natural or man-made damage; 2) Although using diesel or gasoline generators can solve the power supply problem, it requires regular fuel transportation, has high operating noise, poses a risk of fuel leakage and pollution, and emits carbon dioxide and harmful gases, which does not meet the requirements of green and low-carbon development. In addition, it requires frequent daily maintenance (such as changing engine oil and filters) and has a low degree of automation. 3) Relying on large-capacity battery packs, although the pure solar power system with sufficient sunlight is clean and quiet, it is greatly affected by the alternation of day and night, seasonal changes and severe weather (such as continuous rain and sandstorms). In order to ensure the long-term operation of valves without sunlight, it is often necessary to configure ultra-large capacity battery packs. This not only significantly increases the initial equipment cost and floor space, but also has prominent problems such as battery performance degradation under extreme temperatures, limited cycle life and high subsequent replacement costs.

[0004] Therefore, providing a stable, economical, easy-to-maintain, and environmentally friendly power supply solution for oil and gas management electric valves deployed in areas without mains power or with extremely unreliable mains power has become a pressing technical challenge for the industry. An ideal solution should combine the clean advantages of renewable energy with the reliability of backup power, enabling long-term maintenance-free or low-maintenance operation of the system.

[0005] In recent years, fuel cell technology, especially methanol fuel cells, has shown application potential in off-grid power supply fields such as communication base stations and remote monitoring due to its advantages such as high energy density, easy fuel storage and transportation, quiet operation, clean emissions (mainly carbon dioxide and water), and relatively low maintenance requirements. Methanol, as a liquid fuel, has higher storage and transportation safety than hydrogen and a much higher energy density than common batteries, making it very suitable as a long-term backup energy source for remote areas. Meanwhile, photovoltaic technology is maturing and its costs are continuously decreasing, making it an ideal primary energy source for daily use.

[0006] Currently, there have been some explorations into combining photovoltaics with methanol fuel cells for powering specific industrial equipment. However, in the application of electric valves in the oil and gas management field, there are specific challenges such as how to efficiently and intelligently manage the collaborative operation of multiple energy sources, how to ensure safe integration in oil and gas environments, how to achieve remote monitoring and control of the system, and how to maximize system reliability and economy. Existing simple combinations often lack in-depth optimized design for valve load characteristics (such as intermittent high-current start-up and low-power standby) and the safety requirements of oil and gas sites. The energy management strategy is crude, which can easily lead to frequent start-stop of fuel cells or over-discharge / overcharge of batteries, affecting the overall system lifespan and reliability. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide an off-grid electric valve for oil and gas management with a methanol fuel cell. By integrating photovoltaic power generation, energy storage lithium battery and methanol fuel cell, an independent power supply system that does not rely on the power grid is constructed. When solar power is insufficient, the methanol fuel cell is automatically activated to supplement the battery with power, ensuring that the electric valve can operate reliably for a long time in the field, remote areas and other environments without mains power. It also realizes intelligent energy management and remote monitoring, and improves the deployment flexibility and power supply stability of oil and gas pipeline valve control equipment.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an off-grid electric valve for oil and gas management with a methanol fuel cell, comprising an electric valve, a photovoltaic panel, an energy storage lithium battery, a methanol fuel cell, and a methanol tank. The electric valve is installed on the oil and gas pipeline to control the on / off state or flow rate of oil and gas. The photovoltaic panel is located in the external environment, typically near the valve wellhead or in a location with sufficient sunlight, to convert solar energy into DC power. The energy storage lithium battery is electrically connected to the photovoltaic panel and the drive motor and control circuit of the electric valve, for receiving and storing the electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic panel during periods of sunlight, and providing instantaneous or continuous driving power for the operation of the electric valve when valve operation is required. The methanol tank is connected to the methanol fuel cell via a fuel pipeline to continuously or intermittently supply it with liquid methanol fuel. The methanol fuel cell is electrically connected to the energy storage lithium battery, and its start-up and shutdown are controlled by the voltage signal of the energy storage lithium battery. Specifically, the methanol fuel cell itself does not directly determine the start-up conditions, but responds to the voltage state of the energy storage battery.

