A gas leakage recovery and conversion system

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a gas leakage recovery and conversion system (1). The gas leakage recovery and conversion system (1) comprises: a turbomachinery unit (11) and a recovery and conversion unit (12). The turbomachinery unit (11) comprises a vent (11A) for directing a gas leakage comprising a gas mixture of a process gas and a sealing gas to the recovery and conversion unit (12). The process gas comprises a plurality of hydrocarbon gases, and the recovery and conversion unit (12) is fluidically coupled with the vent (11A) of the turbomachinery unit (11) to receive the gas mixture. The recovery and conversion unit (12) comprises: a gas separator (121,121') configured to receive the gas mixture, and to separate, from the gas mixture, one or more hydrocarbons gases having a number of carbon atoms less than five and a boiling point temperature greater than -260°F and less than 97°F, so as to obtain a further gas mixture without said one or more hydrocarbon gases, and a conversion device (123,123') configured to receive the further gas mixture and to convert the further gas mixture into hydrogen and solid carbon, and a gas conditioning device (122, 122') comprising an inlet (122A, 122A') for receiving the gas mixture or the further gas mixture, and configured to adjust temperature and / or pressure of the gas mixture or the further gas mixture, in order to satisfy a temperature requirement and / or a pressure requirement for converting the further gas mixture at the conversion device (123, 123').

Description

A gas leakage recovery and conversion systemDescriptionTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure concerns a gas leakage recovery and conversion system.

[0002] The gas leakage recovery and conversion system is adapted to recover one or more hydrocarbon gases separated from a gas mixture comprising a process gas and a sealing gas, wherein the gas mixture is leaked from a turbomachinery unit, and to convert said one or more hydrocarbon gases into hydrogen and solid carbon.

[0003] Furthermore, the recovery and conversion system can be adapted to purify an amount of hydrogen.

[0004] The process gas comprises a plurality of hydrocarbon gases and is compressed in a compressor (such as a centrifugal compressor) of a turbomachinery unit. The specific composition of the process gas depends on the process implemented by the turbomachinery unit.

[0005] In the embodiments described below, the process gas can comprise a plurality of hydrocarbon gases, such as methane, ethane, propane, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, etc.. In percentage terms methane has the highest percentage compared to percentages of other hydrocarbon gases of the process gas.

[0006] The sealing gas (also known as “buffer gas”) is an auxiliary gas injected into a sealing system in order to increase the sealing of the sealing system itself. An amount of such a sealing gas can come from the gas leakage recovery itself as a purge. The purpose of the sealing gas is to minimize a gas leakage to atmosphere or to flare. The sealing system is preferably a dry gas sealing system, and the purpose of such system is to continuously supply a (clean) sealing gas to contain the process gas and direct the minimized gas leakage to a safe location.

[0007] In a first alternative, the sealing gas can comprise or consist of a primary sealing gas. The primary sealing gas comprises a further plurality of hydrocarbon gases. In particular, such further plurality of hydrocarbon gas can be the plurality of hydrocarbon gases of the process gas (therefore the primary sealing gas can be the process gas itself), or the further plurality of hydrocarbon gases can be different from the plurality of hydrocarbon gases of the process gas. However, the further plurality ofhydrocarbon gases can comprise the same hydrocarbon gases as the process gas and at least one further hydrocarbon gas different from each hydrocarbon gas of the plurality of hydrocarbon gases of the process gas.

[0008] In a second alternative, the sealing gas can comprise or consist of a primary sealing gas and a secondary sealing gas. The secondary sealing gas can be an inert gas, such as nitrogen, argon, helium, etc.. The secondary sealing gas mixes with the primary sealing gas in a primary vent line and is directed to a flare system.BACKGROUND ART

[0009] Turbomachinery units such as compressors, turbo expander, gas turbines and the like are utilised in various industrial applications, particularly in the processing and transportation of gases and fluids. These turbomachinery units operate under conditions of high pressure and temperature, which necessitates the implementation of sealing systems to ensure operational integrity and safety.

[0010] The main function of the sealing systems is to prevent the unintended escape of process gas, which can occur through the small gaps or clearances between stationary and rotating parts of the turbomachinery units, such as between the rotating parts of a compressor, a turbo expander or a gas turbine. Such gaps are inevitable due to the need for relative motion between the parts. The pressure difference between the internal process environment and the ambient surroundings further contributes the potential for leakage.

[0011] To mitigate this risk, the sealing systems are typically buffered, meaning they are supplied with a sealing gas. This sealing gas is injected into the sealing system at a pressure slightly higher than that of process gas. The intentional overpressure ensures that any mixed gas leakage consists predominantly of the sealing gas rather than the process gas.

