System for measuring and transmitting variable dihydrogen content for an external receiver

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system (3) for measuring in real time a variable dihydrogen content in a gas stream and for transmitting information about said measured dihydrogen content to at least one external receiver (4) located outside said system and not in communication with a combustion system. The present invention also relates to a method for the real-time measurement of a variable dihydrogen content in a gas stream and for transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content to at least one receiver (4) not in communication with a combustion system.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for real-time measurement of a variable dihydrogen content present in a gas stream and for transmitting information representative of said measured dihydrogen content in the gas stream to at least one external receiver distinct from a dihydrogen burner.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a method for real-time measurement of a variable dihydrogen content present in a gas stream and for transmitting information representative of said measured dihydrogen content in the gas stream to at least one external receiver distinct from the dihydrogen burner.

[0003] The present invention also relates to a method for optimizing a process for the production of dihydrogen, preferably selected from the group consisting of natural gas cracking, ammonia cracking, natural gas steam reforming or water electrolysis, or a process for the separation of a mixture of natural gas and dihydrogen, in particular a membrane or electrolytic separation process.

[0004] The present invention also relates to an assembly comprising at least one system for generating a gas stream with a variable dihydrogen content, connected to at least one system for real-time measurement of the variable dihydrogen content present in the gas stream and for transmitting information representative of said measured dihydrogen content to at least one system different from a dihydrogen burner. [Background technology]

[0005] The use of dihydrogen, for example from decarbonized or renewable sources, in particular natural gas-based mixtures, currently appears to represent an advantageous and promising solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in many applications.

[0006] As examples, mention may be made in particular of the generation of electricity by isolated site gas turbines or CCGT type thermal power plants, industrial boilers, in particular hydrogen wall mounted boilers, or natural gas motors frequently used in road transport or construction equipment, but more generally of industrial processes controlled by dihydrogen obtained in production or fractionation processes, for example by cracking ammonia.

[0007] Dihydrogen also has the advantage that it can be directly injected into current natural gas transmission, distribution or storage networks, making it possible to route hybrid mixtures based on natural gas and dihydrogen without necessarily incurring additional high investment costs in the installation of special infrastructure.

[0008] Dihydrogen can be obtained by decomposing natural gas or ammonia, by natural gas steam reforming, optionally with a step of capturing carbon dioxide, by coal or biomass gasification, by methane pyrolysis, or by water decomposition, in particular by electrolysis.

[0009] Dihydrogen can also be obtained by separating dihydrogen mixed with natural gas, in particular by using membrane or electrochemical separation methods in mixtures based on natural gas and dihydrogen.

[0010] However, it has been found that the performance of the gas streams obtained by using these methods is directly dependent on their instantaneous dihydrogen content, i.e. the conversion rate of the initial gas or liquid stream to dihydrogen.

[0011] Indeed, this conversion rate generally represents an important factor to be considered during the use of industrial processes controlled by dihydrogen production processes.

[0012] In other words, the technical or environmental performance of the system controlled via the method of producing or separating dihydrogen, particularly within the scope of the aforementioned applications, may be influenced by the dihydrogen content at that point in time.

[0013] Therefore, it may be advantageous to monitor and control parameters aimed at influencing the conversion rate of the initial gas or liquid stream to dihydrogen, such as temperature, pressure conditions, electric fields, etc., in order to best optimize the resulting dihydrogen content and result in a gas stream more enriched in dihydrogen.

[0014] In order to better control the performance associated with dihydrogen-rich gas streams, currently proposed solutions consist, for example, of using gas streams having a constant average dihydrogen concentration according to the desired industrial application.

[0015] Under such conditions, systems controlled by processes for the production of dihydrogen or processes for the separation of mixtures based on natural gas and dihydrogen are unable to fully utilize the advantages offered by the use of dihydrogen.

[0016] In light of the above, one of the objectives of the present invention is to implement a system capable of accurately monitoring in real time the variable dihydrogen content at a given time in an initial liquid or gas stream in order to best optimize process control, particularly related to hydrogen production or separation.

[0017] In other words, it is practically necessary to monitor and control one or more parameters of the conversion of the initial liquid or gas stream to dihydrogen in order to best optimize the resulting dihydrogen content and result in a stream more concentrated in dihydrogen. Summary of the Invention

[0018] The present invention therefore relates to a system for real-time measurement of the dihydrogen content present in a gas stream, for transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content to at least one external receiver located outside said system, said system comprising: at least one unit for measuring the dihydrogen content in the gas stream passing through said system; at least one unit for processing and transmitting information representative of the dihydrogen content determined by the measuring unit to at least one external receiver located outside the system that does not combust dihydrogen.

