Low-Carbon Hydrogen Production With Co-Located Renewable Feedstocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current low carbon intensity energy strategies face challenges in reducing greenhouse gas emissions throughout the lifecycle of transportation fuels and hydrogen production, including inefficiencies in energy transmission, high carbon intensity in fuel production and transportation, and the need for specialized infrastructure and equipment, which can negate environmental benefits.
Innovation Solution
Implementing systems and methods that integrate alternative, renewable energy sources into feedstock selection, transportation, refining, and distribution processes to reduce carbon emissions, using renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and geothermal power, and renewable feedstocks from plant and animal sources, while co-locating these with conventional refineries and hydrogen production facilities to minimize transportation-related emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If renewable energy sources are located at long distances from end users, then alternative energy can be generated, but energy transmission losses occur and carbon intensity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by producing low carbon intensity fuel at the source location before transmission is needed. Renewable energy sources are converted into fuel products (such as synthetic natural gas, liquid fuels, or hydrogen) at remote locations, and this fuel is then transported to distribution points. This preliminary conversion eliminates the need for long-distance electrical transmission, avoiding transmission losses and the associated increase in carbon intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses fuel as an intermediary carrier between remote renewable energy sources and end users. Instead of directly transmitting electrical energy over long distances, the renewable energy is converted into chemical energy stored in fuel molecules. This fuel intermediary can be transported via existing infrastructure (pipelines, trucks, rail) to distribution points near end users, effectively bridging the gap between energy production and consumption locations while minimizing losses.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If electric vehicles and charging stations are deployed to use renewable power, then direct use of low carbon energy is achieved, but considerable expense and specialized infrastructure are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating fuel products that can be used in existing, conventional infrastructure rather than requiring specialized new infrastructure. The low carbon intensity fuel produced from renewable sources can be distributed through existing fuel distribution networks and used in conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, trucks, ships, and planes. This eliminates the need for entirely new specialized infrastructure while still achieving greenhouse gas emission reductions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and form of energy from electrical energy to chemical energy in the form of fuel. By converting renewable electrical energy into chemical energy stored in fuel molecules (through processes like electrolysis followed by synthesis), the energy can be distributed and used in conventional fuel-based systems rather than requiring electrical infrastructure. This parameter change enables compatibility with existing systems.
3Productivity
If conventional higher carbon intensity fuels are used in transportation and construction, then service delivery is maintained, but indirect carbon emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harm of needing to transport energy over long distances and the need for energy-intensive infrastructure into a benefit by producing fuel locally at renewable energy sites. The conversion process transforms what would be wasted remote renewable energy into useful fuel products. The infrastructure construction and transportation activities that would normally use high carbon intensity fuels are instead powered by or produce low carbon intensity fuel, turning potentially harmful activities into beneficial ones that reduce overall emissions.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods to provide low carbon intensity (CI) hydrogen through one or more targeted reductions of carbon emissions based upon an analysis of carbon emissions associated with a combination of various options for feedstock procurement, feedstock refining, processing, or transformation, and hydrogen distribution pathways to end users. Such options are selected to maintain the total CI (carbon emissions per unit energy) of the hydrogen below a pre-selected threshold that defines an upper limit of CI for the hydrogen.