[0012] The sealing system is engineered to allow a controlled leakage rate. This leakage, comprising a mixture of a process gas and a sealing gas, is carefully managed. It is routed through a designated pathway to a collection or disposal system. In most cases, this involves directing the leakage to a vent or flare system. Venting is employed when the leaked gas can be safely released into the atmosphere after ensuring that it meets environmental regulations, whereas flaring involves combusting the mixed gas containing hydrogen to convert it into less harmful emissions. The sealing system cancomprise one or more vents (for example a primary vent and a secondary vent) to release the gas leakage into the atmosphere.

[0013] In light of the above, there is a need for recovering a gas leakage from one or more vents of a turbomachinery unit, wherein the gas leakage comprises one or more hydrocarbon gases separated from a gas mixture (comprising a process gas and a sealing gas) so as to obtain a further gas mixture, and converting said further gas mixture into hydrogen and solid carbon. The further gas mixture is gas mixture without hydrocarbons gases having a number of carbon atoms less than five (preferably less than three) and a boiling point temperature greater than -260°F and less than 97°F (preferably greater than -260°F and less than 44°F).SUMMARY

[0014] Certain aspects commensurate in scope with the originally claimed technical solution are summarized below. These aspects are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed technical solution, but rather these aspects are intended only to provide a brief summary of possible embodiments. Indeed, the full technical solution may encompass a variety of embodiments that may be similar to or different from the aspects set forth below.

[0015] In one aspect of the invention, the subject matter disclosed herein is directed to a gas leakage recovery and conversion system comprising a turbomachinery unit and a recovery and conversion unit.

[0016] The turbomachinery unit comprises a vent for directing a gas leakage comprising a gas mixture of a process gas and a sealing gas to the recovery and conversion unit, wherein the process gas comprises a plurality of hydrocarbon gases.

[0017] The recovery and conversion unit is fluidically coupled with the vent of the turbomachinery unit to receive the gas mixture.

[0018] The recovery and conversion unit comprises: a gas separator, a conversion device, and a gas conditioning device.

[0019] The gas separator is configured to receive the gas mixture, and to separate, from the gas mixture, one or more hydrocarbons gases having a number of carbon atoms less than five (preferably less than three) and a boiling point temperature greater than -260°F and less than 97°F (preferably greater than -260°F and less than 44°F), soas to obtain a further gas mixture without said one or more hydrocarbon gases.

[0020] In other words, the hydrocarbon gases that pass through the gas separator are gases having more than five carbon atoms (preferably more than three) or a boiling point temperature less than or equal to -260°F or a boiling point temperature greater than or equal to 97°F (preferably greater than or equal to 44°F).

[0021] The conversion device is configured to receive the further gas mixture and to convert the further gas mixture into hydrogen and solid carbon.

[0022] The gas conditioning device comprises an inlet for receiving the gas mixture or the further gas mixture and is configured to adjust temperature and / or pressure of the gas mixture or the further gas mixture, in order to satisfy a temperature requirement and / or a pressure requirement for converting the further gas mixture at the conversion device.

[0023] In a first alternative, the gas conditioning device can be arranged between the gas separator and the conversion device.

[0024] In a second alternative, the gas separator can be arranged between the gas conditioning device and the conversion device.

[0025] Advantageously, the gas leakage recovery and conversion system can comprise a hydrogen purifier fluidically coupled to the conversion device and configured to purify hydrogen obtained through the conversion device, so as to obtain a purified hydrogen stream.

[0026] As previously said, in a first alternative, the sealing gas can comprise or consist of a primary gas, and, in a second alternative, the sealing gas can comprise or consist of a combination of a primary sealing gas and a secondary sealing gas. The secondary sealing gas may comprise a further plurality of hydrocarbon gases. The further plurality of hydrocarbon gases can be equal to or different from the plurality of the hydrocarbon gases of the process gas, or can comprise the same hydrocarbon gases as the plurality of hydrocarbon gases of the process gas and at least one further hydrocarbon gas different from each hydrocarbon gas of the plurality of hydrocarbon gases of the process gas.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] A more complete appreciation of the disclosed embodiments of the inventionand many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a first embodiment of a gas leakage recovery and conversion system, according to the invention;Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic view of a variant of the first embodiment of a gas leakage recovery and conversion system, according to the inventionFig. 3 illustrates a schematic view of a second embodiment of a gas leakage recovery and conversion system, according to the invention;Fig. 4 illustrates a schematic view of a third embodiment of a gas leakage recovery and conversion system, according to the invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Sealing systems included in a turbomachinery unit are conventionally engineered to allow a controlled leakage rate of a gas mixture comprising a process gas and a sealing gas. However, the gas mixture is conventionally routed through a designated pathway to a disposal system which involves directing the leakage to a vent.

[0029] In the embodiments that are described later, the process gas comprises a plurality of hydrocarbon gases. Said plurality of hydrocarbon gases comprises or consist of methane, ethane, propane, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, isobutane, n-butane, isopentane, n-pentane, n-hexane. Furthermore, the process gas can comprise other impurities, such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and nitrogen-based impurities.

