Device for generation and storage of hydrogen

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for generation and storage of hydrogen, which device comprises: - a tube or drill-steel-tube pile for insertion into the ground, which tube or drill-steel-tube pile is provided with a closure on one end and wherein a compartment wall is arranged in the tube or drill-steel-tube pile adjacent the other end of the tube or drill-steel-tube pile to provide a storage space between the compartment wall and the closure; - electrolyser means arranged in the tube or drill- steel-tube pile between the other end of the tube or drill- steel-tube pile and the compartment wall, which electrolyser means have an inflow opening for receiving ground water from the drill hole and at least an hydrogen outflow opening, which is connected to the storage space; - a power supply line running from at least the one end of the tube to the electrolyser means.

Description

[0001] Device for generation and storage of hydrogen

[0002] The invention relates to a device for generation and storage of hydrogen .

[0003] Two main processes for generation hydrogen are by steam methane reforming, which uses steam, methane and a catalyst , and by electrolysis of water using an electric current . Methane and steam are typically only available in an industrial setting, while water and electricity is virtually available everywhere .

[0004] A device for generating hydrogen out of water and electricity, in particular solar power, is known from EP 3981738 . This device produces a mixture of hydrogen gas and oxygen gas , which mixture needs to be separated into two separate streams of hydrogen gas and oxygen gas . The hydrogen gas can then be stored for later use .

[0005] A method for storing hydrogen gas is described in EP 256714 . This publication proposes to drill a number of holes into the ground and insert sealed tubes into these holes . Each sealed tube provides a storage space for hydrogen gas . Because the tubes are arranged underground, the storage of the hydrogen is relatively safe , out of sight and damage to the tubes is unlikely to occur .

[0006] In order to store hydrogen gas from a device for generating hydrogen into such an underground tube shaped storage , a pump would be required and some piping . This increases costs and the risk on any leakages . Furthermore , the electrolyser needs a flow of water, which typically also requires some pumping means .

[0007] It is an obj ect of the invention to reduce or even remove the disadvantages of the prior art .

[0008] This obj ect is achieved with a device for generation and storage of hydrogen, which device comprises : - a tube or drill-steel-tube pile for insertion into the ground, which tube or drill-steel-tube pile is provided with a closure on one end and wherein a compartment wall is arranged in the tube or drill-steel-tube pile adj acent the other end of the tube or drill-steel-tube pile to provide a storage space between the compartment wall and the closure ;

[0009] - electrolyser means arranged in the tube or drillsteel-tube pile between the other end of the tube or drillsteel-tube pile and the compartment wall , which electrolyser means have an inflow opening for receiving ground water and at least an hydrogen outflow opening, which is connected to the storage space ;

[0010] - a power supply line running from at least the one end of the tube or drill-steel-tube pile to the electrolyser means .

[0011] With the device according to the invention an integration of the underground generation and storage of hydrogen is obtained . This device is suitable to be inserted into the ground, for example via a drill hole or drilled down in one movement , which protects the device against any trouble from outside and would greatly protect the surroundings when any mal function of the device occurs .

[0012] By arranging the electrolyser means in the tube or drill-steel-tube pile between the other end of the tube or drill-steel-tube pile and the compartment and thus near the bottom, an automatic supply of ground water will be available , i f the tube or drill-steel-tube pile is suf ficiently deep . Furthermore , the generated hydrogen gas will flow upwardly, as it is lighter than air, and consequently will flow without any pumping means into the storage space provided in the tube .

[0013] The device according to the invention can be installed at virtually any location as long as the device can be inserted to at least the depth of the ground water . The power for the device could be obtained from a wind turbine or solar panels . The generated and stored hydrogen can be used for heating or for generating electricity at moments , when no wind energy or sun energy is available .

[0014] In an embodiment of the device according to the invention, one or more compressors are arranged in the storage space along the length of the storage space , such that sections with di f ferent hydrogen pressures are provided .

[0015] By arranging the one or more compressors in cascade , the pressure of the stored hydrogen can be increased considerably . This allows for the storage of a larger amount of hydrogen in the storage space than without the additional compression . In an embodiment of the device according to the invention the electrolyser means further have an oxygen outflow opening and the device comprises a venting pipe connected with one end to the oxygen outflow and extending with the other end beyond the closure of the tube .

[0016] In an electrolyser the hydrogen is formed at the cathode and the oxygen is formed at the anode . So , by separating both gas flows at the origin, it is possible to keep the oxygen separate from the hydrogen . By venting the oxygen via the venting pipe to the surroundings , only the hydrogen is stored in the storage space , which is safer than storing a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen .

