Device for providing a synthesis gas mixture of at least carbon dioxide and hydrogen

Abstract

Device (10) for providing a synthesis gas mixture of at least carbon dioxide and hydrogen, wherein the device (10) is supplied with a mass flow of at least carbon dioxide at a first pressure level and a mass flow of at least hydrogen at a second pressure level, comprising a dividing device (13) for dividing the mass flow of at least carbon dioxide into a first and second partial mass flow, comprising a partial mass flow turbine (14) for expanding the first partial mass flow, comprising a first mixing device (16) for mixing the first partial mass flow expanded by the partial mass flow turbine (14) with the mass flow of at least hydrogen, comprising a compression device (17) for compressing the mixture of at least carbon dioxide and hydrogen supplied by the first mixing device (16) to a third pressure level, comprising a bypass line (20),via which the second partial mass flow can be directed past the partial mass flow turbine (14), past the first mixing device (16) and past the compression device (17) in the direction of a second mixing device (21) in order to mix the second partial mass flow guided via the bypass line (20) with the mixture compressed by the compression device (17) in the area of ​​the second mixing device (17).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for providing a synthesis gas mixture of at least carbon dioxide and hydrogen, in particular for the production of synthetic fuels.

[0002] The production of synthetic fuels, such as methane or methanol, requires both hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The mixture of at least hydrogen and carbon dioxide is also known as a synthesis gas mixture, which must be supplied to the device in which the synthetic fuel is ultimately produced at a defined pressure level. Devices for the production of synthetic fuels, such as methane or methanol, operate at a pressure level between 30 bar and 70 bar. At this pressure level, a synthesis gas mixture containing at least carbon dioxide and hydrogen must be supplied.

[0003] The carbon dioxide is provided, preferably by a carbon dioxide supply device, at a first pressure level, and the hydrogen is provided, preferably by a hydrogen supply device, at a second pressure level.

[0004] The hydrogen supply device could, for example, be an electrolyzer that produces hydrogen using electricity generated from renewable energy sources. This hydrogen, supplied by the hydrogen supply device, is provided at the second pressure level.

[0005] The carbon dioxide is provided at the first pressure level, and the carbon dioxide supply device can be, for example, a CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) plant or a DAC (Direct Air Capture) plant.

[0006] The first pressure level at which gaseous carbon dioxide is supplied is typically higher than the second pressure level at which hydrogen is supplied. Thus, it is possible that the second pressure level, at which gaseous hydrogen is supplied, corresponds to atmospheric pressure (1 bar), and that the first pressure level, at which gaseous carbon dioxide is supplied, is 30 bar or more.

[0007] When hydrogen gas is to be compressed from the second pressure level to a pressure level at which a device for producing synthetic fuels operates, the technical complexity of the equipment increases due to the low molar mass of hydrogen gas. In particular, a large number of compressor stages are required. A relatively large amount of energy is also needed to compress the hydrogen gas.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need to provide the synthesis gas mixture of at least carbon dioxide and hydrogen with less equipment and lower energy requirements at the pressure level that is particularly needed by a device for the production of synthetic fuels.

[0009] Based on this, the present invention aims to create a novel device for providing a synthesis gas mixture consisting of at least carbon dioxide and hydrogen. This objective is achieved by a device according to claim 1.

[0010] The device according to the invention comprises a dividing device for splitting the mass flow of at least carbon dioxide supplied to the device into a first partial mass flow of at least carbon dioxide and a second partial mass flow of at least carbon dioxide. The device according to the invention further comprises a partial mass flow turbine for expanding the first partial mass flow of at least carbon dioxide. The device according to the invention further comprises a first mixing device for mixing the first partial mass flow of at least carbon dioxide expanded by the partial mass flow turbine with the mass flow of at least hydrogen supplied to the device. The device according to the invention further comprises a compression device for compressing the mixture of at least carbon dioxide and hydrogen supplied by the first mixing device to a third pressure level.The device according to the invention further comprises a bypass line through which the second partial mass flow of at least carbon dioxide can be directed past the partial mass flow turbine, past the first mixing device and past the compression device in the direction of a second mixing device, in order to mix the second partial mass flow of at least carbon dioxide, which is guided via the bypass line, with the mixture of at least carbon dioxide and hydrogen compressed by the compression device in the area of ​​the second mixing device.