[0030] In particular, in such embodiments, in percentage terms methane has the highest percentage compared to percentages of other hydrocarbon gases of the process gas. In the example that is described, the percentage of methane reaches 50%. However, the percentage of methane can be a percentage greater than 50%, without departing of the scope of the invention.

[0031] In order to reduce emission within the atmosphere of one or hydrocarbon gases leaked from a turbomachinery unit, a recovery and conversion system can be employed to capture the gas mixture leaked from a turbomachinery unit, separate one or more hydrocarbon gases from the gas mixture to obtain a further gas mixture, and convertsaid further gas mixture into hydrogen and solid carbon.

[0032] In particular, one or more hydrocarbon gases having a number of carbon atoms less than five (preferably less than three) and a boiling point temperature greater than -260°F and less than 97°F (preferably less than 44°F) are removed from the gas mixture, through a gas separator, to obtain said further gas mixture which is directed to a conversion device in order to obtain solid carbon and hydrogen. In the context of the invention, the further gas mixture is intended as a feed gas that enters the conversion device.

[0033] Hydrogen can be used elsewhere for other purposes or reintroduced in the recovery and conversion system itself.

[0034] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a gas leakage recovery and conversion system 1, according to a first embodiment.

[0035] The gas leakage recovery and conversion system 1 can be applied to recover one or more hydrocarbon gases included in a gas mixture comprising a process gas and a sealing gas and convert said one or more hydrocarbon gases into hydrogen and solid carbon. As explained later said one or more hydrocarbon gases can be separated from other hydrocarbons gases of the same gas mixture to be converted into hydrogen and solid carbon.

[0036] The gas leakage recovery and conversion system 1 comprises a turbomachinery unit 11 and a recovery and conversion unit 12.

[0037] The turbomachinery unit 11 can comprise one or more vents 11 A for directing a gas leakage comprising a gas mixture of the process gas and the sealing gas to the recovery and conversion unit 12.

[0038] In the first embodiment that is described, the turbomachinery unit 11 comprises a vent 11 A. Such a vent is a primary vent.

[0039] The turbomachinery unit 11 may comprise for example a compressor system for compressing a gas. Examples of the compressor system can include single-casing compressors, multi-stage compressors, and trains of multiple compressors, each with one or more compression stages. The compressor system can be driven by a mover, which can be, e.g., a gas turbine, a steam turbine, an expander, or an electric motor that receives electric power from an external power source. In another example theturbomachinery unit 11 may comprise a turbo expander.

[0040] During normal operation of the gas leakage recovery and conversion system 1, the turbomachinery unit 11 outputs a stream of a process gas that is directed to an exit point for user distribution using an output line. However, the turbomachinery unit 11 may leak process gas at various locations where a respective sealing system of the turbomachinery unit 11 is located. A sealing system can comprise, e.g., a labyrinth seal. The sealing system avoids process gas flowing outside the turbomachinery unit 11 through gaps between moving parts thereof, due to a pressure difference with the surrounding environment. However, in order to prevent process gas from leaking through a sealing system due to imperfect sealing, a sealing gas can be delivered into a region adjacent to the respective sealing system, thus preventing process gas from leaking through the sealing system. The sealing system is thus configured to receive a sealing gas for containment of process gas within the turbomachinery unit 11. The sealing gas can be injected into the sealing system at a pressure higher than that of process gas to ensure that a gas mixture of process gas and sealing gas leaked from the turbomachinery unit 11 consists predominantly of the sealing gas rather than the process gas. By introducing the sealing gas a controlled leakage is created containing process gas and sealing gas.

[0041] As shown in Figure 1, the recovery and conversion unit 12 is fluidically coupled with the vent 11 A of the turbomachinery unit 11 to receive the gas mixture.

[0042] The recovery and conversion unit 12 comprises: a gas separator 121, a gas conditioning device 122, and a conversion device 123.

[0043] In the first embodiment that is described, the gas conditioning device 122 is arranged between the gas separator 121 and the conversion device 123.

[0044] In other words, in the first embodiment, the recovery and conversion unit 12 comprises in succession the gas separator 121, the gas conditioning device 122 and the conversion device 123.

[0045] With reference to the gas separator 121, the gas separator 121 is configured to receive the gas mixture from the turbomachinery unit 11, and to separate, from the gas mixture, one or more hydrocarbons gases having a number of carbon atoms less than five and a boiling point temperature greater than -260°F and less than 97°F, so as to obtain a further gas mixture without said one or more gases.

[0046] In other words, the gas separator 121 functions as a filter that allows the passage of only one or more hydrocarbon gases other than said one or more hydrocarbons with a number of carbon atoms less than five and a boiling point temperature greater than -260°F and less than 97°F.

[0047] Therefore, the hydrocarbon gases that pass through the gas separator 121 are the following:- one or more hydrocarbon gases with a number of carbon atoms greater than or equal to five;- one or more hydrocarbon gases with a boiling point temperature greater than or equal to 97°F;- one or more hydrocarbon gases with a boiling point temperature less than or equal to -260°F;- one or more hydrocarbon gases with a number of carbon atoms greater than or equal to five and a boiling point temperature greater than or equal to 97°F;- one or more hydrocarbon gases with a number of carbon atoms greater than or equal to five and a boiling point temperature less than or equal to -260°F.

