Hydrogen Buffer Storage Control for Stable Downstream Flow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Renewable energy sources like wind or solar power, which are used to generate hydrogen, are prone to fluctuations due to environmental changes, leading to instability in hydrogen production, which affects downstream processes requiring steady-state conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for stabilizing hydrogen flow by determining density and pressure profiles in a hydrogen storage unit, calculating target hydrogen flows based on renewable power availability, and controlling downstream processes to maintain stable operation using a multi-step iterative calculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If renewable energy sources (wind or solar) are used to generate hydrogen via electrolysis, then carbon emissions are eliminated, but hydrogen production becomes unstable due to environmental fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a buffer storage unit as an intermediary between the electrolyzer and downstream processes. This buffer acts as a mediator that decouples the unstable renewable energy input from the stable downstream hydrogen demand, absorbing fluctuations and providing steady hydrogen flow to downstream units while maintaining carbon-free production
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by storing hydrogen in advance during periods of high renewable energy availability. The buffer storage unit accumulates hydrogen when renewable energy is abundant, preparing it for later use when renewable energy is insufficient, thereby ensuring continuous stable supply to downstream processes without carbon emissions
2Adaptability or versatility
If the hydrogen flow is adjusted to account for renewable energy fluctuations, then the hydrogen supply matches available energy, but the downstream production process experiences instability
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer storage unit serves as an intermediary that absorbs the mismatch between variable hydrogen production from renewable sources and the steady-state requirements of downstream processes. It decouples these two systems, allowing the electrolyzer to adapt to renewable energy availability while the downstream process receives stable hydrogen flow
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides beforehand cushioning by maintaining a buffer inventory of hydrogen in the storage unit. This cushion absorbs sudden changes in renewable energy availability, preventing direct transmission of fluctuations to downstream processes and ensuring their stable operation
3Loss of energy
If the downstream process operates at variable load to match renewable energy availability, then energy utilization is optimized, but production efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer storage unit acts as an intermediary that enables the electrolyzer to operate at variable load to match renewable energy availability, while the downstream process maintains steady-state operation for optimal productivity. The buffer absorbs the load variations, preventing energy waste while maintaining high production efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary hydrogen production and storage when renewable energy is abundant, allowing the electrolyzer to operate at high efficiency during optimal energy conditions. The stored hydrogen then supplies the downstream process during periods when renewable energy is insufficient, maintaining both energy utilization and productivity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient production and stable operation of downstream processes despite renewable energy fluctuations, minimizing adjustments to hydrogen flow and maintaining hydrogen storage unit pressures within safe limits.
Implementation Method 1
Alternative hydrogen sources are being adopted, such as an electrolyzer/electrolysis process, which only requires water and electricity
Implementation Method 2
determining a hydrogen density and pressure profiles in the hydrogen storage unit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A system and a method for stabilizing hydrogen flow to a downstream process in a facility determining a hydrogen density and pressure profiles in the hydrogen storage unit for different target net hydrogen flows at different time intervals of a time horizon of a renewable power availability profile, determining an operating target net hydrogen flow of a hydrogen feed to the downstream process, determining a target direct hydrogen flow of a hydrogen feed and a target stored hydrogen flow of a hydrogen feed to the downstream process, and controlling the operation of the downstream process based on the operating target hydrogen flows.