Ship for producing hydrogen

Abstract

The present invention relates to a ship (1) for producing hydrogen, which is equipped with a hydrogen production facility (13) including a cracker (2) for cracking hydrogen-based compounds to produce hydrogen and cracking products, and a filter purification device (3) for separating hydrogen from the cracking products.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a ship intended for the production of hydrogen and to a method for producing hydrogen by means of such a ship. [Background technology]

[0002] Major global governments and industries have more broadly committed to decarbonizing their economies and operations by around 2050.

[0003] This decarbonization will therefore lead to the use of alternative technologies for roads, rail, ships and aircraft, for example using alternatives such as battery-powered electric motors to replace combustion engines in vehicles.

[0004] However, the use of rechargeable batteries raises the issue of autonomy and the relatively long charging times for the vehicle.

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

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

[0007] A fuel cell is an electrical generator in which electricity is produced by the oxidation of a fuel (eg, dihydrogen) as a reductant at one electrode accompanied by the reduction of an oxidant such as dioxygen from air at the other electrode.

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

[0009] Therefore, there is a need for the production of hydrogen (or dihydrogen) and the logistics of this hydrogen.

[0010] Traditionally, hydrogen is produced on land and transported by truck or through gas or pipelines. Pipelines are the transportation means traditionally used to distant destinations. Due to increasing volumes and distant destinations, ships are being supplied through pipelines to transport hydrogen or hydrogen-based compounds to storage or distribution areas. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] Green hydrogen will be available mainly in remote supply hubs such as Australia, Chile, Mauritania, Namibia, North Africa and the Middle East, where climatic and geographical conditions are favourable for the cost-effective exploitation of renewable energy, while the main demand centres for hydrogen are North America, Japan, South Korea and Western Europe.

[0012] Thus, supply points are sometimes very far from hydrogen demand points.

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

[0014] International Publication No. WO 2019204857 discloses an offshore hydrogen production system comprising a platform fixed to the seabed or floating on the sea and anchored to the seabed. The platform is located near the coast and includes a liquid ammonia storage tank to which ammonia is supplied by a vessel. The platform further includes an ammonia decomposition reactor that decomposes the ammonia to produce hydrogen that is transported to shore via a pipeline for supply to hydrogen distributors or users. The ammonia is also used to generate electricity that is distributed to shore power charging stations.

[0015] The supply of ammonia by boat makes it possible to avoid the dangers associated with this product, which is toxic in its gaseous state. Furthermore, the production of hydrogen at sea makes it possible to avoid the dangers associated with hydrogen and limit the damage, especially in the event of an explosion on the platform.

[0016] However, sudden storms and severe weather conditions are becoming more frequent with global warming. The risk of the platform being submerged is high, which can cause serious damage to the platform or even an explosion of the platform. Damage to property and people can be very significant.

[0017] Additionally, hydrogen supplies are strictly limited to hydrogen distribution stations located near fixed platforms: to supply other locations, trucks must be filled to transport the hydrogen to these remote locations, creating road explosion hazards, or the hydrogen must be moved through gas pipelines, requiring significant investment.

[0018] The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a ship for producing hydrogen, which makes it possible to protect hydrogen production and storage facilities from adverse weather conditions and to provide a more flexible supply of hydrogen in various locations.

[0019] To this end, in its broadest sense, the present invention relates to a vessel for producing hydrogen in this way. [Means for solving the problem]

[0020] According to the invention, the vessel comprises a hydrogen production facility including a decomposition section for decomposing hydrogen-based compounds to produce hydrogen and decomposition products, and further includes a filter and purification section for separating the hydrogen from the decomposition products.

[0021] The invention thus offers a more flexible solution: since the ship is mobile, it can be moved to a sheltered port in case of a storm, and therefore the hydrogen production facilities and people on board are protected and safe.

[0022] Hydrogen production can be carried out in the open sea, making it possible to protect coastal populations and homes in the event of an explosion or leak. Ammonia is corrosive and toxic, making it more beneficial to store it offshore. Likewise, offshore hydrogen production significantly reduces the need for dangerous areas and land for people.

