A methanol hydrogen production power generation system for a submarine
By adopting a methanol-to-hydrogen power generation system on submarines, a closed-loop hydrogen generation and power generation system was constructed, solving the problems of insufficient power and safety hazards when submarines are submerged, and achieving safe, quiet and efficient power generation.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- QINGDAO SUNHYDRO GRP CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-22
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-12
AI Technical Summary
Submarines have low power and need to remain silent when submerged, and carrying liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen is dangerous; existing hydrogen fuel cell systems are unsafe.
The methanol-to-hydrogen power generation system is a closed system consisting of components such as a reformer, palladium membrane, burner, and fuel cell. Methanol is used to replace liquid hydrogen to generate hydrogen for power generation. All components in the system are interconnected in a completely closed system to avoid hydrogen pollution and danger.
It achieves safe, quiet, and efficient power generation, avoids the danger of carrying flammable hydrogen, the system is self-sufficient and requires no additional energy, and is pollution-free in a closed environment.
Smart Images
Figure CN224355234U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of methanol-to-hydrogen power generation technology, and more specifically, it relates to a methanol-to-hydrogen power generation system for submarines. Background Technology
[0002] Methanol-to-hydrogen power generation is an energy technology that uses methanol as a raw material to produce hydrogen and then uses the hydrogen to generate electricity. Methanol-to-hydrogen power generation is frequently used in submarines.
[0003] Based on existing technology, it has been found that submarines have low power when submerged, but they need to be quiet to avoid being detected by radar. Hydrogen fuel cell propulsion systems have been used on submarines. The conventional solution is to carry liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. However, liquid hydrogen needs to be stored at ultra-low temperatures, and storing liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen in a submarine at the same time is quite dangerous. Utility Model Content
[0004] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides a methanol-to-hydrogen power generation system for submarines, thus solving the problem of carrying flammable hydrogen gas with a wide explosive concentration limit on submarines.
[0005] This utility model discloses a methanol-to-hydrogen power generation system for submarines, achieved through the following specific technical means:
[0006] A methanol-to-hydrogen power generation system for submarines includes a reformer; the reformer is connected to a fuel tank via a fuel pump; a palladium membrane is externally mounted on the reformer; the palladium membrane is connected to a burner and a hydrogen buffer tank; the burner is connected to a blower via a pipeline; the burner is connected to an oxygen cylinder via a pipeline; the hydrogen buffer tank is connected to a fuel cell via a pipeline; the fuel cell is connected to a gas-liquid separator; the gas-liquid separator is connected to the burner; the gas-liquid separator is connected to a reaction water storage tank via a pipeline; the reaction water storage tank is connected to a pure water device via a pipeline; the reaction water storage tank is connected to a methanol storage tank via a pipeline; the methanol storage tank is connected to the fuel tank; the pure water device is connected to the fuel tank via a metering pump B; and the methanol storage tank is connected to the fuel tank via a metering pump A.
[0007] Furthermore, a proportional valve A and a pressure reducing valve A are provided between the oxygen cylinder and the burner; an electric air valve is provided on the pipe connecting the blower and the burner; and the oxygen cylinders are connected in parallel through pipes.
[0008] Furthermore, a pressure reducing valve B and a proportional valve B are installed on the pipeline connecting the oxygen cylinder and the fuel cell; a proportional valve C is installed on the pipeline connecting the hydrogen buffer pipe and the fuel cell.
[0009] Furthermore, an automatic drain valve is installed on the pipeline connecting the gas-liquid separator and the reaction water storage tank.
[0010] Furthermore, the reaction water storage tank is connected to the waste gas tank via a back pressure control valve B; a pressure reducing valve C is installed on the pipeline connecting the reaction water storage tank and the methanol storage tank; and the methanol storage tank is connected to the waste gas tank via a back pressure control valve A.
[0011] Furthermore, the pure water equipment is connected to a domestic water tank via an electric valve A; an electric valve B is installed on the pipe connecting the pure water equipment and the fuel tank.
[0012] Furthermore, the reformer is connected to a heat exchanger; the heat exchanger is externally connected to a drain pump; the heat exchanger is connected to a reaction water storage tank via an automatic drain valve A; the heat exchanger is connected to an exhaust gas tank via a compressor; the exhaust gas tank is externally connected to the submarine exhaust gas emission system; the exhaust gas tank is connected to the reaction water storage tank via an automatic drain valve B; a pressure sensor and an electric regulating valve are installed between the reformer and the heat exchanger.
