System for measuring and transmitting a variable dihydrogen content to optimize the combustion of a natural gas flow

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for measuring the dihydrogen content contained in a gas flow comprising natural gas and for transmitting information relating to said measured dihydrogen content 20 to a combustion system 30 in order to optimize the combustion parameters of the gas flow. The invention also relates to a method for optimizing the control of the combustion of a gas flow comprising natural gas and dihydrogen, comprising a step of measuring the dihydrogen content contained in the gas flow and a step of processing and transmitting the information representative of the dihydrogen content contained in the gas flow to a unit for controlling the combustion of the gas flow.

Description

Title of the invention: System for measuring and transmitting a variable dihydrogen content to optimize the combustion of a natural gas flow

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for measuring in real time a variable content of dihydrogen contained in a gas flow, which also comprises natural gas, and for transmitting information representative of said content of dihydrogen to at least one combustion system.

[0002] The invention also relates to a method for measuring in real time a variable content of dihydrogen contained in a gas flow further comprising natural gas and for transmitting information representative of said content of dihydrogen to at least one combustion system.

[0003] The present invention also relates to the use of a measurement and transmission system, as described above, for determining the dihydrogen content contained in a gas flow comprising natural gas and transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content contained in the gas flow to at least one combustion system, preferably for optimizing the control of the combustion of the gas flow.

[0004] The invention further relates to an assembly comprising at least one system for supplying a gas flow comprising natural gas and a variable content of dihydrogen, connected to at least one measurement and transmission system, as described previously, and at least one combustion system.

[0005] The introduction of dihydrogen, in particular from decarbonized sources, into natural gas currently appears to represent an advantageous and promising solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in many applications involving heat production by combustion.

[0006] Examples include the production of electricity, by gas turbine on an isolated site or in CCGT type thermal power stations, industrial boilers, in particular hydrogen wall-mounted boilers, or natural gas engines frequently used for road transport or construction machinery.

[0007] The addition of dihydrogen also makes it possible to improve the combustion of natural gas, and consequently the engine efficiency, thus leading to hybrid fuel mixtures, composed of natural gas and a fraction of dihydrogen, which are efficient both environmentally and technically.

[0008] Dihydrogen also has the advantage of being able to be injected directly into current natural gas transport, distribution or storage networks, which makes it possible to transport such hybrid mixtures without necessarily generating additional high investment costs for the installation of specialized infrastructures.

[0009] However, the combustion behavior of natural gas turns out to be highly dependent on the content of dihydrogen present in the hybrid mixture. In particular, the injected fraction of dihydrogen impacts not only the combustion speed of the natural gas but also the quantity of nitrogen oxides (NOx) formed as well as the risks of knocking.

[0010] Indeed, during the combustion of hybrid mixtures in the burner, the increase in the dihydrogen content has a tendency, on the one hand, to cause an increase in the end-of-compression temperatures, inducing a rise in the pressure of the engine cylinder and the combustion temperature. This then results in the formation of hot zones within the burner conducive to the increasing appearance of nitrogen oxides (NOx). On the other hand, the increase in the dihydrogen content can also induce a rise in the temperature and pressure of the oxidant / fuel mixture downstream of the flame front, accentuating the risks of self-ignition of a portion of these gases before being reached by the flame front. This then results in the appearance of pressure peaks likely to damage the thermomechanical strength of the burner walls.

[0011] In other words, the quantity of dihydrogen injected into natural gas networks is likely to significantly influence the technical and environmental performance of combustion systems as well as the thermomechanical performance of their equipment, in particular the combustion chambers.

[0012] For clarification, the variability of the dihydrogen content injected into the natural gas flow is also likely to harm the operation of the combustion systems.

[0013] Thus, in order to better control the performance of combustion systems, it is generally proposed to control upstream the average dihydrogen content in the natural gas or at least limit its variation, thus imposing a loss of flexibility in the injection of dihydrogen into the natural gas networks.

[0014] Indeed, given that the parameters of combustion systems are generally adjusted to operate in all situations, these systems are designed to accommodate only hybrid mixtures having a limited and fixed average concentration of dihydrogen.

[0015] To do this, the solutions currently proposed consist, for example, either of limiting the average concentration of dihydrogen in the natural gas flow, by in particular by setting contents of less than 10% by volume of H2, or by precisely controlling upstream the injection of dihydrogen into the natural gas network.

