A system for distributing hydrogen to vehicles

Abstract

A system for distributing hydrogen to vehicles 1. The system 1 comprises at least one modular membraneless electrolyser 2 for generating hydrogen gas from seawater and / or brine. It also has at least one vessel 3 (or reservoir) for storing the water with at least one pump 4. Power source(s) 5 for powering electrolyser(s) and the pump(s) are provided. At least one vehicle 6 for transporting the seawater and / or brine may be provided. The power source may comprise renewable energy source(s) such as solar 52 or wind 54. A control system 82 for the operation of hydrogen production, is defined where the control system 82 may receive data from a machine learning algorithm. A number of distribution systems can be established where they are located in geographically separate locations.

Description

Introduction

[0001] This invention is a system for generating and distributing hydrogen to vehicles in a fuel station.

[0002] Hydrogen gas can be used as a fuel for vehicles, such as cars and lorries. However, the expense of transporting, storing, and managing the distribution of the hydrogen gas can be prohibitive. Transporting and storing the extracted hydrogen gas required the use of expensive pressure vessels.

[0003] There does not currently exist in the UK a nationwide infrastructure for storing and distributing hydrogen gas. A user may wish to integrate distribution of hydrogen gas into distant geographical regions however the required use of pressure vessels during the transportation of the hydrogen gas from its production or storage location to the remote region can add a large capital expenditure and increase the cost per unit of hydrogen gas, causing hesitation among fuel distribution centres to switch to hydrogen gas.

[0004] The production of hydrogen gas for distribution to vehicles “on site” from water may also be problematic since most forms of producing hydrogen gas either require distilled water for electrolysis or burning specific waste to recover hydrogen, reducing the commercial viability by creating an increasingly complex supply chain.

[0005] US 10844494 B2 discloses an example of a membraneless electrolyser for producing hydrogen gas from seawater by having a flow of sea water through a channel, which is divided in to two separate channels with a mesh anode and cathode obliquely positioned on the two channels respectively. As a result of the electrolysis of the brine in the seawater into an acid and a base, hydrogen gas is produced in the catalytic stream and extracted. Crosscontamination of the streams is avoided by using a specific mass flow rate of seawater through the initial chamber. Further, US 10844494 B2 discloses a membraneless electrolyser for producing hydrogen gas which is typically used modularly on sea vessels, as such this is not suitable for distribution to land vehicles as it requires transporting in pressure vessels to pump stations from the sea vessel on which the hydrogen gas in generated.

[0006] These issues and drawbacks cause significant hurdles to overcome in the widespread adoption of hydrogen gas as an alternative, lower carbon alternative fuel to petrochemicals.

[0007] It is an aim of the present invention to overcome these problems and to provide a system for distributing hydrogen to vehicles. Summary of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention there is provided a system for distributing hydrogen to vehicles comprising: at least one modular membraneless electrolyser for generating hydrogen gas from seawater and / or brine; and at least one vessel for storing sea water; at least one pump for pumping sea water to the electrolyser from the vessel for storing seawater and / or brine; and at least one power source for powering the at least one modular membraneless hydrogen generator and the at least one pump; and at least one means to distribute the hydrogen gas to a vehicle.

[0009] The system of the present invention is advantageous in that hydrogen gas can be produced “on site” at a specific location from seawater and / or brine. The transportation and storage of the seawater and / or brine can be undertaken in regular vessels and vehicles, not requiring the use of pressure vessels either on a production and storage location or on transport vehicles. This reduces the capital expenditure, unit cost, and carbon footprint of the hydrogen gas substantially. This also further reduces the complexity of the supply chain, as seawater and / or brine is abundant on all coastal locations and more easily sourced than hydrogen gas, or indeed fresh water. The sea water can be stored and transported in preexisting infrastructure. The system may further comprise at least one vehicle for transporting seawater and / or brine to the at least one vessel for storing seawater and / or brine.

[00010] The at least one modular membraneless electrolyser for generating hydrogen gas may comprise an electrochemical flow-through reactor, which may comprise a channel for containing and directing flow of a matter stream, wherein said matter stream may include at least one reactant; at least one anode and at least one cathode which may be positioned laterally adjacent and obliquely to each other at a location within said channel and extending longitudinally along said channel; and a plurality of effluent flow channels downstream of said channel, said plurality of effluent flow channels may be separated by a divider, and said at least one anode and said at least one cathode may be separated by the divider, wherein said at least one anode and at least one cathode may be porous, in fluid communication with said matter stream, connected to the divider and a wall of said channel, and may be arranged within said channel such that said matter stream flows through said at least one anode and at least one cathode, wherein hydrogen gas may be produced as a byproduct of the electrolysis of the reactant in the matter stream downstream of the cathode. Further, a plurality of modular membraneless electrolysers may be provided. Further still, at least two of the plurality of modular membraneless electrolysers for generating hydrogen gas may be modularly connected.