[0048] It is preferable that the gas separator 121 is configured to receive the gas mixture from the turbomachinery unit 11, and to separate, from the gas mixture, one or more hydrocarbons gases having a number of carbon atoms less than three and a boiling point temperature greater than -260°F and less than 44°F.

[0049] In this case, the hydrocarbon gases that pass through the gas separator 121 are the following:- one or more hydrocarbon gases with a number of carbon atoms greater than or equal to three;- one or more hydrocarbon gases with a boiling point temperature greater than or equal to 44°F;- one or more hydrocarbon gases with a boiling point temperature less than or equal to -260°F;- one or more hydrocarbon gases with a number of carbon atoms greater than or equal to three and a boiling point temperature greater than or equal to 44°F;- one or more hydrocarbon gases with a number of carbon atoms greater than or equal to three and a boiling point temperature less than or equal to -260°F.

[0050] The gas separator 121 is fluidically coupled with the vent 11A of the turbomachinery unit 11.

[0051] In particular, the gas separator 121 comprises an inlet 121 A and an outlet 121B. The inlet 121B is connected to the vent 11 A of the turbomachinery unit 11 through a first line LI.

[0052] In a first example, the gas separator 121 can be for example a membrane adapted to produce a continuous a gas stream of hydrocarbon gases by filtrating one or more hydrocarbon gases having a number of carbon atoms less than five (preferably less than three) and a boiling point temperature greater than -260°F and less than 97°F (preferably greater than -260°F and less than 44°F). Furthermore, if other impurities are present in the gas mixture (for example due to the composition of the process gas), also such impurities are filtered by the gas separator 121.

[0053] However, it is evident that the present invention should not be limited to the specific types of gas separators herein described.

[0054] In fact, in a further example, the gas separator 121 can comprise a unit configured to separate one or more hydrocarbon gases having a number of carbon atoms less than five (preferably less than three) and a boiling point temperature greater than -260°F and less than 97°F (preferably less than 44°F) through a chemical-based separation process. In such chemical-based separation chemical or solvents are used to chemically bind with hydrocarbons that are not of interest, so to form a liquid or a solid byproduct. Furthermore, if other impurities are present in the gas mixture (for example due to the composition of the process gas), also such impurities are filtered by the gas separator 121.

[0055] With reference to the gas conditioning device 122, the gas conditioning device 122 comprises an inlet 122A for receiving the further gas mixture from the gas separator 121 and configured to adjust temperature and / or pressure of such further gas mixture, in order to satisfy a temperature requirement and / or a pressure requirement for converting said further gas mixture at the conversion device 123.

[0056] In other words, through the gas conditioning device 122, a temperature and pressure treatment step is performed on the further gas mixture to change temperatureand / or pressure before the further gas mixture enters the conversion device 123. The gas conditioning device 122 can change the temperature or pressure or both (i.e. temperature and pressure), according to the composition of the further gas mixture.

[0057] In order to increase the pressure of the further gas mixture, the gas conditioning device 122 may comprise an ejector.

[0058] In order to reduce the pressure of the further gas mixture, the gas conditioning device 122 may comprise pressure reduction means, such as a pressure regulator or a valve.

[0059] In order to change the temperature of the further gas mixture, the gas conditioning device 122 may comprise a heating means to increase the temperature, such as heating source, and / or cooling means to lower the temperature, such as a cooling source.

[0060] The gas conditioning device 122 is fluidically coupled with the gas separator 121, so as to receive the further gas mixture through the inlet 122 A of the gas conditioning itself.

[0061] The inlet 122A of the gas conditioning device 122 is connected to the outlet 12 IB of the gas separator 121 through a second line L2A.

[0062] Furthermore, the gas conditioning device 122 comprises a first outlet 122B.

[0063] The first outlet 122B of the gas conditioning device 122 is connected to the first line LI through a return line L2B for directing at least a portion of the further gas mixture to the inlet 121 A of the gas separator 121.

[0064] It is preferable that a flow rate control valve 21 is arranged on the return line L2B to control the flow rate of the further gas mixture flowing on said return line 2B. Due to the presence of the flow rate control valve 21, it is possible to regulate the flow rate of an amount of the further gas mixture directed to the inlet 121 A of the gas separator 121 so that the flow rate of the further gas mixture entering the conversion device 123 is appropriate for the conversion device itself. Temperature and / or pressure may be adjusted specifically depending on the mode of operation of the conversion device 123. For instance, a thermal-based conversion can require preheating the further gas mixture so that a temperature is in the range of 572°F to 1112°F. A plasma-based conversion can require a temperature below 572°F. A conversion device including acatalytic system (either thermal or plasma-based conversion), can require that pressure of the further gas mixture is increased between 2-20 bar.