[0019] The system of the present invention therefore makes it possible to determine and monitor in real time the dihydrogen content present in a gas stream and to communicate information representative of this content in real time to at least one system that does not combust dihydrogen, i.e. does not use dihydrogen or a gas stream containing dihydrogen, as fuel.

[0020] In other words, the external receiver is distinct from a combustion system or unit that is specifically adapted to monitor one or more combustion parameters of a gas stream that includes dihydrogen.

[0021] Thus, an external receiver located outside the system that does not burn dihydrogen does not communicate with the combustion system.

[0022] The external receiver corresponds to a system for controlling a unit for producing dihydrogen or a unit for separating dihydrogen in a mixture based on natural gas and dihydrogen.

[0023] The system according to the invention is particularly adapted to measure the dihydrogen content (H) in a gas stream at the outlet of a system for producing dihydrogen (or a system for producing a dihydrogen-rich gas stream). 2 ) in real time, and the measured H 2 The information showing the content of dihydrogen (H 2 ) to a system that can control one or more operating parameters of a system for producing dihydrogen via a closed loop based on the content information.

[0024] Therefore, the system according to the present invention is particularly suitable for real-time transmitted H 2It has the advantage of improving the conversion of an initial liquid or gas stream at the inlet of a system for producing dihydrogen (or a system for producing a dihydrogen-rich gas stream) by allowing control of one or more conversion parameters of the initial dihydrogen stream thanks to the content information.

[0025] Therefore, H 2 Thanks to the information transmitted in real time regarding the content, the system according to the present invention may be used in a closed loop to allow the control of one or more parameters, such as temperature, pressure or electric field, implemented during the method for producing dihydrogen in order to improve the dihydrogen content.

[0026] The system according to the invention therefore makes it possible to best optimise the dihydrogen content obtained at the outlet of the system for producing a gas stream containing a variable dihydrogen content.

[0027] In other words, the system according to the invention makes it possible to produce a gas stream that is more enriched in dihydrogen.

[0028] The system according to the invention may therefore be advantageously used in a closed control loop to control one or more parameters of a method for producing dihydrogen to obtain a gas stream more enriched in dihydrogen.

[0029] In particular, the system according to the invention makes it possible to measure the actual dihydrogen content present in the gas stream at the outlet of the method for producing dihydrogen and to transmit corresponding information to a system capable of controlling in a closed loop one or more parameters of the method for producing dihydrogen which allows the dihydrogen concentration to be maximized according to the transmitted information.

[0030] Furthermore, the system according to the invention also makes it possible to measure and transmit in real time the dihydrogen content, in particular obtained from decarbonized sources, for example from water electrolysis or ammonia decomposition, or obtained from carbon sources, for example by methane pyrolysis or natural gas steam reforming, with the released carbon dioxide optionally being captured.

[0031] Preferably, the system of the present invention allows for full utilization of dihydrogen available from a decarbonized source.

[0032] The system according to the invention also makes it possible to measure and transmit in real time the dihydrogen content resulting from a separation process in a mixture of natural gas and dihydrogen, for example via a membrane or electrochemical separation process.

[0033] The system according to the invention therefore has the advantage that it allows the control of systems for producing dihydrogen, for example by cracking natural gas or cracking ammonia, or for separating dihydrogen and natural gas by membrane or electrolysis.

[0034] The system according to the invention therefore allows optimizing the control of such processes in real time.

[0035] In particular, the system according to the invention makes it possible to quantify the dihydrogen withdrawn from the natural gas and dihydrogen network to supply the dihydrogen distribution stations.

[0036] Additionally, the system of the present invention may also report in real time the dihydrogen quality of the hybrid fuel mixture and the presence of possible dihydrogen leaks during the mixture routing process.

[0037] The system according to the invention therefore makes it possible to report in real time the variations in the dihydrogen content in the hybrid mixture.

[0038] The invention also relates to the use of a system as described above for determining the dihydrogen content present in a gas stream and transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content to at least one receiver located outside the system, which does not combust dihydrogen.

[0039] Preferably, the system according to the invention is used in a dihydrogen generating unit at a natural gas station which is supplied by at least one dihydrogen generating unit.