[00011] The at least one power source may comprise a renewable energy generator. Further, the renewable energy generator may comprise at least one solar panel. Further, the renewable energy generator may comprise at least one wind turbine. This is advantageous because it reduces the carbon footprint of hydrogen gas generation relative to grid power and reduces the operational cost insofar as reducing the price per KwH of generating the hydrogen gas

[00012] The at least one power source may comprise at least one fuel-based generator for producing a stable load. For example, if there is insufficient renewable energy generated to produce sufficient hydrogen gas, then an alternative fuel source can be used to generate sufficient hydrogen. The electrolyser may alternatively or additionally be powered by mains electricity or a battery.

[00013] Further, the system may comprise a controller for controlling the generation of hydrogen using the alternative fuel source. The controller may comprise a processor for selecting an amount of alternative fuel to divert to the at least one fuel-based generator. Even further still, the processor may select an amount of alternative fuel to divert to the at least one fuel-based generator based on a plurality of criteria, which may be based on a plurality of criteria which may be at least partially selected via machine learning. Even further still, the plurality of criteria may comprise at least any of: predicted conditions affecting the output of the at least one power source; and predicted depletion of hydrogen levels in the at least one pressure vessel based on historic data; and predicted depletion of hydrogen levels in the at least one pressure vessel based on predicted singular usage increases; and predicted carbon footprint of the system for distributing hydrogen; and regional shortages of hydrogen gas for distribution to vehicles; and traffic conditions local to the system.

[00014] Further, the controller may comprise an information transmitter and an information receiver wherein the information transmitter may be configured to send data externally to a network comprising a machine learning algorithm and wherein the information receiver may be configured to receive data from an external source which may comprise a machine learning algorithm. Further still, the controller may comprise a wireless communication device for sharing data with at least one device. Even further still, the at least one device may comprise a vehicle which may be capable of at least partially autonomous operation. This is advantageous in that it allows the operators of the system to make data-based decisions from data and information gathered and collated from a multitude of real-time sources that a human would not be able to gather and collate. It is further advantageous in that it allows the potential automation of certain processes and frees up man-hours on-site for more productive use.

[00015] The system may comprise least one pressure vessel for storing hydrogen gas produced by the at least one modular membraneless electrolyser. This is advantageous because it allows the generated hydrogen gas to be produced and stored in the same location.

[00016] Further, the system may comprise a plurality of vessels for storing seawater and / or brine. This is advantageous in that allows for a greater amount of sea water to be held on-site.

[00017] Further, the system may comprise a plurality of pressure vessels for storing hydrogen gas. This is advantageous in that it allows for a greater amount of produced hydrogen gas to be stored on-site.

[00018] Further still, the at least one means to distribute hydrogen gas to a vehicle gas may be connected to the at least one pressure vessel for storing hydrogen gas. Further still, there may be provided a plurality of devices for filling a vehicle’s hydrogen reservoir with hydrogen gas. This is advantageous in that it allows for rapid distribution of hydrogen gas to a number of vehicles simultaneously.

[00019] Further, the system may comprise at least one waste vessel for storing discarded seawater and / or brine. This is advantageous in that it allows un-useable seawater and / or brine to be stored on-site for batch removal.

[00020] Further, the system may comprise a system for distributing hydrogen wherein the at least one vessel for storing seawater and / or brine is a standard vessel and wherein the at least one fuel truck for transporting seawater and / or brine is a standard vessel. This is advantageous in that it overcomes the problem with US 10844494 B2 in that it does not require expensive pressure vessels to be used while transporting produced hydrogen gas to a fuel forecourt, basic liquid transport vessels can be used to transport seawater and / or brine, vastly reducing the cost of vehicle, maintenance and staff. Advantageously, the present invention can operate at ambient temperatures and does not require costly refrigeration or heating.

[00021] According to a further aspect of the invention there may be provided a hydrogen distribution network comprising: a plurality of systems for distributing hydrogen as described herein; and each system for distributing hydrogen is in a geographically separate location.

[00022] At least one vehicle for transporting seawater and / or brine may distribute sea water to each system in the network and may also remove discarded seawater and / or brine.

