Process for the production of purified water, hydrogen and oxygen

Abstract

A process for producing purified water, hydrogen, and oxygen, in which purified water is obtained from salt water and / or pre-purified water in at least one submarine reverse osmosis plant (6), and gases are obtained from a portion of the purified water by electrolysis, wherein the gases are at least oxygen and hydrogen, characterized in that the at least one submarine reverse osmosis plant (6) is submerged at a depth in the sea (5) where the pressure is sufficiently high to operate at least one reverse osmosis membrane of the submarine reverse osmosis plant (6), and the gases hydrogen and oxygen are each introduced into at least one separate gas container (12), which thereby gain buoyancy, or only one of the gases hydrogen and oxygen is introduced into at least one gas container (12), which thereby gains buoyancy.purified water is directed into at least one container (3) and is transported back to the sea surface (4) by the buoyancy of the gas container(s) (12) which is at least partially filled with gas.

Description

State of the art

[0001] The invention relates to a method for producing purified water, hydrogen and oxygen, according to the preamble of claim 1, and a device for producing purified water, hydrogen and oxygen, according to the preamble of claim 9.

[0002] The conversion of saltwater into purified (drinking) water, particularly by means of reverse osmosis, has long been state of the art, and its combination with energy conversion processes has also been known for some time. For example, WO 2014 / 100674 A1 and WO 2020 / 068775 A1 describe wave power plants that drive a reverse osmosis system. Combinations with downstream energy conversion processes are also known, such as the use of purified water from reverse osmosis for electrolytic water splitting. For instance, German patent DE 10 2013 017 914 A1 describes a method for connecting offshore wind farms in which, after upstream desalination of seawater by reverse osmosis, hydrogen is produced from water by electrolysis and then, if necessary, converted back into methane for better transport. Disadvantages of these processes include the high energy costs for reverse osmosis, electrolysis, and transport.

[0003] A comparable process is also fundamentally the basis of patent DE 197 14 512 C2, which discloses a maritime power plant. Compared to DE 10 2013 017 914 A1, the maritime power plant has the advantage, for example, of utilizing the deep pressure in the sea for reverse osmosis. A disadvantage of this plant is that it still requires a high energy input.

[0004] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a method for producing purified water, hydrogen and oxygen that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art, and a device for producing purified water, hydrogen and oxygen that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. The invention and its advantages

