Hydrogen supply system, hydrogen consumption plant equipped with hydrogen supply system, and method for supplying hydrogen to a hydrogen consumption device

Abstract

To provide a hydrogen supply system with improved followability to fluctuations in demand for hydrogen, a hydrogen consumption plant equipped with the hydrogen supply system, and a method for supplying hydrogen to a hydrogen consumption apparatus.SOLUTION: A hydrogen supply system includes: a hydrogen production apparatus; a hydrogen flow line through which hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production apparatus is distributed; a buffer tank provided in the hydrogen flow line downstream of the hydrogen production apparatus; a bypass line that bypasses part of the hydrogen flow line and of which downstream end is connected to the hydrogen flow line on the downstream side of the buffer tank; and a storage tank that is installed in the bypass line and is capable of storing hydrogen.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a hydrogen supply system, a hydrogen consuming plant including the hydrogen supply system, and a method for supplying hydrogen to a hydrogen consuming device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a gas turbine that can supply hydrogen obtained by reforming natural gas, as well as natural gas, to a combustor as fuel. During normal operation of this gas turbine, natural gas, hydrogen, and off-gas are supplied to the combustor as fuel, and during low-load operation of the gas turbine, such as when power demand drops, hydrogen is stored without being supplied to the combustor.

[0003] Generally, power generation facilities using gas turbines and other devices are required to flexibly adjust their operating load in response to constantly fluctuating power demand. Therefore, the fuel supply system for the gas turbine is also required to supply fuel in a manner that quickly follows changes in the gas turbine's load. However, when using hydrogen produced by a chemical process such as a reforming reaction as fuel for the gas turbine, the chemical process generally involves a complex process that organically combines reactions, separation, heat recovery, etc., so if the operating conditions of the hydrogen production equipment change suddenly, the entire system will become unbalanced and stable operation will become impossible. Therefore, it is difficult to responsively adjust the hydrogen supply volume to changes in the gas turbine's load. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-49610 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Although Patent Document 1 describes storing hydrogen when the gas turbine is operating at low load, it does not describe the specific configuration of the hydrogen storage facility. Patent Document 1 also describes using the stored hydrogen for other purposes, such as as an industrial hydrogen product, or as part of the fuel for a fuel cell installed separately from the gas turbine, but does not anticipate reuse in the gas turbine. Even if the stored hydrogen were to be reused in the gas turbine, simply providing a tank to store hydrogen would make it difficult for the hydrogen supply rate to follow fluctuations in the fuel supply rate when the gas turbine load fluctuates.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, at least one embodiment of the present disclosure aims to provide a hydrogen supply system with improved responsiveness to fluctuations in hydrogen demand, a hydrogen consuming plant equipped with the hydrogen supply system, and a method for supplying hydrogen to a hydrogen consuming device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the hydrogen supply system according to the present disclosure is a hydrogen supply system that supplies hydrogen to a hydrogen consuming device, and includes a hydrogen production device, a hydrogen distribution line through which hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production device flows, a buffer tank provided in the hydrogen distribution line downstream of the hydrogen production device, a compressor provided in the hydrogen distribution line downstream of the buffer tank, a bypass line that bypasses a portion of the hydrogen distribution line, the downstream end of the bypass line communicating with the hydrogen distribution line downstream of the buffer tank, and a storage tank provided in the bypass line and capable of storing hydrogen, and the hydrogen distribution line is connected to the hydrogen consuming device downstream of a connection between the bypass line and the hydrogen distribution line. , the pressure in the storage tank is lower than the pressure in the buffer tank .

