System for measuring and transmitting variable dihydrogen content to optimize combustion of a natural gas stream - Patents.com

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system (20) for measuring a dihydrogen content in a gas stream comprising natural gas and transmitting information about said measured dihydrogen content to a combustion system (30) for optimizing combustion parameters of the gas stream. The present invention also relates to a method for optimizing control of combustion of a gas stream comprising natural gas and dihydrogen, the method comprising the steps of measuring the dihydrogen content in the gas stream and processing and transmitting information representative of the dihydrogen content in the gas stream to a unit for controlling combustion of the gas stream.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for real-time measurement of a variable dihydrogen content in a gas stream that further comprises natural gas, and for transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content to at least one combustion system.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a method for real-time measurement of a variable dihydrogen content in a gas stream further comprising natural gas, and for transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content 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 in a gas stream comprising natural gas and for transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content in the gas stream to at least one combustion system, preferably for optimizing the monitoring of the combustion of the gas stream.

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

[0005] The introduction of dihydrogen into natural gas, especially from carbon-free sources, appears to be an advantageous and promising solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in many applications that currently involve heat production by combustion.

[0006] By way of example, mention may in particular be made of gas turbines in isolated on-site or CCGT type thermal power plants, industrial boilers, in particular hydrogen wall-mounted boilers, or even electricity generation by natural gas engines, which are frequently used in road transport or construction machinery.

[0007] The addition of dihydrogen also allows for improved combustion of natural gas and therefore engine efficiency, thus resulting in an environmentally and technically efficient hybrid fuel mixture composed of natural gas and dihydrogen fractions.

[0008] Dihydrogen also has the advantage that it can be injected directly into existing natural gas transmission, distribution or storage networks, making it possible to route such hybrid mixtures without necessarily incurring additional high investment costs for the installation of special infrastructure.

[0009] However, it has been found that the combustion behavior of natural gas depends heavily on the dihydrogen content present in the hybrid mixture. In particular, the injected dihydrogen fraction affects not only the burning rate of natural gas, but also the amount of nitrogen oxides (NOx) formed and the risk of knocking.

[0010] Indeed, during the combustion of the hybrid mixture in the burner, an increase in the dihydrogen content tends, on the one hand, to cause an increase in the compression end temperature and thus an increase in the pressure and combustion temperature in the cylinder of the engine. This results in the formation of hot zones in the burner and an increase in the appearance of nitrogen oxides (NOx). On the other hand, an increase in the dihydrogen content also induces an increase in the temperature and pressure of the oxidizer / fuel mixture downstream of the flame front, which can increase the risk of autoignition of some of these gases before the flame front arrives. This results in the appearance of pressure peaks that can damage the thermomechanical resistance of the burner walls.

[0011] In other words, the amount of dihydrogen injected into the natural gas network can significantly affect the technical and environmental performance of combustion systems, as well as the thermo-mechanical performance of their equipment, in particular the combustion chambers.

[0012] To be clear, variability in the content of dihydrogen injected into the natural gas stream can further be detrimental to the operation of the combustion system.

[0013] In order to better master the performance of the combustion system, it is therefore generally proposed to monitor the average dihydrogen content in the natural gas upstream or at least to limit its fluctuations, thus imposing a loss of flexibility in the injection of dihydrogen into the natural gas network.

[0014] In fact, since the parameters of combustion systems are typically tuned to operate in all conditions, these systems are designed to accept only hybrid mixtures with a limited, predetermined average dihydrogen concentration.

[0015] To do this, currently proposed solutions consist in limiting the average concentration of dihydrogen in the natural gas stream, for example by setting in particular the volumetric content of H2 below 10%, or in precisely monitoring upstream the injection of dihydrogen into the natural gas network.

[0016] Therefore, in such conditions, the combustion system does not fully utilize the advantages offered by the dihydrogen likely to be injected into the natural gas stream, which in the medium term constitutes a limiting factor at technical and ecological level for the development of this technology. Summary of the Invention

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

[0018] In other words, there is a real need to determine the content, and in particular the dihydrogen content, of a hybrid fuel mixture in real time in order to obtain flexibility in the injection possibilities of dihydrogen in the natural gas network.