[0040] The external receiver is as defined above and corresponds in particular to a system for controlling a unit for producing dihydrogen or a unit for separating dihydrogen in a mixture based on natural gas and dihydrogen.

[0041] Similarly, the present invention also provides a method for real-time measurement of dihydrogen content in a gas stream and for transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content to at least one receiver not combusting dihydrogen, comprising: - distributing a gas stream with a variable dihydrogen content obtained by a unit for producing dihydrogen or a unit for separating a mixture of natural gas and dihydrogen, - measuring the variable dihydrogen content present in the gas stream from the generating step; - processing and transmitting information representative of the dihydrogen content determined during the measuring step to at least one receiver that does not combust dihydrogen.

[0042] The external receiver is as defined above and corresponds in particular to a system for controlling a unit for producing dihydrogen or a unit for separating dihydrogen in a mixture based on natural gas and dihydrogen.

[0043] Preferably, the method according to the invention comprises a step of controlling the step of producing a gas stream with a variable dihydrogen content or the step of separating the mixture of natural gas and dihydrogen according to information representative of the dihydrogen content transmitted during the processing and transmitting step.

[0044] The method according to the invention is therefore preferably a method for controlling a unit for producing dihydrogen or a unit for separating a mixture of natural gas and dihydrogen using the measuring and transmitting system according to the invention.

[0045] Therefore, the method according to the present invention is preferably a method for optimizing a dihydrogen production method selected from the group consisting of natural gas cracking, natural gas steam reforming, ammonia cracking, water electrolysis, or a method for separating a mixture of natural gas and dihydrogen.

[0046] The optimization method thus implemented makes it possible to maximize the dihydrogen content obtained in the gas stream at the outlet of a production or separation method such as those described above.

[0047] The invention further relates to an assembly comprising at least one system for supplying a gas flow with a variable dihydrogen content, connected to at least one measuring and transmitting system, and at least one system different from a dihydrogen burner.

[0048] Other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description and examples.

[0049] Hereinafter, unless otherwise stated, the boundaries of the ranges of values ​​are included within the ranges.

[0050] The phrase "at least one" is equivalent to the phrase "one or more."

[0051] Measurement and Transmission Systems As previously mentioned, the measurement and transmission system according to the present invention comprises: at least one unit for measuring the dihydrogen content present in the gas stream passing through said system; at least one unit for processing and transmitting information representative of the dihydrogen content determined by the measuring unit to at least one external receiver located outside the system that does not combust dihydrogen.

[0052] The external receiver is as defined above.

[0053] The measuring unit thus determines in real time the dihydrogen content present in a gas stream, preferably a gas stream obtained at the outlet of a process for producing dihydrogen or a process for separating dihydrogen in a mixture based on natural gas and dihydrogen.

[0054] Preferably, the measuring unit determines in real time the dihydrogen content present in a gas stream from a unit which produces dihydrogen by natural gas or ammonia decomposition, or by natural gas steam reforming, or by coal or biomass gasification, or from a unit which separates dihydrogen from a mixture based on natural gas and dihydrogen.

[0055] In accordance with the present invention, the gas stream contains a variable dihydrogen content.

[0056] "Variable dihydrogen content" means that according to the present invention, the average dihydrogen concentration is not limited to a predetermined fixed content, whether in the gas stream obtained at the outlet of the dihydrogen production or separation method described above or in the initial stream before carrying out the dihydrogen production or separation method.

[0057] By "real-time measurement" is meant, according to the invention, that the measurement unit is capable of continuously measuring in real time the dihydrogen content present in the gas stream.

[0058] By "external receiver not combusting dihydrogen" is meant according to the invention a receiver different from the receiver of the combustion system or a unit adapted to monitor the combustion, in particular the combustion parameters, of a gas stream containing dihydrogen, and moreover the receiver is not included in the measurement and transmission system according to the invention.

[0059] The external receiver, located outside the system according to the invention, is a system for controlling a unit for producing dihydrogen as defined above or a unit for separating dihydrogen in a mixture based on natural gas and dihydrogen.

[0060] The measurement unit preferably comprises one or more means capable of measuring the dihydrogen content by spectroscopy.

[0061] Preferably, the measurement unit comprises one or more means for measuring the dihydrogen content by spectroscopy, in particular with an acquisition frequency of less than 5 seconds, preferably less than 1 second.