[0065] Furthermore, the first outlet 122B of the gas conditioning device 122 is connected to the inlet 123A of the conversion device 123, as described later.

[0066] With reference to the conversion device 123, the conversion device 123 is configured to receive the further gas mixture from the gas conditioning device 122, and to convert said further gas mixture into hydrogen and solid carbon.

[0067] The conversion device 123 is fluidically coupled with the gas conditioning device 122.

[0068] The conversion device 123 comprises an inlet 123A and an outlet 123B.

[0069] The inlet 123A is connected to the first outlet 122B of the gas conditioning device 122 through a third line L3.

[0070] The conversion device 123 may comprise, for example, one or a combination of the following devices:- a (pulsed) thermal pyrolysis device,- a plasm olysis device tunable to a frequency between 0,1MHz to 6MHz,- a microwave-based pyrolysis device,- a device adapted to perform a combination of thermal and plasma-based cracking, - a catalytic device (thermal, photo, electro), and- a combustion-based device in which an amount of further gas mixture or produced hydrogen is combusted with oxygen-containing compounds to produce heat and / or power required for converting the further gas mixture.

[0071] The conversion device 123 is configured to deliver, through the outlet 123B, at least a portion of solid carbon and / or hydrogen to an external component.

[0072] The external component can be fluidically couplable with the outlet 123B of the conversion device 123 and may comprise at least one of: a fuel cell, a hydrogen gas turbine, a furnace, a fuel gas header.

[0073] Figure 2 illustrates a schematic view of a variant of the gas leakage recovery and conversion system 1.

[0074] Differently from the first embodiment, in said variant the gas conditioning device 122 comprises a second outlet 122C and the return line 2B connects said second outlet 122 to the inlet 121 A of the gas separator 121.

[0075] The second outlet 122C is connected to the first line LI through the return line L2B for directing at least a portion of the further gas mixture to the inlet 121 A of the gas separator 121 Adding said portion of the further gas mixture to the gas mixture entering the gas separator 121 increases the yield.

[0076] Figure 3 illustrates a schematic view of a gas leakage recovery and conversion system 1, according to a second embodiment.

[0077] Differently from the gas leakage recovery and conversion system, according to the first embodiment, in the second embodiment of the gas leakage recovery and conversion system the gas separator 121’ is arranged between the gas conditioning device 122’ and the conversion device 123’.

[0078] In other words, the recovery and conversion unit 12 comprises in succession the gas conditioning device 122’, the gas separator 121’ and the conversion device 123’.

[0079] The gas conditioning device 122’ is fluidically coupled with the vent 11A of the turbomachinery unit 11.

[0080] The gas separator 121’ is fluidically coupled with the gas conditioning device 122’, and the conversion device 123’ is fluidically coupled with the gas separator 121’.

[0081] The inlet 122A’ of the gas conditioning device 122’ is connected to the vent 11 A of the turbomachinery unit 11 through a first line L10A.

[0082] The outlet 122B’ of the gas conditioning device 122’ is connected to the first line LI 0A through a return line LI 0B for directing at least a portion of the gas mixture to the inlet 122 A’ of the gas conditioning device itself.

[0083] The gas separator 121’ comprises an inlet 121A’ and a first outlet 121B’.

[0084] The inlet 121 A’ of the gas separator 121’ is connected to the outlet 122B’ of the gas conditioning device 122’ through a second line L20.

[0085] The conversion device 123’ comprises an inlet 123 A’ and an outlet 123B’.

[0086] The inlet 123 A’ of the conversion device 123’ is connected to the outlet 121B’of the gas separator 121’ through a third line L30.

[0087] The conversion device 123’ is configured to deliver, through the outlet 123B’, at least a portion of the solid carbon and / or hydrogen to an external component.

[0088] The external component can be fluidically couplable with the outlet 123B’ of the conversion device 123’ and may comprise at least one of: a fuel cell, a hydrogen gas turbine, a furnace, a fuel gas header.

[0089] Figure 4 illustrates a schematic view of a gas leakage recovery and conversion system 1, according to a third embodiment.

[0090] Differently from the gas leakage recovery and conversion system, according to the second embodiment, the gas leakage recovery and conversion system according to the third embodiment comprises a hydrogen purifier 124’.

[0091] In said third embodiment of the gas leakage recovery and conversion system, the hydrogen purifier 124’ is arranged in the recovery and conversion unit 12.

[0092] The hydrogen purifier 124’ configured to purify hydrogen obtained through the conversion device 123’, so as to obtain a purified hydrogen stream.

[0093] In particular, the hydrogen purifier 124’ is configured to remove impurities (such as, but not limited to, moisture, hydrocarbons and contaminant traces) from the hydrogen obtained through the conversion device 123’.

[0094] Therefore, also in this third embodiment, the gas separator 121 ’is arranged between the gas conditioning device 122’ and the conversion device 123’, and the recovery and conversion unit 12 comprises in succession the gas conditioning device 122’, the gas separator 121’ and the conversion device 123’.