[0019] In particular, one of the aims of the present invention is to make maximum use of the possibilities offered by the injection of dihydrogen into the natural gas network while having a combustion system with good technical and / or environmental performance.

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

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

[0022] The system according to the present invention therefore enables determining and monitoring in real time the instantaneous dihydrogen content in a gas stream comprising natural gas (or a mixture of natural gases) arising from at least one system for supplying natural gas and a gas stream comprising a variable dihydrogen content, and communicating information representative of this content to a combustion monitoring unit which can then modify one or more parameters of the combustion system in response to the communicated information regarding the dihydrogen content.

[0023] In other words, the system according to the present invention has the advantage of communicating the instantaneous dihydrogen content in a gas stream containing natural gas and dihydrogen in real time to a combustion monitoring unit in order to best regulate the combustion process of the gas stream.

[0024] The system according to the invention therefore has the advantage that it allows the control of a combustion process for natural gas and a gas stream containing a variable dihydrogen content according to information communicated regarding the dihydrogen content.

[0025] The system according to the invention therefore makes it possible to optimise in real time the control of a combustion process for a gas stream containing natural gas and dihydrogen.

[0026] Thus, real-time measurement of the instantaneous dihydrogen content in a gas stream containing natural gas, and communication of information about this content to a combustion monitoring unit, makes it possible to eliminate the need to limit and / or monitor the average amount of dihydrogen content in the gas stream or the need to accurately monitor the injected dihydrogen content upstream in the natural gas network.

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

[0028] Combustion parameters that may be adapted depending on the measurement of the dihydrogen content in the natural gas stream may be, for example, spark advance, injection advance or water injection.

[0029] The system of the present invention thus enables real-time measurement and transmission of information representative of instantaneous dihydrogen content in a gas stream containing natural gas to a natural gas distribution or combustion system over a network of gas turbine control stations.

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

[0031] The system according to the invention also has the advantage that it makes it possible to make full use of the possibilities offered by the injection of dihydrogen into the natural gas network, while ensuring good technical and / or environmental performance for the combustion system.

[0032] In particular, the system according to the invention makes it possible to improve the combustion process, in particular by resulting in a better efficiency of the combustion system and a reduced risk of formation of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and / or autoignition (risk of knocking), while increasing the injectable dihydrogen content in the natural gas network and increasing the flexibility of the dihydrogen injection method.

[0033] In this way, the system according to the invention makes it possible to minimize the risk of damage to the combustion chamber associated with the risk of autoignition of a natural gas / hydrogen mixture.

[0034] The system according to the invention therefore makes it possible to improve the combustion process, in particular the combustion parameters of a gas stream containing natural gas and a variable dihydrogen content, whilst remaining in a safe condition, in other words the combustion parameters can be adapted depending on the measured dihydrogen content present in the gas stream.

[0035] Furthermore, the system makes it possible to take advantage of the advantages associated with the use of dihydrogen, in particular obtained from carbon-free sources, for example obtained from water electrolysis or ammonia decomposition processes, or from processes in which released carbon dioxide is captured.

[0036] Preferably, the system according to the invention allows the use of dihydrogen from carbon-free sources, in particular from hydrogen stations.

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

[0038] Additionally, the system of the present invention reports in real time the dihydrogen quality of the hybrid fuel mixture and the possible presence of a dihydrogen leak during the process of routing the mixture before commencing the combustion process.

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

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

[0041] In particular, the method according to the invention makes it possible to optimize the monitoring of the combustion of natural gas and gas streams containing variable dihydrogen content.

[0042] Thus, the method according to the invention is preferably a method for optimizing a combustion process for a gas stream containing natural gas and a variable dihydrogen content.

[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, and at least one combustion system, connected to at least one measuring and transmitting system as described above.

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

[0045] Below, unless otherwise indicated, the limits of the value ranges are included within the ranges.

[0046] The term "at least one" is equivalent to the term "one or more."