[0062] Preferably, the measurement unit comprises one or more means capable of measuring the molar, mass or volumetric concentration of dihydrogen in a gas stream by spectroscopy with an acquisition frequency of less than 5 seconds, more preferably with an acquisition frequency of less than 1 second.

[0063] The measurement unit preferably comprises one or more means for measuring the dihydrogen content in the gas stream by spectroscopy, in particular by Raman spectroscopy or laser beam absorption and wavelength modulation signal analysis spectroscopy.

[0064] In other words, the measuring means is in particular a device for measuring by spectroscopy, in particular by Raman spectroscopy or by laser beam absorption and wavelength modulation signal analysis spectroscopy.

[0065] Preferably, the measurement unit comprises one or more sensors capable of measuring the dihydrogen content in the gas stream by spectroscopy, more particularly by Raman spectroscopy or by laser beam absorption and wavelength modulation signal analysis spectroscopy.

[0066] The measurement unit may further determine the concentrations of other elements present in the gas stream, i.e. elements other than dihydrogen from the unit for producing or separating dihydrogen.

[0067] The measuring unit can thus determine, for example, the content of natural gas that is not converted into dihydrogen by the unit for producing dihydrogen, such as the content of methane, butane or propane, or the concentration of residues from natural gas cracking or ammonia cracking processes.

[0068] The measurement and transmission system according to the invention further comprises one or more means for measuring the flow rate of a gas stream passing through said system.

[0069] The means for measuring the flow of the natural gas stream may be separate from the measurement unit for determining the dihydrogen content or may be an integral part of the measurement unit, preferably separate from the measurement unit.

[0070] In other words, the means for measuring the flow rate of the gas flow may be comprised in a gas flow flow measurement unit that is separate from the measurement unit.

[0071] The means for measuring flow may correspond to a flow sensor, preferably a mass or volume sensor, of the gas flow through the system.

[0072] Preferably, the means for measuring the flow rate is selected in the group consisting of a mechanical flow meter, a thermal flow meter, a differential pressure flow meter or an ultrasonic flow meter.

[0073] The means for measuring flow rate is preferably capable of measuring the mass or volumetric flow rate of the gas stream passing through said system with an accuracy uncertainty of less than 1%, more preferably with an uncertainty of less than 0.5%.

[0074] Preferably, 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.

[0075] More preferably, the measurement and transmission system according to the present invention comprises one or more Coriolis effect mass flowmeters and one or more thermal mass flowmeters.

[0076] Preferably, the measurement and transmission system according to the invention comprises at least one measurement unit as described above and one or more means, preferably separate from said measurement unit, for measuring the flow rate of a gas stream passing through said system.

[0077] 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 the gas stream, one or more means, optionally separate from said measurement unit, for measuring the mass flow rate of the gas flow passing through said system, in particular selected in the group consisting of Coriolis effect mass flowmeters or thermal mass flowmeters.

[0078] The processing and transmission 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 external receiver located outside the system.

[0079] 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, in particular into a measurement signal representative of the dihydrogen content.

[0080] In particular, the unit may transmit information in the form of a signal representative of a real-time measurement of the dihydrogen content in the gas stream to at least one external receiver that does not combust dihydrogen.

[0081] More specifically, the unit may transmit said information, wired or non-wired, to a receiver of the combustion system or to at least one receiver different from the unit adapted to monitor the combustion parameters.

[0082] The information representative of the dihydrogen content preferably corresponds to the dihydrogen concentration, in particular a volumetric, mass or molar value, in the gas stream, in particular from a unit for producing dihydrogen or for separating dihydrogen.

[0083] Alternatively, the information representative of the dihydrogen content may correspond to information from which the dihydrogen content can be inferred.

[0084] The processing of information regarding dihydrogen content may be performed digitally via a microprocessor and computational algorithms.

[0085] The information representative of the dihydrogen content may be transmitted, wired or non-wired, preferably wirelessly, for example by a wireless electrical connection, to at least one system different from the combustion system or the unit adapted to control the combustion parameters.

[0086] Advantageously, the processing and transmitting unit is furthermore capable of processing, on the one hand, 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 passing through the system according to the invention, and, on the other hand, of transmitting said information to at least one system other than the combustion system or the unit adapted to monitor the combustion parameters.