[0095] As shown in Figure 4 the hydrogen purifier 124’ is fluidically coupled to the conversion devicel23’, so that the hydrogen exiting said conversion device is purified and a purified hydrogen stream is obtained.

[0096] The hydrogen purifier 124’ comprises an inlet 124A’ and at least a first outlet 124B’.

[0097] The inlet 124A’ of the hydrogen purifier 124’ is connected to the outlet 123B’ of the conversion device 123’ through a fourth line L40.

[0098] The hydrogen purifier 124’ is configured to deliver, through the first outlet124B’, at least a first portion of a purified hydrogen stream to an external component.

[0099] The external component is fluidically couplable with the first outlet 124B’ of the hydrogen purifier 124’ and may comprise at least one of a fuel cell, and a hydrogen gas turbine.

[0100] The hydrogen purifier 124’ comprises a second outlet 124C’ connected to the third line L30 through a further return line L40B for directing a second portion of the purified hydrogen stream to the inlet 123A’ of the conversion device 123’, so that the purified hydrogen stream outputted from the conversion device 123’ is further purified by the hydrogen purifier 124’.

[0101] In addition to the first outlet 124B’ and the second outlet 124C’, the hydrogen purifier 124 can comprise a third outlet 124D’.

[0102] The hydrogen purifier 124’ can be configured to deliver a third portion of the purified hydrogen stream, through the third outlet 124D’, to a further external component.

[0103] The further external component can be fluidically couplable with the third outlet 124D’ of the hydrogen purifier 124’ and may comprise at least one of a furnace and a fuel gas header.

[0104] In a variant not shown in Figures, the hydrogen purifier 124’ may lack the first outlet.

[0105] In this variant, the hydrogen purifier 124’ may comprise two outlets: an outlet and a further outlet.

[0106] The outlet can be connected to the third line L30 through a further return line L40B for directing a portion of the purified hydrogen stream to the inlet 123 A’ of the conversion device 123’, so that the purified hydrogen stream outputted from the conversion device 123’ is further purified by the hydrogen purifier 124’.

[0107] The hydrogen purifier 124’ can be configured to deliver, through the further outlet, a further portion of the purified hydrogen stream to an external device. The external device can be fluidically couplable with the further outlet of the hydrogen purifier 124’ and may comprises at least one of a furnace and a fuel gas header.

[0108] The hydrogen purifier 124’ can be configured to perform a purification process which involves filtering out other gases (different from hydrogen) to meet specificquality requirements.

[0109] The hydrogen purifier 124’ may comprise, for example, one or a combination of the following devices:- a pressure swing adsorption device,- a temperature swing adsorption device,- a pressure and temperature swing adsorption device,- one or more selective membranes, such as polymer-based membranes and palladiumbased membranes,- a cryogenic distillation device, and- a device configured to perform an electrochemical separation using proton-exchange membrane (PEM).

[0110] The hydrogen purifier 124’ can deliver high-pressure hydrogen. In this case, the hydrogen purifier 124’ can be configured to compress hydrogen through a compression stage (not shown), so as to obtain high-pressure hydrogen, or to compress hydrogen after performing a pyrolysis.[OHl] In the latter case, the hydrogen purifier 124’ can be configured to:o compress the hydrogen through a compression stage (not shown) included in the hydrogen purifier 124’, to obtain hydrogen at high pressure.

[0112] Exemplary technical effects of the system, described herein include, by way of non-limiting example, the ability to recover a gas leakage from a turbomachinery unit and convert hydrocarbon gases, such as methane into hydrogen, and the ability to minimize / avoid waste of hydrocarbon gases in atmosphere.

[0113] For example, a first advantage of the gas leakage recovery and conversion 1 object of the present invention is to recover a gas leakage and convert hydrocarbon gases into hydrogen and solid carbon.

[0114] A second advantage is that the gas leakage recovery and conversion 1 allows to recover hydrogen that can be used for different purposes. For example, hydrogen can be directed to a fuel cell and / or a gas turbine, etc. In this way it is avoided to have leakages of hydrogen going to atmosphere, which would cause waste of valuable product and GHG emissions.

[0115] While aspects of the invention have been described in terms of various specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications, changes, and omissions are possible without departing form the spirit and scope of the claims. In addition, unless specified otherwise herein, the order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments.