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, a method of supplying hydrogen to a hydrogen consuming device according to the present disclosure includes a hydrogen production step of producing hydrogen, a distribution step of distributing the hydrogen produced in the hydrogen production step through a hydrogen distribution line toward the hydrogen consuming device, a retention step of retaining the hydrogen circulating through the hydrogen distribution line toward the hydrogen consuming device, and a storage step of storing, during or after the retention step, a portion of the hydrogen circulating toward the hydrogen consuming device via a bypass line that bypasses a portion of the hydrogen distribution line, wherein the hydrogen distribution line is connected to the hydrogen consuming device downstream of a connection between the bypass line and the hydrogen distribution line. The pressure of the hydrogen stored in the storing step is lower than the pressure of the hydrogen retained in the retaining step. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the hydrogen supply system of the present disclosure, when fluctuations in hydrogen demand are small, fluctuations in demand can be absorbed by varying the amount of hydrogen in the buffer tank, and when fluctuations in hydrogen demand become large, the ability to respond to fluctuations in hydrogen demand can be improved by varying the amount of hydrogen stored in the storage tank or by supplying hydrogen from the storage tank.Furthermore, according to the method of supplying hydrogen to a hydrogen consuming device of the present disclosure, fluctuations in the hydrogen demand of the hydrogen consuming device can be absorbed by a retention step in which hydrogen flowing toward the hydrogen consuming device is retained, and a storage step in which a portion of the hydrogen flowing toward the hydrogen consuming device is stored during or after the retention step, thereby improving the ability to respond to fluctuations in hydrogen demand. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a hydrogen supply system and a hydrogen consumption plant according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a hydrogen supply system and a hydrogen consumption plant according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A hydrogen supply system, a hydrogen consuming plant, and a method for supplying hydrogen to a hydrogen consuming device according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below represent one aspect of the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Modifications can be made as desired within the scope of the technical concept of the present disclosure.

[0012] (Embodiment 1) <Configuration of hydrogen supply system and hydrogen consumption plant> As shown in FIG. 1 , a hydrogen consuming plant 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure includes a hydrogen consuming device 2 that consumes hydrogen for any purpose, and a hydrogen supply system 10 that supplies hydrogen to the hydrogen consuming device 2. The hydrogen consuming device 2 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a gas turbine 3 that uses only hydrogen as fuel or a fuel in which hydrogen is mixed with other fuels. In the first embodiment, the hydrogen consuming device 2 is described as a gas turbine 3 that uses a fuel in which hydrogen is mixed with other fuels. When the hydrogen consuming device 2 is a gas turbine 3, a combustor 3a of the gas turbine 3 is supplied with fuel (e.g., natural gas) and hydrogen from the hydrogen supply system 10. While FIG. 1 illustrates fuel and hydrogen being supplied separately to the combustor 3a, the fuel and hydrogen may be mixed and then supplied to the combustor 3a.

[0013] The hydrogen supply system 10 includes a hydrogen production device 11 for producing hydrogen, a hydrogen distribution line 12 connecting the hydrogen production device 11 with the combustor 3a of the gas turbine 3, a buffer tank 13 provided on the hydrogen distribution line 12 downstream of the hydrogen production device 11, a bypass line 14 connecting the buffer tank 13 with the hydrogen distribution line 12 downstream of the buffer tank 13, and a storage tank 15 provided on the bypass line 14.

[0014] A compressor 16 is provided in the hydrogen distribution line 12 between the buffer tank 13 and the portion where the bypass line 14 is connected to the hydrogen distribution line 12. A pressure control valve 18 is also provided in the hydrogen distribution line 12 between the hydrogen production device 11 and the buffer tank 13, and pressure gauges 19 and 20 are provided between the buffer tank 13 and the compressor 16 and downstream of the compressor 16, respectively. A compressor 17 is provided in the bypass line 14 between the buffer tank 13 and the storage tank 15. A flow control valve 21 is also provided in the bypass line 14 downstream of the storage tank 15.

[0015] The upstream end of the bypass line 14 is not limited to being connected to the buffer tank 13, and the upstream end of the bypass line 14 may be connected to the hydrogen distribution line 12 upstream or downstream of the buffer tank 13. In either case, the downstream end of the bypass line 14 will be connected to the hydrogen distribution line 12 downstream of the buffer tank 13. If the compressor 16 is provided downstream of the buffer tank 13, the downstream end of the bypass line 14 will be connected to the hydrogen distribution line 12 downstream of the compressor 16.

[0016] The hydrogen supply system 10 is provided with a control device 22 for controlling the load, reaction temperature, etc. of the hydrogen production device 11, and the pressure gauge 19 is electrically connected to the control device 22. In addition, the flow rate control valve 21 is electrically connected to the pressure gauge 19. Although none of these components are shown, the control device 22 includes a central processing unit (CPU), random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), external storage media (hard disk drive (HDD), solid state drive (SSD), etc.), an interface (I / F), a control circuit, etc., and is realized by the CPU executing a predetermined control program stored in the ROM. The pressure gauge 19 is electrically connected to the compressor 17 and the flow rate control valve 21. The pressure gauge 20 is electrically connected to the compressor 16.