[0047] Measurement and Transmission Systems As previously mentioned, the measurement and transmission system according to the present invention comprises: at least one unit for measuring a variable dihydrogen content in a gas stream, further comprising natural gas, passing through said system, said at least one unit comprising one or more means for measuring the dihydrogen content by spectroscopy; at least one unit for measuring the flow rate of a gas stream passing through said system; 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] The measuring unit thus determines in real time the instantaneous dihydrogen content in a gas stream comprising natural gas, said gas stream being distributed in particular by a system for supplying a gas stream comprising natural gas and dihydrogen.

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

[0050] Within the meaning of the present invention, the gas stream entering the measuring unit corresponds to a gas stream containing natural gas and a variable dihydrogen content, or corresponds to a mixture of natural gas, i.e. a gas mixture of hydrocarbons and a gas stream containing a variable dihydrogen content.

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

[0052] Within the meaning of the present invention, the term "variable dihydrogen content" means that the average dihydrogen concentration, whether in the gas stream comprising natural gas or at the time of its injection into the gas stream comprising natural gas, is not limited to a predetermined, pre-determined content.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0061] The measurement and transmission system of the present invention further comprises one or more means for measuring the flow rate of a gas stream passing through said system.

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

[0063] In other words, the means for measuring the flow rate of the gas stream may be comprised in a unit for measuring the flow rate of the gas stream which is different from the measurement unit.

[0064] The means for measuring flow may correspond to a flow sensor, preferably a mass or volume sensor, of the gas flow through said system.

[0065] Preferably, the flow measurement means is selected from the group consisting of a mechanical flow meter, a thermal flow meter, a differential pressure flow meter or an ultrasonic flow meter.

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

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

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

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

[0070] Therefore, the measurement system according to the present invention has better accuracy in the real-time measurement of dihydrogen content in a gas stream.

[0071] Preferably, the measurement and transmission system according to the invention comprises: at least one measuring unit as previously described, comprising one or more means for measuring in real time the mass content of dihydrogen in a natural gas stream, one or more means for measuring the mass flow rate of the natural gas flow passing through the system, different or not different from said measurement units, in particular selected from the group consisting of a Coriolis mass flowmeter, a differential pressure flowmeter, an ultrasonic flowmeter or a thermal mass flowmeter.

[0072] The processing and transmitting unit makes it possible, on the one hand, to process the information representative of the dihydrogen content measured by the measuring unit, as described above, and, on the other hand, to transmit said information to at least one combustion system, in particular comprising at least one unit for monitoring the combustion of a natural gas stream.

[0073] Preferably, the processing and transmitting unit comprises one or more means capable of converting the dihydrogen content measured by said measuring unit into information representative of the dihydrogen content.

[0074] In particular, the unit may transmit information in the form of a signal representative of a real-time measurement of dihydrogen content in a gas stream comprising natural gas to at least one unit for monitoring combustion of the gas stream.

[0075] More particularly, the unit is capable of transmitting said information to at least one receiver of the combustion system capable of receiving and transmitting said information to the combustion system, preferably to a unit for monitoring the combustion of a gas stream comprising natural gas and dihydrogen.

[0076] Even more particularly, the unit can transmit said information to at least one receiver in the combustion system that can receive and transmit said information, with or without wires, to a combustion monitoring unit for a gas stream containing natural gas and dihydrogen.

[0077] The information representative of the dihydrogen content preferably corresponds to a concentration, in particular a volumetric, mass or molar value, of dihydrogen in a gas stream, in particular as dispensed by a system for supplying natural gas and a gas stream containing a variable dihydrogen content.

[0078] Alternatively, the information representative of the dihydrogen content may correspond to information from which the dihydrogen content is likely to be estimated, for example measurements of other components of the gas mixture.

[0079] The processing and transmitting unit may convert information representative of the dihydrogen content contained in the gas stream further comprising natural gas into data representative of the instantaneous or averaged dihydrogen content over a distribution period of the gas stream, and may comprise one or more means for transmitting said information to at least one combustion monitoring unit of the gas stream comprising natural gas and dihydrogen.

