Compression systems for compressing hydrogen and nitrogen in a plant for producing ammonia, and a plant for producing ammonia.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a compression system (10a) for compressing hydrogen and nitrogen in a plant for producing ammonia, the compression system comprising a plurality of first compressors (14, 15, 16) coupled to a first integrated gearbox (13) for compressing hydrogen and nitrogen, and a first electromechanical unit (18) coupled to the first integrated gearbox (13) for driving the first compressors (14, 15, 16) coupled to the first integrated gearbox (13).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a compressor system for compressing hydrogen and nitrogen in a plant for generating ammonia. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a plant for generating ammonia.

Background Art

[0002] Plants for generating ammonia known in the conventional method are particularly based on the use of fossil fuels, which are utilized especially for compressing hydrogen and nitrogen. In this process, CO2 emissions are caused.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] In particular, there is a need for an efficient plant for generating ammonia that is suitable for generating CO2-neutral green ammonia. Furthermore, there is a need for a compression system for such a plant for efficient compression of hydrogen and nitrogen.

[0004] Starting from this, the present invention is based on the object of creating a new type of compression system for compressing hydrogen and nitrogen in a plant for generating ammonia, as well as a plant for generating ammonia having such a compression system.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] This object is achieved by the compression system for compressing hydrogen and nitrogen according to claim 1, and the plant for generating ammonia according to claim 6.

[0006] A compression system according to the present invention for compressing hydrogen and nitrogen in a plant for producing ammonia comprises a plurality of first compressors coupled to a first integrated gearbox for compressing hydrogen and nitrogen, and a first electromechanical unit coupled to a first integrated gearbox for driving the first compressors coupled to the first integrated gearbox.

[0007] A plant for producing ammonia according to the present invention comprises a hydrogen generator, specifically designed as an electrolytic device, for producing hydrogen, and a nitrogen generator, specifically designed as an air separator, for producing nitrogen. The plant for producing ammonia according to the present invention further comprises a compression system according to the present invention, which comprises a plurality of first compressors coupled to a first integrated gearbox for compressing the hydrogen produced by the hydrogen generator and the nitrogen produced by the nitrogen generator. Furthermore, the plant for producing ammonia according to the present invention comprises a first electromechanism coupled to a first integrated gearbox for driving the first compressors coupled to the first integrated gearbox. Furthermore, the plant for producing ammonia according to the present invention comprises an ammonia synthesis device for producing ammonia from compressed hydrogen and compressed nitrogen. According to the present invention, the first compressors for compressing hydrogen and nitrogen are coupled to a first integrated gearbox. A first electromechanism is coupled to a first integrated gearbox for driving the first compressors. The compressed hydrogen and compressed nitrogen are used to produce ammonia. The present invention enables the efficient compression of hydrogen and nitrogen for ammonia production plants, and therefore, in particular, also enables the efficient production of green ammonia or CO2-neutral ammonia.

[0008] In a preferred further development of the compression system according to the present invention, the compression system receives hydrogen at a first pressure level and nitrogen at a second pressure level higher than the first pressure level. Here, a second compressor compresses the hydrogen to the second pressure level, and a plurality of first compressors for compressing hydrogen and nitrogen, coupled to a first integrated gearbox of the compression system according to the present invention, progressively compress the hydrogen and nitrogen to a third pressure level higher than the second pressure level. The second compressors are preferably coupled via an intermediate gearbox to a first electromechanical unit coupled to the first integrated gearbox. This is particularly preferred for compressing hydrogen and nitrogen for ammonia synthesis.

[0009] In a preferred further development of the plant according to the present invention for producing ammonia, hydrogen and nitrogen not converted in the ammonia synthesizer leave the ammonia synthesizer at a third pressure level. Here, it is preferable that the hydrogen and nitrogen leaving the ammonia synthesizer at the third pressure level are mixed via a mixing device with hydrogen and nitrogen compressed to the third pressure level by a first compressor of a compression system according to the present invention coupled to a first integrated gearbox. This enables particularly advantageous production or synthesis of ammonia.