[0017] The configuration of the hydrogen production device 11 is not particularly limited, and any device that produces hydrogen based on any principle can be used. For example, the hydrogen production device 11 may be a device that produces hydrogen through a chemical reaction of a raw material. Specific examples of chemical reactions include a reforming reaction of natural gas or other hydrocarbons, a partial oxidation method, a coal gasification reaction, and an ammonia decomposition reaction. In the first embodiment, the hydrogen production device 11 will be described as a device that produces hydrogen through a reforming reaction of natural gas as a raw material.

[0018] In the first embodiment, a storage tank 15 is provided that has a higher design pressure than the buffer tank 13, and it is possible to store hydrogen by compressing it to high pressure in the storage tank 15. This allows a large amount of hydrogen to be stored in a smaller volume than the buffer tank 13, so the size of each tank and the installation area of ​​the equipment can be reduced. This makes it possible to keep the overall equipment costs required for storage low.

[0019] <Operation of the hydrogen supply system and hydrogen consumption plant> Next, the operation of the hydrogen supply system 10 and the hydrogen consuming plant 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the hydrogen consuming plant 1, hydrogen is supplied from the hydrogen supply system 10 to the combustor 3a of the gas turbine 3 via the hydrogen distribution line 12. The hydrogen supplied to the combustor 3a is combusted together with the fuel supplied to the combustor 3a by compressed air supplied from the compressor 3b. In other words, the hydrogen is consumed in the combustor 3a of the gas turbine 3. The gas turbine 3 is driven by driving the turbine 3c with exhaust gas produced by combustion in the combustor 3a.

[0020] Next, the operation of the hydrogen supply system 10 (a method for supplying hydrogen to a hydrogen consumption device) will be described. In the hydrogen production device 11, hydrogen is produced by a reforming reaction of natural gas (hydrogen production step). The control device 22 controls the load (amount of hydrogen produced) and reaction temperature of the hydrogen production device 11 through the operation described below. When the compressor 16 is driven, hydrogen flowing out of the hydrogen production device 11 flows through the hydrogen distribution line 12 (distribution step). At this time, the capacity of the compressor 16 is controlled so that the discharge amount is such that the pressure downstream of the compressor 16 is within a predetermined range. Furthermore, the opening of the pressure control valve 18 is controlled so that the pressure at the outlet of the hydrogen production device 11 is within a predetermined range, thereby controlling the flow rate of hydrogen flowing through the hydrogen distribution line 12.

[0021] Hydrogen flowing through the hydrogen distribution line 12 flows into the buffer tank 13. The buffer tank 13 can store an amount of hydrogen according to its volume and pressure (storage step). Therefore, if fluctuations occur in the flow rate of hydrogen flowing through the hydrogen distribution line 12, the buffering function of the buffer tank 13 can absorb the fluctuations as long as they are within a certain range, allowing the entire system to operate in accordance with fluctuations in hydrogen demand.

[0022] While the hydrogen supply system 10 is operating, the value detected by the pressure gauge 19 (which can be equated with the pressure inside the buffer tank 13) is transmitted to the control device 22. When the amount of hydrogen produced in the hydrogen production device 11 exceeds the hydrogen demand of the gas turbine 3, the amount of hydrogen stored in the buffer tank 13 increases, causing the value detected by the pressure gauge 19 to rise. Conversely, when the amount of hydrogen produced in the hydrogen production device 11 is less than the hydrogen demand of the gas turbine 3, the amount of hydrogen stored in the buffer tank 13 decreases, causing the value detected by the pressure gauge 19 to fall. The control device 22 controls the amount of hydrogen produced by controlling the operating conditions of the hydrogen production device 11 so that the value detected by the pressure gauge 19 falls within a predetermined pressure range.

[0023] As described above, the gas turbine 3 is driven by exhaust gas produced by burning a mixture of fuel and hydrogen, but stable operation of the gas turbine 3 requires control to prevent large fluctuations in the fuel-to-hydrogen mixture ratio. For this reason, when the fuel supply rate fluctuates due to load fluctuations on the gas turbine 3, it is necessary to make the hydrogen supply rate follow the fluctuations in the fuel supply rate. When the fluctuations in the fuel supply rate are relatively small and the fluctuations in the hydrogen supply rate that follow those fluctuations are also relatively small, the buffering function of the buffer tank 13 described above can absorb those fluctuations, enabling the entire system to operate in a way that follows fluctuations in the hydrogen demand.

