Vessel for producing hydrogen

Abstract

The invention relates to a vessel (1) for hydrogen production, comprising a hydrogen production plant (13) having a cracking assembly (2) for cracking a hydrogen-based compound in order to produce hydrogen and a cracking product, and a filtering and purification assembly (3) for separating hydrogen from the cracking product.

Description

Vessel for hydrogen production

[0001] The invention relates to a vessel intended for the production of hydrogen and to a method of producing hydrogen by such a vessel.

[0002] Major global governments and industries are increasingly committing to decarbonizing their economies and operations by around 2050.

[0003] This decarbonization thus leads to the use of alternative technologies for road, rail, maritime, and air mobility. Alternatives such as battery-powered electric motors to replace combustion engines in vehicles are being used, for example.

[0004] However, the use of rechargeable batteries poses problems of autonomy and relatively long recharging times for vehicles.

[0005] Using fuel cells to power electric motors can improve the range of electric vehicles.

[0006] There are several types of fuel cells such as fuel cells that convert dihydrogen, commonly called hydrogen, methanol or ammonia into electricity.

[0007] A fuel cell is a generator in which electricity is produced by the oxidation of a reducing fuel (e.g. hydrogen) on one electrode coupled with the reduction of an oxidant, such as oxygen from the air, on the other electrode.

[0008] Alternatively, it is also possible to use dihydrogen directly as fuel to power internal combustion engines in ships or to decarbonize industrial processes, for example.

[0009] There is therefore a need for the production of hydrogen (or dihydrogen) and logistics for this hydrogen.

[0010] Traditionally, hydrogen is produced on land and transported by truck or through gas pipelines. Pipelines are the traditional means of transport for long-distance destinations. For larger quantities and distant destinations, ships are supplied through pipelines to transport hydrogen or hydrogen-based compounds to storage or distribution areas.

[0011] Green hydrogen will be available primarily in remote supply hubs such as Australia, Chile, Mauritania, Namibia, North Africa, and the Middle East, where climatic and geographical conditions favor the cost-effective exploitation of renewable energy. On the other hand, the main hydrogen demand centers are located in North America, Japan, North Korea, and Western Europe.

[0012] Supply centers are thus sometimes very far from hydrogen demand centers.

[0013] Moreover, hydrogen production is dangerous and is subject to strict standards.

[0014] Also known is document WO2019204857 which discloses an offshore hydrogen generation system comprising a platform fixed to the seabed or floating on the sea and anchored to the seabed. The platform is positioned close to the coast and comprises a liquid ammonia storage tank which is supplied with ammonia by ships. The platform also comprises an ammonia cracking reactor for cracking the ammonia and producing hydrogen which is transported to the coast by pipelines to supply hydrogen distributors or hydrogen users. The ammonia is also used to generate electricity which is also distributed on the coast to supply charging stations.

[0015] Supplying ammonia by ship avoids the risks associated with this product, which is toxic in its gaseous state. Producing hydrogen at sea also avoids the risks associated with hydrogen, particularly limiting damage in the event of an explosion on the platform.

[0016] However, storms and sudden adverse weather conditions are becoming more frequent with global warming. The risk of platform submersion is high, which can lead to serious damage to the platform or even an explosion. The damage to both property and human life can be very significant.

[0017] Furthermore, hydrogen supply is strictly limited to hydrogen dispensers located near the stationary platform. To supply other sites, it is necessary to fill trucks to transport the hydrogen to these remote sites, leading to risks of explosions on the road, or to transfer the hydrogen through gas pipelines, requiring heavy investments.

[0018] The aim of the invention is therefore to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a vessel for the production of hydrogen making it possible to secure the hydrogen production and storage installation against bad weather and to provide a more flexible supply of hydrogen, at different locations.

[0019] To this end, the invention thus relates, in its broadest sense, to a vessel for the production of hydrogen.

[0020] According to the invention, the ship comprises a hydrogen production facility comprising a cracking assembly for cracking a hydrogen-based compound to produce hydrogen and a cracking product. The ship also comprises a filtering and purification assembly for separating the hydrogen from the cracking product.