[00023] The system of the present invention is advantageous in that it allows for a low-cost hydrogen gas distribution network across a wide geographical area with a low carbon footprint, which will be advantageous in any nation irrespective of the level of development..

[00024] It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above have been given by way of example only and that modifications or combinations of features of the device in its various embodiments may be affected. The invention also extends to the individual components mentioned above, taken singly or in any combination. Description of the Drawings

[00025] Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[00026] Figure 1 shows a flowchart view of the system according to the present invention;

[00027] Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a modular membraneless electrolyser;

[00028] Figure 3 shows a flowchart view of the system according to the present invention with a controller in a hydrogen gas storage vessel and a power source comprising a plurality of energy sources;

[00029] Figure 4 further shows a flowchart view of the system according to the present invention with a controller in a hydrogen gas storage vessel and a power source comprising a plurality of energy sources;

[00030] Figure 5 shows a flowchart view of the system according to the present invention with a plurality of hydrogen gas storage vessels, seawater and / or brine storage vessels, modular membraneless electrolysers, hydrogen gas distribution means, and a waste seawater and / or brine storage vessel.; and

[00031] Figure 6 shows a flowchart view of an aspect of the device according to the present invention comprising a plurality of systems for distributing hydrogen in geographically separate locations, an at least one seawater and / or brine transportation vehicle. Detailed Description of the Invention

[00032] As used herein the word ‘vessel’ refers to any equipment a user would employ to store a fluid such as a gas or liquid for storage or transport at a fuel station.

[00033] As used herein the phrase ‘pressure vessel’ refers to any equipment a user would employ to any equipment a user would employ to store a gas or liquid for storage or transport at a fuel station which requires storage at a high pressure.

[00034] As used herein the phrase ‘machine learning’ refers to any computer systems the user would employ that are able to learn and adapt without following explicit instructions, by using algorithms and statistical models to analyse and draw inferences from patterns in data. This can include artificial intelligence.

[00035] Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a system according to the present invention generally indicated 1 for generating and distributing hydrogen to vehicles in a fuel station comprising: at least one modular membraneless electrolyser 2 for generating hydrogen gas from seawater and / or brine; at least one vessel 3 for storing seawater and / or brine; at least one pump 4 for pumping seawater and / or brine to the electrolyser; and at least one power source 5 for powering the at least one modular membraneless hydrogen generator 2 and the at least one pump and at least one means to distribute hydrogen gas 7 to a vehicle. Optionally there is provided at least one vehicle 6 for transporting seawater and / or brine to the at least one vessel 3 for storing seawater and / or brine. Also shown is at least one hydrogen gas storage vessel 8 for storing generated hydrogen.

[00036] Seawater and / or brine is transported to the at least one seawater and / or brine storage vessel 3 by the seawater and / or brine transportation vehicle 6. When needed, it is pumped from the at least one seawater and / or brine storage vessel 3 to the at least one modular membraneless electrolyser 2. The at least one pump 4 and at least one modular membraneless electrolyser 2 and the at least one seawater and / or brine storage vessel 3 are both powered by the at least one power source 5. The at least one modular membraneless electrolyser 2 uses a form of electrolysis described below to extract hydrogen gas from the seawater and / or brine. From here, the extracted hydrogen gas is stored in the at least one hydrogen gas storage vessel 8, which may be a pressure vessel. When the hydrogen gas is required, it is pumped from the at least one hydrogen gas storage vessel 8 to the at least one hydrogen gas distribution means 7. Alternatively, generated hydrogen gas may be supplied to a vehicle directly by the at least one hydrogen gas distribution means 7 upon generation by the modular membraneless electrolyser 2, and whereby the at least one hydrogen gas storage vessel 8 could be an intermediate stage between the modular membraneless electrolyser 2 and the hydrogen gas distribution means 7.

[00037] Referring to Figure 2 there is shown a schematic representation of the at least one modular membraneless electrolyser generally indicated 2 comprising an electrochemical flow-through reactor 21 which in turn comprises a channel 22 for containing and directing flow of a matter stream, which includes at least one reactant. At least one anode 23 and at least one cathode 24 are positioned laterally adjacent and obliquely to each other at a location within the channel 22 and extend longitudinally along said channel 22. A plurality of effluent flow channels 232, 242 downstream of said channel 22 are separated by a divider 25, and the anode 23 and cathode 24 are also separated by the divider 25. The anode 23 and cathode 24 are porous and in fluid communication with the matter stream such that said matter stream flows through the anode 23 and cathode 24. The hydrogen gas is produced as a byproduct of the electrolysis of the reactant in the matter stream downstream of the cathode 24 and is removed by a hydrogen gas tube 26.