[0024] However, for example, in the case of a significant load drop (including a complete shutdown) of the gas turbine 3 at night, the hydrogen demand also drops significantly compared to normal operation. However, if the hydrogen production device 11 is configured to produce hydrogen through a chemical process, it is difficult to temporarily stop the operation of the hydrogen production device 11 due to the complexity of the process. This results in a large imbalance (oversupply) between the demand and supply of hydrogen, and it is possible that this imbalance cannot be absorbed by the buffering function of the buffer tank 13 alone. In such a case, in embodiment 1, the imbalance can be absorbed by the operation described below.

[0025] If the hydrogen demand in the gas turbine 3 drops significantly, the control device 22 will, as described above, control the hydrogen production device 11 to reduce the amount of hydrogen produced. However, the hydrogen production device 11 has a minimum operating load that is possible given the equipment, and the equipment cannot be operated at a load lower than this. Therefore, if the hydrogen demand drops below the minimum operating load of the hydrogen production device 11, the amount of hydrogen supplied will be in excess of the demand even if the hydrogen production device 11 is operated at the minimum load, and the value detected by the pressure gauge 19 may continue to rise.

[0026] Even when the hydrogen production device 11 is controlled under minimum load operating conditions, if the pressure detected by the pressure gauge 19 continues to rise and reaches a preset pressure, the compressor 17 is started, causing hydrogen to flow not only through the hydrogen distribution line 12 but also through the bypass line 14. The compressor 17 compresses hydrogen produced in excess of the demand, causing the hydrogen to be stored in the storage tank 15 (storage step). That is, a portion of the hydrogen flowing toward the gas turbine 3 is stored in the storage tank 15. This absorbs the imbalance (excess) in the amount of hydrogen produced from the hydrogen production device 11 relative to the hydrogen demand of the gas turbine 3, enabling the entire system to operate in response to fluctuations in the hydrogen demand. The compressor 17 is stopped at the discretion of the operator when the pressure in the storage tank 15 reaches a preset maximum pressure, or even if the pressure is lower than that. Note that in the configuration of the bypass line 14 in the first embodiment, the storage step is performed together with the retention step (or in a parallel configuration) or after the retention step (or in a serial configuration). In a configuration in which the upstream end of the bypass line 14 communicates with the hydrogen distribution line 12 downstream of the buffer tank 13, the storage step is performed after the residence step (or in a serial configuration).

[0027] Thereafter, when the load on the gas turbine 3 increases again, the compressor 17 is stopped and the opening of the flow control valve 21 is adjusted to gradually release the hydrogen stored in the storage tank 15, thereby reducing the pressure in the storage tank 15 to the initial pressure before storage. At this time, the mixture ratio of the hydrogen flowing out of the storage tank 15 and the hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production device 11 can be adjusted by setting the opening of the flow control valve 21 according to the amount of hydrogen demand or by operator operation, within a range that does not cause the hydrogen production device 11 to operate at minimum load.

[0028] When the hydrogen demand of the gas turbine 3 increases, the discharge rate of the compressor 16 is controlled to maintain the value detected by the pressure gauge 20 within a specified range. When the discharge rate increases, the value detected by the pressure gauge 19 decreases, and a load increase command is issued to the hydrogen production device 11. However, if the hydrogen demand increases suddenly, the load increase on the hydrogen production device 11 may not be able to keep up temporarily. In this case, the value detected by the pressure gauge 19 continues to decrease, and the compressor 16 may not be able to continue operating. To address this issue, a flow rate command is issued to the flow control valve 21 when the value detected by the pressure gauge 19 reaches a preset pressure, allowing backup hydrogen to be supplied from the storage tank 15 to the gas turbine 3. In other words, the flow rate of hydrogen flowing from the storage tank 15 to the hydrogen production device 11 is controlled based on the value detected by the pressure gauge 19. When hydrogen is supplied as backup, the discharge rate of the compressor 16 decreases, preventing a further decrease in the value detected by the pressure gauge 19. Eventually, the load increase on the hydrogen production device 11 catches up, and the value detected by the pressure gauge 19 increases. When the pressure is restored, the flow rate command to the flow rate control valve 21 is stopped.