[0013] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:
[0014] 1. In this device, the use of methanol instead of liquid hydrogen storage avoids carrying hydrogen, which is highly flammable and has a wide explosive concentration limit. Only methanol, which is liquid at room temperature, needs to be carried as fuel, along with a pure methanol solution and a small amount of pure water. After the methanol-water solution reacts to generate hydrogen, the hydrogen reacts with oxygen in the fuel cell to generate electricity. The water produced is sufficient to support the subsequent reforming reaction of the methanol-water solution. At the same time, the heat required for the reaction itself is also provided by the gas produced after the reforming of the methanol-water solution, without the need for additional energy consumption. Furthermore, since the submarine is a closed environment, the system's inherent characteristics allow all components and equipment to be connected into a completely closed system, preventing pollution or danger to the submarine's environment from hydrogen or methanol vapor, thus achieving safety, quietness, and high efficiency. Attached Figure Description
[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of this utility model.
[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the electrical flow structure of this utility model.
[0017] In the diagram, the correspondence between component names and drawing numbers is as follows:
[0018] 1. Reformer; 2. Palladium membrane; 3. Burner; 4. Hydrogen buffer tank; 5. Fuel pump; 6. Fuel tank; 7. Proportional valve A; 8. Pressure reducing valve A; 9. Oxygen cylinder; 10. Pressure reducing valve B; 11. Proportional valve B; 12. Proportional valve C; 13. Fuel cell; 14. Gas-liquid separator; 15. Automatic drain valve; 16. Pressure sensor; 17. Electric regulating valve; 18. Heat exchanger; 19. Automatic drain valve A; 20. Automatic drain valve B; 21. Exhaust gas tank; 22. Methanol storage tank; 23. Back pressure control valve A; 24. Back pressure control valve B; 25. Pressure reducing valve C; 26. Reaction water storage tank; 27. Metering pump A; 28. Pure water equipment; 29. Metering pump B; 30. Electric valve A; 31. Electric valve B; 32. Blower; 33. Electric air valve. Detailed Implementation
[0019] The embodiments of this utility model will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples.
[0020] Example:
[0021] As attached Figure 1 To be continued Figure 2 As shown:
[0022] This invention provides a methanol-to-hydrogen power generation system for submarines, including a reformer 1. The reformer 1 is connected to a fuel tank 6 via a fuel pump 5. The reformer 1 is used to pump methanol-water solution from inside the fuel tank 6 into the reformer 1 via the fuel pump 5, where the methanol-water solution is heated and produces hydrogen and carbon dioxide under the action of a catalyst. A palladium membrane 2 is installed on the outside of the reformer 1. The palladium membrane 2 is used to purify the hydrogen produced by the reformer 1, thus purifying the hydrogen. The palladium membrane 2 is connected to a burner 3 and a hydrogen buffer tank 4. The burner 3 is used to pass the purified gas through a hydrogen buffer tank 4. The combustion of oxygen generates the required heat; the hydrogen buffer tank 4 is used to store the produced pure hydrogen gas, reducing system fluctuations; the burner 3 is connected to the blower 32 via a pipe; the blower 32 is used to control the air intake or shut off the blower 32 via an electric air valve 32, and the blower 32 is used to blow air into the submarine (the confined space) to regulate combustion; the burner 3 is connected to the oxygen cylinder 9 via a pipe; the oxygen cylinder 9 is used to store oxygen; the hydrogen buffer tank 4 is connected to the fuel cell 13 via a pipe; the fuel cell 13 is used to generate a reaction using the hydrogen inside. The fuel cell 13 is connected to a gas-liquid separator 14, which separates hydrogen and water from the water (containing hydrogen) produced by the reaction in the fuel cell 13. The separated hydrogen is then re-burned. The gas-liquid separator 14 is connected to a burner 3. The gas-liquid separator 14 is connected to a reaction water storage tank 26 via a pipeline. The reaction water storage tank 26 is connected to a pure water device 28 via a pipeline. The reaction water storage tank 26 is used to store and reuse the water produced by the fuel cell 13 after power generation. The reaction water storage tank 26 is connected to a methanol storage tank 22 via a pipeline. The methanol storage tank 22 is connected to... Fuel tank 6 is connected; pure water equipment 28 is connected to fuel tank 6 via metering pump B29; pure water equipment 28 is used to treat impurities in the water inside reaction water storage tank 26, using a combination of physical filtration, chemical treatment, membrane separation and other technologies to obtain pure water; methanol