[0023] In addition, regulatory constraints are simplified as standards for hydrogen storage and production at land or offshore facilities are different.

[0024] Ships also allow hydrogen production facilities to be mobile to supply storage or distribution areas in different locations and far from each other.

[0025] The vessel may travel, for example, to supply boats or industrial equipment that use up ammonia or hydrogen for propulsion.

[0026] The vessel can travel to refuel with ammonia at locations far from the hydrogen delivery site.

[0027] The invention avoids wasting time as the ship consumes green energy such as hydrogen or ammonia for propulsion between the refueling point and various transfer points, while simultaneously producing hydrogen.

[0028] If hydrogen is no longer needed at one location, the ship can be moved.

[0029] Unlike prior art supply vessels that depart from a supply point to a transfer point filled with hydrogen-based compounds but return empty, the vessels do not sail empty. Vessels according to the present invention are loaded with either large quantities of ammonia ready to be converted or large quantities of hydrogen ready to be transferred.

[0030] Multiple ships could be used to increase hydrogen production capacity.

[0031] Furthermore, the present invention eliminates the need for expensive and environmentally unfriendly port terminals in highly constrained, populated and regulated areas.

[0032] According to one variant, the vessel comprises first storage means for storing hydrogen-based compounds, second storage means for storing hydrogen and third storage means for storing decomposition products.

[0033] In another variation, the hydrogen-based compound is ammonia and the decomposition product is nitrogen.

[0034] According to another variation, the filter refiner comprises a pressure swing adsorption device.

[0035] According to another variant, the ship comprises a deck and at least one hold, the cracking device, the filter-purifying device and the second storage means are arranged on the deck, and the first storage means is arranged in the hold.

[0036] The advantage of locating the cracking unit, filter-purification unit and first storage means on deck is that it allows them to occupy more space than in the hold, providing better availability and allowing any hydrogen leaks to be vented more effectively. Gas explosions are also less damaging outside the ship than inside.

[0037] According to another variant, the decomposition device comprises a plurality of moving decomposition sections and the filter refinement device comprises a plurality of moving filter sections.

[0038] According to another variant, the vessel comprises means for moving the mobile disassembly part and the mobile filter part.

[0039] The hydrogen production facility is therefore modular.

[0040] The moving means allows the number of moving cracking sections and moving filtering sections to be changed according to the demand for hydrogen production.

[0041] The mobile cracking section and mobile filtering section may be moved by a mobile means from the storage area to a hydrogen production facility to increase hydrogen production capacity.

[0042] Additionally, the mobile cracker and filter units may be transported from the hydrogen production facility to a maintenance area for repair of the mobile cracker and filter units.

[0043] Using multiple moving parts (or modules) in parallel makes production more reliable: a faulty moving part can be quickly replaced by another moving part.

[0044] Placing the decomposition unit and filter refinement unit on deck allows for a wider range of vehicle use and better mobility.

[0045] The present invention further relates to a method for producing hydrogen by a ship as defined above, the production process comprising the steps of supplying a hydrogen-based compound to the ship, cracking the hydrogen-based compound to produce hydrogen and cracked products by a cracker, and filtering the cracked products to separate hydrogen from the cracked products by a filter purification device.

[0046] In one embodiment, the mobile cracking section and mobile filtering section are transported from the storage area to the hydrogen production facility to increase hydrogen production capacity.

[0047] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0048] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a hydrogen producing ship equipped with a hydrogen production facility according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates schematically the vessel of FIG. 1 in more detail. [Figure 3] Figure 3 illustrates a diagram of the ship-based hydrogen production process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0049] FIG. 1 illustrates a vessel 1 for producing hydrogen comprising a hydrogen production facility 13 comprising a cracker 2 for cracking hydrogen-based compounds to produce hydrogen and cracking products.

[0050] The hydrogen production facility 13 further includes a filter purification unit 3 for separating hydrogen from the decomposition products.