[0029] Incidentally, such an operation is not only performed when the load on the gas turbine 3 drops significantly at night, but can also be applied to a short-term shutdown of the gas turbine 3 to perform minor maintenance.

[0030] In this way, when fluctuations in hydrogen demand are small, the buffering function of buffer tank 13 absorbs the fluctuations, and when fluctuations in hydrogen demand become large, the excess hydrogen is compressed and stored in storage tank 15, or the shortfall in hydrogen is supplied from storage tank 15, thereby improving the system's ability to respond to fluctuations in hydrogen demand as a whole.

[0031] <Modification of hydrogen supply system> Although FIG. 1 shows one storage tank 15, two or more storage tanks 15 may be provided. In this case, multiple storage tanks 15 may be provided in parallel to the bypass line 14, and hydrogen may be stored in each storage tank 15 simultaneously. When hydrogen is supplied from the storage tanks 15, hydrogen may be supplied from each storage tank 15 simultaneously, or hydrogen may be supplied from one storage tank 15, and when that storage tank 15 becomes empty, hydrogen may be supplied from another storage tank 15. Furthermore, a switching device may be provided that connects the bypass line to each of the multiple storage tanks, and hydrogen may be stored separately in each storage tank 15.

[0032] (Embodiment 2) Next, a hydrogen supply system and a hydrogen consuming plant according to embodiment 2 will be described. The hydrogen supply system and the hydrogen consuming plant according to embodiment 2 are different from embodiment 1 in that the configuration of the storage tank 15 is changed. In embodiment 2, the same components as those in embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0033] <Configuration of hydrogen supply system and hydrogen consumption plant> As shown in Figure 2, in a hydrogen supply system 10 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, a bypass line 14 is provided with a storage tank 15, a compressor 17 located downstream of the storage tank 15, and a flow control valve 21 located upstream of the storage tank 15. The storage tank 15 in the second embodiment stores hydrogen under lower pressure conditions than the buffer tank 13. Because gas is stored under low pressure conditions, it is possible to increase the size of each tank and reduce the number of tanks installed, and the tank itself can be constructed inexpensively. This allows the overall equipment costs required for storage to be kept low.

[0034] The configuration of the storage tank 15, whose storage pressure is lower than that of the buffer tank 13, is not particularly limited, and any tank can be used. One example of such a storage tank 15 is a tank configured to store hydrogen at approximately atmospheric pressure by moving a movable roof 15a provided inside the tank outer shell up and down in response to the inflow and outflow of gas. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0035] <Operation of the hydrogen supply system and hydrogen consumption plant> In the hydrogen supply system 10 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, the operation of load following, in which fluctuations in the hydrogen demand amount are absorbed by the buffering function of the buffer tank 13 when the fluctuations are small, is the same as in the first embodiment. However, the operation of the second embodiment, in which the hydrogen supply amount is made to follow fluctuations in the fuel supply amount when the fluctuations in the hydrogen demand amount are large, differs from that of the first embodiment, and therefore only this operation will be described below.

[0036] As in the first embodiment, if the hydrogen demand of the gas turbine 3 drops significantly, the hydrogen production device 11 is controlled to reduce the amount of hydrogen produced. However, if the hydrogen demand drops below the minimum operating load of the hydrogen production device 11, the hydrogen supply rate may become excessive relative to the demand, and the value detected by the pressure gauge 19 may continuously increase. In this case, when the value detected by the pressure gauge 19 reaches a preset pressure, an open command is issued to the flow control valve 21, allowing hydrogen to flow not only through the hydrogen distribution line 12 but also through the bypass line 14. The hydrogen flowing through the bypass line 14 is reduced in pressure to approximately atmospheric pressure by the flow control valve 21, flows into the storage tank 15, and is stored in the storage tank 15. In other words, a portion of the hydrogen flowing toward the gas turbine 3 is stored in the storage tank 15. This absorbs the imbalance (excess) in the amount of hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production device 11 relative to the hydrogen demand of the gas turbine 3, enabling the entire system to operate in accordance with fluctuations in hydrogen demand.