[0116] Reference has been made in detail to the embodiments of the disclosure, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the disclosure, not limitation of the disclosure. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. Reference throughout the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" or “some embodiments” means that the particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrase "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" or "in some embodiments" in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment s). Further, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0117] When elements of various embodiments are introduced, the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A gas leakage recovery and conversion system (1) comprising:- a recovery and conversion unit (12), and- a turbomachinery unit (11) comprising a vent (11 A) for directing a gas leakage comprising a gas mixture of a process gas and a sealing gas to the recovery and conversion unit (12),whereinthe process gas comprises a plurality of hydrocarbon gases, andthe recovery and conversion unit (12) is fluidically coupled with the vent (11 A) of the turbomachinery unit (11) to receive the gas mixture and comprises:a gas separator (121,121’) configured to receive the gas mixture, and to separate, from the gas mixture, one or more hydrocarbons gases having a number of carbon atoms less than five and a boiling point temperature greater than -260°F and less than 97°F, so as to obtain a further gas mixture without said one or more hydrocarbon gases, anda conversion device (123,123’) configured to receive the further gas mixture and to convert the further gas mixture into hydrogen and solid carbon, and a gas conditioning device (122, 122’) comprising an inlet (122A, 122A’) for receiving the gas mixture or the further gas mixture, and configured to adjust temperature and / or pressure of the gas mixture or the further gas mixture, in order to satisfy a temperature requirement and / or a pressure requirement for converting the further gas mixture at the conversion device (123, 123’).

2. The gas leakage recovery and conversion system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the gas separator (121) is fluidically coupled with the vent (11 A) of the turbomachinery unit (11), wherein the gas conditioning device (122) is fluidically coupled with the gas separator (121) so as to receive the process gas through the inlet (122A), and wherein the conversion device (123) is fluidically coupled with the gas conditioning device (122); the gas conditioning device (122) being arranged between the gas separator (121) and the conversion device (123).

3. The gas leakage recovery and conversion system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the gas separator (121) comprises an inlet (121 A) connected to the vent (11 A) of the turbomachinery unit (11) through a first line (LI), and an outlet (121B), whereinthe inlet (122A) of the gas conditioning device (122) is connected to the outlet (12 IB) of the gas separator (121) through a second line (L2A), and the gas conditioning device (122) comprises a first outlet (122B), the first outlet (122B) of the gas conditioning device (122) being connected to the first line (LI) through a return line (L2B) for directing at least a portion of the further gas mixture to the inlet (121 A) of the gas separator (121),whereinthe conversion device (123) comprises an inlet (123 A) connected to the first outlet (122B) of the gas conditioning device (122) through a third line (L3), and an outlet (123B); wherein the conversion device (123) is configured to deliver, through the outlet (123B) at least a portion of solid carbon and / or hydrogen to an external component, the external component being fluidically couplable with the outlet (123B) of the conversion device (123) and comprising at least one of: a fuel cell, a hydrogen gas turbine, a furnace, a fuel gas header.

4. The gas leakage recovery and conversion system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the gas separator (121) comprises an inlet (121 A) connected to the vent (11 A) of the turbomachinery unit (11) through a first line (LI), and an outlet (121B), whereinthe inlet (122A) of the gas conditioning device (122) is connected to the outlet (12 IB) of the gas separator (121) through a second line (L2A), and the gas conditioning device (122) comprises a first outlet (122B) and a second outlet (122C), the second outlet (122C) being connected to the first line (LI) through a return line (L2B) for directing at least a portion of the further gas mixture to the inlet (121A) of the gas separator (121),whereinthe conversion device (123) comprises an inlet (123 A) connected to the first outlet (122B) of the gas conditioning device (122) through a third line (L3), and an outlet (123B); wherein the conversion device (123) is configured to deliver at least a portion of the solid carbon to an external component, the external component being fluidically couplable with the outlet (123B) of the conversion device (123) and comprising at least one of a fuel cell, a hydrogen gas turbine, a furnace, a fuel gas header.

5. The gas leakage recovery and conversion system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the gas conditioning device (122’) is fluidically coupled with the vent (11 A) of the turbomachinery unit (11), wherein the gas separator (121’) is fluidically coupled with the gas conditioning device (122’), and wherein the conversion device (123’) is fluidically coupled with the gas separator (121’); the gas separator (121’) being arranged between the gas conditioning device (122’) and the conversion device (123’).

6. The gas leakage recovery and conversion system (1) according to claim 5, wherein the inlet (122A’) of the gas conditioning device (122’) is connected to the vent (11 A) of the turbomachinery unit (11) through a first line (L10A), and the gas conditioning device (122’) comprises an outlet (122B’), the outlet (122B’) of the gas conditioning device (122’) being connected to the first line (L10A) through a return line (L10B) for directing at least a portion of the gas mixture to the inlet (122A’) of the gas conditioning device (122’),whereinthe gas separator (121’) comprises an inlet (121 A’) connected to the outlet (122B’) of the gas conditioning device (122’) through a second line (L20), and a first outlet (121B’), andwhereinthe conversion device (123’) comprises an inlet (123A’) connected to the outlet (121B’) of the gas separator (121’) through a third line (L30), and an outlet (123B’), wherein the conversion device (123’) is configured to deliver, through the outlet (123B’), at least a portion of solid carbon and / or hydrogen to an external component,the external component being fluidically couplable with the outlet (123B’) of the conversion device (123’) and comprising at least one of: a fuel cell, a hydrogen gas turbine, a furnace, a fuel gas header.