[0010] Preferably, a third compressor for compressing hydrogen and nitrogen in a further compression system of a plant for producing ammonia according to the present invention is coupled to a second integrated gearbox of the further compression system of a plant for producing ammonia according to the present invention. Here, the third compressor compresses hydrogen and nitrogen to a fourth pressure level, starting from a third pressure level, for the ammonia synthesis apparatus. This is particularly suitable for producing green ammonia or CO2-neutral ammonia.

[0011] Preferred further developments of the present invention can be derived from the dependent claims and the following description. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail by the drawings without limitation. The drawings are shown below. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a diagram of a plant for producing ammonia, which includes a compression system for compressing hydrogen and nitrogen as an integrated component. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Figure 1 shows a preferred exemplary embodiment of a plant 10 according to the present invention for producing ammonia (NH3). Plant 10 is particularly useful for the efficient production of green ammonia (NH3), which is especially CO2-neutral ammonia (NH3), using renewable energy sources exclusively.

[0014] The plant 10 according to the present invention for producing ammonia NH3 includes a compression system 10a according to the present invention for compressing hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2. Furthermore, Figure 1 shows an assembly of a further compression system 10b of the plant 10 according to the present invention.

[0015] The plant 10 according to the present invention for producing ammonia NH3 comprises a hydrogen generator designed as an electrolysis apparatus 11 in the shown exemplary embodiment for producing hydrogen H2 from water H2O. During the period of electrolysis of hydrogen H2 from water H2O, oxygen O2 is additionally produced, but under the requirements of the present invention, it is of lower importance. The hydrogen generator designed as an electrolysis apparatus 11 preferably utilizes at least one renewable energy source 36 for producing hydrogen H2, i.e., electrical energy produced by at least one renewable energy source 36.

[0016] The plant 10 according to the present invention for producing ammonia NH3 further comprises a nitrogen generator designed as an air separator 12 in an exemplary embodiment shown for producing nitrogen N2. The air separator 12 produces nitrogen N2 from air. The air separator 12 also utilizes at least one renewable energy source 37 for producing nitrogen N2, i.e., electrical energy generated by at least one renewable energy source 37.

[0017] A compression system 10a of a plant 10 according to the present invention for producing ammonia NH3 comprises a first integrated gearbox 13. A large gear 13a and a pinion 13b that meshes with the large gear 13 of the first integrated gearbox 13 are schematically shown in Figure 1. In the compression system 10a according to the present invention, a plurality of first compressors 14, 15, 16 are coupled to the first integrated gearbox 13. This helps to compress hydrogen H2 produced by a hydrogen generator or electrolysis unit 11 and nitrogen N2 produced by a nitrogen generator or air separator 12. In the region of a mixing device 17, the hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2 are mixed and, as a mixture, are stepwise compressed in the first compressors 14, 15, 16.

[0018] The first electromechanism 18 of the compression system 10a according to the present invention drives the large gear 13a of the integrated gearbox 13 and helps drive the first compressors 14, 15, and 16 via a pinion 13b that meshes with the large gear 13a, but is coupled to the first integrated gearbox 13. As shown in Figure 1, a clutch 19 is connected between the electromechanism 18 and the first integrated gearbox 13.

[0019] Furthermore, the plant 10 according to the present invention for producing ammonia NH3 includes an ammonia synthesis apparatus 20 for producing ammonia NH3. The ammonia synthesis apparatus 20 is preferably based on the Haber-Bosch principle. The ammonia synthesis apparatus 20 produces ammonia NH3 from compressed hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2.

[0020] In the present invention, preferably, a plant 10 for efficiently and advantageously producing green ammonia or CO2-neutral ammonia NH3 is realized. The compression system 10a enables efficient compression of the required hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2.

[0021] The first compressors 14, 15, 16 of the compression system 10a according to the present invention, which serve to compress hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2, are coupled to the first integral gearbox 13. The first compressors 14, 15, 16 compress hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2 together and supply the compressed hydrogen H2 and the compressed nitrogen N2 to the ammonia synthesis device 20.