[0005] The inventive method for producing purified water, hydrogen, and oxygen, with the features of claim 1, and the inventive device for producing purified water, hydrogen, and oxygen, with the features of claim 9, have the advantage that, in the inventive method for producing purified water, hydrogen, and oxygen, purified water is obtained from saltwater and / or pre-purified water in at least one submarine reverse osmosis plant, and gases are obtained from a portion of the purified water, from saltwater and / or pre-purified water, by electrolysis, wherein the gases are at least oxygen and hydrogen, and the at least one submarine reverse osmosis plant is submerged at a depth in the sea where a depth pressure prevails that is at least sufficiently high to operate at least one reverse osmosis membrane of the submarine reverse osmosis plant.The gases hydrogen and oxygen are each introduced into at least one separate gas container, which thereby gains buoyancy, or only one of the gases hydrogen and oxygen is introduced into at least one gas container, which thereby gains buoyancy, purified water is introduced into at least one container, and the buoyancy of the gas container(s), at least partially filled with gas, carries it back to the sea surface, thereby saving large amounts of energy. The produced gas can simultaneously be used to raise the container in which purified water is stored. In addition, at a suitable depth, the submarine reverse osmosis system is able to generate the pressure difference required for reverse osmosis at the membrane using the depth pressure as the applied pressure, provided that normal atmospheric pressure is present on the opposite side.This largely eliminates the energy required for the pumps. In this regard, it is conceivable that the depth pressure is at least as high as the operating pressure required for the reverse osmosis membrane to function. It would be conceivable, for example, that the reverse osmosis system is submerged at a depth where the depth pressure (e.g., approximately 55 bar at 550 m) is higher than the pressure required (e.g., 50 bar) for the reverse osmosis membrane to operate. It is also conceivable that the depth pressure and / or the selected membrane are so precisely matched, resulting in an ideal pressure differential that achieves an optimal filtration rate for the reverse osmosis membrane. It is also conceivable that the pressure upstream of the reverse osmosis membrane is further increased by pumps or similar means. Overall, this results in a closed-loop process of pre-treatment, particularly on the beach or at any depth in the sea,Pre-treated water is fed into the reverse osmosis plant via a container and / or a hose and / or pipe system. The saltwater or pre-treated water is then converted into purified water. A portion of the purified water is converted into hydrogen and oxygen, and these gases are used to transport a portion of the purified water to the sea surface. Depending on the efficiency of the electrolyzers and reverse osmosis plants used, the amount converted and transported can be adjusted. The gas cylinders rising from the depths accelerate continuously as they ascend, since the increasing buoyancy is opposed by a decreasing water column and thus weight. In this regard, it would be conceivable to...During the ascent, a depth gauge determines the depth relative to time, and the ascent rate is calculated from this. To regulate the rate of ascent, gas is released from at least one gas cylinder, which in turn slows the ascent. In this context, it would be preferable to release oxygen. It would also be conceivable to reduce the ascent rate by activating energy converters that convert mechanical energy into electrical energy (such as dynamos or water propellers). Furthermore, as the gas cylinders ascend from greater depths, the external pressure continues to decrease and the water temperature increases, causing the gases to expand. Therefore, it would be conceivable for the gas cylinders to be expandable and / or made of a material that...This makes it possible to withstand a higher internal pressure relative to the external pressure. It would also be conceivable that the gas cylinders are permanently connected to the container into which at least some of the purified water is introduced, and that they are then taken down again when the container is lowered from the sea surface. It would also be conceivable that the descent of the container could be accelerated by additional detachable weights, such as sandbags.

[0006] According to an advantageous embodiment of the inventive method, electrolysis and reverse osmosis are carried out at different ocean depths.

[0007] According to an additional advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the purified water from at least one submarine reverse osmosis system is transported by a container between this submarine reverse osmosis system and at least one electrolyzer.

[0008] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, at least one container filled with pre-purified water and / or air at the sea surface is transported along at least one guide to at least one submarine reverse osmosis plant, and / or at least one container filled with purified water is transported to at least one electrolyzer for electrolysis. It would also be conceivable for the container to sink, at least partially, to the submarine reverse osmosis plant by its own weight. The guide could also be a rope, a pipe, a hose, a cable, or the like. Furthermore, it would be conceivable for at least one guide to be attached to a beach, a floating platform in the sea, or at least one ship.In this regard, it would be conceivable that the pipeline leads from the electrolyzer back to the sea surface where it is either attached to a beach, a floating platform in the sea or at least a ship, or leads from a beach, a floating platform in the sea or at least a ship to the reverse osmosis plant.

[0009] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, at least one energy converter is attached to at least one container, which, relatively speaking, can slide along the at least one guide and converts the mechanical energy generated by sliding along the at least one guide into electrical energy. In this sense, it would be conceivable for the energy converter to be a dynamo or another electrical generator that utilizes induction effects.

[0010] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the inventive method, the generated electrical energy is used for electrolysis. Furthermore, it would also be conceivable to use electrical energy from another source, such as an osmotic or wave power plant, or a renewable source such as sunlight or wind power, for electrolysis.

[0011] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, at least one guide includes a current-conducting component that transmits electrical energy generated by at least one energy converter to at least one electrolyzer. It would be conceivable for the energy to originate from a source such as an osmotic or wave power plant, or a renewable source such as sunlight or wind power.