[0011] In the device according to the invention for providing the synthesis gas mixture of at least carbon dioxide and hydrogen, the mass flow of at least carbon dioxide, provided in particular by a carbon dioxide supply device, is divided into partial mass flows. A first partial mass flow is expanded via the partial mass flow turbine and subsequently mixed in the area of ​​the first mixing device with the gaseous hydrogen, which is provided in particular by a hydrogen supply device, in order to subsequently compress this mixture in the compression device.

[0012] By mixing the hydrogen gas supplied to the device with the first partial mass flow of carbon dioxide supplied to the device, a gas mixture is provided that has a significantly higher molar mass than hydrogen gas alone. This allows the compression unit to compress this mixture of carbon dioxide and hydrogen with less complex equipment and at a lower cost. Fewer compressor stages are required to compress the mixture of hydrogen gas and the first partial mass flow of carbon dioxide than to compress hydrogen gas alone. Furthermore, the polytropic expansion of the first partial mass flow upstream of the compression unit provides a temperature level for the hydrogen-carbon dioxide mixture to be compressed, enabling compression of the mixture with low power consumption.

[0013] The second partial mass flow of carbon dioxide, supplied to the device, particularly by the carbon dioxide supply device, is routed via the bypass line past the partial mass flow turbine, the first mixing device, and the compression device towards the second mixing device in order to mix the second partial mass flow downstream of the compression device with the mixture compressed in the compression device. This is also advantageous for minimizing the technical complexity and energy consumption in the area of ​​the compression device.

[0014] The device according to the invention for providing a synthesis gas mixture of at least carbon dioxide and hydrogen allows for the efficient provision of a synthesis gas mixture of at least carbon dioxide and hydrogen, particularly for the production of synthetic fuels, at low energy costs and with low equipment-related effort.

[0015] Preferably, the device according to the invention comprises a total mass flow turbine for reducing the pressure of the total mass flow of at least carbon dioxide supplied to the device, depending on the pressure level in the bypass line. This also serves to provide a synthesis gas mixture at a defined pressure level with minimal device-related effort and low energy consumption.

[0016] Preferably, the device according to the invention includes a heating device arranged upstream of the partial mass flow turbine for heating the first partial mass flow. This also serves to provide a synthesis gas mixture at a desired pressure level with the lowest possible equipment complexity and energy costs.

[0017] 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 device according to the invention for providing a synthesis gas mixture of at least carbon dioxide and hydrogen, in particular for the production of synthetic fuels, Fig. 2. Further development of the device of Fig. 1.

[0018] Fig. Figure 1 shows a highly schematic block diagram of a device 10 according to the invention for providing a synthesis gas mixture of at least carbon dioxide and hydrogen, in particular for the production of synthetic fuels in a device for the production of synthetic fuels (not shown). In particular, a synthesis gas mixture is provided which can be used for the production of methane (CH4) or methanol (CH3OH).

[0019] The device 10 according to the invention is provided with a mass flow of at least carbon dioxide at a first pressure level p1 and a mass flow of at least hydrogen at a second pressure level p2.

[0020] In Fig. 1 provides a hydrogen supply device 11 that supplies at least gaseous hydrogen H2 at the second pressure level p2. The hydrogen H2 supplied by the hydrogen supply device 11 may also contain water vapor H2O and oxygen O2. The hydrogen supply device 11 may be an electrolyzer that produces hydrogen using electricity generated from renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power.

[0021] In Fig. 1 provides a carbon dioxide supply unit 12 that supplies at least gaseous carbon dioxide (CO2) at the first pressure level p1. The carbon dioxide supply unit 12 can be a CCS plant or a DAC plant.

[0022] The device 10 according to the invention for providing a synthesis gas mixture of at least carbon dioxide and hydrogen has a dividing device 13 in order to, in the exemplary embodiment, the Fig. 1 to divide the mass flow of at least carbon dioxide supplied to the device 10 at the first pressure level p1 into a first partial mass flow and a second partial mass flow.

[0023] A further component of the device 10 according to the invention for providing a synthesis gas mixture of at least carbon dioxide and hydrogen is a partial mass flow turbine 14, which serves for the polytropic expansion of the first partial mass flow of at least carbon dioxide. The first partial mass flow is expanded in the turbine 14, the turbine 14 driving a generator 15, which serves to generate electrical energy.