[0022] The hydrogen production device or electrolysis device 11 provides hydrogen H2, particularly at the first pressure level. Here, the nitrogen production device or air separation device 12 provides nitrogen N2, particularly at a second pressure level greater than or higher than the first pressure level. The compression system 10 according to the present invention receives hydrogen H2 particularly at the first pressure level and nitrogen N2 at the second pressure level.

[0023] The hydrogen H2 provided at the first pressure level is compressed to the second pressure level of nitrogen N2 using the second compressor 21 of the compression system 10a according to the present invention in order to mix with nitrogen N2 in the region of the mixing device 17 of the compression system 10a according to the present invention.

[0024] Starting from this second pressure level, the first compressors 14, 15, 16 of the compression system 10a according to the present invention gradually compress the mixture of hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2 to a third pressure level that exists downstream of the first compressors 14, 15, 16. This third pressure level is greater than or higher than the second pressure level upstream of the first compressors 14, 15, 16 and particularly corresponds to the initial pressure level of the ammonia synthesis device 20 for hydrogen and nitrogen that are not converted to ammonia in the ammonia synthesis device 20.

[0025] The second compressor 21 of the compression system 10a according to the present invention is preferably coupled to the first electromechanical machine 18 via an intermediate gearbox 22 and can be driven by the first electromechanical machine 18, just like the integrated gearbox 13. According to FIG. 1, clutches 23, 24 are connected between the electromechanical machine 18 and the intermediate gearbox 22, and between the intermediate gearbox 22 and the second compressor 21.

[0026] Hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2 present at the third pressure level downstream of the first compressors 14, 15, 16 of the compression system 10a are compressed to a fourth pressure level corresponding to the inlet pressure level of the ammonia synthesis apparatus 20 via the third compressor 25 of the further compression system 10b, which is coupled to the second integrated gearbox 26 of the further compression system 10b. The second electromechanical machine 25 is coupled to the second integrated gearbox 26 of the compression system 10b.

[0027] In the ammonia synthesis apparatus 20 of the plant 10, hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2 are partially converted into ammonia NH3. Here, in the ammonia synthesis apparatus 20, the unconverted hydrogen H2 and unconverted nitrogen N2 are discharged from the ammonia synthesis apparatus 20, particularly at the third pressure level, and are mixed with hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2 compressed to the third pressure level by the first compressors 14, 15, 16 in the region of the second mixing device 27 of the plant 10.

[0028] The generated ammonia NH3 is cooled and liquefied. Further, FIG. 1 shows the refrigerant circuit 28 of the plant 10 for the refrigerant used in the ammonia synthesis apparatus 20, and a plurality of refrigerant compressors 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 of the refrigerant circuit 28 are coupled to the second integrated gearbox 26 to compress the refrigerant step by step. Ammonia can be used as the refrigerant. The refrigerant circuit 28 helps to cool and liquefy the generated ammonia NH3.

[0029] Like the third compressor 25 and the second integrated gearbox 26, the refrigerant compressors 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 of the refrigerant circuit 28 are assemblies of a further compression system 10b.

[0030] The first compressors 14, 15, and 16 of the compressor system 10a according to the present invention are preferably barrel-type compressors. The second compressor 21 of the compressor system 10a according to the present invention is preferably a screw compressor. The third compressor 25 and refrigerant compressors 29-34 of the plant 10 according to the present invention, as well as the second integrated gearbox 26 of the further compression system 10b, form an integrated gear compressor.

[0031] A single integrated gearbox 13 having first compressors 14, 15, 16 and a second compressor 21 coupled to a single integrated gearbox 13 helps compress hydrogen H2 and nitrogen N2 to a third pressure level. The third pressure level preferably corresponds to the initial pressure level of the ammonia synthesis unit 20 for hydrogen and nitrogen that are not converted to ammonia. These compressors 14, 15, 16, and 21 can be driven together by a first electromechanical unit 18, i.e., the first compressors 14, 15, 16 via the integrated gearbox 13 and the second compressor 21 via an intermediate gearbox 22. These assemblies 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 22, and 21 constitute a compressor system 10a according to the present invention.