[0080] The processing of information regarding dihydrogen content can be done digitally by a microprocessor and computer algorithms.

[0081] Information representative of the dihydrogen content may be transmitted to the combustion monitoring unit of the natural gas and dihydrogen containing gas stream by wire or not by wire, preferably wirelessly, for example by a radio connection.

[0082] Advantageously, the processing and transmitting unit also makes it possible, on the one hand, to process information representative of the dihydrogen content measured by the measuring unit as described above and information representative of the flow rate of the gas stream, and, on the other hand, to transmit said information to at least one combustion system comprising at least one unit for monitoring the combustion of in particular natural gas and a natural gas stream containing dihydrogen.

[0083] In other words, preferably the processing and transmitting unit comprises one or more means capable of converting the information representative of the dihydrogen content in the gas stream and the information representative of the flow rate of the gas stream into data that is instantaneous or averaged over a determined period of time, and transmitting said data to at least one combustion monitoring unit of the gas stream.

[0084] The data thus transmitted may correspond to a value of a measured amount of dihydrogen in a gas stream that further comprises natural gas and a value of a flow rate of the gas stream.

[0085] Preferably, the combustion monitoring unit comprises at least one member for adjusting combustion parameters of the gas flow comprising natural gas and dihydrogen, e.g. a member for adjusting flame monitoring parameters in the combustion chamber, in particular fuel injection parameters, ignition parameters of the fuel mixture.

[0086] The gas stream comprising natural gas and dihydrogen at the inlet of the combustion monitoring unit or combustion system corresponds to a fuel mixture.

[0087] Thus, information representative of the dihydrogen content measured by said measurement unit is transmitted to a control unit for adjusting combustion parameters of the gas flow.

[0088] Furthermore, the processing and transmitting unit can process information representative of the natural gas content, e.g. methane, propane and / or butane content, measured by the measuring unit, as described above, and on the other hand can transmit said information to the at least one combustion system.

[0089] Using the system The present invention also relates to the use of a measuring and transmitting system as described above for determining the dihydrogen content present in a gas stream further comprising natural gas and for transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content to at least one combustion system, preferably to at least one unit for monitoring the combustion of the gas stream.

[0090] In other words, the system according to the invention is used for determining by spectroscopy the dihydrogen content in a gas stream further comprising natural gas and for transmitting information representative of said content to at least one combustion system, preferably to at least one unit for monitoring the combustion of the gas stream.

[0091] Preferably, the system may be used to optimize the monitoring of the combustion of natural gas and gas streams containing variable dihydrogen content in a network of natural gas distribution stations or in a gas turbine control network, as previously described.

[0092] The measurement and transmission system according to the present invention can further be used to detect dihydrogen leaks in a gas stream containing natural gas and dihydrogen in a network of natural gas distribution stations or in a gas turbine control network.

[0093] The invention can therefore also consist in the use of a measuring and transmitting system as described above for optimizing the monitoring of the combustion of natural gas and gas streams containing a variable dihydrogen content and possibly detecting dihydrogen leaks in the gas streams in a network of natural gas distribution stations or in a gas turbine control network.

[0094] Alternatively, the measuring and transmitting system according to the invention can further be used to prevent dihydrogen leaks in a gas stream distributed by a system for supplying natural gas and a gas stream containing dihydrogen, in particular in a network of natural gas distribution stations or in a gas turbine control network.

[0095] method Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for the real-time measurement of the dihydrogen content in a gas stream further comprising natural gas, and for transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content to at least one combustion system, comprising: - providing a gas stream comprising natural gas and a variable dihydrogen content; - measuring the dihydrogen content in the gas stream by spectroscopy; - measuring the flow rate of the gas stream; - processing and transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content determined during the measuring step to at least one combustion system.

[0096] The measuring step therefore allows for the instantaneous amount of dihydrogen content present in the gas stream to be determined in real time.

[0097] The dihydrogen present in the gas stream may be carbon-free or derived from a carbon source, preferably a carbon-free source.

[0098] Dihydrogen may be derived from a carbon source, preferably obtainable by a steam reforming process, optionally including at least one step of capturing carbon dioxide.