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the other end of the tube or drill-steel-tube pile is provided with a filter to filter groundwater for supplying to the electrolyser means .

[0018] As the device is inserted into the ground at a depth below ground water level , the ground water could carry impurities into the electrolyser means causing it to mal function . With the filter it is ensured that the impurities are filtered out and only clean ground water enters the electrolyser means .

[0019] In another embodiment of the device according to the invention a supply valve is arranged in the closure . The supply valve allows for extraction of hydrogen gas out of the storage space for further use such as heating or electricity production .

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention a fuel cell is arranged at the closure of the tube or drill-steel-tube pile , wherein the gas inlet of the fuel cell is connected to the storage space .

[0021] With a fuel cell arranged at the closure of the device a reliable connection between the storage space and the fuel cell is obtained . This provides a robust device , which does not need any special considerations and can be used by anyone without special knowledge .

[0022] A further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention comprises at least one solar panel connected to the power supply line for powering the electrolyser means .

[0023] The solar panels allow for powering the device of the invention and thus generation of hydrogen during daylight . At night the generated hydrogen can be used for heating or, in combination with a fuel cell , for generation of electricity . In area' s where no power grid is available , this embodiment allows for availability of electricity during both day and night .

[0024] In yet another embodiment of the device according to the invention the electrolyser means comprise a Proton exchange membrane ( PEM) electrolyser .

[0025] A PEM electrolyser provides for an easy separation of the water flow and the generated hydrogen gas due to the use of the membrane , which allows only for the passage of hydrogen protons . The generated oxygen also remains separated from the hydrogen .

[0026] These and other features of the invention will be elucidated in conj unction with the accompanying drawing .

[0027] The figure in the drawings shows a schematic cross- sectional view of an embodiment of a device according to the invention .

[0028] A drill hole 1 is provided in soil 2 to a depth below the level 3 of the ground water W . A tube or drillsteel-tube pile 4 with at the top a closure 5 is inserted into the drill hole 1 . The tube 4 is provided at the bottom with a perforated part 6 , which forms a filter . A compartment wall 7 is provided above the perforated part 6 , such that a storage space 8 is provided between the compartment wall 7 and the closure 5 .

[0029] An electrolyser 9 , 10 , 11 is arranged below the compartment wall 7 . The electrolyser has a cathode 9 , a membrane 10 and an anode 11 . The cathode 9 and anode 11 are provided with power via a power line 12 by solar panels 13 . The cathode 9 will be in contact with the ground water W via the perforated part 6 . The anode 11 is shielded from the ground water W, and connected via a channel 14 to the storage space 8 , such that the generated hydrogen H2is stored in the storage space 8 .

[0030] The closure 5 is provided with a fuel cell 15 . This fuel cell 15 is supplied with the hydrogen H2from the storage space 8 and can convert the hydrogen H2in combination with the ambient air into electricity with can be transported to power consumers via a power line 16 .

Claims

Claims1 . Device for generation and storage of hydrogen, which device comprises :- a tube or drill-steel-tube pile for insertion into the ground, which tube or drill-steel-tube pile is provided with a closure on one end and wherein a compartment wall is arranged in the tube or drill-steel-tube pile adj acent the other end of the tube or drill-steel-tube pile to provide a storage space between the compartment wall and the closure ;- electrolyser means arranged in the tube or drillsteel-tube pile between the other end of the tube or drillsteel-tube pile and the compartment wall , which electrolyser means have an inflow opening for receiving ground water from the drill hole and at least an hydrogen outflow opening, which is connected to the storage space ;- a power supply line running from at least the one end of the tube to the electrolyser means .2 . Device according to claim 1 , wherein the electrolyser means further have an oxygen outflow opening and wherein the device comprises a venting pipe connected with one end to the oxygen outflow and extending with the other end beyond the closure of the tube or drill-steel-tube pile .3 . Device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the other end of the tube or drill-steel-tube pile is provided with a filter to filter groundwater for supplying to the electrolyser means .4 . Device according to any of the preceding claims , wherein a supply valve is arranged in the closure .5 . Device according to any of the preceding claims , wherein a fuel cell is arranged at the closure of the tube or drill-steel-tube pile , wherein the gas inlet of the fuel cell is connected to the storage space .

6. Device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one solar panel connected to the power supply line for powering the electrolyser means.

7. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the electrolyser means comprise a Proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyser.

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