[0009] Furthermore, a power management and control system is also included. This power management and control system, as a core control unit, is electrically connected to the output terminal of the photovoltaic panel, the charging and discharging circuit of the energy storage lithium battery, the power output and control interface of the methanol fuel cell, and the control terminal of the electric valve. It coordinates and manages the energy flow and equipment operating status of the entire system, achieving centralized monitoring and coordinated control of power generation, energy storage, power consumption, and backup power, avoiding simple coupling through direct connections between components. This system can make intelligent decisions based on real-time energy conditions, optimize energy allocation, ensure a reliable power supply to the electric valve at all times, and protect the energy storage lithium battery and fuel cell, thereby improving the stability, safety, and efficiency of the entire system.

[0010] Furthermore, the power management and control system continuously monitors the terminal voltage of the energy storage lithium battery. This means that the control system, through its internal voltage detection module or circuit, collects the voltage values ​​across the energy storage lithium battery in real time at a certain sampling frequency, using this as a key parameter for judging the battery's state of charge. Using the terminal voltage of the energy storage lithium battery as the core monitoring parameter has the advantages of being direct, reliable, and low-cost. Continuous monitoring can reflect the real-time trend of the battery's state of charge (SOC), providing an accurate and timely data foundation for subsequent intelligent energy management decisions, ensuring the accuracy of control judgments and the real-time nature of responses.

[0011] Furthermore, the power management control system has a preset lower voltage threshold and an upper voltage threshold. These two thresholds are fixed or configurable values ​​pre-set and stored in the control system's memory, based on requirements such as the safe operating voltage range of the energy storage lithium battery, avoiding deep discharge to protect battery life, and a reasonable charging cutoff voltage. The lower voltage threshold is used to prevent over-discharge of the lithium battery and protect battery health; the upper voltage threshold is used to prevent overcharging of the lithium battery and ensure charging safety. Through these two thresholds, the system can automatically and reliably switch between different operating conditions without manual intervention, improving the scientific nature and safety of management.

[0012] Furthermore, when the terminal voltage of the energy storage lithium battery drops to the lower voltage threshold, the power management control system sends a start command to the methanol fuel cell. Specifically, when the control system detects that the battery voltage is equal to or lower than the lower threshold, it sends a start signal or command to the methanol fuel cell controller through its digital output port or communication interface. When insufficient photovoltaic charging causes the battery power to be consumed to the warning line, the system can automatically wake up the methanol fuel cell, thereby starting the backup power generation in time before the battery power is exhausted and the valve loses power, ensuring the continuity and uninterrupted power supply to the valve and avoiding the production operation risks caused by power outages.

[0013] Furthermore, after the methanol fuel cell starts, the electrical energy it generates is output to the power management and control system to charge the energy storage lithium battery. The electricity generated by the methanol fuel cell is converted and charged by the power management and control system's internal power conversion and charging management circuits, replenishing the energy storage lithium battery with appropriate current and voltage. The lithium battery, acting as a power buffer unit, can meet the high current requirements when the electric valve starts and stops, while the fuel cell operates stably within its optimal power generation range, providing a "slow charge" for the battery. The two work together, leveraging the continuous power generation advantage of the fuel cell and utilizing the fast response and high power density of the lithium battery, thereby improving the overall system performance and component lifespan.

[0014] Furthermore, when the terminal voltage of the energy storage lithium battery rises to the upper voltage threshold, the power management control system issues a shutdown command to the methanol fuel cell. That is, when the control system detects that the battery voltage has reached the upper threshold corresponding to a 90% full charge state, it sends a signal to the methanol fuel cell to stop power generation, causing it to enter standby or shutdown mode. When the energy storage battery is 90% full, the system can automatically stop the methanol fuel cell from operating, avoiding ineffective fuel consumption and unnecessary wear and tear on the fuel cell, improving fuel utilization efficiency, extending the fuel cell's lifespan, and reducing unnecessary maintenance needs, further demonstrating the system's intelligence and economy.