storage tank 22 is connected to fuel tank 6 via metering pump A27; methanol storage tank 22 is used to store pure methanol liquid, and methanol-water is mixed via metering pump A27; the water produced by fuel cell 13 carries pressure into reaction water storage tank 26, at a pressure of 0.1-0.At 5 MPa, the reaction water storage tank 26 can act as a high-pressure source to regulate the high-pressure / positive pressure of the other two tanks. The fuel tank 6 and methanol storage tank 22 are connected by pipelines, and their pressures remain consistent. Therefore, only one tank needs to be regulated. Since the methanol storage tank 22 is being regulated, the following descriptions will only use methanol storage tank 22 and reaction water storage tank 26 as functional descriptions. As metering pump A27 continuously pumps liquid from methanol storage tank 22, the pressure in methanol storage tank 22 will decrease, potentially creating a negative pressure. At this time, pressure reducing valve C25 will activate, pressurizing the high pressure in reaction water storage tank 26 to a suitable pressure before it enters methanol storage tank 22. However, the reaction... The pressure in water storage tank 26 must not be too high. If the pressure is too high, water in gas-liquid separator 14 may not be able to drain into reaction water storage tank 26 through automatic drain valve 15. In this case, excessive pressure will be discharged into waste gas tank 21 through back pressure control valve B24. Methanol storage tank 22 may experience positive pressure due to methanol evaporation, or excessive pressure may occur due to error in pressure reducing valve C25. In this case, excess pressure can be released into waste gas tank 21 through back pressure control valve A23. At this point, the system forms a completely closed system. Methanol vapor, hydrogen, and other hazardous gases can directly or circulate within the system, or be discharged outside the submarine without posing a danger to the submarine's interior.
[0023] Among them, such as Figure 1 As shown, a proportional valve A7 and a pressure reducing valve A8 are installed between the oxygen cylinder 9 and the burner 3; an electric air valve 33 is installed on the pipe connecting the blower 32 and the burner 3; the oxygen cylinders 9 are connected in parallel through pipes; the electric air valve 33 is used to control the air intake of the blower 32 or to turn off the blower 32; the proportional valve A7 adjusts the oxygen flow rate so that the oxygen burns with the reformed gas in the burner 3, while the pressure reducing valve A8 reduces the pressure of the high-pressure (liquid) oxygen inside the oxygen cylinder 9 to a suitable pressure for combustion.
[0024] Among them, such as Figure 1 As shown, a pressure reducing valve B10 and a proportional valve B11 are installed on the pipe connecting the oxygen cylinder 9 and the fuel cell 13; a proportional valve C12 is installed on the pipe connecting the hydrogen buffer pipe 4 and the fuel cell 13. The pressure reducing valve B10 is used to reduce the pressure of the high-pressure (liquid) oxygen inside the oxygen cylinder 9 to a suitable pressure for use by the fuel cell 13; the proportional valve B11 is used to adjust the flow rate of oxygen supplied to the fuel cell 13 for power generation; and the proportional valve C12 adjusts the flow rate of hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell 13 for power generation.
[0025] Among them, such as Figure 1As shown, an automatic drain valve 15 is installed on the pipeline connecting the gas-liquid separator 14 and the reaction water storage tank 26. The automatic drain valve 15 is used to automatically discharge the water produced by the gas-liquid separator 14 into the reaction water storage tank 26. Its principle is to use the density difference between condensate and steam to trigger the valve to open and close by buoyancy or gravity.
[0026] Among them, such as Figure 1 As shown, the reaction water storage tank 26 is connected to the waste gas tank 21 via a back pressure control valve B24; a pressure reducing valve C25 is installed on the pipeline connecting the reaction water storage tank 26 and the methanol storage tank 22; the methanol storage tank 22 is connected to the waste gas tank 21 via a back pressure control valve A23; the back pressure control valve B24 releases the positive pressure of the reaction water storage tank 26 into the waste gas tank 21, while the pressure reducing valve C25 is used to control the pressure of the methanol storage tank 22 when the pressure of the reaction water storage tank 26 is relatively high (due to the characteristics of the fuel cell 13, the pressure will be between 0.1-0.5 MPa); while the back pressure control valve A23 is used to control the pressure of the methanol storage tank 22 within a reasonable range when positive pressure may be formed inside the methanol storage tank 22 (due to methanol vapor, etc.).