[0099] Preferably, the dihydrogen is derived from a carbon-free source, preferably obtained by a water electrolysis process or an ammonia decomposition process, more preferably by a water electrolysis process.

[0100] The step of measuring the dihydrogen content is preferably performed by Raman spectroscopy or laser beam absorption and signal analysis wavelength modulation spectroscopy.

[0101] The measuring step may in particular be performed by one or more devices, in particular one or more sensors, for measuring by spectroscopy, in particular Raman spectroscopy or laser beam absorption and signal analysis wavelength modulation spectroscopy.

[0102] Preferably, the method comprises the steps of measuring the dihydrogen content in a gas stream comprising natural gas by spectroscopy and measuring the flow rate of the natural gas stream.

[0103] The steps of measuring the dihydrogen content and measuring the flow rate of the gas stream may be performed sequentially or simultaneously.

[0104] The step of processing the information representative of the dihydrogen content may be performed by a microprocessor and a computer algorithm.

[0105] Preferably, the step of transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content to the combustion system is performed via a wired connection or via a wireless type connection.

[0106] The method according to the invention may further comprise the step of adapting combustion parameters of the gas stream by means of a combustion monitoring unit in dependence on the information representative of the dihydrogen content in said gas stream.

[0107] The steps of measuring the dihydrogen content and processing and transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content are performed by a measurement system, particularly as described above.

[0108] The method according to the invention makes it possible in particular to optimize the monitoring of the combustion of natural gas and a gas stream containing a variable dihydrogen content, preferably in a network of natural gas distribution stations or in a gas turbine control network.

[0109] In particular, the method according to the invention comprises: - providing a gas stream comprising natural gas and a variable dihydrogen content; - measuring a variable dihydrogen content in the gas stream; - measuring the flow rate of the gas stream; - processing and transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content determined during the measuring step to at least one combustion system; - controlling one or more combustion parameters of the gas stream by a combustion system according to the received information regarding the dihydrogen content.

[0110] The method according to the invention therefore makes it possible to act on and / or control one or more combustion parameters of a natural gas and a gas stream containing a variable dihydrogen content depending on information representative of the dihydrogen content measured and transmitted by the system according to the invention.

[0111] assembly The present invention also relates to an assembly comprising at least one system for supplying a gas stream comprising natural gas and a variable dihydrogen content, and at least one gas stream combustion system, connected to at least one measurement and transmission system as defined above.

[0112] Preferably, the system for supplying a gas stream comprising natural gas and a variable dihydrogen content comprises at least one natural gas distribution unit and at least one unit capable of supplying dihydrogen to the natural gas stream emerging from said distribution unit.

[0113] Thus, a unit capable of supplying dihydrogen makes it possible to introduce variable amounts of dihydrogen into the natural gas stream emerging from said natural gas distribution unit to produce a gas stream containing natural gas and variable dihydrogen content.

[0114] The gas stream is then routed to the measurement and transmission system, as previously described, and thereafter to the combustion system as a fuel mixture.

[0115] Preferably, the unit capable of supplying dihydrogen to a natural gas stream is a unit for producing, separating, distributing and / or storing dihydrogen.

[0116] The dihydrogen supply unit may comprise one or more means capable of injecting dihydrogen into the natural gas stream emerging from said distribution unit.

[0117] The means by which dihydrogen can be injected into the natural gas stream may be a dihydrogen injection device.

[0118] Preferably, the means by which dihydrogen can be injected may correspond to the connection of a dihydrogen circuit to the natural gas network by means of a controllable valve, the opening monitoring of which makes it possible to regulate the dihydrogen content in the network.

[0119] Preferably, said unit capable of supplying dihydrogen to a natural gas stream 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 decomposition process.

[0120] Preferably, said unit capable of supplying dihydrogen to a natural gas stream is a dihydrogen production unit by water electrolysis.

[0121] Preferably, the unit capable of supplying dihydrogen to a natural gas stream is a hydrogen filling station.