[0016] Under such conditions, the combustion systems therefore do not take full advantage of the benefits provided by the dihydrogen capable of being injected into the natural gas flow, which in the medium term constitutes a limiting factor on a technical and ecological level with regard to the development of this technology.

[0017] In view of the above, one of the objectives of the present invention is to implement a system capable of precisely controlling in real time the dihydrogen content at a given moment in the natural gas flow in order to best adjust the combustion process.

[0018] In other words, there is a real need to determine in real time the content of a hybrid fuel mixture, in particular the dihydrogen content, in order to gain flexibility on the quantity of dihydrogen that can be injected into natural gas networks.

[0019] In particular, one of the aims of the invention is to take full advantage of the potential provided by the injection of dihydrogen into natural gas networks while having combustion systems with good technical and / or environmental performance.

[0020] The present invention therefore relates in particular to a system for measuring in real time a variable content of dihydrogen contained in a gas flow further comprising natural gas and for transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content to at least one system for combustion of the gas flow; said system comprises: - at least one unit for measuring a variable content of dihydrogen contained in the gas flow passing through said system, comprising one or more means for measuring the dihydrogen content by spectroscopy, - at least one unit for processing and transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content determined by said measurement unit to at least one system for combustion of the gas flow.

[0021] Preferably, the combustion system comprises at least one unit for controlling the combustion of the gas flow.

[0022] The system according to the invention thus makes it possible to determine and monitor in real time the instantaneous dihydrogen content contained in a gas flow comprising natural gas (or a mixture of natural gas), coming from at least one system for supplying a gas flow containing natural gas and a variable dihydrogen content, and to communicate the information representative of this content to a combustion control unit which will then be able to modify one or more parameters of a combustion system as a function of the information communicated on the dihydrogen content.

[0023] In other words, the system according to the invention has the advantage of communicating in real time the instantaneous content of dihydrogen contained in a gas flow comprising natural gas and dihydrogen to a combustion control unit in order to best adjust the combustion process of the gas flow.

[0024] The system according to the invention therefore has the advantage of allowing the control of a combustion process of a gas flow comprising natural gas and a variable dihydrogen content as a function of the information communicated on the dihydrogen content.

[0025] The system according to the invention thus makes it possible to optimize in real time the control of a combustion process of a gas flow comprising natural gas and dihydrogen.

[0026] Thus, the real-time measurement of the instantaneous dihydrogen content in the gas flow comprising natural gas and the communication of the information relating to this content to a combustion control unit make it possible to overcome the need to limit and / or control the average quantity of the dihydrogen content in the gas flow or to precisely control upstream the injected dihydrogen content in the natural gas network.

[0027] Under these conditions, the system according to the invention makes it possible to inject a variable content of dihydrogen into a flow containing natural gas and to adapt the combustion process accordingly, i.e. as a function of the instantaneous content of dihydrogen measured in real time.

[0028] The combustion parameters that can be adapted as a function of the measurement of the dihydrogen content in the natural gas flow can be, for example, the ignition advance, the injection advance or even the water injection.

[0029] Thus the system according to the invention makes it possible to measure and transmit in real time the information representative of the instantaneous content of dihydrogen contained in the gas flow comprising natural gas to the combustion system on a network of natural gas distribution stations or gas turbine control stations.

[0030] In other words, the system according to the invention can be implemented on a network of natural gas distribution stations or gas turbine control stations.

[0031] The system according to the invention also has the advantage of being able to take full advantage of the potential provided by the injection of dihydrogen into natural gas networks while ensuring good technical and / or environmental performance for the combustion systems.

[0032] In particular, the system according to the invention makes it possible to improve the combustion process, in particular by leading to better efficiency of the combustion systems as well as a reduction in the formation of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and / or the risks of self-ignition (risk of knocking) while increasing the content injectable dihydrogen into natural gas networks and increasing flexibility in the dihydrogen injection process.

[0033] In this way, the system according to the invention makes it possible to minimize the risks of damage to the combustion chambers linked to the risks of self-ignition of the natural gas / hydrogen mixture.

[0034] The system according to the invention thus makes it possible to improve the combustion process, in particular the combustion parameters of a gas flow comprising natural gas and a variable content of dihydrogen, while continuing to be placed in safe conditions. In other words, the combustion parameters are capable of being adapted as a function of the measured content of dihydrogen present in the gas flow.