[0087] In other words, preferably, the measuring unit comprises one or more sensors for measuring the dihydrogen content by spectroscopy, and the processing and transmitting unit comprises one or more means capable of converting the dihydrogen measurement value into a signal representative of said content and transmitting said signal, wired or non-wired, preferably wirelessly, for example by a wireless electrical connection, to at least one system different from the combustion system or the unit adapted to monitor the combustion parameters.

[0088] The data thus transmitted may correspond to a value of a measured amount of dihydrogen contained in the gas stream and a value of a flow rate of the gas stream.

[0089] Using the system The present invention also relates to the use of the measurement and transmission system described above for determining the dihydrogen content in a gas stream and transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content to at least one external receiver that does not combust dihydrogen.

[0090] Preferably, the above described system is used in a dihydrogen generating unit at a natural gas station that is supplied by at least one dihydrogen generating unit.

[0091] Preferably, the dihydrogen production unit may be an ammonia decomposition unit, a natural gas steam reforming unit, optionally with carbon dioxide capture, a coal gasification unit, a natural gas decomposition unit or a water electrolysis unit.

[0092] Preferably, the dihydrogen production unit may be a natural gas steam reforming unit, a natural gas cracking unit or a water electrolysis dihydrogen production unit, with optional carbon dioxide capture.

[0093] The external receiver is as defined above and corresponds to a system for controlling a unit for producing dihydrogen as defined above or a unit for separating dihydrogen in a mixture based on natural gas and dihydrogen.

[0094] Also advantageously, the system of the present invention may be used to control a system for producing dihydrogen (or a gas stream containing variable dihydrogen content) selected from the group consisting of a natural gas cracking system, an ammonia cracking system, a natural gas steam reforming system, and a water electrolysis dihydrogen production system.

[0095] In particular, the natural gas cracking system may be effected by heating, in particular by plasma heating, induction heating, microwave heating, or shock waves.

[0096] Advantageously, the system according to the invention can also be used to control a system for separating dihydrogen and natural gas, in particular a membrane or electrolytic separation system.

[0097] method The present invention also provides a method for real-time measurement of dihydrogen content in a gas stream and for transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content to at least one receiver that does not combust dihydrogen, comprising the steps of: - distributing a gas stream containing a variable dihydrogen content; - measuring a variable dihydrogen content in the gas stream; - processing and transmitting information representative of the dihydrogen content determined during the measuring step to at least one receiver that does not combust dihydrogen.

[0098] The measuring step therefore makes it possible to determine in real time the dihydrogen content present in the gas stream obtained at the outlet of a unit for producing dihydrogen or a unit for separating dihydrogen in a mixture based on natural gas and dihydrogen.

[0099] The dihydrogen present in the gas stream may be derived from a decarbonized or carbonized, preferably decarbonized, source.

[0100] 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.

[0101] Preferably, the dihydrogen is derived from a decarbonized source, preferably obtainable using water electrolysis or ammonia decomposition, more preferably using water electrolysis.

[0102] The step of measuring the dihydrogen content is preferably carried out by Raman spectroscopy or by laser beam absorption and wavelength modulation signal analysis spectroscopy.

[0103] 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 by Raman spectroscopy or by laser beam absorption and wavelength modulation signal analysis spectroscopy.

[0104] Preferably, the method includes the steps of measuring the dihydrogen content in the gas stream by spectroscopy and measuring the flow rate of the gas stream.

[0105] The step of processing the information representative of the dihydrogen content may be performed by a microprocessor and a computing algorithm.

[0106] Preferably, the step of transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content to at least one receiver that does not combust dihydrogen is performed by wire or by radiated connection.

[0107] Preferably, the external receiver may be selected in the group consisting of an indication system intended to indicate the current dihydrogen content contained in a gas stream, a system for detecting dihydrogen leaks in a gas stream, or a system for controlling a process for producing or separating dihydrogen in a mixture based on natural gas and dihydrogen.

[0108] Preferably, the external receiver is a system for controlling a process for producing dihydrogen or a process for separating dihydrogen in a mixture based on natural gas and dihydrogen.

[0109] Preferably, the external receiver is a system for controlling a unit for producing dihydrogen as defined above or a unit for separating dihydrogen in a mixture based on natural gas and dihydrogen, in particular by membrane or electrolysis.

[0110] Preferably, the method according to the invention is a method for producing dihydrogen, preferably selected in the group consisting of natural gas cracking, ammonia cracking, natural gas steam reforming or water electrolysis, or a method for separating a mixture of natural gas and dihydrogen, in particular a static membrane or electrolytic separation method.