[0122] Preferably, the natural gas distribution unit may correspond to a network of natural gas distribution stations or a gas turbine control network.

[0123] Preferably, the system for burning a gas stream containing natural gas and dihydrogen comprises at least one unit for monitoring the combustion of the gas stream, in particular capable of receiving information representative of the dihydrogen content transmitted by the measurement and transmission system as described above.

[0124] In particular, the combustion monitoring unit is capable of modifying parameters of the combustion system in real time in response to information representative of the dihydrogen content transmitted by the measurement and transmission system as described above.

[0125] The monitoring unit therefore comprises one or more means capable of modifying parameters of the combustion system in real time depending on the information representative of the dihydrogen content transmitted by the measurement and transmission system as described above.

[0126] In this manner, the combustion parameters can be adjusted in real time relative to the initial parameters in response to information representative of the dihydrogen content.

[0127] Preferably, the system for monitoring the combustion of a gas stream comprises at least one receiver capable of receiving information representative of the dihydrogen content transmitted by the measurement and transmission system as described above.

[0128] Preferably, the system for supplying the gas flow is connected by at least one connecting conduit to a measuring and transmitting system as defined above and to a combustion system as explained above.

[0129] Thus, the gas flow from the supply system may be routed through at least one connecting conduit to a measurement and transmission system as defined above, and to a combustion system as previously described.

[0130] Preferably, the natural gas distribution unit is connected by at least one connecting conduit to a measuring and transmitting system as defined above and to the combustion system.

[0131] The unit capable of supplying dihydrogen to the natural gas stream is in particular connected to the natural gas distribution unit by at least one dihydrogen supply conduit which is connected to a connecting conduit as described above.

[0132] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a detailed consideration of an embodiment thereof taken as a non-limiting example and illustrated by the attached drawings, in which: FIG. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0133] [Figure 1] Assembly is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0134] FIG. 1 shows an assembly 50 comprising a system 10 for supplying a gas stream comprising natural gas and a variable dihydrogen content, a system 20 for measuring the dihydrogen content contained in said gas stream and transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content to a system 8 for monitoring the combustion of the gas stream, and a system 30 for the combustion of said gas stream.

[0135] A system 10 for supplying a gas stream containing natural gas and dihydrogen comprises a natural gas distribution unit 1 and a unit 2 capable of supplying dihydrogen to the natural gas stream emerging from said distribution unit 1 .

[0136] Within system 10, unit 1 is capable of dispensing natural gas or a mixture of natural gases, and unit 2 is capable of injecting variable amounts of dihydrogen directly into the natural gas stream discharged by unit 1.

[0137] In particular, the unit 2 may comprise one or more means capable of injecting dihydrogen.

[0138] Unit 2 may be a unit for producing, distributing and / or storing dihydrogen.

[0139] The system 10 is connected to a measurement and transmission system 20 and a combustion system 30 by a connecting conduit 3. In this manner, a gas stream containing natural gas and a variable dihydrogen content is routed from the supply system 10 to the measurement and transmission system 20 and to the combustion system 30 via the connecting conduit 3.

[0140] Alternatively, system 10, measurement and transmission system 20, and combustion system 30 may be interconnected by a connection network that allows for the routing of gas streams including natural gas and dihydrogen.

[0141] The measurement and transmission system 20 comprises a unit 4 for real-time measurement of the dihydrogen content in the gas stream resulting from the system 10, an element 5 for measuring the flow rate of the gas stream passing through the system 20, and a unit 6 for processing and transmitting information representative of the dihydrogen content determined by the measurement unit 3.

[0142] Measurement unit 4 determines in real time the instantaneous dihydrogen content in the gas stream delivered by system 10 .

[0143] The element 5 for measuring the flow rate of the gas stream through the system 20 may be a mass flow meter.

[0144] The unit 6 digitally processes, on the one hand, information representative of the dihydrogen content measured by the measuring unit 4 as well as information representative of the flow rate of the gas stream passing through the system 20 measured by the measuring element 5, and, on the other hand, transmits this information via wires to the combustion system 30 via a wired or wireless connection.