[0035] Furthermore, the system makes it possible to take advantage of the benefits linked to the use of dihydrogen obtained in particular from a decarbonized source, for example obtained from a water electrolysis process or an ammonia cracking process, or obtained from a process during which the carbon dioxide emitted is captured.

[0036] Preferably, the system according to the invention makes it possible to use dihydrogen from a decarbonized source, in particular from a hydrogen station.

[0037] In other words, the system according to the invention can advantageously be connected to a hydrogen station.

[0038] Furthermore, the system according to the invention provides real-time information on the dihydrogen quality of a hybrid fuel mixture and the possible presence of dihydrogen leaks during the mixture delivery process before starting the combustion process.

[0039] The present invention also relates to the use of the system as described above for determining the dihydrogen content contained in a gas flow comprising natural gas and transmitting the information representative of said dihydrogen content to at least one combustion system, preferably for optimizing the control of the combustion of the gas flow comprising natural gas and a variable dihydrogen content.

[0040] Similarly, the invention also relates to a method for measuring in real time the dihydrogen content contained in a gas flow further comprising natural gas and for transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content to at least one combustion system, comprising: - a step of supplying a gas flow comprising natural gas and a variable content of dihydrogen, - a step of measuring the dihydrogen content contained in the gas flow, by spectroscopy, - a step of processing and transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content determined during the measurement step to at least one combustion system.

[0041] In particular, the method according to the invention makes it possible to optimize the control of the combustion of a gas flow comprising natural gas and a variable dihydrogen content.

[0042] Thus the method according to the invention is advantageously a method for optimizing a combustion process of the gas flow comprising natural gas and a variable content of dihydrogen.

[0043] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising at least one system for supplying a gas flow comprising natural gas and a variable dihydrogen content, connected to at least one measurement and transmission system, as described previously, and at least one combustion system.

[0044] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description and examples which follow.

[0045] In what follows, and unless otherwise indicated, the limits of a domain of values ​​are included in this domain.

[0046] The expression “at least one” is equivalent to the expression “one or more”. Measurement and transmission system

[0047] As indicated above, the measurement and transmission system according to the invention comprises: - at least one unit for measuring a variable content of dihydrogen contained in a gas flow further comprising natural gas passing through said system, comprising one or more means for measuring the content of dihydrogen by spectroscopy, - at least one unit for processing and transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content determined by said measuring unit to at least one combustion system.

[0048] Thus the measuring unit determines in real time the instantaneous content of dihydrogen contained in a gas flow which comprises natural gas; said flow being in particular distributed by a system for supplying a gas flow comprising natural gas and dihydrogen.

[0049] In other words, the flow entering the measurement unit is a gas flow comprising natural gas and a variable content of dihydrogen.

[0050] For the purposes of the present invention, the gas flow entering the measuring unit corresponds to a gas flow comprising natural gas and a variable content of dihydrogen or to a gas flow comprising a mixture of natural gases, i.e. a gas mixture of hydrocarbons, and a variable content of dihydrogen.

[0051] Preferably, the gas stream consists of a mixture of natural gas and a variable content of dihydrogen.

[0052] By "variable dihydrogen content" is meant, within the meaning of the present invention, that the average dihydrogen concentration is not limited to a predetermined fixed content, whether in the gas stream comprising natural gas or at the time of its injection into the gas stream comprising natural gas.

[0053] By "real-time measurement", it is meant, within the meaning of the present invention, that the measurement unit is capable of continuously measuring in real time the content of dihydrogen present in the gas flow comprising natural gas, in particular distributed by a system for supplying a gas flow comprising natural gas and dihydrogen.

[0054] The measuring unit comprises one or more means capable of measuring the dihydrogen content by spectroscopy.

[0055] Preferably, the measuring unit comprises one or more means for measuring the dihydrogen content by spectroscopy, having an acquisition frequency of less than 5 seconds, preferably less than 1 second.

[0056] Preferably, the measuring unit comprises one or more means capable of measuring the molar, mass or volume concentration of dihydrogen in the natural gas flow by spectroscopy, having an acquisition frequency of less than 5 seconds, more preferably an acquisition frequency of less than 1 second.

[0057] The measuring unit comprises one or more means for measuring the dihydrogen content contained in the gas flow comprising natural gas by spectroscopy, in particular by Raman spectroscopy or by absorption spectroscopy of a laser beam and analysis of the signal by wavelength modulation.