[0111] In particular, the method according to the invention comprises: - distributing a gas stream with a variable dihydrogen content obtained by a system for producing dihydrogen or a system for separating a mixture of natural gas and dihydrogen, - measuring the variable dihydrogen content present in the gas stream; - processing and transmitting information representative of the dihydrogen content determined during the measuring step to at least one system for controlling a system for producing dihydrogen or a system for separating a mixture of natural gas and dihydrogen; - controlling a system for producing dihydrogen or a system for separating a mixture of natural gas and dihydrogen according to the information received regarding the dihydrogen content.

[0112] In particular, the steps of measuring the dihydrogen content and the steps of processing and transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content are performed using the system of the present invention as described above.

[0113] The method according to the invention therefore makes it possible to monitor one or more operating parameters of a unit for producing dihydrogen or for separating a mixture of natural gas and dihydrogen according to the dihydrogen content information, in particular the temperature, pressure conditions, electric field, flow rate of the streams at the inlet of the production and separation unit.

[0114] assembly The invention also relates to an assembly comprising at least one system for supplying a gas flow with a variable dihydrogen content, connected to at least one measuring and transmitting system, and at least one system different from a dihydrogen burner.

[0115] Preferably, the system for supplying a gas stream comprises at least one unit for producing dihydrogen (or a stream with a variable dihydrogen content) or a unit for separating a mixture of natural gas and dihydrogen.

[0116] Preferably, the system for supplying a gas stream comprises at least one unit for distributing a gas or liquid stream adapted to be routed to at least one unit for producing dihydrogen or to a unit for separating a mixture of natural gas and dihydrogen.

[0117] Preferably, the stream from the distribution unit is selected in the group consisting of a stream comprising natural gas or a mixture of natural gases, a stream comprising ammonia, a stream comprising a mixture of natural gas and dihydrogen, or a liquid stream comprising water.

[0118] Preferably, the unit for producing dihydrogen (or a stream containing variable dihydrogen content) is selected in the group consisting of a natural gas cracking unit, a natural gas steam reforming unit optionally equipped with a system for capturing carbon dioxide, an ammonia cracking unit, or a water electrolysis dihydrogen generation unit.

[0119] Preferably, the unit for producing dihydrogen (or a gas stream containing variable dihydrogen content) is selected in the group consisting of a natural gas cracking unit, an ammonia cracking unit, or a water electrolysis dihydrogen production unit.

[0120] Preferably, the unit for separating the mixture of natural gas and dihydrogen is a membrane or electrolytic separation unit.

[0121] Preferably, the unit for separating the mixture of natural gas and dihydrogen is a membrane, for example a polymeric, ceramic or liquid form membrane, separation unit.

[0122] Thus, the gas or liquid stream from the distribution unit is routed to a purification or separation unit, as previously described, to be converted or transformed into a stream having a dihydrogen or dihydrogen-rich content.

[0123] In other words, as described above, the stream at the outlet of a production or separation unit contains an increased dihydrogen content relative to the stream at the inlet of said production or separation unit.

[0124] The systems differ from the dihydrogen burners, in particular from the units intended to monitor the combustion system or the combustion.

[0125] In particular, the system different from the dihydrogen burner is a system for controlling a dihydrogen production unit as described above, or a unit for separating a mixture of natural gas and dihydrogen as described above.

[0126] Thus, systems other than the dihydrogen burner may receive information indicative of the dihydrogen content from a measurement and transmission system according to the present invention.

[0127] The control system is therefore capable of controlling (or acting on) one or more parameters of the unit for producing dihydrogen or the unit for separating a mixture of natural gas and dihydrogen, as anticipated above, in particular according to said information representative of the dihydrogen content received, in order to improve the conversion of the flow at the inlet of the unit for producing or separating the dihydrogen.

[0128] In other words, the control system makes it possible to enrich the dihydrogen stream at the outlet of the production or separation unit with dihydrogen relative to the inlet stream, as defined above, by in particular acting on one or more parameters of the production or separation unit, such as the temperature, pressure conditions, flow rate, the induced electric field of the stream at the inlet of said unit.