[0037] Thereafter, when the demand for hydrogen in the gas turbine 3 increases again, the flow control valve 21 is closed and the compressor 17 is started to gradually release the hydrogen stored in the storage tank 15, reducing the amount of hydrogen stored in the storage tank 15 to the initial amount before storage began. At this time, the mixing ratio of the hydrogen flowing out of the storage tank 15 and the hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production device 11 can be adjusted by setting the operating load of the compressor 17 using a preset control program or by operator operation according to the hydrogen demand, and adjusting the amount of hydrogen flowing out of the storage tank 15, within a range that does not cause the hydrogen production device 11 to operate at minimum load.

[0038] In the second embodiment, the start circuit of the compressor 17 is electrically connected to the pressure gauge 19. When the hydrogen demand of the gas turbine 3 increases, the discharge rate of the compressor 16 is controlled to maintain the value detected by the pressure gauge 20 within a specified range. When the discharge rate increases, the value detected by the pressure gauge 19 decreases, and a load increase command is issued to the hydrogen production device 11. However, if the hydrogen demand increases suddenly, the load increase of the hydrogen production device 11 may not be able to keep up temporarily. In this case, the value detected by the pressure gauge 19 may continue to decrease, and the compressor 16 may not be able to continue operating. To address this, an operation command can be issued to the compressor 17 when the value detected by the pressure gauge 19 reaches a preset pressure, allowing backup hydrogen to be supplied from the storage tank 15 to the gas turbine 3. When backup hydrogen is supplied, the discharge rate of the compressor 16 decreases, preventing a further decrease in the value detected by the pressure gauge 19. Eventually, the load increase of the hydrogen production device 11 catches up, and the value detected by the pressure gauge 19 increases. When the pressure recovers, the operation command to the compressor 16 is stopped.

[0039] In this way, also in embodiment 2, when fluctuations in hydrogen demand are small, the buffering function of buffer tank 13 absorbs the fluctuations, and when fluctuations in hydrogen demand become large, excess hydrogen is stored in storage tank 15 or the shortfall in hydrogen is supplied from storage tank 15, thereby improving the system's ability to respond to fluctuations in hydrogen demand as a whole.

[0040] <Modification of hydrogen supply system> In the second embodiment, too, one storage tank 15 is shown in Fig. 2, but two or more storage tanks 15 may be provided, as in the modified example of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, when multiple storage tanks 15 are provided, the method of storing hydrogen in each storage tank 15 and supplying hydrogen from each storage tank 15 is the same as in the modified example of the first embodiment.

[0041] (Other variations) In the first and second embodiments, the design pressure of the buffer tank 13 and the design pressure of the storage tank 15 are different, but the buffer tank 13 and the storage tank 15 may be designed to have the same pressure. Even in this embodiment, when fluctuations in hydrogen demand are small, the buffering function of the buffer tank 13 absorbs the fluctuations, and when fluctuations in hydrogen demand become large, the excess hydrogen is compressed and stored in the storage tank 15, or the shortage of hydrogen is supplied from the storage tank 15, thereby achieving the same effects as in the first and second embodiments.

[0042] The contents described in each of the above embodiments can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0043] [1] A hydrogen supply system according to one aspect includes: A hydrogen production device (11); a hydrogen distribution line (12) through which hydrogen produced in the hydrogen production device (11) flows; a buffer tank (13) provided in the hydrogen distribution line (12) downstream of the hydrogen production device (11); a bypass line (14) that bypasses a portion of the hydrogen distribution line (12), the downstream end of the bypass line (14) being in communication with the hydrogen distribution line (12) downstream of the buffer tank (13); a storage tank (15) provided in the bypass line (14) and capable of storing hydrogen; Equipped with.

[0044] According to the hydrogen supply system of the present disclosure, when fluctuations in hydrogen demand are small, fluctuations in demand can be absorbed by varying the amount of hydrogen in the buffer tank, and when fluctuations in hydrogen demand become large, the ability to respond to fluctuations in hydrogen demand can be improved by varying the amount of hydrogen stored in the storage tank or by supplying hydrogen from the storage tank.

[0045] [2] A hydrogen supply system according to another embodiment is the hydrogen supply system according to [1], The pressure in the storage tank (15) is higher than the pressure in the buffer tank (13).

[0046] This configuration allows a large amount of hydrogen to be stored in a small volume, which reduces the size of each tank and the installation area of ​​the facility, thereby reducing the overall facility costs required for storage.

[0047] [3] A hydrogen supply system according to yet another embodiment is the hydrogen supply system according to [1], The pressure in the storage tank (15) is lower than the pressure in the buffer tank (13).