[00038] Referring to Figures 3 and 4 there is shown the system according to the present invention generally indicated 1 for generating and distributing hydrogen to vehicles in a fuel station. The system comprises the at least one modular membraneless electrolyser 2 for generating hydrogen gas from seawater and / or brine, the at least one vessel 3 for storing seawater and / or brine, the at least one pump 4 for pumping seawater and / or brine to the electrolyser, the at least one power source 5 for powering the at least one modular membraneless hydrogen generator 2 and the at least one pump. The power source 5 comprises at least one renewable energy source, comprising any of or any combination of at least one wind turbine 52, at least one solar panel 54, and at least one fuel-powered generator 56. Also shown is the at least one vehicle 6 for transporting seawater and / or brine to the at least one vessel for storing seawater and / or brine and at least one means to distribute hydrogen gas 7 to a vehicle 6. Also shown is a hydrogen gas storage vessel 8 for storing generated hydrogen, the at least one hydrogen storage vessel 8 comprising a controller 82.

[00039] As described above, the at least one power source 5 powers the at least one pump 4 and the at least one modular membraneless electrolyser 2. The power source 5 can comprise any of or any combination of renewable energy sources including but not limited to at least one wind turbine 52, at least one solar panel 54, and at least one fuel generator 56. The at least one fuel generator 56 can use a range of different fuels that might be available, such as diesel, and comprises a controller 82. The controller 82 controls the amount of fuel that is used by the fuel generator 56.

[00040] As shown in Figure 4, the controller 82 comprises a processor 822 for selecting an amount of fuel to be used by the fuel generator 56. The processor 822 selects an amount of fuel to use based on a plurality of criteria, at least partially selected via machine learning. The machine learning is performed on a network 84 which communicates with the processor 822 via an information transmitter 824 and an information receiver 826.

[00041] The plurality of criteria may comprise at least any of predicted conditions affecting the output of the at least one power source, predicted depletion of hydrogen levels in the at least one pressure vessel based on historic data, predicted depletion of hydrogen levels in the at least one pressure vessel based on predicted singular usage increases, predicted carbon footprint of the system for distributing hydrogen, regional shortages of hydrogen gas for distribution to vehicles and traffic conditions local to the system.

[00042] Also shown in Figure 4 is the controller 822 comprising a wireless communication device 826 for sharing data with at least one device 86, comprising an autonomous vehicle capable of at least partially autonomous operation.

[00043] Referring to Figure 5 there is shown the system according to the present invention generally indicated 1 comprising a plurality of modular membraneless electrolysers 2, a plurality of vessels 3 for storing seawater and / or brine, the at least one pump 4, the at least one power source 5, for powering the a plurality of modular membraneless electrolysers 2 and the at least one pump, the power source 5 comprising at least one renewable energy source, comprising any of or any combination of at least one wind turbine 52, at least one solar panel 54, and at least one fuel generator 56. Also shown is the at least one vehicle 6 for transporting seawater and / or brine to the plurality of vessels 3 for storing seawater and / or brine, and for transporting waste seawater and / or brine from at least one waste seawater and / or brine storage vessel 62. Also shown are a plurality of means to distribute hydrogen gas 7 to a vehicle 6. Also shown is a plurality of hydrogen gas storage vessels 8 for storing generated hydrogen, the plurality of hydrogen storage vessels 8 each comprising a controller 82. Waste seawater and / or brine could subsequently be returned to the sea, or further processed into commercial products.

[00044] Referring to Figure 6 there is shown a network according to the present invention generally indicated 9 comprising a plurality of systems 91 for distributing hydrogen as disclosed herein, each system for distributing hydrogen being in a geographically separate location. At least one vehicle 92 for transporting seawater and / or brine to each system and / or removing discarded seawater and / or brine is also provided.

[00045] It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above have been given by way of example only and that modifications or combinations of features of the device in its various embodiments may be affected. The invention also extends to the individual components mentioned above, taken singly or in any combination.

Claims

1. A system for distributing hydrogen to vehicles comprising:at least one modular membraneless electrolyser for generating hydrogen gas from seawater and / or brine; andat least one vessel for storing seawater and / or brine;at least one pump for pumping seawater and / or brine to the electrolyser from the vessel for storing seawater and / or brine;at least one power source for powering the at least one modular membraneless hydrogen generator and the at least one pump; andat least one means to distribute the hydrogen gas to a vehicle.