[0051] "Ship" means any kind of floating, movable vessel or structure, such as a boat, equipped with a propulsion system capable of traveling on sea or river.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 2, the ship 1 comprises a first storage means 4 for storing hydrogen-based compounds, a second storage means 5 for storing hydrogen, and a third storage means 6 for storing decomposition products.

[0053] The hydrogen-based compound may be in liquid or gaseous form.

[0054] The first, second and third storage means 4, 5, 6 may comprise one or more tanks for storing a liquid or a gas under pressure.

[0055] Preferably, the hydrogen-based compound is ammonia (NH3) and the decomposition product is nitrogen.

[0056] Although the examples given below are for ammonia, the hydrogen-based compound can be any compound that produces hydrogen after a cracking operation, such as methanol (CH3OH) or methane (CH4).

[0057] Ammonia is stored in liquid form at low temperatures (below -33°C).

[0058] The decomposition set 2 comprises a number of moving decomposition sections 9, also called decomposition reactors.

[0059] Cracking is an endothermic process that involves the decomposition of ammonia into hydrogen (or dihydrogen). This well-known process typically involves the use of a catalyst. The cracking process produces approximately 75% hydrogen and 25% nitrogen.

[0060] The filter refinement device 3 includes a plurality of moving filter units 10.

[0061] According to one variant, each moving filter section 10 comprises a pressure swing adsorption device. Pressure swing adsorption, also called pressure swing adsorption (PSA) (an acronym for "Pressure Swing Adsorption"), is a process for separating gas mixtures in which adsorption of the gas by a solid or liquid at a given pressure alternates with subsequent desorption occurring at a lower pressure. This process is also well known.

[0062] Other filtering systems are also possible, such as membrane separation or cryogenic separation.

[0063] The moving decomposition sections 9 are independent of each other, and the moving filter sections 10 are also independent of each other.

[0064] The moving disassembly section 9 may for example be coupled to the moving filter section 10, although other configurations are possible.

[0065] The ship 1 has a deck 7 and a hold 8 .

[0066] According to a possible embodiment, the cracking device 2, the filter purification device 3 and the second storage means 4 are arranged on the deck 7. The first storage means 5 and the third storage means 6 are arranged in a hold 8 or in a cargo hold of the ship 1. Other configurations are possible, for example, such that the second storage means 4 is arranged in a hold 8 or in a cargo hold.

[0067] A hold is an enclosed compartment of a ship used to contain stores, fuel to propel the ship, or provisions.

[0068] The hold is where the ship's cargo is stored.

[0069] Storage in hold 8 is preferred over cargo holds.

[0070] The advantage of locating the cracking unit 2, the filter purification unit 3 and the first storage means 4 on deck 7 is that it allows more space to be occupied, has better availability and allows any possible hydrogen leak to be vented more effectively. Gas explosions are also less damaging outside the ship 1 than inside. Furthermore, maintenance is simplified and downtime is reduced.

[0071] The mobile disassembly unit 9 and the mobile filter unit 10 are movable on the deck 7 of the ship 1.

[0072] The ship 1 is equipped with a moving means 11 for moving the moving disassembly unit 9 and the moving filter unit 10.

[0073] The moving means 11 may comprise one or more overhead cranes.

[0074] Each overhead crane comprises a rail 14 along which a motorized lifting device 15 moves. The lifting device 15 is configured to lift the moving disassembly part 9 or the moving filter part 10 by means of a cable actuated by a first motor. The lifting device 15 is translated along the rail 14 by means of a second motor.

[0075] Other means of movement 11 are possible, such as a crane.

[0076] The hydrogen production facility 13 is thus modular.

[0077] The mobile cracking section 9 and the mobile filtering section 10 may be moved by a moving means 11 from the storage area 12 to a hydrogen production facility 13 to increase the hydrogen production capacity.