[0058] In other words, the measuring means are in particular devices for measuring by spectroscopy, in particular by Raman spectroscopy or by absorption spectroscopy of a laser beam and analysis of the signal by wavelength modulation.

[0059] Preferably, the measuring unit comprises one or more sensors capable of measuring the dihydrogen content by spectroscopy, more particularly by Raman spectroscopy or by absorption spectroscopy of a laser beam and analysis of the signal by wavelength modulation.

[0060] The measuring unit can further determine the content of natural gas, for example methane, butane or propane, present in the gas stream 1.

[0061] Preferably, the measurement and transmission system according to the invention further comprises one or more means for measuring the flow rate of the gas flow passing through said system.

[0062] The means for measuring the flow rate of the gas stream may be separate or an integral part, preferably separate, of the measuring unit determining the dihydrogen content.

[0063] In other words, the means for measuring the flow rate of the gas flow may be included in a unit for measuring the flow rate of the gas flow separate from the measuring unit.

[0064] The flow rate measuring means may correspond to flow rate sensors, preferably mass or volume sensors, of the gas flow passing through said system.

[0065] Preferably, the flow rate measuring means are chosen from the group consisting of mechanical flow meters, thermal flow meters, differential pressure flow meters or ultrasonic flow meters.

[0066] The flow rate measuring means may measure a mass or volume flow rate of the natural gas flow passing through said system, preferably with an uncertainty of less than 1%, more preferably with an uncertainty of less than 0.5%.

[0067] Preferably, the measurement and transmission system according to the invention comprises one or more means for measuring the mass flow rate of the gas flow passing through said system.

[0068] More preferably, the measurement and transmission system according to the invention comprises one or more Coriolis effect mass flow meters or one or more thermal mass flow meters.

[0069] Preferably, the measurement and transmission system according to the invention comprises at least one measurement unit, as described previously, and one or more means for measuring the flow rate of the natural gas flow passing through said system, preferably separate from said measurement unit.

[0070] Preferably, the measurement and transmission system according to the invention comprises: - at least one measurement unit, as described previously, in particular containing one or more means for measuring in real time the mass content of dihydrogen contained in the flow of natural gas, and - one or more means for measuring the mass flow rate of the natural gas flow passing through said system, whether or not distinct from said measuring unit, in particular chosen from the group consisting of a Coriolis effect mass flow meter, a differential pressure flow meter, an ultrasonic flow meter, or a thermal mass flow meter.

[0071] The processing and transmission unit makes it possible, on the one hand, to process the information representative of the dihydrogen content measured by the measurement unit, as described previously, and, on the other hand, to transmit said information to at least one combustion system, in particular comprising at least one unit for controlling the combustion of the natural gas flow.

[0072] Preferably, the processing and transmission unit comprises one or more means capable of converting the dihydrogen content measured by the measurement unit, previously described, into information representative of the dihydrogen content.

[0073] In particular, the unit can transmit the information to at least one unit for controlling the combustion of the gas flow in the form of a signal representative of the real-time measurement of the dihydrogen content contained in the gas flow containing natural gas.

[0074] More particularly, the unit can transmit said information to at least one receiver of a combustion system which is capable of receiving and transmitting said information to a combustion system, preferably to a unit for controlling the combustion of the gas flow comprising natural gas and dihydrogen.

[0075] Even more particularly, the unit can transmit said information to at least one receiver of a combustion system which is capable of receiving and transmitting said information, by wire or not, to the combustion control unit of the gas flow comprising natural gas and dihydrogen.

[0076] The information representative of the dihydrogen content preferably corresponds to the value of the concentration, in particular volume, mass or molar, of the dihydrogen within the gas flow, in particular distributed by a system for supplying a gas flow comprising natural gas and a variable content of dihydrogen.

[0077] Alternatively, the information representative of the dihydrogen content may correspond to information from which the dihydrogen content is likely to be deduced, for example the measurement of the other constituents of the gas mixture.

[0078] The processing and transmission unit may comprise one or more means capable of converting the information representative of the dihydrogen content contained in the gas flow further comprising natural gas into data representative of the instantaneous dihydrogen content or averaged over a distribution period of the gas flow and of transmitting said information to at least one unit for controlling the combustion of the gas flow comprising natural gas and dihydrogen.