[0015] Furthermore, the power management and control system is communicatively connected to a remote monitoring center for uploading system operating status data and receiving remote control commands. The communication connection can be achieved via a wireless communication module (such as 4G / 5G, NB-IoT, LoRa, etc.) or a wired connection. Uploaded data includes, but is not limited to, photovoltaic power generation, lithium battery voltage and SOC, methanol fuel cell operating status, valve position, alarm information, etc., and can receive commands from the remote center such as forced start / stop of the fuel cell and emergency valve operation commands.

[0016] Furthermore, the methanol fuel cell and the methanol tank are housed together in a safety chamber with a ventilation structure. This safety chamber is a box or cabinet with a certain protection level (such as IP54), and its ventilation structure can be a natural vent or a forced exhaust fan, used to discharge trace amounts of volatile substances and heat that may be generated during the operation of the fuel cell, and to prevent external combustible gases from accumulating inside the chamber.

[0017] Furthermore, the photovoltaic panel is the primary charging source for the energy storage lithium battery, while the methanol fuel cell serves as a backup charging source. This clarifies the primary and secondary relationship and functional positioning of the two energy sources in the system: under normal circumstances, photovoltaic power generation is prioritized and primarily used to charge and supply power to the lithium battery; only when insufficient photovoltaic power generation leads to excessively low lithium battery power is the methanol fuel cell activated as a backup or supplementary charging method.

[0018] This invention provides an off-grid electric valve for oil and gas management with a methanol fuel cell, which has the following advantages: 1. This invention enables stable power supply and independent operation at remote oil and gas stations. Traditional electric valves rely on the power grid or diesel generators, making deployment difficult and maintenance costs high in areas without grid power. This invention combines photovoltaic power generation with methanol fuel cells to construct a hybrid power supply system of "photovoltaics as the primary source and fuel cells as backup," ensuring a stable and reliable power supply for the valves under complex weather conditions such as day-night cycles and continuous rain. Methanol fuel has high energy density and is easy to store and transport, enabling the valve system to operate autonomously for extended periods without the need for grid power or frequent manual maintenance. This makes it particularly suitable for harsh or unattended oil and gas management environments such as deserts, Gobi, and offshore platforms, greatly expanding the application scope of automated valves and improving the reliability and modernization of oil and gas facility management.

[0019] This invention significantly improves energy efficiency and system endurance. Photovoltaic panels, as the primary power source, directly utilize solar energy to replenish the lithium battery, achieving priority and efficient use of clean energy. The methanol fuel cell, serving as backup power, boasts significantly higher power generation efficiency than traditional internal combustion engines, while also exhibiting low noise and clean emissions. Through intelligent scheduling by the power management and control system, the fuel cell is automatically activated to charge when the lithium battery is low and automatically shuts off once fully charged, avoiding ineffective idling and energy waste. This synergistic "photovoltaic-electricity-methanol" energy supply mode fully utilizes renewable energy and uses efficient chemical power generation as a backup, forming a dual guarantee for energy supply. This makes the entire system more efficient and economical across the entire energy acquisition, storage, and utilization chain, significantly extending the system's continuous operating time and reducing overall energy costs.

[0020] The intelligent power management system of this invention achieves precise control and remote monitoring of the operating status. By continuously monitoring the lithium battery voltage and preset upper and lower thresholds, the system achieves automatic start-up and shutdown control of the methanol fuel cell. The entire process requires no manual intervention, demonstrating a high degree of intelligence and ensuring that the energy storage system always operates within a healthy and efficient range, preventing over-discharge or over-charge of the lithium battery and extending battery life. Simultaneously, the management system possesses remote data transmission and command reception capabilities, uploading key data such as valve status, power information, and fuel cell operating conditions to the monitoring center, and receiving remote commands for valve position adjustment and system start-up / shutdown. This enables centralized and visualized management of distributed off-grid valves, significantly reducing the inspection burden and safety hazards for maintenance personnel, and improving the response speed and precision of oil and gas pipeline management.