[0129] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a detailed consideration of the embodiments represented in the attached drawings, taken as non-limiting examples of a measurement and transmission system according to the invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0130] [Figure 1] Assembly is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0131] In FIG. 1 an assembly 10 is shown comprising a unit 1 for distributing a gas or liquid stream, a unit 2 for producing a stream with a variable dihydrogen content, and a system 3 for measuring the dihydrogen content and transmitting information representative of said content to a system 4 distinct from the dihydrogen burner.

[0132] The distribution unit 1 routes the gas or liquid stream via at least one connection circuit 1a to the production unit 2 so that the stream is treated and at least partially converted or transformed into dihydrogen.

[0133] The stream so routed may be a stream comprising natural gas or a mixture of natural gas, a stream comprising ammonia, a stream comprising a mixture of natural gas and dihydrogen, or a liquid stream comprising water.

[0134] The production unit 2 is connected via a connection circuit 2a to a measurement and transmission system 3. In this way, a stream with a variable dihydrogen content is routed to the system 3.

[0135] As mentioned above, the production unit 2 makes it possible to convert or transform at least a portion of the inlet stream into a gas stream containing a dihydrogen-rich content.

[0136] In other words, the dihydrogen content in the outlet stream of unit 2 is greater than the dihydrogen content present in the inlet stream.

[0137] The distribution unit 1 and the production unit 2 may be combined to form a system 20 for distributing gas streams containing variable dihydrogen content.

[0138] The system 3 comprises at least one unit 30 for measuring the variable dihydrogen content present in the gas stream from the production unit 2 and at least one unit 31 for processing and transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content determined by said measurement unit 30.

[0139] The measuring unit 30 determines in real time the dihydrogen content present in the gas stream from the dihydrogen production unit 2 .

[0140] The unit 30 may comprise one or more sensors for measuring the dihydrogen content by spectroscopy, preferably Raman spectroscopy.

[0141] The unit 31 digitally processes, on the one hand, the information representative of the dihydrogen content measured by the measuring unit 30 and, on the other hand, transmits said information by wire or wireless electricity to the system 4 .

[0142] The system 3 may further comprise a unit 32 for measuring the flow rate of the gas stream passing through the system.

[0143] The measurement unit 32 may comprise several flow sensors, for example gas flow mass sensors.

[0144] The system 4 comprises a receiver 40 for information representative of the dihydrogen content measured by the measurement unit 30 .

[0145] The system 4 also comprises a unit 41 capable of controlling the dihydrogen production unit 2, in particular one or more operating parameters of the dihydrogen production unit 2, in order to improve the dihydrogen conversion rate.

[0146] Thus, according to the information transmitted by system 3 regarding the dihydrogen content, unit 41 of system 4 controls one or more control parameters of the method for producing dihydrogen implemented in unit 2 in a closed loop to optimize the dihydrogen concentration in the gas stream at the outlet of unit 2.

[0147] The production unit 2 may preferably be a unit for cracking a stream comprising natural gas or a natural gas mixture, a unit for steam reforming a stream comprising natural gas or a natural gas mixture, a unit for cracking a stream comprising ammonia, or a water electrolysis unit.

[0148] Alternatively, in FIG. 1, unit 2 may be a unit for separating a mixture of natural gas and dihydrogen.

[0149] In this case, unit 2 is a unit for separating the mixture of natural gas and dihydrogen by membrane or electrolysis.

[0150] Thus, in this case, unit 1 distributes a stream comprising a mixture of natural gas and dihydrogen, and unit 2 has the purpose of separating the mixture of natural gas and dihydrogen, for example via membrane or electrolysis, to recover a stream containing a dihydrogen content.

[0151] The distribution unit 1 and separation unit 2 may be combined to form a system 20 for distributing gas streams containing variable dihydrogen content.

[0152] The measuring unit 30 determines in real time the dihydrogen content present in the gas stream from the unit 2 for separating the mixture of natural gas and dihydrogen.

[0153] According to the information transmitted by unit 31 of system 3 regarding the dihydrogen content, unit 41 of system 4 controls one or more control parameters of a method for separating a mixture of natural gas and dihydrogen in a closed loop to improve the dihydrogen recovery rate.

[0154] Thus, system 4 can affect and / or control the membrane or electrolytic separation process carried out by separation unit 2 .

[0155] The system 3 according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to quantitate the dihydrogen withdrawn from the natural gas and dihydrogen network for supplying the dihydrogen distribution stations.