[0048] With this configuration, gas is stored under low pressure conditions, so it is possible to increase the size of each tank and reduce the number of tanks installed, and the tank itself can be made inexpensive, which makes it possible to keep the overall equipment costs required for storage low.

[0049] [4] A hydrogen supply system according to yet another embodiment is the hydrogen supply system according to any one of [1] to [3], In the hydrogen production device (11), hydrogen is produced by chemical reaction of raw materials.

[0050] When hydrogen is produced by chemical reaction, it is difficult to make the amount of hydrogen produced in the hydrogen production device keep up with large fluctuations in hydrogen demand. However, with this configuration, the amount of hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen supply system can be made to keep up with fluctuations in hydrogen demand well.

[0051] [5] A hydrogen supply system according to yet another embodiment is any one of the hydrogen supply systems according to [4], The source material is natural gas or a hydrocarbon.

[0052] When hydrogen is produced by a reforming reaction of natural gas or hydrocarbons, it is difficult to keep the amount of hydrogen produced up to date with large fluctuations in hydrogen demand. However, with this configuration, the amount of hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen supply system can be made to well follow fluctuations in hydrogen demand.

[0053] [6] A hydrogen consuming plant according to one aspect includes: A hydrogen supply system (10) according to any one of [1] to [5]; a hydrogen consuming device (2) that consumes hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen supply system (10) via the hydrogen distribution line (12); Equipped with.

[0054] According to the hydrogen consuming plant of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the ability of the hydrogen supply amount to follow load fluctuations of the hydrogen consuming device.

[0055] [7] A hydrogen consuming plant according to another aspect is the hydrogen consuming plant according to [6], The hydrogen consuming device (2) is a gas turbine (3).

[0056] With this configuration, it is possible to improve the ability of the hydrogen supply amount to follow load fluctuations of the gas turbine.

[0057] [8] A method for supplying hydrogen to a hydrogen consumption device according to one aspect includes: a hydrogen production step of producing hydrogen; a circulation step of circulating the hydrogen produced in the hydrogen production step toward the hydrogen consumption device (2); a retention step of retaining hydrogen flowing toward the hydrogen consumption device (2); a storage step of storing a portion of the hydrogen flowing toward the hydrogen consumption device (2) during or after the retention step; Includes.

[0058] According to the method of supplying hydrogen to a hydrogen consumption device disclosed herein, fluctuations in the hydrogen demand of the hydrogen consumption device can be absorbed by a retention step in which hydrogen flowing toward the hydrogen consumption device is retained, and a storage step in which a portion of the hydrogen flowing toward the hydrogen consumption device is stored during or after the retention step, thereby improving the ability to follow fluctuations in hydrogen demand.

[0059] [9] Another embodiment of the method is the method of [8], The pressure of the hydrogen retained in the retaining step is detected, and the storing step is carried out based on the detected value.

[0060] According to this method, it is possible to improve the ability of the hydrogen consuming device to respond to a decrease in the amount of hydrogen demanded.

[0061]

[10] A method according to yet another embodiment is the method according to [8] or [9], A portion of the hydrogen flowing towards the hydrogen consumer (2) is stored in a compressed state.

[0062] According to this method, a large amount of hydrogen can be stored in a small volume, so the size of each tank and the installation area of ​​the equipment can be reduced.

[0063]

[11] A method according to yet another embodiment is any one of the methods [8] to

[10] , If the demand for hydrogen in the hydrogen consumption device (2) increases while the retention step and the storage step are being performed, the storage step is stopped and the hydrogen stored in the storage step is supplied to the hydrogen consumption device (2).

[0064] According to this method, when the demand for hydrogen increases after a decrease in the demand for hydrogen in the hydrogen consuming device has been addressed, it is possible to improve the ability to follow the increase in the demand for hydrogen.

[0065]

[12] A method according to yet another embodiment is the method according to

[11] , When the hydrogen stored in the storage step is supplied to the hydrogen consumption device (2), the flow rate of the hydrogen stored in the storage step as it flows toward the hydrogen consumption device (2) is controlled based on the detected pressure of the accumulating hydrogen.

[0066] According to this method, when the demand for hydrogen increases after a decrease in the demand for hydrogen in the hydrogen consuming device has been addressed, it is possible to improve the ability to follow the increase in the demand for hydrogen.