[0021] This invention exhibits excellent safety and environmental adaptability. Addressing the safety requirements of methanol fuel cells and fuel storage, this invention features a specially designed safety chamber with a ventilated structure, centrally housing the fuel cell and methanol tank. This design effectively protects against external environmental factors such as dust and rain, ensuring stable equipment operation. Its ventilation structure also promptly dissipates any minor fuel leaks, preventing the accumulation of flammable gases and significantly enhancing the system's inherent safety level. Furthermore, the entire system employs a modular design, with photovoltaic panels, energy storage units, and power generation units operating relatively independently, allowing for flexible installation and deployment. The system is independent of the external power grid, emits no large amounts of harmful gases such as carbon dioxide, and is environmentally friendly. It can adapt to various complex climates and geographical environments, ranging from extreme cold to extreme heat, and from humid to dry conditions, demonstrating strong environmental compatibility and reliability.

[0022] This invention effectively reduces operation and maintenance costs and carbon emissions throughout the entire lifecycle. During the construction phase, compared to laying power grids to remote areas, this off-grid solution eliminates the expensive costs of cable laying and substation construction. During operation, the primary energy source is free solar energy, and the backup fuel, methanol, is cheaper than dedicated diesel and easier to store and transport. Combined with highly automated intelligent management, it significantly reduces the need for daily fuel transportation, on-site inspections, and manual maintenance. The fuel cell operates quietly and is easy to maintain, further reducing operation and maintenance expenses. From an environmental perspective, the system prioritizes clean solar energy, and the main byproducts of backup power generation are water and a small amount of carbon dioxide, resulting in a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to pure diesel generator solutions. Therefore, this invention not only demonstrates outstanding economic efficiency in long-term use but also aligns with the green and low-carbon transformation of the oil and gas industry, achieving a balance between economic and environmental benefits. Attached Figure Description

[0023] To more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art can derive other embodiments based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a flowchart of the energy source process for the system of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a flowchart of the power management control logic of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the start-up, shutdown, and charging process of the fuel cell in this invention. Figure 5 This is a flowchart of the remote monitoring and overall layout of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numerals in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this disclosure. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses consistent with some aspects of this disclosure as detailed in the appended claims.

[0026] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0027] How to use: I. Initial System Installation and Inspection 1. Install the electric valve 1 correctly on the target oil and gas pipeline and complete the necessary mechanical and sealing checks.

[0028] Install photovoltaic panel 2 in an environment with sufficient external sunlight and no obstruction to ensure that it can effectively receive solar energy.

[0029] Install the energy storage lithium battery 3, methanol fuel cell 4, and power management control system in suitable locations. The methanol fuel cell 4 and methanol tank 5 must be housed together in a ventilated safety compartment in accordance with safety regulations to ensure the safety of fuel storage and use.

[0030] Complete all electrical connections: Connect photovoltaic panel 2 to the power management control system and energy storage lithium battery 3; connect energy storage lithium battery 3 to the power management control system and electric valve 1; connect methanol fuel cell 4 to the power management control system and energy storage lithium battery 3. Confirm that the power management control system is electrically connected to photovoltaic panel 2, energy storage lithium battery 3, methanol fuel cell 4, and electric valve 1 respectively.

[0031] The methanol tank 5 is reliably connected to the methanol fuel cell 4 through a fuel pipeline to provide fuel to the methanol fuel cell 4.

[0032] Based on the operating environment (such as season and lighting conditions), a lower voltage threshold and an upper voltage threshold are reasonably preset in the power management and control system to manage the charging and discharging state of the energy storage lithium battery 3. The start-up and shutdown of the methanol fuel cell 4 will be controlled by the voltage signal of the energy storage lithium battery 3.