[0156] Thus, system 3 allows for real-time measurement and sharing of the instantaneous dihydrogen content present in the gas stream passing through assembly 10.

Claims

1. A system for real-time measurement of the dihydrogen content present in a gas stream, for transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content to at least one external receiver (4) located outside said system, said system (3) comprising: at least one unit (30) for measuring the dihydrogen content contained in the natural gas stream passing through said system; at least one unit (31) for processing and transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content determined by said measurement unit (30) to at least one external receiver (4) located outside said system which does not combust said dihydrogen, a system, in which said receiver (4) corresponds to a system for controlling a unit for producing dihydrogen or a unit for separating dihydrogen in a mixture based on natural gas and dihydrogen.

2. 2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the measurement unit (30) 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 measurement unit (30) comprises one or more means for the measurement of the dihydrogen content in the gas stream carried out by spectroscopy, preferably by Raman spectroscopy or by laser beam absorption and wavelength modulation signal analysis spectroscopy.

4. 4. The system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one unit (32) for measuring the flow rate of the gas stream passing through the system (3).

5. 5. Use of a system (3) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 4, at a natural gas station supplied by at least one unit for producing dihydrogen, for determining the dihydrogen content present in the gas stream in the unit for producing dihydrogen and for transmitting said information representative of said dihydrogen content to at least one receiver (4) that does not combust dihydrogen, said receiver (4) corresponding to a system for controlling a unit for producing dihydrogen or a unit for separating dihydrogen in a mixture based on natural gas and dihydrogen.

6. 1. A method for real-time measurement of dihydrogen content present in a gas stream and for transmitting information representative of said dihydrogen content to at least one receiver that does not combust dihydrogen, comprising: - distributing a gas stream containing a variable dihydrogen content obtained by a unit (2) for producing dihydrogen or by a unit (2) for separating a mixture of natural gas and dihydrogen, - measuring the dihydrogen content present in the gas stream; - processing and transmitting information representative of the dihydrogen content determined during the measuring step to at least one receiver (4) that does not combust the dihydrogen, said receiver (4) corresponding to a system for controlling a unit (2) for producing dihydrogen or a unit (2) for separating dihydrogen in a mixture based on natural gas and dihydrogen.

7. 7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the dihydrogen present in the gas stream originates from a decarbonized source, preferably obtainable by water electrolysis or ammonia decomposition.

8. 7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the dihydrogen present in the gas stream originates from a carbon source, preferably obtainable by a steam reforming process, optionally including at least one step of carbon dioxide capture, a coal or biomass gasification process.

9. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the dihydrogen present in the gas stream originates from a separation process in a mixture comprising natural gas and dihydrogen.

10. - distributing a gas stream with a variable dihydrogen content obtained by a system (2) for producing dihydrogen or a system (2) for separating a mixture of natural gas and dihydrogen, - measuring the variable dihydrogen content present in the gas stream; - processing and transmitting said information representative of said dihydrogen content determined during said measuring step to at least one system (4) for controlling said system (2) for producing said dihydrogen or said system (2) for separating a mixture of natural gas and dihydrogen; - controlling said system (2) for producing dihydrogen or said system (2) for separating a mixture of natural gas and dihydrogen according to said received information of said dihydrogen content; The method of claim 6, comprising:

11. Assembly (10) comprising at least one system (20) for supplying a gas stream with a variable dihydrogen content, comprising at least one unit (1) for distributing a gas or liquid stream, connected to at least one unit (2) for producing dihydrogen or to a unit (2) for separating a mixture of natural gas and dihydrogen, connected to at least one measurement and transmission system (3) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 4, and at least one system (4) different from a dihydrogen burner, said system (4) being a system for controlling the unit (2) for producing dihydrogen or a system for controlling the unit (2) for separating said mixture of natural gas and dihydrogen.

12. Assembly (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that the unit for producing dihydrogen is selected from the group consisting of a natural gas cracking unit, a natural gas steam reforming unit optionally equipped with a system for capturing carbon dioxide, an ammonia cracking unit or a water electrolysis dihydrogen production unit.

13. Assembly (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that said unit for separating a mixture of natural gas and dihydrogen is a membrane or electrolytic separation unit.

14. Assembly (10) according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the system (4) is a system for controlling a unit (2) for producing dihydrogen as defined in claim 11 or 12 or a system for controlling a unit (2) for separating a mixture of natural gas and dihydrogen as defined in claim 11 or 13.

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