[0067]

[13] A method according to yet another embodiment is the method according to

[11] or

[12] , When the detected pressure value of the hydrogen retained in the retaining step decreases, the supply amount of the hydrogen stored in the storing step to the hydrogen consuming device (2) is increased.

[0068] If the demand for hydrogen increases suddenly and the increase in the amount of hydrogen produced in the hydrogen production step cannot keep up temporarily, the detected pressure of the hydrogen retained in the retention step will decrease. In contrast, according to this method, by supplying hydrogen stored in the storage step to the hydrogen consumption device as a backup, the amount of hydrogen retained in the retention step that is supplied to the hydrogen consumption device will be reduced, allowing the increase in the amount of hydrogen produced in the hydrogen production step to keep up. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1. Hydrogen consumption plants 2 Hydrogen consumption device 3. Gas turbine 10 Hydrogen supply system 11 Hydrogen production equipment 12 Hydrogen distribution line 13 Buffer tank 14 Bypass Line 15 Storage Tank

Claims

1. A hydrogen supply system for supplying hydrogen to a hydrogen consuming device, comprising: A hydrogen production device; a hydrogen distribution line through which hydrogen produced by the hydrogen production device flows; a buffer tank provided in the hydrogen distribution line downstream of the hydrogen production device; a compressor provided in the hydrogen distribution line downstream of the buffer tank; a bypass line that bypasses a portion of the hydrogen distribution line, the downstream end of the bypass line being in communication with the hydrogen distribution line downstream of the buffer tank; a storage tank provided in the bypass line and capable of storing hydrogen; Equipped with the hydrogen distribution line is connected to the hydrogen consumption device downstream of a connection portion between the bypass line and the hydrogen distribution line, A hydrogen supply system, wherein the pressure in the storage tank is lower than the pressure in the buffer tank.

2. 2. The hydrogen supply system according to claim 1, wherein in the hydrogen production device, hydrogen is produced by a chemical reaction of a raw material.

3. The hydrogen supply system of claim 2 , wherein the source material is natural gas or a hydrocarbon.

4. The hydrogen supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a hydrogen consuming device that consumes hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen supply system through the hydrogen distribution line; A hydrogen consuming plant comprising:

5. 5. The hydrogen consuming plant of claim 4, wherein the hydrogen consumer is a gas turbine.

6. 1. A method for supplying hydrogen to a hydrogen consuming device, comprising: A hydrogen production step of producing hydrogen; a distribution step of distributing the hydrogen produced in the hydrogen production step through a hydrogen distribution line toward the hydrogen consumption device; a retention step of hydrogen flowing through the hydrogen flow line toward the hydrogen consuming device; a storing step of storing a portion of the hydrogen flowing toward the hydrogen consuming device through a bypass line that bypasses a portion of the hydrogen flow line during or after the retention step; Including, the hydrogen distribution line is connected to the hydrogen consumption device downstream of a connection portion between the bypass line and the hydrogen distribution line, A method for supplying hydrogen to a hydrogen consuming device, wherein the pressure of the hydrogen stored in the storing step is lower than the pressure of the hydrogen retained in the retaining step.

7. 7. The method for supplying hydrogen to a hydrogen consuming device according to claim 6, further comprising detecting a pressure of the hydrogen retained in said retaining step, and controlling an amount of hydrogen produced in said hydrogen producing step based on the detected pressure.

8. A method for supplying hydrogen to a hydrogen consumption device as described in claim 7, wherein after the amount of hydrogen produced in the hydrogen production step is controlled, the pressure of the hydrogen retained in the retention step is detected, and based on the detected value, the storage step or the supply of hydrogen stored in the storage step to the hydrogen consumption device is performed.

9. A method for supplying hydrogen to a hydrogen consumer as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein a portion of the hydrogen flowing towards the hydrogen consumer is stored in a compressed state.

10. A method for supplying hydrogen to a hydrogen consumption device described in any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein if the hydrogen demand of the hydrogen consumption device increases while performing the retention step and the storage step, the storage step is stopped and the hydrogen stored in the storage step is supplied to the hydrogen consumption device.

11. A method for supplying hydrogen to a hydrogen consumption device described in any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein when the hydrogen stored in the storage step is supplied to the hydrogen consumption device, the flow rate of the hydrogen stored in the storage step flowing toward the hydrogen consumption device is controlled based on the detected pressure of the accumulated hydrogen.

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