[0024] The device 10 according to the invention for providing a synthesis gas mixture of at least carbon dioxide and hydrogen further comprises a first mixing device 16, in which, in the exemplary embodiment, the Fig. 1 the first partial mass flow of at least carbon dioxide released in the turbine 14 is mixed with the hydrogen supplied to the device 10 at the second pressure level p2.

[0025] The device 10 according to the invention for providing a synthesis gas mixture of at least carbon dioxide and hydrogen further comprises a compression device 17, which serves to compress the mixture provided by the mixing device 16 to a third pressure level p3.

[0026] Fig. Figure 1 shows several compressors 18 connected in parallel, with each pair of compressors 18 being driven by a common motor 19. The number of compressors 18 in the compression unit 17 is purely illustrative. The connection of the compressors 18 in the compression unit 17 is also purely illustrative. Compressors 18 can also be connected in series.

[0027] The device 10 according to the invention for providing a synthesis gas mixture of at least carbon dioxide and hydrogen further comprises a bypass line 20, via which the second partial mass flow of carbon dioxide separated in the area of ​​the dividing device 13 can be directed past the partial mass flow turbine 14, past the first mixing device 16 and past the compression device 17 in the direction of a second mixing device 21, in order to mix the second partial mass flow guided via the bypass line 20 with the mixture of the first partial mass flow and the hydrogen compressed by the compression device 17 in the area of ​​the second mixing device 21.

[0028] As already explained, the dividing device 13 serves to divide the mass flow of at least gaseous carbon dioxide supplied to the device 10 into the first partial mass flow to be directed via the partial mass flow turbine 14 and the second partial mass flow to be directed via the bypass line 20.

[0029] The dividing device 13 has at least one valve 22, 23, wherein the division of the mass flow of at least carbon dioxide supplied to the device 10 into the two partial mass flows can be adjusted via the opening position of the at least one valve 22, 23. Fig. Figure 1 shows two valves 22, 23 of the distribution device 13. The distribution device can also have only a single valve 22, preferably in the area of ​​the bypass line 20.

[0030] The first partial mass flow can be between 25% and 75% and the second partial mass flow between 75% and 25% of the total mass flow of at least carbon dioxide supplied to the device 10, wherein the sum of both partial mass flows corresponds to 100%.

[0031] It is also possible that the first partial mass flow is between 30% and 70% and the second partial mass flow is between 70% and 30%, or that the first partial mass flow is between 40% and 6% and the second partial mass flow is between 60% and 40% of the total mass flow of at least carbon dioxide supplied to the device 10.

[0032] In particular, it is provided that a pressure level in the bypass line 20 is 0.1 bar to 1 bar higher than the third pressure level p3 of the mixture compressed in the compression device 17 immediately downstream of the compression device 17 or in the area of ​​the second mixing device 21.

[0033] In particular, the pressure in the bypass line 20 is greater than the third pressure level p3 of the mixture compressed in the compression device 17 immediately downstream of the compression device 17 or in the area of ​​the second mixing device 21, if the pressure in the bypass line 20 is between 0.1 bar and 0.6 bar or 0.1 bar and 0.5 bar or 0.2 bar and 0.6 bar or 0.2 bar and 0.5 bar.

[0034] In Fig. 1. Between the dividing device 13 and the outlet of the bypass line 20 into the second mixing device 21, pressure losses occur only in the area of ​​the respective valve arranged in the flow path and in the respective flow line. It follows that the first pressure level p1, at which in Fig. 1 the carbon dioxide supplied is slightly greater than the pressure level in the bypass line 20 immediately downstream of the compression device 17.

[0035] Fig. Figure 2 shows a further development of the device 10 according to the invention for the case in which the first pressure level p1 is significantly above the desired pressure level in the bypass line 20 and thus also significantly above the third pressure level p3. In this case, the device according to the invention then has a total mass flow turbine 24. The entire mass flow of at least carbon dioxide supplied to the device 10 is directed upstream of the distribution device 13 via the total mass flow turbine 24. Fig. 2 A cleaning device 25 is connected between the total mass flow turbine 24 and the distribution device 13, which serves to clean the carbon dioxide. A valve 29 serves to adjust the mass flow rate flowing through the total mass flow turbine 24.

[0036] The division facility 13 of the Fig. 2 also divides the mass flow of at least carbon dioxide supplied to the device 10 into a first partial mass flow and a second partial mass flow, but downstream of the total mass flow turbine 24 at a pressure level p4 which is lower than the first pressure level p1.