[0032] The first pressure level at which the hydrogen generator or electrolyzer 11 produces hydrogen H2 may be between 1 and 30 valves. In a specific and exemplary embodiment, it is assumed that the first pressure level is 1 valve. The second pressure level at which the nitrogen generator or air separator 12 provides nitrogen N2 may be between 7 and 30 valves. In a specific and exemplary embodiment, it is assumed that the second pressure level is about 7 valves. The third pressure level downstream of the first compressors 14, 15, and 16 is particularly between 140 and 200 valves. The fourth pressure level downstream of the third compressor 25 is particularly between 150 and 210 valves, and is therefore preferably 10 valves higher than the third pressure level.

[0033] The second compressor 21 compresses hydrogen H2 to a second pressure level. The first compressors 14, 15, and 16 compress the mixture of nitrogen N2 and hydrogen H2 stepwise from this second pressure level to a third pressure level. The initial pressure of the first compressor 14 may be, in particular, 30 vals, and the initial pressure of the first compressor 15 may be, in particular, 70 vals.

[0034] The number of first compressors 14, 15, and 16 shown in Figure 1 are illustrative. Depending on the second pressure level, only two first compressors may be used. There may also be four first compressors.

[0035] The hydrogen generator or electrolysis device 11 utilizes at least one renewable energy source 36 for generating hydrogen, that is, electrical energy generated by at least one renewable energy source 36.

[0036] The nitrogen generator or air separator 12 also utilizes at least one renewable energy source 37 for generating nitrogen, i.e., electrical energy generated by at least one renewable energy source 37.

[0037] To drive the electromechanical units 18 and 35, electrical energy generated by at least one renewable energy source (not shown in Figure 1) can also be utilized. Furthermore, electrical energy generated by at least one renewable energy source (not shown in Figure 1) can be utilized in the area of ​​the ammonia synthesis unit 20.

[0038] A key feature of the ammonia-producing plant 10 is that, particularly when, for example, hydrogen H2 cannot be produced in the area of ​​the hydrogen generator or electrolyzer 11 as a result of limited renewable energy sources 36, 37, and / or nitrogen N2 can no longer be sufficiently produced in the area of ​​the nitrogen generator or air separator 12, the compression system 10a with the first integrated gearbox 13 no longer operates, but N2 and H2 can still be delivered through the ammonia synthesizer via the second integrated gearbox 26 of a further compression system 10b, which can be driven by a second electromechanical unit 35, in order to produce ammonia NH3. In this case, the amount of ammonia NH3 produced will be less, but this allows for longer operating time and more uniform operation for the ammonia synthesizer 20.

[0039] Compressors 21, 14, 15, 16, 25, and refrigerant compressors 29-34 are shown in diagrammatic form and may have multiple stages. Compressors may be arranged in succession in pairs. The compressed gas leaving the compressors can be intercooled.

[0040] The present invention enables the advantageous and efficient production of ammonia (NH3), particularly green ammonia or CO2-neutral ammonia (NH3), with minimal installation space requirements and low cost. The plant 10 for producing ammonia (NH3) is characterized by high efficiency.

[0041] The nitrogen generator is also called a nitrogen generator. The air separation device 12 may be based on the principle of pressure swing adsorption or the principle of membrane technology.

[0042] Ammonia synthesis in the ammonia synthesis apparatus 20 is an exothermic reaction. The refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 28 can be recooled to water H2O. Steam may be generated during the process. Further compression system 10b: As an optional extension of the plant 10, Figure 1 shows a turbine 39 that can supply steam to generate expanded electrical energy, from which the expanded steam can be discharged. The turbine 39 can be coupled to a second integrated gearbox 26 via a clutch 38, in particular a self-synchronizing clutch 38, to take on some of the driving power for the further compression system 10b and reduce the power consumption or electrical consumption of the second electromechanism. The further compression system 10b is started by a second electromechanism 35. Once the process is running and steam is generated, the turbine 39 may be coupled to the second integrated gearbox 26 via the clutch 38 during operation. Figure 1 shows the turbine 39 with expanded steam water H2O supply being expanded, with discharge of expanded steam water H2O. For simplicity, the recooling of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 28 relative to the water in the heat exchanger is not shown in Figure 1. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0043] 10 plants 10a Compression System 10b Compression System 11 Electrolysis apparatus 12 Air Separator 13. First integrated gearbox 13a Large gear 13b pinion 14 First Compressor 15 First Compressor 16 First Compressor 17 Mixing devices 18. The first electrical machine 19 Clutch 20 Ammonia synthesis apparatus 21 Second Compressor 22 Intermediate gearbox 23 Clutch 24 Clutch 25 Third Compressor 26. Second integrated gearbox 27 Mixing devices 28 Refrigerant Circuit 29 Refrigerant compressor 30 Refrigerant compressor 31 Refrigerant compressor 32 Refrigerant compressor 33 Refrigerant compressor 34 Refrigerant compressor 35. The Second Electrical Machine 36 Energy Sources 37 Energy sources 38 Clutch 39 Turbine

