Compression system for compressing hydrogen and nitrogen in an ammonia production plant and ammonia production plant

Abstract

Compression system (10a) for the compression of hydrogen and nitrogen in an ammonia production plant, with several first compressors (14, 15, 16) coupled to a first integral transmission (13) for compressing a mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen, wherein the compression system (10a) receives the hydrogen at a first pressure level, wherein the compression system (10a) receives the nitrogen at a second pressure level, which is higher than the first pressure level, with a second compressor (21) that compresses the hydrogen to the second pressure level, wherein the several first compressors (14, 15, 16) coupled to the first integral transmission (13) to compress the mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen stepwise to a third pressure level, which is greater than the second pressure level, with a first electric machine (18) coupled to the first integral transmission (13) for driving the first compressors (14, 15, 16) coupled to the first integral transmission (13), wherein the second compressor (21) is coupled to the first electric machine (18) coupled to the first integral transmission (13) via an intermediate transmission (22).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a compression system for compressing hydrogen and nitrogen in an ammonia production plant. The invention further relates to an ammonia production plant.

[0002] Current ammonia production plants rely on the use of fossil fuels, particularly for the compression of hydrogen and nitrogen. This process generates CO2 emissions.

[0003] US patent 2019 / 0210885A1 discloses a plant for the production of ammonia, wherein hydrogen and nitrogen are fed into an ammonia converter. Downstream of the ammonia converter, the produced ammonia is cooled in a chiller, the refrigerant required for this being supplied via the refrigerant compression circuit.

[0004] WO 2023 / 078 584 A1 discloses a system for the production of ammonia with a means of recovering hydrogen leakage. In an ammonia synthesis device, ammonia is produced from a mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen.

[0005] US 2011 / 0243828A1 discloses a plant for producing ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen. Compressed nitrogen and compressed hydrogen are provided on the one hand and mixed on the other to produce ammonia from the nitrogen-hydrogen mixture.

[0006] Andrzej Witkowski et al.: Comprehensive analysis of hydrogen compression and pipeline transportation from thermodynamics and safety aspects, In: Energy, Volume 141, 2017, Pages 2508-2518, ISSN 0360-5442, https: / / doi.org / 10.1016 / j.energy.2017.05-141. reveals further state of the art.

[0007] Furthermore, EP 3 508 447 B1 describes a plant for ammonia production and WO 2022 / 228 720 A1 describes a plant for hydrogen production.

[0008] There is a need for an efficient ammonia production plant, particularly one suitable for producing green ammonia, i.e., CO2-neutral ammonia. Furthermore, there is a need for a compression system for such a plant to efficiently compress hydrogen and nitrogen.

[0009] Based on this, the invention aims to create a novel compression system for the compression of hydrogen and nitrogen in a plant for the production of ammonia and a plant for the production of ammonia with such a compression system.

[0010] This problem is solved by a compression system for compressing hydrogen and nitrogen according to claim 1 and claim 4, and by a plant for producing ammonia according to claim 5.

[0011] The compression system according to the invention for compressing hydrogen and nitrogen in a plant for the production of ammonia comprises several first compressors coupled to a first integral transmission for compressing the hydrogen and nitrogen and a first electric machine coupled to the first integral transmission for driving the first compressors coupled to the first integral transmission.

[0012] The ammonia production system according to the invention comprises a hydrogen generation device, in particular designed as an electrolysis device, for producing hydrogen, and a nitrogen generation device, in particular designed as an air separation device, for producing nitrogen. The ammonia production system according to the invention further comprises the compression system according to the invention, i.e., the several first compressors coupled to the first integral transmission for compressing the hydrogen produced by the hydrogen generation device and the nitrogen produced by the nitrogen generation device. Furthermore, the ammonia production system according to the invention comprises the first electric machine coupled to the first integral transmission for driving the first compressors coupled to the first integral transmission.The inventive plant for the production of ammonia further comprises an ammonia synthesis device for the production of ammonia from compressed hydrogen and compressed nitrogen.

[0013] According to the invention, the first compressors for compressing hydrogen and nitrogen are coupled to the first integral transmission. The first electric machine is coupled to the first integral transmission to drive the first compressors. The compressed hydrogen and nitrogen are used to produce ammonia. The invention enables the efficient compression of hydrogen and nitrogen for an ammonia production plant and thus also the efficient production of, in particular, green or CO2-neutral ammonia.

