System for compressing a synthesis gas used to produce a product gas and for expanding steam produced during the production of the product gas

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (10) for compressing a synthesis gas (SG) used to produce a product gas (PG) and for expanding steam (WD) produced during the production of the product gas (PG), the system comprising: an electric machine (12), which has a motor shaft (13); multiple first compressors (15, 16), which are coupled to a first end (13a) of the motor shaft (13) of the electric machine (12) via a multi-shaft spur-gear transmission (14) which has multiple output shafts (18, 19), in such a way that each first compressor (15, 16) is coupled to one of the output shafts (18, 19) of the multi-shaft spur-gear transmission (14), the first compressors (15, 16) being designed to compress the synthesis gas (SG), which is a gas mixture; and a turbine (25), which is coupled to a second end (13b) of the motor shaft (13) of the electric machine (12) via a transmission (23) and a synchronous clutch (24), the turbine (25) being designed to expand the steam (WD) produced during the production of the product gas (PG).

Description

[0001] 1 / 13 PB06267

[0002] Everllence SE

[0003] System for compressing synthesis gas used to produce a product gas and for expanding water vapor produced during the production of the product gas.

[0004] The invention relates to a system for compressing a synthesis gas used to produce a product gas and for expanding water vapor produced during the production of the product gas.

[0005] DE 102023 114952 A1 discloses a plant for the production of ammonia. The plant disclosed therein has a first compression system for compressing hydrogen and for compressing a mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen. Furthermore, the plant disclosed therein has a second compression system for further compression of the mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen and for compressing a refrigerant. A turbine is coupled to the second compression system, which serves to expand water vapor.

[0006] There is a need for a system for compressing synthesis gas and for expanding water vapor generated during the production of the product gas, which requires less installation space and is simpler in design.

[0007] Based on this, the invention aims to create a novel system for compressing synthesis gas used to produce a product gas and for expanding water vapor generated during the production of the product gas.

[0008] 28.11.20252 / 13 PB06267

[0009] This problem is solved by a system for the production of ammonia according to claim 1, a plant for the production of ammonia according to claim 8 and a plant for the production of methanol according to claim 9.

[0010] The system according to the invention for compressing synthesis gas used to produce a product gas and for expanding water vapor generated during the production of the product gas comprises an electric machine having a motor shaft. The system according to the invention for compressing synthesis gas used to produce a product gas and for expanding water vapor generated during the production of the product gas further comprises several first compressors which are coupled to a first shaft end of the motor shaft of the electric machine via a multi-shaft helical gear unit with several output shafts such that each first compressor is coupled to one of the output shafts of the multi-shaft helical gear unit, wherein the first compressors are configured for compressing the synthesis gas, the synthesis gas being a gas mixture.The system according to the invention for compressing synthesis gas used to produce a product gas and for expanding water vapor generated during the production of the product gas further comprises a turbine which is coupled to a second shaft end of the motor shaft of the electric machine via a gearbox and a synchronous coupling, wherein the turbine is configured to expand the water vapor generated during the production of the product gas. In the system according to the invention, the turbine, which serves to expand the water vapor generated during the production of the product gas, is also coupled to the electric machine, which serves to drive the first compressors used for compressing the synthesis gas. The first compressors used for compressing the synthesis gas are coupled to the output shafts of the multi-shaft helical gear unit, namely on one side of the multi-shaft helical gear unit.The turbine, which serves to expand the steam, is also coupled to the electric machine via a gearbox and a synchronous coupling. The system according to the invention has a simple design and requires little installation space.

[0011] 28.11.20253 / 13 PB06267

[0012] In a first preferred embodiment, the turbine is coupled to the second shaft end of the motor shaft of the electric machine via a transmission designed as a spur gear transmission, wherein the synchronous clutch is connected between the spur gear transmission and the electric machine. In a second preferred embodiment, the turbine is coupled to the second shaft end of the motor shaft of the electric machine via a transmission designed as an integral gear transmission, wherein the synchronous clutch is connected between the turbine and the integral gear transmission, and wherein second compressors are coupled to the integral gear transmission, which are also configured to compress the synthesis gas, namely to an input pressure level of the first compressors.The first embodiment of the invention is particularly preferred when the synthesis gas, i.e., the gas mixture used to produce the product gas, is present at an inlet pressure level on the order of between 7 bar and 15 bar. The second embodiment of the invention is particularly suitable when the synthesis gas is present at a pressure level below 7 bar.