Claims

1. A compression system (10a) for compressing hydrogen and nitrogen in a plant for producing ammonia, A plurality of first compressors (14, 15, 16) coupled to a first integrated gearbox (13) for compressing the hydrogen and nitrogen, A first electromechanism (18) coupled to the first integrated gearbox (13) drives the first compressors (14, 15, 16) which are coupled to the first integrated gearbox (13) and A compression system (10a) having the following:

2. The hydrogen is received at a first pressure level, and the nitrogen is received at a second pressure level higher than the first pressure level. The second compressor (21) compresses the hydrogen to the second pressure level. The plurality of first compressors (14, 15, 16), coupled to the first integrated gearbox (13) for compressing the hydrogen and nitrogen, compress the hydrogen and nitrogen in stages to a third pressure level higher than the second pressure level. The compression system (10a) according to claim 1, characterized in that...

3. The compression system (10a) according to claim 2, characterized in that the hydrogen compressed to the second pressure level is mixed with the nitrogen provided at the second pressure level via the mixing device (17) of the compression system (10a).

4. A compression system (10a) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first compressor (14, 15, 16) is a barrel-type compressor, and / or the second compressor (21) is a screw compressor.

5. The compression system (10a) according to claim 2, 3, or 4, characterized in that the second compressor (21) is coupled to the first electromechanism (18), which is coupled to the first integrated gearbox (13) via an intermediate gearbox (22).

6. A hydrogen generator, specifically designed as an electrolysis apparatus (11) for generating hydrogen, A nitrogen generator, specifically designed as an air separator (12) for generating nitrogen, A compression system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, Ammonia synthesis apparatus (20) for producing ammonia from compressed hydrogen and compressed nitrogen and A plant (10) for producing ammonia, having the following:

7. The plant (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the hydrogen generator utilizes at least one renewable energy source (36) to generate the hydrogen, and / or the nitrogen generator (12) utilizes at least one renewable energy source (37) to generate the nitrogen.

8. The plant (10) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the hydrogen generator provides the hydrogen at a first pressure level and the nitrogen generator provides the nitrogen at a second pressure level.

9. In the ammonia synthesis apparatus (20), hydrogen and nitrogen that are not converted to ammonia leave the ammonia synthesis apparatus (20) at a third pressure level. A third compressor (25) for compressing the hydrogen and nitrogen in a further compression system (10b) of the plant (10) is coupled to a second integrated gearbox (26) of the further compression system (10b), and the third compressor (25) compresses the hydrogen and nitrogen for the ammonia synthesis apparatus (20) starting from a third pressure level and going up to a fourth pressure level. A plant (10) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that

10. The plant (10) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the hydrogen and nitrogen released from the ammonia synthesis apparatus (20) at the third pressure level are mixed via a mixing device (27) with the hydrogen and nitrogen released after being compressed to the third pressure level by the first compressors (14, 15, 16) of the compression system (10a) coupled to the first integrated gearbox (13).

11. The plant (10) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that a second electromechanical unit (35) is coupled to a second integrated gearbox (26) of the further compression system (10b).

12. The plant (10) according to claim 9, 10, or 11, characterized in that a plurality of refrigerant compressors (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34) are coupled to a second integrated gearbox (26) of the further compression system (10b) for compressing a refrigerant for the ammonia synthesis apparatus (20).

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