[0079] The processing of information relating to the dihydrogen content can be done digitally by means of a microprocessor and a computer algorithm.

[0080] The information representative of the dihydrogen content can be transmitted by wire or not, preferably wirelessly, for example by a radio connection, to the combustion control unit of the gas flow comprising natural gas and dihydrogen.

[0081] Advantageously, the processing and transmission unit also makes it possible, on the one hand, to process the information representative of the dihydrogen content measured by the measurement unit, as described previously, and the information representative of the flow rate of the gas flow and, on the other hand, to transmit said information to at least one combustion system, preferably a unit for controlling the combustion of the gas flow comprising natural gas and dihydrogen.

[0082] In other words, preferably, the processing and transmission unit comprises one or more means capable of converting the information representative of the dihydrogen content contained in the gas flow and the information representative of the flow rate of the gas flow into data either instantaneous or averaged over a determined period and of transmitting said data to at least one unit for controlling the combustion of the gas flow.

[0083] The data thus transmitted may correspond to the value of the measured quantity of dihydrogen contained in the gas flow further comprising natural gas and the value of the flow rate of the gas flow.

[0084] Preferably, the combustion control unit comprises at least one member for adjusting the combustion parameters of the gas flow comprising natural gas and dihydrogen, for example a member for adjusting the flame control parameters in the combustion chamber, in particular by means of the fuel injection parameters, the ignition parameters of the fuel mixture.

[0085] The gas flow comprising natural gas and dihydrogen at the inlet of the combustion control unit or the combustion system corresponds to the fuel mixture.

[0086] Thus the information representative of the dihydrogen content measured by said measuring unit is transmitted to a member for adjusting the combustion parameters of the gas flow of the control unit.

[0087] Furthermore, the processing and transmission unit can process the information representative of the natural gas content, for example methane, propane and / or butane, measured by the measuring unit, as described previously, and, on the other hand, transmit said information to at least one combustion system. Using the system

[0088] The invention also relates to the use of the measurement and transmission system, as described above, for determining the dihydrogen content contained in a gas flow further comprising natural gas and transmitting the information representative of said dihydrogen content to at least one combustion system, preferably at least one unit for controlling the combustion of the gas flow.

[0089] In other words, the system according to the invention is used to determine by spectroscopy the dihydrogen content contained in the gas flow further comprising natural gas and transmit the information representative of said content to at least one combustion system, preferably at least one unit for controlling the combustion of the gas flow.

[0090] Preferably, the system, as described above, can be used to optimize the control of the combustion of the gas flow comprising natural gas and a variable content of dihydrogen on a network of natural gas distribution stations or a gas turbine(s) control network.

[0091] The measurement and transmission system according to the invention can further be used to detect dihydrogen leaks in a gas flow comprising natural gas and dihydrogen on a network of natural gas distribution stations or a gas turbine control network.

[0092] Thus the invention can also consist of the use of the measurement and transmission system, as described previously, to optimize the control of the combustion of a gas flow comprising natural gas and a variable dihydrogen content, and possibly detect dihydrogen leaks in the gas flow, on a network of natural gas distribution stations or a gas turbine control network.

[0093] Alternatively, the measurement and transmission system according to the invention can also be used to prevent leaks of dihydrogen in a gas flow distributed by a system for supplying a gas flow comprising natural gas and dihydrogen, in particular on a network of natural gas distribution stations or a gas turbine control network. Method

[0094] Another object of the present invention relates to a method for measuring in real time the dihydrogen content contained in a gas flow further comprising natural gas and for transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content to at least one combustion system, comprising: - a step of supplying a gas flow comprising natural gas and a variable content of dihydrogen, - a step of measuring the dihydrogen content contained in the gas flow by spectroscopy, - a step of processing and transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content determined during the measurement step to at least one combustion system.

[0095] Thus the measuring step makes it possible to determine in real time the instantaneous quantity of the dihydrogen content present in the gas flow.

[0096] The dihydrogen present in the gas stream may come from a decarbonized or carbonaceous source, preferably decarbonized.

[0097] The dihydrogen may come from a carbon source, preferably capable of being obtained by a steam reforming process possibly comprising at least one step of capturing carbon dioxide.

[0098] Preferably, the dihydrogen comes from a decarbonized source, preferably capable of being obtained by a water electrolysis process or an ammonia cracking process, more preferably by a water electrolysis process.