[0014] The compression system according to the invention receives the hydrogen at a first pressure level and the nitrogen at a second pressure level, which is higher than the first pressure level, wherein a second compressor compresses the hydrogen to the second pressure level, and wherein the several first compressors coupled to the first integral drive of the compression system according to the invention compress the hydrogen and nitrogen stepwise to a third pressure level, which is higher than the second pressure level.

[0015] According to claim 1, the second compressor is coupled via an intermediate gearbox to the first electric machine, which is coupled to the first integral gearbox. This is particularly preferred for compressing the hydrogen and nitrogen for ammonia synthesis.

[0016] According to claim 4, the first compressors are pot compressors and / or the second compressor is a screw compressor.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the ammonia production plant according to the invention, hydrogen and nitrogen not converted to ammonia in the ammonia synthesis device leave the ammonia synthesis device at the third pressure level. This hydrogen and nitrogen leaving the ammonia synthesis device at the third pressure level is preferably mixed via a mixing device with the hydrogen and nitrogen compressed to the third pressure level by the first compressors of the compression system according to the invention, which are coupled to the first integral transmission. This allows for a particularly advantageous production or synthesis of ammonia.

[0018] Preferably, a third compressor for compressing the hydrogen and nitrogen of a further compression system of the inventive plant for the production of ammonia is coupled to a second integral gearbox of the further compression system of the inventive plant for the production of ammonia, wherein the third compressor compresses the hydrogen and nitrogen from the third pressure level to a fourth pressure level for the ammonia synthesis device. This is particularly preferred for producing green or CO2-neutral ammonia.

[0019] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims and the following description. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, without being limited thereto. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 A scheme of a plant for the production of ammonia, which includes as a component a compression system for the compression of hydrogen and nitrogen.

[0020] Fig. Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a plant 10 according to the invention for the production of ammonia NH3. The plant 10 serves for the efficient production of, in particular, green ammonia NH3, i.e., the production of CO2-neutral ammonia NH3, especially using exclusively renewable energy sources.

[0021] The inventive plant 10 for the production of ammonia NH3 has a compression system 10a according to the invention for the compression of hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2. Fig. Figure 1 further shows assemblies of a further compaction system 10b of the inventive system 10.

[0022] The inventive system 10 for the production of ammonia NH3 comprises a hydrogen generation device, designed in the illustrated embodiment as an electrolysis device 11, for the production of hydrogen H2 from water H2O. During the electrolysis of hydrogen H2 from water H2O, oxygen O2 is also produced, which, however, is of minor importance for the purposes of the invention. The hydrogen generation device, designed as an electrolysis device 11, preferably uses at least one renewable energy source 36 for the production of the hydrogen H2, i.e., electrical energy generated by at least one renewable energy source 36.

[0023] The inventive system 10 for the production of ammonia NH3 further comprises a nitrogen generation device, designed in the illustrated embodiment as an air separation device 12, for the production of nitrogen N2. The air separation device 12 produces nitrogen N2 from air. The air separation device 12 also uses at least one renewable energy source 37, i.e., electrical energy generated by at least one renewable energy source 37, for the production of nitrogen N2.

[0024] The compression system 10a of the inventive plant 10 for the production of ammonia NH3 has a first integral transmission 13. The first integral transmission 13 is divided into Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a large gear 13a and pinions 13b meshing with the large gear 13a. In the compression system 10a according to the invention, several first compressors 14, 15, 16 are coupled to the first integral transmission 13. These compressors serve to compress the hydrogen H2 produced by the hydrogen generation device or electrolysis device 11 and the nitrogen N2 produced by the nitrogen generation device or air separation device 12. In the area of ​​a mixing device 17, the hydrogen H2 and the nitrogen N2 are mixed and the mixture is compressed stepwise in the first compressors 14, 15, 16.

[0025] A first electric machine 18 of the compression system 10a according to the invention is coupled to the first integral transmission 13. This electric machine serves to drive the large gear 13a of the integral transmission 13 and, via the pinions 13b meshing with the large gear 13a, to drive the first compressors 14, 15, 16. A [connection / connection] is provided between the electric machine 18 and the first integral transmission 13 according to [the relevant] Fig. 1 a clutch 19 shifted.

[0026] The inventive system 10 for the production of ammonia NH3 further comprises an ammonia synthesis device 20 which produces ammonia NH3.

[0027] The ammonia synthesis device 20 is preferably based on the Haber-Bosch principle. The ammonia synthesis device 20 produces ammonia NH3 from compressed hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2.