[0021] The invention thus provides a more flexible solution. The ship is mobile, allowing it to move to sheltered ports in the event of a storm. The hydrogen production facility and the people on board are therefore protected and safe.

[0022] Hydrogen production is carried out in the open sea, which makes it possible to protect people and homes located on the coast in the event of an explosion or leak. Since ammonia is corrosive and toxic, it is more advantageous to store it offshore. Similarly, offshore hydrogen production significantly reduces danger zones for populations as well as the need for land.

[0023] In addition, the regulatory constraints are simplified because the standards for storing and producing hydrogen in land-based or maritime installations are different.

[0024] The vessel also allows the hydrogen production facility to be relocated to supply storage or distribution areas located in different and distant locations.

[0025] The ship can move to supply ships or industrial facilities that are running out of ammonia or hydrogen for their propulsion, for example.

[0026] The ship can move to refuel with ammonia at a location far away from the hydrogen delivery locations.

[0027] The invention avoids wasting time because the ship produces hydrogen between its refueling point and its various delivery points, while consuming green energy, hydrogen or ammonia for example, for its propulsion.

[0028] It is possible to move the ship if the need for hydrogen no longer exists at one location.

[0029] The vessel never sails empty, unlike prior art supply vessels which depart from a supply point to a delivery point filled with hydrogen-based compounds but return from the delivery point to the supply point empty. The vessel according to the invention is either loaded with a large quantity of ammonia ready for conversion or loaded with a large quantity of hydrogen ready for delivery.

[0030] It is possible to use several ships to increase hydrogen production capacity.

[0031] The invention also eliminates the need for costly and environmentally unfriendly terminals in ports in highly constrained, populated and regulated areas.

[0032] According to one variant, the vessel comprises first storage means for storing the hydrogen-based compound, second storage means for storing the hydrogen and third storage means for storing the cracking product.

[0033] In another variant, the hydrogen-based compound is ammonia, the cracking product being nitrogen.

[0034] According to another variant, the filtering and purification assembly comprises a pressure inversion adsorption device.

[0035] According to another variant, the ship comprises a deck and at least one hold. The cracking assembly, the filtering and purification assembly and the second storage means are positioned on the deck. The first storage means are positioned in the hold.

[0036] The advantage of positioning the cracking assembly, the filtering and purification assembly and the initial storage means on deck is that it allows for more space to be occupied than in the hold, provides better accessibility and allows for more efficient evacuation of any hydrogen leak. A gas explosion is also less devastating outside than inside the ship.

[0037] According to another variant, the cracking assembly comprises several mobile cracking units and the filtering and purification assembly comprises several mobile filtering units.

[0038] According to another variant, the vessel comprises moving means for moving the mobile cracking units and the mobile filtering units.

[0039] The hydrogen production facility is therefore modular.

[0040] The means of movement allow the number of mobile cracking units and mobile filtering units to be varied according to the demand for hydrogen production.

[0041] Mobile cracking units and mobile filtering units can be moved by the moving means from a storage area to the hydrogen production facility to increase the hydrogen production capacity.

[0042] Mobile cracking units and mobile filter units can also be moved from the hydrogen production facility to a maintenance area to repair the mobile cracking units and mobile filter units.

[0043] Using multiple mobile cracking units (or modules) in parallel makes production more reliable. A faulty mobile cracking unit is immediately replaced by another mobile cracking unit.

[0044] The positioning of the cracking assembly and the filtering and purification assembly on the deck allows the use of more extensive means of transport and better mobility.

[0045] The invention also relates to a method for producing hydrogen by a ship as defined above. The method comprises: a step of supplying the ship with hydrogen-based compound, a step of cracking the hydrogen-based compound by a cracking assembly to produce hydrogen and a cracking product, and a filtering step to separate the hydrogen from the cracking product by a filtering and purification assembly.

[0046] Alternatively, the mobile cracking units and mobile filter units are moved from a storage area to a hydrogen production facility to increase hydrogen production capacity.