[0013] Preferably, the first compressors are designed as pot compressors. This is particularly preferred to ensure a simple, space-saving design of the system according to the invention.

[0014] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims and the following description. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, without being limited thereto. The drawing shows:

[0015] Fig. 1 shows in solid lines a schematic of a first system according to the invention for compressing a synthesis gas used to produce a product gas and for expanding water vapor produced during the production of the product gas, together with further assemblies of a plant for producing a product gas shown in dashed lines.

[0016] 28.11.20254 / 13 PB06267

[0017] Fig. 2 in solid line shows a scheme of a second system according to the invention for compressing a synthesis gas used to produce a product gas and for expanding water vapor produced during the production of the product gas, together with further assemblies of a plant for producing a product gas shown in dashed line.

[0018] Fig. 1 shows a highly schematic representation of a system 10 according to the invention for compressing synthesis gas SG used to produce product gas PG and for expanding water vapor WD generated during the production of product gas PG. Fig. 1 shows the components of the system 10 according to the invention together with further components of a plant 11 for producing product gas PG.

[0019] The system 10 according to the invention, which serves to compress the synthesis gas SG and to expand the water vapor WD, comprises an electric machine 12 with a motor shaft 13. Several first compressors 15, 16, which are configured to compress the synthesis gas SG, are coupled to a first shaft end 13a of the motor shaft 13 via a multi-shaft helical gear 14. The compressors 15, 16 serve to compress the synthesis gas SG in stages, so that the inlet pressure level of compressor 16 corresponds to the outlet pressure level of compressor 15.

[0020] The multi-shaft helical gear unit 14 has an input shaft 17 and several output shafts 18, 19, wherein the electric machine 12, namely the shaft end 13a of the motor shaft 13 of the electric machine 12, is coupled to the input shaft 17 of the multi-shaft helical gear unit 14, namely via a coupling 20. Furthermore, the multi-shaft helical gear unit 14 has the several output shafts 18, 19, wherein one of the first compressors 15, 16 is coupled to each of the output shafts 18, 19, namely via a coupling 21 or 22 respectively.

[0021] 28.11.20255 / 13 PB06267

[0022] The coupling of the first compressors 15, 16 to the output shafts 18, 19 of the multi-shaft helical gear unit 14 is such that both first compressors 15, 16 are geometrically arranged on the same side of the multi-shaft helical gear unit 14, and geometrically parallel to each other. On the flow side, the first compressors 15, 16 are connected in series with each other, thus serving for the staged compression of the synthesis gas SG.

[0023] A turbine 25 is coupled to a second shaft end 13b of the motor shaft 13 of the electric machine 12 via a gearbox 23 and a synchronous coupling 24. The turbine 25 serves to expand the water vapor WD generated during the production of the product gas PG. The turbine 25 and the first compressors 15, 16 are therefore arranged on opposite sides of the electric machine 12.

[0024] Fig. 1 shows another coupling 26, which is connected between the turbine 25 and the gearbox 23.

[0025] In the embodiment of the system 10 according to the invention shown in Fig. 1, the turbine 25 is coupled to the second shaft end 13b of the motor shaft 13 of the electric machine 12 via a spur gear transmission 23, with the synchronous clutch 24 being connected between the spur gear transmission 23 and the electric machine 12. The synchronous clutch 24 can also be referred to as an overrunning clutch.

[0026] In Fig. 1, the synthesis gas SG is a mixture of two gases G1 and G2, which are supplied by devices 28 and 29 and mixed in a mixing device 30 to produce the synthesis gas SG. As already explained, product gas PG is obtained from the synthesis gas SG in a product gas synthesis device 31.