[0078] Additionally, the mobile decomposition unit 9 and the mobile filter unit 10 may be transported from the hydrogen production facility 13 to a maintenance area on board the ship for repair of the mobile decomposition unit 9 and the mobile filter unit 10.

[0079] In this way, the size and production capacity of the hydrogen production facility 13 is modular.

[0080] The decomposition is an endothermic reaction. If new types of catalysts have better performance, the moving decomposition section 9 and the moving filter section 10 can be replaced with more efficient ones.

[0081] The present invention further relates to a method for producing hydrogen by the above-mentioned ship 1. The procedure illustrated by the diagram in Figure 3 comprises a step E1 of supplying hydrogen-based compounds to the ship 1, a step E2 of decomposing the hydrogen-based compounds to produce hydrogen and decomposition products by a decomposition device 2, a step E3 of filtering to separate hydrogen from the decomposition products by a filter purification device 3, a step E4 of storing the hydrogen and the decomposition products, and a step E5 of distributing the hydrogen.

[0082] Alternatively, the propulsion system of the vessel 1 may be fuelled by hydrogen or a hydrogen-based compound such as ammonia.

[0083] The ammonia may be supplied to the vessel 1 by a pipeline or by a ship.

[0084] Similarly, hydrogen may be distributed or transported onshore by pipeline, container, small ship, or other means to a storage point, for example to supply a service station for dispensing hydrogen to vehicles.

[0085] Alternatively, the hydrogen can be distributed to other ships traveling longer distances to supply more distant storage points.

[0086] The vessel 1 may redistribute the ammonia or hydrogen to further vessels, for example to fuel power and propulsion systems.

[0087] The ship 1 may be equipped with a loading arm 16 for loading hydrogen or hydrogen-based compounds onto other ships and for supplying further hydrogen-based compounds.

[0088] Alternatively, the ship 1 may be equipped with a docking bridge (pont d'accostage) to accommodate small boats, for example for unloading hydrogen containers onto the boat or for loading containers of hydrogen-based compounds onto the ship 1. This prevents dangerous ship-to-ship handling and transfers at the quayside, for example by cranes.

Claims

1. A ship (1) refers to any type of floating, mobile vessel or structure equipped with a propulsion system capable of producing hydrogen and traveling on seas or rivers, The hydrogen production facility (13) includes a decomposition section (2) for decomposing hydrogen-based compounds to produce hydrogen and decomposition products, and a filter purification section (3) for separating hydrogen from the decomposition products, The ship (1) is characterized in that it comprises a first storage means (4) for storing the hydrogen-based compound, a second storage means (5) for storing the hydrogen, and a third storage means (6) for storing the decomposition products.

2. 2. A ship (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the hydrogen-based compound is ammonia and the decomposition product is nitrogen.

3. 3. The ship (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the filter refiner (3) comprises a pressure swing adsorption device.

4. The ship (1) comprises a deck (7) and at least one hold (8), The decomposition device (2), the filter purification device (3), and the second storage means (4) are arranged on the deck (7); Ship (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first storage means (5) are arranged in the hold (8).

5. The decomposition device (2) comprises a plurality of moving decomposition sections (9), Ship (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the filter refinement device (3) comprises a plurality of moving filter sections (10).

6. The ship (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the ship (1) comprises a moving means (11) for moving the moving disassembly part (9) and the moving filter part (10).

7. Ship (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the means of movement (11) comprise at least one overhead crane.

8. A method for producing hydrogen by a ship (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising: a step (E1) of supplying a hydrogen-based compound to the vessel (1); a step (E2) of decomposing the hydrogen-based compounds using a decomposition device (2) to produce hydrogen and decomposition products; and a step (E3) of filtering to separate the hydrogen from the decomposition products by means of a filter purification device (3).

9. The decomposition device (2) comprises a plurality of moving decomposition sections (9), The filter refinement device (3) comprises a plurality of moving filter sections (10), 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the mobile cracking section (9) and the mobile filtering section (10) are moved from a storage area (12) to a hydrogen production facility (13) to increase the hydrogen production capacity.

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