[0145] The combustion system 30 comprises a receiver 7 for information representative of the dihydrogen content measured by the measurement unit 4 and information relating to the flow rate of the gas stream passing through the system 20 measured by element 5, a unit 8 for monitoring the combustion of the gas stream, and a combustion unit 9.

[0146] As mentioned above, unit 6 transmits information representative of the dihydrogen content measured by measurement unit 4 and the flow rate of the gas stream measured by unit 5, respectively, to a receiver 7 of combustion system 30.

[0147] The receiver 7 then digitally transmits this information to a unit 8 for monitoring the combustion of a gas stream containing natural gas and dihydrogen.

[0148] Depending on the information emitted by the system 20, the combustion monitoring unit 7 modifies the parameters of the combustion unit 9 in order to adjust the combustion process, in particular the combustion conditions such as the duration of injection of the fuel mixture (i.e. of the gas stream containing natural gas and dihydrogen), the phasing of the injection of the gas stream, the phasing of the ignition and the content of the elements that make up the gas stream.

[0149] Thus, system 20 enables real-time measurement and sharing of instantaneous dihydrogen content in a gas stream, including natural gas, delivered by system 10 to a combustion monitoring unit 8 of a combustion system 30 to obtain improved combustion of the gas stream.

Claims

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

2. 2. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that the unit (4) comprises one or more means for measuring the dihydrogen content in the gas stream with an acquisition frequency of less than 5 seconds, preferably less than 1 second.

3. 3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the unit (4) comprises one or more means for measuring the dihydrogen content in the gas stream by Raman spectroscopy or by laser beam absorption and signal analysis wavelength modulation spectroscopy.

4. 4. Use of a system (20) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 3 for determining a dihydrogen content in a gas stream further comprising natural gas and transmitting said information representative of said dihydrogen content to at least one combustion system (30), preferably located in a network of natural gas distribution stations or in a gas turbine control network.

5. 6. Use of the system (20) according to claim 5 for detecting dihydrogen leaks in a gas stream further comprising natural gas, preferably said system (20) being located in a network of natural gas distribution stations or in a gas turbine control network.

6. 7. Use according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the combustion system (30) comprises at least one unit for monitoring the combustion of the gas stream.

7. 1. A method for real-time measurement of dihydrogen content in a gas stream further comprising natural gas, and for transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content to at least one combustion system, comprising: - supplying a gas stream containing natural gas and a variable dihydrogen content; - measuring the dihydrogen content in the gas stream by spectroscopy; - measuring the flow rate of said gas stream; - processing and transmitting said information representative of said dihydrogen content determined during said measuring step to at least one combustion system (30).

8. 8. The method of claim 7, characterized in that the dihydrogen present in the gas stream is derived from a carbon-free source, preferably likely obtained by a water electrolysis process or an ammonia decomposition process.

9. 8. The method of claim 7, characterized in that the dihydrogen present in the gas stream is derived from a carbon source, likely obtained by a steam reforming process, which may preferably include at least one step of capturing carbon dioxide.

10. 10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step of transmitting the information representative of the dihydrogen content to the combustion system is performed via a wired or wireless connection.

11. 11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, further comprising the step of adapting one or more combustion parameters of said gas flow by said combustion system (8) depending on the dihydrogen content in said gas flow.

12. 4. An assembly (50) comprising at least one system (10) for supplying a gas flow comprising natural gas and a variable dihydrogen content, and at least one combustion system (30), connected to at least one measurement and transmission system (20) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 3.

13. 13. The assembly (50) according to claim 12, characterized in that the system (10) for supplying the gas stream containing natural gas and a variable dihydrogen content comprises at least one natural gas distribution unit (1) and at least one unit (2) capable of supplying a variable dihydrogen content to the natural gas stream emerging from the distribution unit (1).

14. 14. The assembly (50) according to claim 13, characterized in that the unit (2) capable of supplying a variable dihydrogen content to the natural gas stream is a unit for producing, separating, distributing and / or storing dihydrogen.

15. Assembly (50) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the unit (1) is a network of natural gas distribution stations or a gas turbine control network.

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