[0027] 28.11.20256 / 13 PB06267

[0028] If the product gas PG to be produced is ammonia, then gas G1 is nitrogen N2 and gas G2 is hydrogen H2, in which case device 28 is configured as a nitrogen generation device, in particular as an air separation device, and device 29 as an electrolysis device. The product gas synthesis device 31 is then an ammonia synthesis device.

[0029] When methanol is produced as the product gas PG, gas G1 is carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), or a mixture of carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO), and gas G2 is hydrogen (H2). Device 28 can then be a device for supplying carbon dioxide and / or carbon monoxide, and device 29 can be an electrolysis device. Product gas synthesis device 31 is then a methanol synthesis device.

[0030] System 10 of Fig. 1 is particularly suitable for compressing the synthesis gas SG when the synthesis gas SG, i.e., the mixture of gases G1 and G2, is present at a pressure level between 7 bar and 15 bar. In this case, the synthesis gas SG can be compressed via the two first compressors 15, 16 to a pressure level that is required as the inlet pressure level for the product gas synthesis device 31.

[0031] If the synthesis gas SG is present at a pressure level of less than 7 bar, the system 10 of Fig. 2 is advantageous, whereby the same reference numerals are used for identical assemblies in the system 10 of Fig. 2 and only those details are discussed below that distinguish the embodiment of Fig. 2 from the embodiment of Fig. 1.

[0032] 28.11.20257 / 13 PB06267

[0033] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the gearbox 23, which is connected between the turbine 25 and the electric machine 12, is designed as an integral gearbox.

[0034] Second compressors 32 engage in the integral transmission to compress the synthesis gas to the inlet pressure level of the first compressor 15. Such an integral transmission 23 with engaging compressors 32 is also referred to as an integral-gear compressor. It has a large gear 33 and pinion shafts 34 that mesh with the large gear 33 on its outer circumference.

[0035] During operation of the inventive systems 11 and 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2, a mixture of gases G1 and G2 is supplied via the mixing device 30, this mixture being referred to as synthesis gas SG. The synthesis gas SG is compressed by the first compressors 15, 16 and, if applicable, by the second compressors 32 to an inlet pressure level of the product gas synthesis device 31, whereupon the product gas PG to be produced is obtained. This process is exothermic, and the energy released is used to generate steam WD. The steam WD is expanded in the turbine 25, and the energy gained in this expansion is used to reduce the load on the electric machine 12, thus reducing the electrical power input required by the electric machine 12 for compressing the synthesis gas SG.

[0036] For the compression of the synthesis gas SG, if the synthesis gas SG is supplied at a pressure level between 7 and 15 bar, only two first compressors 15, 16 are required, which are preferably designed as pot compressors. These two pot compressors are driven by the electric machine 12 via the interposition of the multi-shaft helical gear unit 14, to which the turbine 25 is also driven via the interposition of the gearbox 23 and the synchronous clutch 24, which can also be referred to as an overrunning clutch.

[0037] 28.11.20258 / 13 PB06267

[0038] System 10 requires little installation space and has a simple design.

[0039] Defined interfaces are provided for the other components of plant 11 for the production of the product gas PG, namely an interface for the supply of the synthesis gas SG and an interface for the removal of the water vapor WD to be depressurized.

[0040] Then, if, as shown in Fig. 2, the gearbox 23 connected between the turbine 25 and the electric machine 12 is designed as an integral gearbox with compressors 32, the synchronous clutch 24 or overtaking clutch is connected between the turbine 25 and the integral gearbox 23.

[0041] The system 10 according to the invention is particularly suitable for use in a plant 11 for the production of product gas PG when ammonia (NH3) or methanol (CH4O) is to be produced as the product gas PG. The devices 28 and 29 for providing the gases G1 and G2, from which the mixing device 30 obtains the synthesis gas SG to be compressed, preferably utilize renewable energy sources such as solar energy and / or wind energy for the production of the gases G1 and G2.