[0047] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended figures in which:

[0048] schematically illustrates a hydrogen production vessel comprising a hydrogen production installation, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0049] schematically illustrates the ship in the greatest detail;

[0050] illustrates a diagram of a process for producing hydrogen by a ship.

[0051] Illustrates a vessel 1 for the production of hydrogen comprising a hydrogen production installation 13 comprising a cracking assembly 2 intended to crack a hydrogen-based compound to produce hydrogen and a cracking product.

[0052] The hydrogen production facility 13 also includes a filtering and purification assembly 3 intended to separate the hydrogen from the cracking product.

[0053] A "vessel" means any type of floating and mobile nautical craft or structure, such as a boat, equipped with a propulsion system capable of moving on the sea or on a river.

[0054] The vessel 1 comprises first storage means 4 for storing the hydrogen-based compound, second storage means 5 for storing the hydrogen and third storage means 6 for storing the cracking product, as illustrated in the.

[0055] The hydrogen-based compound can be in liquid or gaseous form.

[0056] The first, second and third storage means 4, 5, 6 may comprise one or more pressurized liquid or gas storage tanks.

[0057] Preferably, the hydrogen-based compound is ammonia (NH3), the cracking product being nitrogen.

[0058] The example given below is for ammonia but the hydrogen-based compound can be any compound that produces hydrogen after a cracking operation, such as methanol (CH3OH) or methane (CH4), for example.

[0059] Ammonia is stored in a liquid form at low temperatures (below -33°C).

[0060] Cracking set 2 includes several mobile cracking units 9, also called cracking reactors.

[0061] Cracking is an endothermic reaction that breaks ammonia into hydrogen (or dihydrogen). A catalyst is usually used in this well-known process. The cracking process produces approximately 75% hydrogen and 25% nitrogen.

[0062] The filtering and purification assembly 3 comprises several mobile filtering units 10.

[0063] According to one variant, each mobile filter unit 10 comprises a pressure swing adsorption device. Pressure swing adsorption, also called pressure swing adsorption (PSA) (acronym for "Pressure Swing Adsorption"), is a process for separating gas mixtures during which a gas is alternately adsorbed by a solid or a liquid at a given pressure, followed by its desorption at a lower pressure. This process is also well known.

[0064] Other filtering systems are also possible, such as membrane separation or cryogenic separation, for example.

[0065] The mobile cracking units 9 are independent of each other and the mobile filtering units 10 are also independent of each other.

[0066] A mobile cracking unit 9 may be associated with a mobile filtering unit 10, for example, but other configurations are possible.

[0067] Ship 1 includes deck 7 and hold 8.

[0068] According to a possible embodiment, the cracking assembly 2, the filtering and purification assembly 3 and the second storage means 4 are positioned on the deck 7. The first storage means 5 and the third storage means 6 are positioned in the hold 8 or the hold of the ship 1. Other configurations are possible such as second storage means 4 positioned in the hold 8 or the hold, for example.

[0069] The hold is a closed compartment of a ship, used to contain equipment, fuel to propel the ship or food.

[0070] The hold is where a ship's cargo is stored.

[0071] Storage in hold 8 is preferred to the cargo hold.

[0072] The advantage of positioning the cracking assembly 2, the filtering and purification assembly 3 and the first storage means 4 on deck 7 is that it allows for more space to be occupied, provides better accessibility and allows for more efficient evacuation of any hydrogen leak. A gas explosion is also less devastating outside than inside the ship 1. Maintenance is also simplified and downtime is reduced.

[0073] Mobile cracking units 9 and mobile filtering units 10 are mobile on deck 7 of ship 1.

[0074] The vessel 1 comprises moving means 11 for moving the mobile cracking units 9 and the mobile filtering units 10.

[0075] The moving means 11 may comprise one or more overhead cranes.

[0076] Each overhead crane comprises a rail 14 on which a lifting device 15 equipped with motors moves. The lifting device 15 is configured to lift a mobile cracking unit 9 or a mobile filtering unit 10 by means of cables actuated by a first motor. The lifting device 15 translates along the rail 14 by means of a second motor.