[0033] If remote monitoring is required, establish a communication connection between the power management and control system and the remote monitoring center.

[0034] II. System Routine Operation and Energy Management 1. After the system is powered on, it enters automatic operation mode. Under sunlight conditions, the photovoltaic panel 2 serves as the main charging source, converting solar energy into electrical energy and charging the energy storage lithium battery 3 through the power management and control system, while also providing power for the operation of the electric valve 1.

[0035] The power management and control system continuously monitors the terminal voltage of the energy storage lithium battery 3. As the core of the system's electrical energy storage and buffer, the energy storage lithium battery 3 directly supplies power to all operations of the electric valve 1 (such as opening, closing, and regulation).

[0036] When there is sufficient sunlight, the electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic panel 2 is usually enough to maintain the power of the energy storage lithium battery 3 and drive the electric valve 1. At this time, the methanol fuel cell 4 is in standby mode as a backup charging source.

[0037] III. Backup Power Start-up and Switching 1. When encountering continuous rain, nighttime, or frequent operation of electric valve 1 leading to increased energy consumption, the power generation of photovoltaic panel 2 may be insufficient, and the terminal voltage of energy storage lithium battery 3 will gradually decrease due to continuous discharge.

[0038] The power management and control system compares the monitored terminal voltage with the preset lower voltage threshold in real time. When the terminal voltage of the energy storage lithium battery 3 drops to the lower voltage threshold, it indicates that the battery power is insufficient, and the power management and control system immediately sends a start command to the methanol fuel cell 4.

[0039] After the methanol fuel cell 4 starts, it consumes fuel provided by the methanol tank 5 to generate electricity. The generated electricity is output to the power management and control system to charge the energy storage lithium battery 3, increasing its voltage and capacity, and ensuring that the power demand of the electric valve 1 is met.

[0040] IV. Backup Power Supply Shutdown and System Recovery 1. With the charging support of the methanol fuel cell 4, the terminal voltage of the energy storage lithium battery 3 begins to rise. The power management and control system continuously monitors this voltage.

[0041] When the terminal voltage of the energy storage lithium battery 3 rises to the preset upper voltage threshold, it indicates that the battery charge has been restored to a safe and sufficient level. At this time, the power management control system sends a shutdown command to the methanol fuel cell 4, and the methanol fuel cell 4 stops generating electricity.

[0042] The system reverts to operating mode with photovoltaic panel 2 as the primary charging source. This automatic cycle ensures uninterrupted power supply in off-grid environments.

[0043] V. Monitoring, Maintenance and Precautions 1. Throughout the entire operation, the power management and control system records and manages the system's operational status data. Through its communication connection with the remote monitoring center, it can upload system operational status data (such as photovoltaic power generation status, lithium battery voltage, fuel cell start / stop status, valve position, etc.) and receive remote control commands, enabling remote monitoring and management of unattended sites.

[0044] Regularly perform system maintenance and inspections, including but not limited to: cleaning the surface of photovoltaic panel 2, checking the health status of energy storage lithium battery 3, checking the sealing of methanol fuel pipeline and replenishing methanol tank 5 with fuel in a timely manner, and ensuring that the ventilation structure of the safety compartment is unobstructed.

[0045] Users should understand that in this system, the photovoltaic panel 2 is the primary charging source for the energy storage lithium battery 3, and the methanol fuel cell 4 is the backup charging source for the energy storage lithium battery 3. Their complementarity ensures the long-term reliable operation of the electric valve 1 in off-grid oil and gas management scenarios. The method of use does not involve any changes to the structure and logic described in the claims.