[0028] The invention provides a system 10 for the efficient and advantageous production of preferably green or CO2-neutral ammonia NH3. The compression system 10a allows for the efficient compression of the required hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2.

[0029] The first compressors 14, 15, 16 of the compression system 10a according to the invention, which serve to compress the hydrogen H2 and the nitrogen N2, are coupled to the first integral transmission 13. The first compressors 14, 15, 16 compress the hydrogen H2 and the nitrogen N2 together and supply the compressed hydrogen H2 and compressed nitrogen N2 to the ammonia synthesis device 20.

[0030] The hydrogen generation device or electrolysis device 11 provides the hydrogen H2, particularly at a first pressure level, while the nitrogen generation device or air separation device 12 provides the nitrogen N2, particularly at a second pressure level, which is greater or higher than the first pressure level. The compression system 10a according to the invention receives the hydrogen H2, particularly at the first pressure level, and the nitrogen N2 at the second pressure level.

[0031] The hydrogen H2 provided at the first pressure level is compressed to the second pressure level of nitrogen N2 by means of a second compressor 21 of the compression system 10a according to the invention, in order to be mixed with the nitrogen N2 in the area of ​​the mixing device 17 of the compression system 10a according to the invention.

[0032] Starting from this second pressure level, the first compressors 14, 15, 16 of the compression system 10a according to the invention compress the mixture of hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2 stepwise to a third pressure level, which is located downstream of the first compressors 14, 15, 16. This third pressure level is greater or higher than the second pressure level upstream of the first compressors 14, 15, 16 and corresponds in particular to an output pressure level of the ammonia synthesis device 20 for hydrogen and nitrogen that are not converted to ammonia in the ammonia synthesis device 20.

[0033] The second compressor 21 of the compression system 10a according to the invention is coupled to the first electric machine 18 via an intermediate gearbox 22 and, like the integral gearbox 13, can be driven by the first electric machine 18. According to Fig. 1. Clutches 23, 24 are connected between the electric machine 18 and the intermediate gearbox 22 and between the intermediate gearbox 22 and the second compressor 21.

[0034] The hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2 located downstream of the first compressors 14, 15, 16 of the compression system 10a at the third pressure level are compressed to a fourth pressure level, corresponding to an inlet pressure level of the ammonia synthesis device 20, via a third compressor 25 of the further compression system 10b, which is coupled to a second integral gearbox 26 of the further compression system 10b. A second electric machine 25 is coupled to the second integral gearbox 26 of the compression system 10b.

[0035] In the ammonia synthesis device 20 of the plant 10, the hydrogen H2 and the nitrogen N2 are partially converted into ammonia NH3, wherein unreacted hydrogen H2 and unreacted nitrogen N2 are discharged from the ammonia synthesis device 20, particularly at the third pressure level, and mixed in the area of ​​a second mixing device 27 of the plant 10 with the hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2, which is compressed to the third pressure level by the first compressors 14, 15 and 16.

[0036] The produced ammonia NH3 is cooled and liquefied. Fig. Figure 1 further shows a refrigerant circuit 28 of the system 10 for refrigerant used in the ammonia synthesis device 20, wherein several refrigerant compressors 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34 of the refrigerant circuit 28 are coupled to the second integral gearbox 26 in order to compress the refrigerant in stages. Ammonia can be used as the refrigerant. The refrigerant circuit 28 serves to cool and liquefy the produced ammonia NH3.

[0037] The refrigerant compressors 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34 of the refrigerant circuit 28, as well as the third compressor 25 and the second integral gearbox 26, are assemblies of the further compression system 10b.

[0038] The first compressors 14, 15, 16 of the compression system 10a according to the invention are canister compressors. The second compressor 21 of the compression system 10a according to the invention is a screw compressor. The third compressor 25, as well as the refrigerant compressors 29 to 34 and the second integral gearbox 26 of the further compression system 10b of the system 10 according to the invention, form an integral gear compressor.

[0039] A single integral transmission 13, coupled with the first compressors 14, 15, 16 and the second compressor 21, serves to compress the hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2 to the third pressure level, which preferably corresponds to the output pressure level of the ammonia synthesis device 20 for hydrogen and nitrogen not converted to ammonia. These compressors 14, 15, 16 and 21 can be driven jointly by the first electric machine 18, namely the first compressors 14, 15, 16 via the integral transmission 13 and the second compressor 21 via the intermediate transmission 22. These assemblies 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 22, 21 are part of the compression system 10a according to the invention.