[0099] The step of measuring the dihydrogen content is preferably implemented by Raman spectroscopy or by absorption spectroscopy of a laser beam and analysis of the signal by wavelength modulation.

[0100] The measuring step may in particular be implemented by one or more devices, in particular one or more sensors, for measurement by spectroscopy, in particular by Raman or by absorption spectroscopy of a laser beam and analysis of the signal by wavelength modulation.

[0101] Advantageously, the method comprises a step of measuring the dihydrogen content contained in the gas flow comprising natural gas, by spectroscopy and a step of measuring the flow rate of the natural gas flow.

[0102] The step of measuring the dihydrogen content and the step of measuring the flow rate of the gas stream can be carried out sequentially or simultaneously.

[0103] The step of processing the information representative of the dihydrogen content can be implemented by means of a microprocessor and a computer algorithm.

[0104] Preferably, the step of transmitting the information representative of said dihydrogen content to the combustion system is implemented by wire or by a radio-type connection.

[0105] The method according to the invention may further comprise a step of adapting the combustion parameters of the gas flow by the combustion control unit as a function of the information representative of the dihydrogen content contained in said gas flow.

[0106] The step of measuring the dihydrogen content and the step of processing and transmitting the information representative of said dihydrogen content are in particular implemented by the measurement system as described previously.

[0107] The method according to the invention makes it possible in particular to optimize the control of the combustion of the gas flow comprising natural gas and a variable dihydrogen content, preferably on a network of natural gas distribution stations or a gas turbine(s) control network.

[0108] In particular, the method according to the invention comprises: - a step of supplying a gas flow comprising natural gas and a variable content of dihydrogen, - a step of measuring the variable content of dihydrogen contained in the gas flow, - a step of processing and transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content determined during the measurement step to at least one combustion system, - a step of controlling one or more combustion parameters of the gas flow by the combustion system based on the information received from said dihydrogen content.

[0109] The method according to the invention thus makes it possible to act on and / or control one or more combustion parameters of the gas flow comprising natural gas and a variable dihydrogen content as a function of the representative information on the dihydrogen content measured and transmitted by the system according to the invention. Together

[0110] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising at least one system for supplying a gas flow comprising natural gas and a variable dihydrogen content, connected to at least one measurement and transmission system, as defined previously, and at least one system for combustion of the gas flow.

[0111] Preferably, the system for supplying the gas flow comprising natural gas and a variable content of dihydrogen comprises at least one natural gas distribution unit and at least one unit capable of supplying dihydrogen to the natural gas flow coming from said distribution unit.

[0112] Thus the unit capable of supplying dihydrogen makes it possible to introduce a variable quantity of dihydrogen into the flow of natural gas coming from said natural gas distribution unit in order to lead to a flow of gas comprising natural gas and a variable content of dihydrogen.

[0113] The gas stream is then routed to the measurement and transmission system, as previously described, and then, as a fuel mixture, to a combustion system.

[0114] Preferably, the unit capable of supplying the flow of natural gas with dihydrogen is a unit for producing, separating, distributing and / or storing dihydrogen.

[0115] The dihydrogen supply unit may comprise one or more means capable of injecting dihydrogen into the flow of natural gas coming from said distribution unit.

[0116] The means capable of injecting dihydrogen into the natural gas flow may be a dihydrogen injection device.

[0117] Preferably, the means capable of injecting dihydrogen may correspond to the connection of a dihydrogen circuit to the natural gas network by means of a controllable valve, the opening control of which makes it possible to adjust the dihydrogen content on the network.

[0118] Preferably, said unit capable of supplying dihydrogen to the natural gas flow is a dihydrogen production unit, preferably a dihydrogen production unit equipped with at least one carbon dioxide capture system, a dihydrogen production unit by water electrolysis or a dihydrogen production unit by an ammonia cracking process.

[0119] Preferably, said unit capable of supplying dihydrogen to the flow of natural gas is a unit for producing dihydrogen by electrolysis of water.

[0120] Preferably, the unit capable of supplying dihydrogen to the natural gas flow is a hydrogen station.

[0121] Preferably, the natural gas distribution unit may correspond to a network of natural gas distribution stations or a gas turbine control network.

[0122] Preferably, the system for combustion of the gas flow comprising natural gas and dihydrogen comprises at least one unit for controlling the combustion of the gas flow, in particular capable of receiving the information representative of the dihydrogen content transmitted by the measurement and transmission system as described previously.