[0046] Example: Example 1: Solar-Powered Daily Operation This embodiment describes the system's operation under normal conditions with good sunlight. Electric valve 1 is installed on a natural gas pipeline in a plain area, performing periodic pressure regulation. Photovoltaic panel 2 is installed at a south-facing angle, continuously converting solar energy into electrical energy during the day. The generated electricity is prioritized for charging the energy storage lithium battery 3 via the power management control system, while simultaneously providing immediate power for the operation of electric valve 1. The energy storage lithium battery 3 serves as the system's energy buffer core, and its terminal voltage is continuously monitored by the power management control system. Due to ample sunlight, photovoltaic panel 2, as the primary charging source, generates enough electricity to fully cover the energy consumption of electric valve 1 and keep the energy storage lithium battery 3 at a high charge level. Methanol fuel cell 4 serves as a backup charging source and remains in standby mode. The preset lower voltage threshold in the power management control system is not triggered, therefore methanol fuel cell 4 will not start. The entire system relies on solar energy for stable and quiet off-grid operation, and the fuel in methanol tank 5 does not require consumption. The power management control system uploads this photovoltaic-powered operating status data to a remote monitoring center.

[0047] Example 2: Automatic start-up of backup power supply during rainy weather This embodiment demonstrates the automatic intervention process of backup energy during continuous rainy weather. Electric valve 1 is deployed on a section of oil pipeline in a rainy mountainous area. Due to the continuous rain, the output power of photovoltaic panel 2 drops significantly, failing to meet the system's power demand. After continuously providing power for the shut-off operation of electric valve 1, the terminal voltage of energy storage lithium battery 3 begins to gradually decrease. The power management control system continuously monitors this voltage change. When the voltage drops to a preset lower voltage threshold within the system, the power management control system immediately issues a start command to methanol fuel cell 4. Methanol fuel cell 4 starts and begins generating electricity using fuel provided by methanol tank 5. The generated electricity is output to the power management control system and then used to charge energy storage lithium battery 3. This causes the voltage of energy storage lithium battery 3 to stop decreasing and begin to rise, thereby ensuring a continuous power supply to electric valve 1 under severe sunlight conditions and ensuring the reliability of pipeline management.

[0048] Example 3: Energy replenishment at night or after high load This embodiment illustrates the system's energy recovery process in the event of a dark environment or after the electric valve 1 operates at high frequency. At night, the photovoltaic panel 2 cannot generate electricity. The electric valve 1 performs multiple opening and closing operations during the evening, consuming some of the charge of the energy storage lithium battery 3. The power management control system continuously monitors the energy storage lithium battery 3, noting that its terminal voltage drops below the lower voltage threshold due to discharge. Subsequently, the power management control system issues a start-up command to the methanol fuel cell 4. The backup power generation unit, consisting of the methanol fuel cell 4 and the methanol tank 5, begins operation. The electrical energy generated by the methanol fuel cell 4 is transmitted to the power management control system and specifically used to charge the energy storage lithium battery 3. As charging proceeds, the terminal voltage of the energy storage lithium battery 3 steadily increases. This process ensures that even when the primary charging source, the photovoltaic panel 2, fails at night, the system can still replenish energy through the methanol fuel cell 4 as a backup charging source, reserving sufficient power for the following day's work or possible nighttime operations.

[0049] Example 4: Automatic switching after energy replenishment is completed This embodiment, following Embodiment Two or Three, describes the automatic shutdown and system switching of the backup power supply after completing the charging task. After the methanol fuel cell 4 starts and charges the energy storage lithium battery 3, the power management control system continuously monitors the terminal voltage of the energy storage lithium battery 3. When the voltage rises due to charging and reaches the preset upper voltage threshold within the system, the power management control system determines that the battery is sufficiently charged. At this time, the power management control system issues a shutdown command to the methanol fuel cell 4, and the methanol fuel cell 4 immediately stops generating electricity. The system automatically switches from the "insufficient photovoltaic power generation - fuel cell supplementation" mode back to the normal mode of "waiting for photovoltaic power generation". The photovoltaic panel 2 once again becomes the sole standby charging source. This automatic switching mechanism based on voltage threshold control efficiently manages energy use, saves methanol fuel, and extends the service life of the methanol fuel cell 4.