[0040] The first pressure level, at which the hydrogen generation device or electrolysis device 11 provides the hydrogen H2, can be between 1 bar and 30 bar. In a specific embodiment, it is assumed that the first pressure level is 1 bar. The second pressure level, at which the nitrogen generation device or air separation device 12 provides the nitrogen N2, can be between 7 bar and 30 bar. In a specific embodiment, it is assumed that the second pressure level is 7 bar. The third pressure level downstream of the first compressors 14, 15, 16 is in particular on the order of 140 bar to 200 bar. The fourth pressure level downstream of the third compressor 25 is in particular between 150 bar and 210 bar, and is therefore preferably 10 bar higher than the third pressure level.

[0041] The second compressor 21 compresses the hydrogen H2 to the second pressure level. From this second pressure level, the first compressors 14, 15, 16 compress the mixture of nitrogen N2 and hydrogen H2 to the third pressure level in stages. The output pressure level of the first compressor 14 can be, in particular, 30 bar, and the output pressure level of the first compressor 15 can be, in particular, 70 bar.

[0042] The number of in Fig. The first compressor shown (14, 15, 16) is exemplary. Depending on the second pressure level, only two first compressors may be used. There may also be four first compressors.

[0043] The hydrogen generation device or electrolysis device 11 uses at least one renewable energy source 36 to generate the hydrogen, i.e., electrical energy generated by at least one renewable energy source 36.

[0044] The nitrogen generation device or air separation device 12 also uses at least one renewable energy source 37 to generate the nitrogen, i.e., electrical energy generated by at least one renewable energy source 37.

[0045] The electric machines 18, 35 can also be powered by at least one renewable energy source (in Fig. Electrical energy generated (not shown) can be used in the area of ​​the ammonia synthesis device 20. Furthermore, electrical energy can be used in the area of ​​the ammonia synthesis device 20, which is generated by at least one renewable energy source (in Fig. 1 not shown) is generated.

[0046] A special feature of the plant 10 for the production of ammonia is that, for example, if, as a result of only limited availability of renewable energy sources 36, 37, no hydrogen H2 and / or no nitrogen N2 can be produced in sufficient quantities in the area of ​​the hydrogen production device or electrolysis device 11 and the first integral transmission 13 compression system 10a is no longer running, N2 and H2 can still be conveyed through the ammonia synthesis device 20 via the second integral transmission 26 of the further compression system 10b, which can be driven by the second electric machine 35, in order to continue producing ammonia NH3.Although the amount of ammonia NH3 produced will be lower, longer operating times and more consistent operation can be provided for the ammonia synthesis device 20.

[0047] Compressors 21, 14, 15, 16, 25 and refrigerant compressors 29 to 34 are shown schematically only and may have multiple stages. Compressors can be arranged back-to-back in pairs. Compressed gas leaving a compressor can be intermediate cooled.

[0048] The invention enables the advantageous and efficient production of ammonia (NH3), in particular of green or CO2-neutral ammonia (NH3), with a small footprint and low costs. The ammonia (NH3) production plant 10 is characterized by a high efficiency.

[0049] A nitrogen generation device is also called a nitrogen generator. An air separation device 12 can be based on the principle of pressure swing adsorption or on the principle of membrane technology.

[0050] The ammonia synthesis in the ammonia synthesis device 20 is an exothermic reaction. The refrigerant of the refrigerant circuit 28 can be cooled against water (H₂O). Water vapor can be generated in the process. As an optional extension of the further compression system 10b and thus of the plant 10, Fig. 1. A turbine 39, to which steam can be supplied for expansion and for the generation of electrical energy, and from which expanded steam can be discharged. The turbine 39 can be coupled to the second integral gearbox 26 via a coupling 38, in particular a self-synchronizing coupling 38, in order to take over part of the drive power for the further compression system 10b and to reduce the power consumption of the second electric machine 35. The further compression system 10b is started with the second electric machine 35. If the process is running and steam is produced, the turbine 39 can be coupled to the second integral gearbox 26 via the coupling 38 while in operation. Fig. Figure 1 shows the turbine 39 with the supply of expanded water vapor (H₂O) and the discharge of expanded water vapor (H₂O). The recooling of the refrigerant from the refrigerant circuit 28 against the water in a heat exchanger is shown in Fig. 1 not shown for the sake of clarity. Reference symbol list 10 Annex 10a Compaction system 10b Compaction system 11 Electrolysis device 12 Air separation device 13 first integral transmission 13a Large wheel 13b sprocket 14 first compressor 15 first compressor 16 first compressor 17 Mixing device 18 first electric machine 19 Clutch 20 Ammonia synthesis device 21 second compressor 22 intermediate gears 23 Clutch 24 clutch 25 third compressor 26 second integral transmission 27 Mixing device 28 Refrigerant circuit 29 refrigerant compressors 30 refrigerant compressors 31 refrigerant compressors 32 refrigerant compressors 33 refrigerant compressors 34 refrigerant compressors 35 second electric machine 36 Energy source 37 Energy source 38 Clutch 39 Turbine