[0037] The pressure level p4 in the area of ​​the dividing device 13 depends on the desired pressure level in the bypass line 20, which is slightly above the third pressure level p3.

[0038] Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 further shows a heating device 26, which serves to heat the first partial mass flow to be guided through the partial mass flow turbine 14 immediately upstream of the partial mass flow turbine 14 and thus downstream of the distribution device 13. This heating device 26 is preferably a heat exchanger which is operatively connected to the compression device 17 in order to utilize heat generated in the area of ​​the compression device 17 in the area of ​​the heating device 26.

[0039] In the exemplary embodiments of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 A check valve 27 is connected between the hydrogen supply unit 11 and the first mixing unit 16. Furthermore, show Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 a drain 28 for condensate.

[0040] The exemplary embodiment of the Fig. 2 differs from the embodiment of the Fig.1 also by the number of compressors 18 in the area of ​​the compression unit 17.

[0041] The invention enables the advantageous provision of a compressed synthesis gas mixture of at least carbon dioxide and hydrogen at a pressure level that, in particular, requires a device for the production of synthetic fuel. The compressed synthesis gas mixture of at least carbon dioxide and hydrogen can be provided with minimal equipment and low energy consumption.

[0042] The division of the total mass flow of carbon dioxide supplied to the device 10 into the first partial mass flow and the second partial mass flow is important, wherein the first partial mass flow is routed through the partial mass flow turbine 14 and mixed with the hydrogen supplied to the device 10 in the area of ​​the first mixing device 16. The second partial mass flow is routed via the bypass line 20 past the partial mass flow turbine 14 and the compression device 17 towards the second mixing device 21 and is mixed there with the mixture of the first partial mass flow and the hydrogen that has been compressed in the compression device 14. Reference symbol list 10 Device for providing a synthesis gas mixture 11 Hydrogen supply facility 12 Carbon dioxide supply unit 13. Division device 14 Partial mass flow turbine 15 Generator 16 first mixing device 17 Compaction device 18 compressors 19 engine 20 Bypass lines 21 second mixing device 22 valve 23 Valve 24 Total mass flow turbine 25 Cleaning equipment 26 Heating system 27 Check valve 28 Derivative 29 valve

Claims

[1] Device (10) for providing a synthesis gas mixture of at least carbon dioxide and hydrogen, in particular for the production of synthetic fuels, wherein the device (10) is provided with a mass flow of at least carbon dioxide at a first pressure level and a mass flow of at least hydrogen at a second pressure level, with a dividing device (13) for dividing the mass flow of at least carbon dioxide into a first partial mass flow and a second partial mass flow, with a partial mass flow turbine (14) for expanding the first partial mass flow of at least carbon dioxide, with a first mixing device (16) for mixing the first partial mass flow of at least carbon dioxide released from the partial mass flow turbine (14) with the mass flow of at least hydrogen, with a compression device (17) for compressing the mixture of at least carbon dioxide and hydrogen provided by the first mixing device (16) to a third pressure level, with a bypass line (20) through which the second partial mass flow of at least carbon dioxide can be supplied past the partial mass flow turbine (14), past the first mixing device (16) and past the compression device (17) to a second mixing device (21) in order to mix the second partial mass flow of at least carbon dioxide, which is guided via the bypass line (20), with the mixture compressed by the compression device (17) in the area of ​​the second mixing device (21). [2] Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the dividing device (13) is configured to divide the mass flow of at least carbon dioxide into a first partial mass flow and a second partial mass flow such that the first partial mass flow corresponds to between 25% and 75% and the second partial mass flow to between 75% and 25% of the total mass flow of at least carbon dioxide supplied to the device (10). [3] Device (10) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the first partial mass flow is between 30% and 70% and the second partial mass flow is between 70% and 30% or the first partial mass flow is between 40% and 60% and the second partial mass flow is between 60% and 40% of the total mass flow of at least carbon dioxide supplied to the device (10). [4] Device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the dividing device (13) has at least one valve (22, 23). [5] Device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by a total mass flow turbine (24) for reducing the total mass flow of at least carbon dioxide supplied to the device (10) at the first pressure level to a pressure level dependent on the pressure level in the bypass line (20). [6] Device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by a heating device (26) arranged upstream of the partial mass flow turbine (14) for heating the first partial mass flow. [7] Device (10) according to claim 6, characterized by , that the heating device (26) is a heat exchanger which uses waste heat from the compression device (17) to heat the first partial mass flow.

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