[0050] Example 5: Integrated Application of Remote Monitoring and Security Configuration This embodiment demonstrates the system's remote management capabilities and safety design in unattended scenarios. Electric valve 1 is installed on an off-site pipeline deep in the desert. The entire system, including the energy storage lithium battery 3, the power management control system, and the methanol fuel cell 4 and methanol tank 5 housed within a ventilated safety chamber, operates automatically. The power management control system not only manages the energy distribution among the photovoltaic panel 2, energy storage lithium battery 3, and methanol fuel cell 4, but also maintains a connection with a remote monitoring center via a communication link. It continuously uploads system operating status data, including photovoltaic power generation status, energy storage lithium battery 3 voltage, and the number of start-stop cycles of methanol fuel cell 4. When the energy storage lithium battery 3 voltage drops to the lower threshold due to sand covering the photovoltaic panel 2 and the methanol fuel cell 4 starts, this event status is immediately uploaded. Simultaneously, operators can send commands from the remote monitoring center to query the status or perform necessary parameter settings. The ventilation structure of the safety chamber ensures the safe operation of fuel-related equipment, achieving reliable and monitorable off-grid valve control in harsh environments.

[0051] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An off-grid electric valve for oil and gas management with a methanol fuel cell, comprising an electric valve (1), a photovoltaic panel (2), an energy storage lithium battery (3), a methanol fuel cell (4), and a methanol tank (5), characterized in that: The electric valve (1) is installed on the oil and gas pipeline; The photovoltaic panel (2) is installed in the external environment to convert light energy into electrical energy; The energy storage lithium battery (3) is electrically connected to the photovoltaic panel (2) and the electric valve (1) to receive and store the electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic panel (2) and to provide power for the operation of the electric valve (1); The methanol tank (5) is connected to the methanol fuel cell (4) via a fuel pipeline to provide fuel to it; The methanol fuel cell (4) is electrically connected to the energy storage lithium battery (3), and its start-up and shutdown are controlled by the voltage signal of the energy storage lithium battery (3).

2. The off-grid electric valve for oil and gas management with a methanol fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a power management and control system; The power management and control system is electrically connected to the photovoltaic panel (2), the energy storage lithium battery (3), the methanol fuel cell (4), and the electric valve (1), respectively.

3. The off-grid electric valve for oil and gas management with a methanol fuel cell according to claim 2, characterized in that: The power management and control system continuously monitors the terminal voltage of the energy storage lithium battery (3).

4. The off-grid electric valve for oil and gas management with a methanol fuel cell according to claim 3, characterized in that: The power management and control system has a preset lower voltage threshold and an upper voltage threshold.

5. The off-grid electric valve for oil and gas management with a methanol fuel cell according to claim 4, characterized in that: When the terminal voltage of the energy storage lithium battery (3) drops to the lower voltage threshold, the power management control system sends a start command to the methanol fuel cell (4).

6. The off-grid electric valve for oil and gas management with a methanol fuel cell according to claim 5, characterized in that: After the methanol fuel cell (4) is started, the electrical energy it generates is output to the power management and control system for charging the energy storage lithium battery (3).

7. The off-grid electric valve for oil and gas management with a methanol fuel cell according to claim 4, characterized in that: When the terminal voltage of the energy storage lithium battery (3) rises to the upper voltage threshold, the power management control system sends a shutdown command to the methanol fuel cell (4).

8. An off-grid electric valve for oil and gas management with a methanol fuel cell according to claim 2, characterized in that: The power management and control system is connected to the remote monitoring center for uploading system operating status data and receiving remote control commands.

9. The off-grid electric valve for oil and gas management with a methanol fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The methanol fuel cell (4) and the methanol tank (5) are housed together in a safety chamber with a ventilation structure.

10. An off-grid electric valve for oil and gas management with a methanol fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The photovoltaic panel (2) is the main charging source for the energy storage lithium battery (3), and the methanol fuel cell (4) is the backup charging source for the energy storage lithium battery (3).

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