[0123] In particular, the combustion control unit is capable of modifying in real time the parameters of the combustion system as a function of the information representative of the dihydrogen content transmitted by the measurement and transmission system as described previously.

[0124] Thus the control unit comprises one or more means capable of modifying in real time the parameters of the combustion system as a function of the information representative of the dihydrogen content transmitted by the measurement and transmission system as described previously.

[0125] In this way, the combustion parameters can be adjusted in real time with respect to the initial parameters as a function of the information representative of the dihydrogen content.

[0126] Preferably, the gas flow combustion control system comprises at least one receiver capable of receiving information representative of the dihydrogen content transmitted by the measurement and transmission system as described previously.

[0127] Preferably, the gas flow supply system is connected by at least one connection pipe to the measurement and transmission system, as defined previously, and to the combustion system as described previously.

[0128] Thus the gas flow from the supply system can be routed through at least one connecting pipe to the measurement and transmission system, as defined previously, and the combustion system as described previously.

[0129] Preferably, the natural gas distribution unit is connected by at least one connection pipe to the measurement and transmission system, as defined above, and to the combustion system.

[0130] The unit capable of supplying dihydrogen to the natural gas flow is in particular connected to the natural gas distribution unit by at least one dihydrogen supply pipe connected to the connection pipe as described previously.

[0131] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on detailed examination of an embodiment taken as a non-limiting example of a measurement and transmission system according to the invention and illustrated by the attached drawing.

[0132] In [Fig.l], there is shown an assembly 50 comprising a system 10 for supplying a gas flow comprising natural gas and a variable content of dihydrogen, a system 20 for measuring the content of dihydrogen contained in said gas flow and for transmitting information representative of said content of dihydrogen to a system 8 for controlling the combustion of the gas flow, and a system 30 for combustion of said gas flow.

[0133] The system 10 for supplying a gas flow comprising natural gas and dihydrogen, comprises a natural gas distribution unit 1 and a unit 2 capable of supplying dihydrogen to the natural gas flow coming from said distribution unit 1.

[0134] Within the system 10, unit 1 is capable of distributing natural gas or a mixture of natural gas and unit 2 is capable of injecting a variable quantity of dihydrogen directly into the flow of natural gas emitted by unit 1.

[0135] In particular, unit 2 may comprise one or more means capable of injecting dihydrogen.

[0136] Unit 2 may be a unit for the production, distribution and / or storage of dihydrogen.

[0137] The system 10 is connected by means of a connecting line 3 to the measuring and transmission system 20 and to the combustion system 30. In this way, the gas flow comprising natural gas and a variable dihydrogen content is conveyed from the supply system 10 to the measuring and transmission system 20 and to the combustion system 30 via a connecting line 3.

[0138] Alternatively, the system 10, the measurement and transmission system 20 and the combustion system 30 may be connected to each other by a connection network making it possible to convey the gas flow comprising natural gas and dihydrogen.

[0139] The measurement and transmission system 20 comprises a unit 4 for measuring in real time the dihydrogen content contained in the gas flow coming from the system 10, an element 5 for measuring the flow rate of the gas flow passing through the system 20, and a unit 6 for processing and transmitting the information representative of the dihydrogen content determined by the measurement unit 3.

[0140] The measuring unit 4 determines in real time the instantaneous content of dihydrogen contained in the gas flow distributed by the system 10.

[0141] The measuring element 5 of the flow rate of the gas flow passing through the system 20 may be a mass flow meter.

[0142] The unit 6, on the one hand, digitally processes the information representative of the dihydrogen content measured by the measuring unit 4 as well as the information representative of the flow rate of the gas flow passing through the system 20 measured by the measuring element 5, and, on the other hand, transmits this information, by wire or radio, to the combustion system 30.

[0143] The combustion system 30 comprises a receiver 7 of the information representative of the dihydrogen content measured by the measuring unit 4 and of the information relating to the flow rate, measured by the element 5, of the gas flow passing through the system 20, a unit 8 for controlling the combustion of the gas flow and a combustion unit 9.

[0144] As indicated previously, the unit 6 transmits the information representing respectively the dihydrogen content measured by the measuring unit 4 and the flow rate of the gas flow measured by the unit 5 to the receiver 7 of the combustion system 30.