[0027] Among them, such as Figure 1 As shown, the pure water equipment 28 is connected to a domestic water tank via an electric valve A30; an electric valve B31 is installed on the pipe connecting the pure water equipment 28 and the fuel tank 6; due to the reforming of methanol-water and the power generation of the fuel cell 13, the amount of water generated is much greater than the system's own water consumption. If there is too much water, the electric valve B31 will close and the electric valve A30 will open, delivering ultrapure water to the domestic water tank for use as domestic water. The electric valve A30 is used to control whether pure water enters the fuel tank 6 to form a proportioned combustion fuel.
[0028] Among them, such as Figure 1 As shown, reformer 1 is connected to heat exchanger 18; heat exchanger 18 is externally connected to a drain pump; heat exchanger 18 is connected to reaction water storage tank 26 via automatic drain valve A19; heat exchanger 18 is connected to exhaust gas tank 21 via compressor; exhaust gas tank 21 is externally connected to the submarine exhaust gas emission system; exhaust gas tank 21 is connected to reaction water storage tank 26 via automatic drain valve B20; a pressure sensor 16 and an electric regulating valve 17 are installed between reformer 1 and heat exchanger 18; the heat exchanger 18 here uses the submarine's cooling system to cool the exhaust gas temperature; the automatic drain valve A19 is used to automatically discharge the condensate inside heat exchanger 18 to the reaction water storage tank 26 for collection; the automatic drain valve B20 is used to automatically discharge the condensate inside exhaust gas tank 21 to the reaction water storage tank 26 for collection; the pressure sensor 16 here is used together with the electric regulating valve 17 to control the exhaust gas pressure after combustion in reformer 1.
[0029] The specific usage and function of this embodiment are as follows:
[0030] In this invention, a portion of methanol-water solution needs to be loaded into fuel tank 6 to support the initial reaction of the system. The methanol-water solution in fuel tank 6 is transported to reformer 1 via fuel pump 5. The methanol-water solution is reformed under high temperature and high pressure conditions by a catalyst to generate reformer 1 gas. The reformed gas is purified by palladium membrane 2, and pure hydrogen gas is stored in hydrogen buffer tank 4. The remaining gas reaches burner 3 through a pipeline and burns with oxygen to support its own reaction. The oxygen is obtained from high-pressure oxygen or liquid oxygen through pressure reducing valve A8 and proportional valve A7 to adjust the flow rate and mix with hydrogen for combustion. The gas in hydrogen buffer tank 4 is adjusted by proportional valve C12 and passes through pressure reducing valve B10 and proportional valve B1. 1. Adjusted hydrogen gas enters fuel cell 13 for reaction and power generation. Water is produced after the reaction in fuel cell 13. This water is discharged through hydrogen purging. The discharged water contains some hydrogen gas and flows into gas-liquid separator 14, which separates the hydrogen and water. The hydrogen gas then re-enters burner 3. When a certain amount accumulates in gas-liquid separator 14, it is discharged into reaction water storage tank 26 through automatic drain valve 15. However, impurities or ions may be introduced during the reaction, so the discharged water is purified by pure water equipment 28. Due to the characteristics of fuel cell 13, the discharged water is pressurized, resulting in a higher pressure in reaction water storage tank 26. This higher pressure... One path discharges the gas to the exhaust tank 21 via back pressure control valve B24, while the other path discharges to the methanol storage tank 22 via pressure reducing valve C25. The pressure in the methanol storage tank 22 and the fuel tank 6 is regulated by a pipe, ensuring consistent pressure. Water treated by the pure water equipment 28 is divided into two paths. When the electric valve B31 opens, the water is pumped into the fuel tank 6 via metering pump B29, where it is mixed with methanol from metering pump A27 to form a methanol-water solution for use as fuel in the system. The flue gas produced after combustion in the reformer 1 is cooled by heat exchanger 18. Since the exhaust gas contains a large amount of water, a drainage device is installed on heat exchanger 18, discharging the gas through automatic drain valve A19. The reaction water storage tank 26 stores the cooled exhaust gas in the exhaust gas tank 21. The exhaust gas tank 21 is also equipped with an automatic drain valve B20. The exhaust gas tank 21 is connected to the submarine's own exhaust gas system for pressurized discharge or recycling. The exhaust gas tank 21 serves as a buffer tank for compressed exhaust gas. Due to the intake of the compressor system and the cooling of the heat exchanger 18, the pressure of the exhaust gas tank 21 will be greater than the pressure of the furnace. Therefore, the gas after combustion in the reformer 1 will naturally flow to the exhaust gas tank 21. However, due to the power adjustment during the reaction process, the pressure in the furnace of the reformer 1 will be unstable. Therefore, a pressure sensor 16 is added to the flue gas system, which works in conjunction with an electric regulating valve 17 to adjust the furnace pressure in a timely manner to achieve the best combustion efficiency.
