Hydrogen Carrier Purification via Oxidative Heat Integration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for providing hydrogen gas through catalytic dehydrogenation of hydrogen carrier media face challenges in economic efficiency and purity, particularly due to the presence of oxygen-containing impurities and the need for additional heat in the dehydrogenation process.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that involves catalytic dehydrogenation, oxidation, and hydrogenation of hydrogen carrier media, where the partially discharged media is oxidized to provide heat for dehydrogenation, and oxygen-containing impurities are efficiently removed, reducing the overall purification effort and increasing hydrogen gas purity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If catalytic dehydrogenation of hydrogen carrier medium is performed, then hydrogen gas is produced, but oxygen-containing impurities are formed and additional heat is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful oxygen-containing impurities into beneficial oxygen-deficient hydrocarbon compounds through catalytic oxidation in a second reactor. These oxidized compounds are then dehydrogenated to produce additional hydrogen gas, transforming the impurity problem into an additional hydrogen production source while eliminating the harmful oxygen-containing substances
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical state parameters of the hydrogen carrier medium by introducing oxidation reactions. The hydrogen carrier medium undergoes sequential transformations: dehydrogenation to form impurities, oxidation to convert impurities to oxygen-deficient compounds, and further dehydrogenation to produce additional hydrogen. This parameter change approach converts harmful impurities into valuable hydrogen production feedstock
2Productivity
If additional heat is supplied for dehydrogenation, then hydrogen gas production increases, but economic efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service heat system where the oxidation reactor generates heat exothermically from the oxygen-containing impurities produced during dehydrogenation. This self-generated heat is then transferred to the dehydrogenation reactor to provide the necessary heat for hydrogen production, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for external heat supply
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the heat generation function with the hydrogen production function by integrating an oxidation reactor that uses the impurities from dehydrogenation as fuel. The heat from oxidation is directly transferred to the dehydrogenation process, combining waste heat recovery with continuous hydrogen production in a unified system
3Manufacturing precision
If oxygen-containing impurities are removed from released hydrogen gas, then hydrogen purity increases, but purification complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary removal of oxygen-containing impurities at the source by converting them to oxygen-deficient hydrocarbon compounds through oxidation before they contaminate the hydrogen gas stream. This preliminary action prevents impurity formation rather than requiring complex downstream purification, simplifying the overall system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes oxygen-containing impurities from the hydrogen carrier medium through catalytic oxidation, separating them from the hydrogen production stream before they can contaminate the final hydrogen gas product
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
The method achieves increased economic efficiency and hydrogen gas purity by utilizing the exothermic oxidation reaction to supply heat for dehydrogenation, minimizing additional heat demand, and effectively removing oxygen-containing impurities, resulting in hydrogen gas with a purity of at least 99.0%, reducing the formation of undesirable by-products, and minimizing catalyst deactivation.
Implementation Method 1
release of hydrogen gas in a dehydrogenation reactor by catalytic dehydrogenation of an at least partially charged hydrogen carrier medium
Implementation Method 2
catalytic oxidation of the at least partially discharged hydrogen carrier medium by means of an oxidizing agent
Implementation Method 3
The exothermic oxidation reaction provides heat for the endothermic dehydrogenation reaction
Implementation Method 4
reduction of the at least partially oxidized hydrogen carrier medium to form the at least partially charged hydrogen carrier medium by catalytic hydrogenation
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing hydrogen gas comprises a release of hydrogen gas in a dehydrogenation reactor by catalytic dehydrogenation of an at least partially charged hydrogen carrier medium to form an at least partially discharged hydrogen carrier medium, a catalytic oxidation of the at least partially discharged hydrogen carrier medium means of an oxidizing agent to form an at least partially oxidized hydrogen carrier medium in an oxidation reactor, a reduction of the at least partially oxidized hydrogen carrier medium to form the at least partially charged hydrogen carrier medium by catalytic hydrogenation in a hydrogenation reactor and a removal of at least one oxygen-containing impurity from the at least partially charged hydrogen carrier medium and/or from the at least partially oxidized hydrogen carrier medium.