Claims

Compression system (10a) for compressing hydrogen and nitrogen of an ammonia production plant, comprising several first compressors (14, 15, 16) coupled to a first integral transmission (13) for compressing a mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen, wherein the compression system (10a) receives the hydrogen at a first pressure level, wherein the compression system (10a) receives the nitrogen at a second pressure level, which is higher than the first pressure level, comprising a second compressor (21) that compresses the hydrogen to the second pressure level, wherein the several first compressors (14, 15, 16) coupled to the first integral transmission (13) for compressing the mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen stepwise compress the hydrogen and nitrogen to a third pressure level, which is higher than the second pressure level.with a first electric machine (18) coupled to the first integral transmission (13) for driving the first compressors (14, 15, 16) coupled to the first integral transmission (13), wherein the second compressor (21) is coupled to the first electric machine (18) coupled to the first integral transmission (13) via an intermediate transmission (22). Compression system (10a) according to claim 1, characterized in that the hydrogen compressed to the second pressure level is mixed with the nitrogen provided at the second pressure level via a mixing device (17) of the compression system (10a). Compression system (10a) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first compressors (14, 15, 16) are pot compressors, and / or the second compressor (21) is a screw compressor. Compression system (10a) for compressing hydrogen and nitrogen of an ammonia production plant, comprising several first compressors (14, 15, 16) coupled to a first integral transmission (13) for compressing a mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen, wherein the compression system (10a) receives the hydrogen at a first pressure level, wherein the compression system (10a) receives the nitrogen at a second pressure level, which is higher than the first pressure level, comprising a second compressor (21) that compresses the hydrogen to the second pressure level, wherein the several first compressors (14, 15, 16) coupled to the first integral transmission (13) for compressing the mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen stepwise compress the hydrogen and nitrogen to a third pressure level, which is higher than the second pressure level.with a first electric machine (18) coupled to the first integral transmission (13) for driving the first compressors (14, 15, 16) coupled to the first integral transmission (13), wherein the first compressors (14, 15, 16) are pot compressors and / or the second compressor (21) is a screw compressor. Plant (10) for the production of ammonia, comprising a hydrogen production device (11) designed in particular as an electrolysis device for the production of hydrogen, comprising a nitrogen production device (12) designed in particular as an air separation device for the production of nitrogen, comprising a compression system according to one of claims 1 to 4, comprising an ammonia synthesis device (20) for the production of ammonia from compressed hydrogen and compressed nitrogen. Plant (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the hydrogen generation device uses at least one renewable energy source (36) for the production of the hydrogen, and / or the nitrogen generation device (12) uses at least one renewable energy source (37) for the production of the nitrogen. Plant (10) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the hydrogen generation device provides the hydrogen at the first pressure level and the nitrogen generation device provides the nitrogen at the second pressure level. Plant (10) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that hydrogen and nitrogen not converted to ammonia in the ammonia synthesis device (20) leave the ammonia synthesis device (20) at the third pressure level, a third compressor (25) for compressing the hydrogen and nitrogen of a further compression system (10b) of the plant (10) is coupled to a second integral transmission (26) of the further compression system (10b), wherein the third compressor (25) compresses the hydrogen and nitrogen from the third pressure level to a fourth pressure level for the ammonia synthesis device (20). Plant (10) according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the hydrogen and nitrogen leaving the ammonia synthesis device (20) at the third pressure level is mixed via a mixing device (27) with the hydrogen and nitrogen compressed to the third pressure level by the first compressors (14, 15, 16) of the compression system (10a) coupled to the first integral transmission (13). System (10) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that a second electric machine (35) is coupled to the second integral transmission (26) of the further compression system (10b). Plant (10) according to claim 8, 9 or 10, characterized in that several refrigerant compressors (29, 30, 21, 32, 33, 34) are coupled to the second integral transmission (26) of the further compression system (10b) in order to compress a refrigerant stepwise for the ammonia synthesis device (20).

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