Claims
1. A methanol-to-hydrogen power generation system for submarines, characterized in that: Includes a reformer (1); the reformer (1) is connected to a fuel tank (6) via a fuel pump (5); a palladium membrane (2) is provided on the outside of the reformer (1); the palladium membrane (2) is connected to a burner (3) and a hydrogen buffer tank (4) respectively; the burner (3) is connected to a blower (32) via a pipe; the burner (3) is connected to an oxygen cylinder (9) via a pipe; the hydrogen buffer tank (4) is connected to a fuel cell (13) via a pipe; the fuel cell (13) is connected to a gas-liquid separator (14); the gas-liquid separator... The separator (14) is connected to the burner (3); the gas-liquid separator (14) is connected to the reaction water storage tank (26) through a pipeline; the reaction water storage tank (26) is connected to the pure water equipment (28) through a pipeline; the reaction water storage tank (26) is connected to the methanol storage tank (22) through a pipeline; the methanol storage tank (22) is connected to the fuel tank (6); the pure water equipment (28) is connected to the fuel tank (6) through metering pump B (29); the methanol storage tank (22) is connected to the fuel tank (6) through metering pump A (27).
2. The methanol-to-hydrogen power generation system for submarines according to claim 1, characterized in that: A proportional valve A (7) and a pressure reducing valve A (8) are provided between the oxygen cylinder (9) and the burner (3); an electric air valve (33) is provided on the pipe connecting the blower (32) and the burner (3); the oxygen cylinders (9) are connected in parallel through pipes.
3. A methanol-to-hydrogen power generation system for submarines according to claim 2, characterized in that: A pressure reducing valve B (10) and a proportional valve B (11) are installed on the pipe connecting the oxygen cylinder (9) and the fuel cell (13); a proportional valve C (12) is installed on the pipe connecting the hydrogen buffer tank (4) and the fuel cell (13).
4. A methanol-to-hydrogen power generation system for submarines according to claim 1, characterized in that: An automatic drain valve (15) is installed on the pipeline connecting the gas-liquid separator (14) and the reaction water storage tank (26).
5. A methanol-to-hydrogen power generation system for submarines according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reaction water storage tank (26) is connected to the waste gas tank (21) through a back pressure control valve B (24); a pressure reducing valve C (25) is installed on the pipeline connecting the reaction water storage tank (26) and the methanol storage tank (22); the methanol storage tank (22) is connected to the waste gas tank (21) through a back pressure control valve A (23).
6. A methanol-to-hydrogen power generation system for submarines according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pure water equipment (28) is connected to a domestic water tank via an electric valve A (30); an electric valve B (31) is installed on the pipe connecting the pure water equipment (28) and the fuel tank (6).
7. A methanol-to-hydrogen power generation system for submarines according to claim 5, characterized in that: The reformer (1) is connected to the heat exchanger (18); the heat exchanger (18) is externally connected to a drain pump; the heat exchanger (18) is connected to the reaction water storage tank (26) via an automatic drain valve A (19); the heat exchanger (18) is connected to the exhaust gas tank (21) via a compressor; the exhaust gas tank (21) is externally connected to the submarine exhaust gas emission system; the exhaust gas tank (21) is connected to the reaction water storage tank (26) via an automatic drain valve B (20); a pressure sensor (16) and an electric regulating valve (17) are provided between the reformer (1) and the heat exchanger (18).