[0077] Other means of movement 11 are possible, such as a crane for example.

[0078] The hydrogen production facility 13 is thus modular.

[0079] Mobile cracking units 9 and mobile filtering units 10 can be moved by the moving means 11 from a storage area 12 to the hydrogen production facility 13 to increase the hydrogen production capacity.

[0080] Mobile cracking units 9 and mobile filter units 10 may also be moved from the hydrogen production facility 13 to an onboard maintenance area to repair the mobile cracking units 9 and the mobile filter units 10.

[0081] The size and production capacity of the hydrogen production facility 13 is thus modular.

[0082] Cracking is an endothermic reaction. Mobile cracking units 9 and mobile filter units 10 can be replaced with more efficient ones when a new generation of catalyst allows for better performance.

[0083] The invention also relates to a method for producing hydrogen by the vessel 1 described above. The method, illustrated by the diagram of the, comprises: a step E1 of supplying the vessel 1 with hydrogen-based compound, a step E2 of cracking the hydrogen-based compound by a cracking assembly 2 to produce hydrogen and a cracking product, a filtering step E3 to separate the hydrogen from the cracking product by a filtering and purification assembly 3, a step E4 of storing the hydrogen and the cracking product, and a step E5 of distributing the hydrogen.

[0084] Alternatively, the propulsion system of the ship 1 may be powered by a hydrogen-based compound, such as ammonia, or by hydrogen.

[0085] Ammonia can be supplied to ship 1 by pipelines or by ships.

[0086] Similarly, hydrogen can be distributed or exported on land by pipelines, containers, small ships or other means to storage points in order to supply service stations to deliver hydrogen to vehicles, for example.

[0087] Alternatively, hydrogen can be distributed to other ships traveling longer distances to supply more distant storage points.

[0088] Vessel 1 can also redistribute ammonia or hydrogen to another vessel to power its power system and propulsion system, for example.

[0089] The ship 1 may comprise a loading arm 16 for bunkering hydrogen or hydrogen-based compound onto other ships and also for supplying it with hydrogen-based compound.

[0090] Alternatively, the vessel 1 may be equipped with a berth to accommodate small boats for unloading hydrogen containers into the boats or loading containers of hydrogen-based compounds onto the vessel 1, for example. This prevents dangerous ship-to-ship operations and transfer at the quayside by crane, for example.

Claims

Vessel (1) for the production of hydrogen characterized in that it comprises a hydrogen production installation (13) comprising a cracking assembly (2) intended to crack a hydrogen-based compound to produce hydrogen and a cracking product, and a filtering and purification assembly (3) intended to separate the hydrogen from the cracking product, said vessel (1) comprising first storage means (4) for storing the hydrogen-based compound, second storage means (5) for storing the hydrogen and third storage means (6) for storing the cracking product. Ship (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the hydrogen-based compound is ammonia, the cracking product being nitrogen. Vessel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the filtering and purification assembly (3) comprises a pressure inversion adsorption device. Ship (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a deck (7) and at least one hold (8), the cracking assembly (2), the filtering and purification assembly (3) and the second storage means (4) being positioned on the deck (7), the first storage means (5) being positioned in the hold (8). Ship (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cracking assembly (2) comprises several mobile cracking units (9), the filtering and purification assembly (3) comprising several mobile filtering units (10). Vessel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises moving means (11) for moving the mobile cracking units (9) and the mobile filtering units (10). Ship (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the movement means (11) comprise at least one rolling crane. Method for producing hydrogen by a ship (1) as defined according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises: a step (E1) of supplying the ship (1) with hydrogen-based compound, a step (E2) of cracking the hydrogen-based compound by a cracking assembly (2) to produce hydrogen and a cracking product, and a filtering step (E3) to separate the hydrogen from the cracking product by a filtering and purification assembly (3). Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the cracking assembly (2) comprises several mobile cracking units (9), the filtering and purification assembly (3) comprising several mobile filtering units (10), the mobile cracking units (9) and the mobile filtering units (10) being moved from a storage area (12) to a hydrogen production facility (13) to increase the hydrogen production capacity.

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