[0012] It would be conceivable that the movement of at least one container towards the seabed could be accelerated by additional weights and / or a propulsion system, and / or that the movement of at least one container towards the sea surface could be accelerated by a propulsion system. In this context, it would be conceivable that the propulsion system could be powered by a motor, in particular an electric motor and / or an internal combustion engine. It would also be conceivable that additional weights, such as sandbags, could be used when moving towards the seabed to achieve a faster descent. Furthermore, it would also be conceivable that compressed air cylinders could be carried, which could be released into a separate gas cylinder to generate additional buoyancy.

[0013] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, pre-purified water is transported from the sea surface to at least one reverse osmosis plant via a pressure-stable hose and / or pipe system, and / or purified water is transported from at least one reverse osmosis plant to at least one electrolyzer. It would also be conceivable to transport hydrogen and / or oxygen towards the sea surface via a hose and / or pipe system.

[0014] The device according to the invention for producing purified water, hydrogen and oxygen has the advantage over the known prior art that the device consists of at least one reverse osmosis system and at least one electrolyzer, and that at least one reverse osmosis system and at least one electrolyzer are connected to each other directly or indirectly in such a way that a portion of the purified water produced by at least one reverse osmosis system from salt water and / or pre-purified water can be transported to at least one electrolyzer, which produces hydrogen and oxygen from it, and that reversibly gas containers are connected to at least one electrolyzer in such a way that the produced hydrogen and the produced oxygen can be fed separately into the gas containers, or the produced hydrogen or the produced oxygen can be fed into a gas container.This would allow the gases to be collected and then used for transporting the container. It would be conceivable for the gas cylinders to be permanently connected to the container, which can be filled with pre-purified water or salt water.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, at least one reverse osmosis system and at least one electrolyzer are connected to each other via a guide and / or a pressure-resistant hose and / or pipe system.

[0016] According to an additional advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the device is set up for carrying out a process for the production of purified water, hydrogen and oxygen, according to one of claims 1 to 8. It would be conceivable that the produced hydrogen and oxygen could be used for energy generation on land. It would also be conceivable that the purified water could be used as drinking water.

[0017] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the invention can be seen in the following description, the claims and the drawings. Drawings

[0018] Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail below. They show Fig. 1 a schematic representation of the method according to the invention at two sea depths, Fig. 2 a schematic representation of the method according to the invention at a sea depth and Fig. 3 A schematic representation of the method according to the invention at two sea depths with a hose and / or pipe system Description of the exemplary implementations

[0019] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the inventive process at two sea depths. At beach 1, seawater or saltwater is first pre-treated in a pre-treatment station 2, thus producing pre-treated water that is free of suspended solids and already has a lower salinity than the original saltwater. This pre-treated water is filled into a pressure-resistant container 3. The container 3 then sinks from the sea surface 4 into the sea 5 to a reverse osmosis plant 6, to which it is connected. During its descent, the container 3 is guided along a track 7, to which it is attached by means of fasteners 8. The fasteners 8 allow the container 3 to slide along the track 7.Energy converters 9, in this case dynamos, come into contact with the guide 7 and generate electrical energy from the kinetic energy. This electrical energy is then conducted via the guide 7, which has a conductive component in the form of an integrated cable, to the reverse osmosis system 6 and subsequently to an electrolyzer 10. The pre-treated water can be forced from the tank 3 into the reverse osmosis system by the pressure of the depth. The tank 3, for example, has a lockable pressure plate that can be reused after the pre-treated water has been emptied. Simultaneously, the water is compressed, for example, to approximately 50 bar at a sea depth of -500 m. Alternatively, the water to be treated could be forced out by pumps or mechanical means. In the reverse osmosis system 6, the pre-treated water is then forced through the filter membrane, behind which a pressure of approximately 1 bar is present.The concentrated brine is discharged into the sea 5, and the purified water is returned to container 3 and / or another comparable container. A check valve at the outlet for the concentrated brine prevents the incoming water to be purified from having to work against the pressure at depth. During the filtration process, the concentrated brine and the purified water flow out of the reverse osmosis system 6, causing the pressure inside to decrease and then build up again as the incoming water to be purified flows in. The container filled with purified water then descends, again along a guide 11, to the electrolyzer 10. Container 3 connects to the electrolyzer and directs a portion of the purified water into the electrolyzer 10, where oxygen and hydrogen gases are extracted from the purified water. It would also be conceivable, in principle, to operate the electrolyzer 10 with saltwater.The gases oxygen and hydrogen are collected in separate gas containers 12. These expand, generating additional buoyancy that allows container 3 to be moved back up to the sea surface 4. At a withdrawal point 13, both the purified water from container 3 and the hydrogen and oxygen gases from the gas containers 12 are extracted. It would also be conceivable, of course, to omit the pre-treatment step and allow container 3 to sink to the reverse osmosis unit 6 filled with air, using seawater for the reverse osmosis process. It would also be conceivable to use different containers 3 for the different transport steps.