7. The gas leakage recovery and conversion system (1) according to claim 5, wherein the gas leakage recovery and conversion system (1) comprises a hydrogen purifier (124’) fluidically coupled to the conversion device (123’) and configured to purify hydrogen obtained through the conversion device (123’), so as to obtain a purified hydrogen stream.

8. The gas leakage recovery and conversion system (1) according to claim 7, wherein the inlet (122A’) of the gas conditioning device (122’) is connected to the vent (11 A) of the turbomachinery unit (11) through a first line (L10A), and the conditioning device (122’) comprises an outlet (122B’) connected to the first line (L10A) through a return line (LI OB) for directing at least a portion of the gas mixture to the inlet (122A’) of the gas conditioning device (122’),whereinthe gas separator (121’) comprises an inlet (121 A’) connected to the outlet (122B’) of the gas conditioning device (122’) through a second line (L20), and an outlet (121B’),whereinthe conversion device (123’) comprises an inlet (123A’) connected to the outlet (121B’) of the gas separator (121’) through a third line (L30), and an outlet (123B’); andwhereinthe hydrogen purifier (124’) comprises an inlet (124A’) connected to the outlet (123B’) of the conversion device (123’) through a fourth line (L40).

9. The gas leakage recovery and conversion system (1) according to claim 8, wherein the hydrogen purifier (124’) comprises a first outlet (124B’) and is configured todeliver, through the first outlet (124B’), a first portion of a purified hydrogen stream to an external component fluidically couplable with said first outlet (124B’) of the hydrogen purifier (124’), wherein the external component comprises at least one of a fuel cell and a hydrogen gas turbine.

10. The gas leakage recovery and conversion system (1) according to claim 9, wherein the hydrogen purifier (124’) comprises a second outlet (124C’) connected to the third line (L30) through a further return line (L40B) for directing at least a portion of the purified hydrogen stream to the inlet (123 A’) of the conversion device (123’), so that the purified hydrogen stream outputted from the conversion device (123’) is further purified by the hydrogen purifier (124’).

11. The gas leakage recovery and conversion system (1) according to claim 8, wherein the hydrogen purifier (124’) comprises:a first outlet (124B’), wherein the hydrogen purifier (124’) is configured to deliver a first portion of a purified hydrogen stream, through the first outlet (124B’), to an external component fluidically couplable with the first outlet (124B’) of the hydrogen purifier (124’), wherein the external component comprises at least one of a fuel cell and a hydrogen gas turbine,a second outlet (124C’) connected to the third line (L30) through a further return line (L40B) for directing a second portion of the purified hydrogen stream to the inlet (123 A’) of the conversion device (123’), so that the purified hydrogen stream outputted from the conversion device (123 ’) is further purified by the hydrogen purifier (124’), anda third outlet (124D’), wherein the hydrogen purifier (124’) is configured to deliver a third portion of the purified hydrogen stream, through the third outlet (124D’), to a further external component fluidically couplable with the third outlet (124D’) of the hydrogen purifier (124’), wherein the further external component comprises at least one of a furnace and a fuel gas header.

12. The gas leakage recovery and conversion system (1) according to claim 8, whereinthe hydrogen purifier (124’) comprises:an outlet connected to the third line (L30) through a further return line (L40B) for directing a portion of the purified hydrogen stream to the inlet (123A’) of the conversion device (123’), so that the purified hydrogen stream outputted from the conversion device (123’) is further purified by the hydrogen purifier (124’), and a further outlet,whereinthe hydrogen purifier (124’) is configured to deliver, through the further outlet, a further portion of the purified hydrogen stream to an external device; the external device being fluidically couplable with the further outlet of the hydrogen purifier (124’) and comprising at least one of a furnace and a fuel gas header.

13. The gas leakage recovery and conversion system (1) according to claim 1, wherein a gas separator (121,121’) is configured to receive the gas mixture, and to separate, from the gas mixture, one or more hydrocarbons gases having a number of carbon atoms less than three and a boiling point temperature greater than -260°F and less than 44°F.

14. The gas leakage recovery and conversion system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the sealing gas comprises at least a primary sealing gas.

15. The gas leakage recovery and conversion system (1) according to claim 14, wherein the sealing gas comprises a secondary sealing gas.

16. The gas leakage recovery and conversion system (1) according to claim 14, wherein said primary sealing gas comprises a further plurality of hydrocarbon gases, whereinthe further plurality of hydrocarbon gases is the plurality of hydrocarbon gas of the process gas, orthe further plurality of hydrocarbon gases is different from the plurality ofhydrocarbon gases of the process gas, orthe further plurality of hydrocarbon gases comprises the same hydrocarbon gases as the plurality of hydrocarbon gases of the process gas and at least one further hydrocarbon gas different from each hydrocarbon gas of the plurality of hydrocarbon gases of the process gas.

17. The gas leakage recovery and conversion system (1) according to claim 15, wherein the secondary sealing gas comprises an inert gas.

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