[0145] Thus the receiver 7 digitally transmits this information to the unit 8 for controlling the combustion of the gas flow comprising natural gas and dihydrogen.

[0146] Depending on the information emitted by the system 20, the combustion control unit 7 modifies the parameters of the combustion unit 9, in particular the combustion conditions, such as the injection duration of the fuel mixture (i.e. of the gas flow comprising natural gas and dihydrogen), the phasing of the injection of the gas flow, the phasing of the ignition and the content of the elements constituting the gas flow, in order to adjust the combustion process.

[0147] Thus, the system 20 makes it possible to measure and share in real time the instantaneous dihydrogen content contained in the gas flow comprising natural gas distributed by the system 10 to the combustion control unit 8 of the combustion system 30 in order to obtain improved combustion of the gas flow.

Claims

Claims

1. Use of a system for measuring in real time a variable content of dihydrogen contained in a gas flow comprising natural gas and for transmitting information representative of said content of dihydrogen to at least one system (30) for combustion of the gas flow; to optimize the control of the combustion of the gas flow comprising natural gas and a variable content of dihydrogen;said system (20) comprising: - at least one unit (4) for measuring a variable content of dihydrogen contained in a gas flow further comprising natural gas passing through said system (20), comprising one or more means for measuring the dihydrogen content by spectroscopy, - at least one unit (5) for measuring the flow rate of the gas flow passing through said system (20), - at least one unit (6) for processing and transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content determined by said measurement unit to at least one system (30) for combustion of the gas flow.;

2. Use of the system (20) according to claim 1, for detecting leaks of dihydrogen contained in a gas flow further comprising natural gas, preferably said system (20) being located on a network of natural gas distribution stations or a gas turbine control network.

3. Use according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the combustion system (30) comprises at least one unit for controlling the combustion of the gas flow.

4. Method for measuring in real time the dihydrogen content contained in a gas flow further comprising natural gas and for transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content to at least one combustion system, comprising: - a step of supplying a gas flow comprising natural gas and a variable dihydrogen content, - a step of measuring the dihydrogen content contained in the gas flow, by spectroscopy, - a step of measuring the flow rate of the gas flow, - a step of processing and transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content determined during the measurement step to at least one combustion system (30), - a step of controlling one or more combustion parameters of the gas flow by the combustion system (30) as a function of the dihydrogen content contained in said gas flow.

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the dihydrogen present in the gas flow comes from a decarbonized source, preferably capable of being obtained by a water electrolysis process or an ammonia cracking process.

6. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the dihydrogen present in the gas flow comes from a carbon source, preferably capable of being obtained by a steam reforming process possibly comprising at least one step of capturing carbon dioxide.

7. Method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the step of transmitting the information representative of said dihydrogen content to the combustion system is implemented by wire or by a radioelectric type connection.

8. Set (50) comprising: - at least one system (10) for supplying a gas flow comprising natural gas and a variable dihydrogen content, connected to - at least one system (20) for measuring in real time a variable dihydrogen content contained in a gas flow comprising natural gas and for transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content to at least one system (30) for combustion of the gas flow;said system (20) comprising: • at least one unit (4) for measuring a variable content of dihydrogen contained in a gas flow further comprising natural gas passing through said system (20), comprising one or more means for measuring the dihydrogen content by spectroscopy, • at least one unit (5) for measuring the flow rate of the gas flow passing through said system (20), • at least one unit (6) for processing and transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content determined by said measurement unit to at least one system (30) for combustion of the gas flow; and - at least one combustion system (30) comprising at least one unit for controlling the combustion of the gas flow comprising one or more means capable of modifying in real time the parameters of the combustion system (30) as a function of the information representative of said dihydrogen content transmitted by said measurement and transmission system (20).;

9. Assembly (50) according to claim 8, characterized in that the system (10) for supplying the gas flow comprising natural gas and a variable content of dihydrogen comprises at least one unit (1) for distributing natural gas and at least one unit (2) capable of supplying a variable content of dihydrogen to the flow of natural gas coming from said distribution unit (1).

10. Assembly (50) according to claim 9 characterized in that the unit (2) capable of supplying the flow of natural gas with a variable content

11. in dihydrogen is a unit for the production, separation, distribution and / or storage of dihydrogen. Assembly (50) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the unit (1) is a network of natural gas distribution stations or a gas turbine control network.

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