[0020] It is conceivable that a second container is attached to container 3, which would collect the air that was present in container 3 and is forced out when it is filled with purified water. In this regard, it is conceivable that this second container is an expandable gas cylinder that also generates buoyancy during ascent.

[0021] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the inventive method at a sea depth in which the electrolyzer 10 is directly connected to the reverse osmosis system 6.

[0022] Fig.Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of the inventive method at two sea depths with a hose and / or pipe system as an alternative embodiment. Accordingly, it would be conceivable for a hose and / or pipe system 14 to transport pre-treated water from the beach 1 to the reverse osmosis unit 6, whereby the pre-treated water could be compressed by the depth pressure so that it arrives at the reverse osmosis unit 6 at the required pressure for operation, for example, 50 bar. In this case, the container 3 would be filled with air and sink to the reverse osmosis unit 6, where it would be filled with purified water.

[0023] In this regard, it would be conceivable that part of the purified water is transported back to the sea surface 4 via a pipe and / or hose system 14.

[0024] In another embodiment, a heavy container 3, pressure-resistant up to approximately 55 bar (more cost-effective than a sphere), e.g., a steel barrel, is lowered—even when filled with surface air—to a reverse osmosis membrane performance depth of over -550 m (the pressure of the purified seawater here is approximately 55 bar) and connected to the reverse osmosis system 6. Here, its internal air volume fills with water purified by the osmosis membrane. This container 3 then continues to descend along the almost vertically downward-extending guide 11 to the lowest possible bottom (suitable location selection). During this process, gravity is used to maximize the production of electricity by energy converters 9. The electricity is used to produce hydrogen and oxygen, which are each fed into separate gas holders 12 (elastic, up to the pre-installed maximum size).

[0025] The energy converters 9, here called dynamos, thus utilize gravity or buoyancy during descent and ascent to generate electricity through motion. This is followed by electrolysis to further fulfill the power generation objective of the system design.

[0026] The two gases produced at the bottom by means of electrolysis, hydrogen and oxygen, are then used - filled into separate gas containers 12 - to pull the container 3 filled with purified water up to the beach or to a ship or to a platform for emptying.

[0027] For circular production, a guide 3 consisting of two curved inner tubes for gas and / or water transformation can be suspended on beach 1 or from here by boat or between boats in a U-shape with a depth (depending on the module specification) with its tip at e.g. - 550 m.

[0028] Due to access limitations, the saltwater to be desalinated first undergoes pre-treatment at beach 1, on a ship, or on a platform. After pre-treatment, the pre-treated water is conveyed through at least one pipe to the reverse osmosis system 6.

[0029] The gas containers 12, for example, consist of a flexible volume (pressure-storing, "water-expressing") that is confined by a metal (foil) shape. When filled with gas, this volume increases due to the rising pressure, in proportion to the external pressure relative to the internal pressure.

[0030] Since container 3, even when filled with air, is denser and therefore heavier than the surrounding seawater, it sinks further when filled with purified water, becoming even more compact and heavier. At this point, dynamos or energy converters 9 can be connected again, which utilize the sinking force / movement of the container to produce electrical current.