2. A system for distributing hydrogen to vehicles according to claim 1 wherein the at least one modular membraneless electrolyser for generating hydrogen gas comprises:An electrochemical flow-through reactor comprising:a channel for containing and directing flow of a matter stream, wherein said matter stream includes at least one reactant;at least one anode and at least one cathode positioned laterally adjacent and obliquely to each other at a location within said channel and extending longitudinally along said channel;and a plurality of effluent flow channels downstream of said channel, said plurality of effluent flow channels separated by a divider, and said at least one anode and said at least one cathode separated by the divider,wherein said at least one anode and at least one cathode are porous, in fluid communication with said matter stream, connected to the divider and a wall of said channel, and arranged within said channel such that said matter stream flows through said at least one anode and at least one cathode;wherein hydrogen gas is produced as a byproduct of the electrolysis of the reactant in the matter stream downstream of the cathode.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising at least one vehicle fortransporting seawater and / or brine to the at least one vessel for storing seawater and / or brine.

4. A system for distributing hydrogen to vehicles according to any preceding claim wherein the at least one power source comprises a renewable energy generator.

5. A system for distributing hydrogen to vehicles according to claim 4, wherein the renewable energy generator comprises at least one solar panel.

6. A system for distributing hydrogen to vehicles according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the renewable energy generator comprises at least one wind turbine.

7. A system for distributing hydrogen to vehicles according to any preceding claim wherein the at least one power source comprises at least one of a fuelbased generator, mains power or a battery.

8. A system for distributing hydrogen to vehicles according to claim 7, further comprising a controller for selectively diverting a fuel to the at least one fuel-based generator.

9. A system for distributing hydrogen to vehicles according to claim 8, wherein the controller comprises a processor for selecting an amount of fuel to send to the at least one fuel-based generator.

10. A system for distributing hydrogen to vehicles according to claim 9, wherein the processor selects an amount of fuel based on a plurality of criteria.

11. A system for distributing hydrogen to vehicles according to claim 10, wherein the processor selects an amount of fuel to divert based on a plurality of criteria selected at least partially via machine learning.

12. A system for distributing hydrogen to vehicles according to claim 11 wherein the plurality of criteria comprise at least any of:predicted conditions affecting the output of the at least one power source; and predicted depletion of hydrogen levels in the at least one pressure vessel based on historic data; andpredicted depletion of hydrogen levels in the at least one pressure vessel based on predicted singular usage increases; andpredicted carbon footprint of the system for distributing hydrogen; and regional shortages of hydrogen gas for distribution to vehicles; and traffic conditions local to the system.

13. A system for distributing hydrogen to vehicles according to any of claims 8 to 12 wherein the controller comprises an information transmitter and an information receiver wherein the information transmitter is configured to send data externally to a network comprising a machine learning algorithm and wherein the information receiver is configured to receive data form an external source comprising a machine learning algorithm.

14. A system for distributing hydrogen to vehicles according to claim 13 wherein the controller comprises a wireless communication device for sharing data with at least one device.

15. A system for distributing hydrogen to vehicles according to claim 14 wherein the at least one device comprises a vehicle capable of at least partially autonomous operation.

16. A system for distributing hydrogen to vehicles according to any preceding claim comprising at least one pressure vessel for storing hydrogen gas produced by the at least one modular membraneless electrolyser.

17. A system for distributing hydrogen to vehicles according to claim 16, wherein there is provided a plurality of pressure vessels for storing hydrogen gas.

18. A system for distributing hydrogen to vehicles according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the at least one means to distribute hydrogen gas to a vehicle is connected to the at least one pressure vessel for storing hydrogen gas.

19. A system for distributing hydrogen to vehicles according to any preceding claim, further comprising a plurality of modular membraneless electrolysers for generating hydrogen gas.

20. A system for distributing hydrogen to vehicles according to claim 19 wherein at least two of the plurality of modular membraneless electrolysers for generating hydrogen gas are modularly connected.

21. A system for distributing hydrogen to vehicles according to any preceding claim, wherein there is provided a plurality of vessels for storing seawater and / or brine.

22. A system for distributing hydrogen to vehicles according to any preceding claim, wherein there are provided a plurality of means to distribute hydrogen gas to a vehicle.

23. A system for distributing hydrogen to vehicles according to any preceding claim, comprising at least one waste vessel for storing discarded seawater and / or brine.

24. A hydrogen distribution network comprising:a plurality of systems for distributing hydrogen according to claims 1 to 23; andeach system for distributing hydrogen is in a geographically separate location.

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