[0042] 28.11.20259 / 13 PB06267

[0043] Reference symbol list

[0044] 10 System for compressing synthesis gas 11 Plant for producing product gas 12 Electric machine

[0045] 13 Motor shaft

[0046] 13a Wave end

[0047] 13b Wave end

[0048] 14 Multi-shaft spur gear units

[0049] 15 compressors

[0050] 16 compressors

[0051] 17 Input wave

[0052] 18 Output wave

[0053] 19 Output wave

[0054] 20 Clutch

[0055] 21 Clutch

[0056] 22 Clutch

[0057] 23 gearboxes

[0058] 24 Synchronous coupling

[0059] 25 Turbine

[0060] 26 Clutch

[0061] 28 Device

[0062] 29 Device

[0063] 30 Mixing device

[0064] 31 Product gas synthesis device

[0065] 32 compressors

[0066] 33 Large wheel

[0067] 34 Pinion shaft

[0068] PG product gas

[0069] SG Synthesis Gas

[0070] WD Water vapor

[0071] G1 Gas

[0072] G2 Gas

[0073] November 28, 2025

Claims

10 / 13 PB06267 Claims 1. System (10) for compressing synthesis gas (SG) used for the production of product gas (PG) and for expanding water vapor (WD) produced during the production of product gas (PG), with an electric machine (12) having a motor shaft (13), with several first compressors (15, 16) which are coupled to a first shaft end (13a) of the motor shaft (13) of the electric machine (12) via a multi-shaft helical gear unit (14) with several output shafts (18, 19) such that each first compressor (15, 16) is coupled to one of the output shafts (18, 19) of the multi-shaft helical gear unit (14), wherein the first compressors (15, 16) are configured to compress the synthesis gas (SG), which is a gas mixture, with a turbine (25) which is coupled to a second shaft end (13b) of the motor shaft (13) of the electric machine (12) via a gearbox (23) and a synchronous coupling (24), wherein the turbine (25) is designed to expand the steam (WD) produced during the manufacture of the product gas (PG).

2. System (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the turbine (25) is coupled to the second shaft end (13a) of the motor shaft (13) of the electric machine (12) via a transmission (23) designed as a spur gear transmission, wherein the synchronous coupling (24) is connected between the transmission (23) designed as a spur gear transmission and the electric machine (12). 28.11.202511 / 13 PB06267 3. System (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the turbine (25) is coupled to the second shaft end (13b) of the motor shaft (13) of the electric machine (12) via a transmission (23) designed as an integral transmission, wherein the synchronous coupling (24) is connected between the turbine (25) and the transmission (23) designed as an integral transmission.

4. System (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that The integral transmission (23) is coupled to second compressors (32), which are also designed to compress the synthesis gas (SG), namely to an input pressure level of one of the first compressors (15).

5. System (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first compressors (15, 16) are pot compressors.

6. System (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first compressors (15, 16) are connected in series with respect to the compression of the synthesis gas (SG).

7. System (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The synthesis gas is a mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen, which serves to produce ammonia as a product gas, or a mixture of hydrogen and carbon dioxide and / or carbon monoxide, which serves to produce methanol as a product gas. 28.11.202512 / 13 PB06267 8. Plant (11) for the production of ammonia, with a hydrogen generation device, in particular designed as an electrolysis device, for the production of hydrogen, with a nitrogen generation device, in particular designed as an air separation device, for the production of nitrogen, with a mixing device (30) for mixing the hydrogen and nitrogen to form a synthesis gas, with a product gas synthesis device designed as an ammonia synthesis device (31), with a system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7 for compressing the synthesis gas used for the production of ammonia and for expanding the water vapor produced during the production of ammonia.

9. Plant (11) for the production of methanol, with a hydrogen generation device, in particular designed as an electrolysis device, for the production of hydrogen, with a carbon dioxide generation device, in particular designed as an air separation device, for the generation of carbon dioxide and / or with a device for the provision of carbon monoxide, with a mixing device (30) for mixing the hydrogen and carbon dioxide and / or carbon monoxide to form a synthesis gas, with a product gas synthesis apparatus methanol synthesis apparatus (31), with a system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7 for compressing the synthesis gas used for the production of methanol and for expanding the water vapor produced during the production of methanol. November 28, 2025

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