[0031] It would also be conceivable that the reverse osmosis system is designed in such a way that the inlet for the water to be purified can be exchanged with the outlet for the concentrated brine, making it possible to flush the reverse osmosis membrane and any pre-filter that may be present by changing the direction of flow.

[0032] All features shown here can be essential to the invention, both individually and in any combination. Reference number list 1 beach 2 Pre-cleaning stations 3 containers 4 Sea surface 5 Sea 6 Reverse osmosis system 7 Leadership 8 Fasteners 9 Energy converters 10 Electrolyzer 11 Leadership 12 gas cylinders 13 Sampling point 14 Hose and / or pipe system QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2014 / 100674 A1

[0002] WO 2020 / 068775 A1

[0002] DE 102013017914 A1 [0002, 0003] DE 19714512 C2

[0003]

Claims

[1] A process for producing purified water, hydrogen and oxygen, wherein purified water is obtained from salt water and / or pre-purified water in at least one submarine reverse osmosis plant (6) and gases are obtained from a part of the purified water, from salt water and / or pre-purified water by electrolysis, wherein the gases are at least oxygen and hydrogen, characterized by, that the at least one submarine reverse osmosis plant (6) is submerged at a depth in the sea (5) where the pressure is sufficiently high to operate at least one reverse osmosis membrane of the submarine reverse osmosis plant (6), the gases hydrogen and oxygen are each introduced into at least one separate gas container (12), which thereby gain buoyancy, or only one of the gases hydrogen and oxygen is introduced into at least one gas container (12), which thereby gains buoyancy, purified water is directed into at least one container (3), and is transported back to the sea surface (4) by the buoyancy of the gas container(s) (12), which is at least partially filled with gas. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that electrolysis and reverse osmosis are carried out at different ocean depths. [3] Method according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by , that the purified water from at least one reverse osmosis system (6) is transported with a container (3) between this submarine reverse osmosis system and at least one electrolyzer. [4] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that along at least one guide (7) at least one container (3) filled with pre-cleaned water and / or air at the sea surface is transported to at least one submarine reverse osmosis plant and / or along at least one guide (11) at least one container (3) filled with purified water is transported to at least one electrolyzer for electrolysis. [5] Method according to claim 4, characterized by, that at least one energy converter (9) is attached to at least one container (3) which can slide along the at least one guide (7, 11) and converts the mechanical energy generated by sliding along the at least one guide (7, 11) into electrical energy. [6] Method according to claim 5, characterized by that the generated electrical energy is used for electrolysis. [7] Method according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterized by , that at least one guide (7, 11) includes a current-conducting component that transmits electrical energy generated by at least one energy converter (9) to at least one electrolyzer (10). [8] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that pre-cleaned water is transported from the sea surface (4) to at least one reverse osmosis plant (6) via a pressure-stable pipe and / or hose system (14) and / or cleaned water is transported from at least one reverse osmosis plant (6) to at least one electrolyzer (10). [9] Device for producing purified water, hydrogen and oxygen, wherein the device comprises at least one reverse osmosis system (6) and at least one electrolyzer (10) and at least one reverse osmosis system (6) and at least one electrolyzer (10) are connected directly or indirectly to each other in such a way that a portion of the purified water produced by at least one reverse osmosis system (6) from salt water and / or pre-purified water can be transported into at least one electrolyzer (10), wherein at least one electrolyzer (10) produces hydrogen and oxygen from it, characterized by , that at least one electrolyzer (10) is reversibly connected to gas containers (12) which are connected to it in such a way that the produced hydrogen and / or the produced oxygen can be directed separately into the gas containers (12). [10] Device according to claim 9, characterized by , that at least one reverse osmosis system (6) and at least one electrolyzer (10) are connected to each other via a guide (11) and / or a pressure-resistant pipe and / or hose system (14). [11] Device according to claim 9 or claim 10, characterized by , that the device is set up for carrying out a method for producing purified water, hydrogen and oxygen, according to any one of claims 1 to 8.