Hydrogen transport, distribution and storage systems, methods and apparatus

Abstract

The system provides for transporting and distributing hydrogen, storing energy on a large scale, and interconnecting locations where large quantities of "green" hydrogen can be produced most profitably with cities, towns, and rural communities where hydrogen is needed for clean transport fuel, industrial raw materials, power sources, and long-term storage of electricity. [Solution] The hydrogen distribution pipeline enables the transport of hydrogen to one or more distribution points using natural gas, oil, and other existing pipelines, and incorporates airships, which are lighter than air, to transport hydrogen between locations where pipelines do not exist or are impractical. The disclosed hydrogen distribution pipeline also enables the use of water, sewer, storm drain pipes, and other existing pipelines for local distribution.

Claims

1. Existing pipelines and A hydrogen delivery line configured to carry pressurized hydrogen, wherein a flow path is formed between the outside of the hydrogen delivery line and the inside of the hydrogen delivery line, the inside of the existing pipeline is sized to allow sweeper gas to flow inside the existing pipeline, and the hydrogen delivery line is positioned within the existing pipeline to purge hydrogen leaking from the hydrogen delivery line, At least one hydrogen sensor configured to monitor the presence and amount of hydrogen in the sweeper gas, A programmable alarm system configured to trigger an alarm based on the hydrogen level detected by at least one of the hydrogen sensors, A device comprising at least one inlet to the hydrogen delivery line, configured to allow hydrogen to be injected into the hydrogen delivery line, A configuration comprising at least one outlet from the hydrogen delivery line, which allows hydrogen to be drawn from the hydrogen delivery line, including, A hydrogen distribution system for transporting hydrogen from a hydrogen source to at least one end-user location.

2. The hydrogen distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the sweeper gas is one of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, helium, or an inert gas.

3. The hydrogen distribution system according to claim 1, further comprising a safety pipe positioned inside the existing pipeline and around the hydrogen delivery line, wherein a flow path is formed between the outside of the hydrogen delivery line and the inside of the safety pipe, and the flow path is sized to allow the sweeper gas to flow through the safety pipe along the outside of the hydrogen delivery line.

4. The hydrogen distribution system according to claim 3, wherein the safety pipe is made of one of plastic, metal, fiber, or composite material.

5. The existing pipeline includes a gas transmission pipeline connected to at least one of the following: a water pipe, a sewer pipe, or a rainwater pipe. The at least one inlet to the hydrogen delivery line is generated within the gas transmission pipeline, The hydrogen is drawn from the hydrogen delivery line after it has been delivered through at least one of the water pipes, sewer pipes, or rainwater pipes. The hydrogen distribution system according to claim 3.

6. The hydrogen distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one hydrogen sensor is located at the outlet of the existing pipeline.

7. The existing pipeline includes at least two inline hydrogen sensors located at different locations within it, A data system configured to monitor at least two of the inline hydrogen sensors and determine the hydrogen level detected by each inline hydrogen sensor, A recording system configured to separately record the hydrogen level detected by each inline hydrogen sensor, The hydrogen distribution system according to claim 2, further comprising:

8. The hydrogen distribution system according to claim 7, further comprising at least one shut-off valve configured to selectively isolate and close each section of the hydrogen delivery line when triggered by the alarm of the programmable alarm system.

9. The hydrogen distribution system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one coupling device, each coupling device connecting a first section of the hydrogen delivery line inside the existing pipeline to a second section of the hydrogen delivery line outside the existing pipeline.

10. The hydrogen distribution system according to claim 9, wherein the hydrogen delivery line is made of FRP pipe specified for use with hydrogen, and the second section of the hydrogen delivery line is a storage area.

11. At least one shut-off valve, each shut-off valve connected to a fitting, the shut-off valves positioned at intervals of a predetermined length in the hydrogen delivery line, and each shut-off valve and fitting configured to be selectively closed, The system further includes a processor configured to locate the location of a hydrogen leak based on the hydrogen level detected by each of the at least one hydrogen sensor, Each shut-off valve and fitting is configured to close and isolate the hydrogen delivery line around the predetermined length of the hydrogen delivery line where the hydrogen leak has been identified. The hydrogen distribution system according to claim 7.

12. A valve connected to the existing pipeline and controlling the flow through the existing pipeline, A first riser connected to the existing pipeline on the first side of the valve, A second riser connected to the existing pipeline on the second side of the valve, It further includes, The hydrogen delivery line is configured to guide hydrogen through the riser and fittings, bypassing the valve. The hydrogen distribution system according to claim 1.

13. A method for transporting hydrogen from a production site to at least one end-user location, The steps include producing hydrogen from an energy source at the manufacturing site, The steps include storing the hydrogen in at least one hydrogen storage container, The steps include: locating a hydrogen delivery line inside an existing pipeline, wherein the hydrogen delivery line is configured to carry pressurized hydrogen, and there is sufficient space around the outside of the hydrogen delivery line for sweeper gas to flow; The steps include injecting sweeper gas around the outside of the hydrogen delivery line in order to purge hydrogen leaking from the hydrogen delivery line, The steps include configuring at least one hydrogen sensor for monitoring the presence and amount of hydrogen in the sweeper gas, The steps include: programming an alarm system to trigger an alarm based on the hydrogen level detected by at least one of the hydrogen sensors; The steps include injecting hydrogen from at least one hydrogen storage container into the hydrogen delivery line, The steps include drawing the hydrogen from the hydrogen delivery line at at least one end-user location, A method for transporting hydrogen from a production site to at least one end-user location, including [the specified method].

14. The energy source is fixed at the manufacturing location. The method for transporting the hydrogen further comprises the step of transporting the hydrogen using at least one of a truck, a train, a ship, or an airship that is lighter than air, according to claim 13.

15. The step of arranging the hydrogen delivery line is, The steps of positioning the safety pipe inside the existing pipeline and around the hydrogen delivery line such that a flow path is formed between the outside of the hydrogen delivery line and the inside of the safety pipe for sweeper gas to flow, The method according to claim 13, including the method described in claim 13.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the fixed energy source is a renewable energy source that is at least one of wind, solar, hydro, biomass, or geothermal energy.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein the at least one hydrogen storage container is made of FRP pipe specified for use with hydrogen.

18. The existing pipeline includes a gas transmission pipeline connected to at least one of the following: water pipes, sewer pipes, rainwater pipes, underground utility corridors, rail lines, or tubes. The step of injecting the hydrogen into at least one inlet in the hydrogen delivery line is performed within the gas transmission pipeline. After the hydrogen has been delivered through water pipes, sewer pipes, rainwater pipes, underground utility corridors, rail lines, or tubes, the step of removing the hydrogen from the hydrogen delivery line is performed. The method according to claim 13.

19. The method according to claim 13, wherein the at least one end-user location is an electric power substation, a commercial or industrial facility, a refueling station for distributing hydrogen to fuel cell vehicles, or a residence.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the refueling station compresses the hydrogen to a pressure suitable for distribution to a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle or a hydrogen fuel cell truck.

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