Hydrogen Transport via Hydrocarbon Carriers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transporting hydrogen are inefficient and costly due to the high energy consumption in compression and the need for expensive pressure vessels, with hydrogen also causing embrittlement of storage and transport vessels.
Innovation Solution
The method involves hydrogenating hydrocarbons at a first processing facility using hydrogen gas portions, one produced without direct carbon emissions and the other with direct emissions, and then transporting the hydrogenated hydrocarbons to a second facility for dehydrogenation, producing hydrogen gas that can be marketed as 'clean' hydrogen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If hydrogen is transported as compressed gas, then hydrogen can be transported over long distances, but energy consumption increases significantly and expensive pressure vessels are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of hydrogen from compressed gas to liquid form. By cooling hydrogen to its boiling point (-252.87°C) and below, it transforms into a liquid that can be transported at lower pressures while maintaining high density, thereby reducing compression energy consumption while enabling long-distance transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of hydrogen from gas to liquid state through cooling. This phase change allows hydrogen to be transported in a condensed form that requires less compression energy and can be stored in less expensive containers compared to high-pressure gaseous hydrogen.
2Length of moving object
If hydrogen is stored and transported as compressed gas, then hydrogen can be moved to different locations, but expensive pressure vessels are required
Solution Approach 1:
By changing hydrogen to liquid state through temperature reduction, the patent eliminates the need for high-pressure containment. Liquid hydrogen can be transported in insulated cryogenic tanks that are less expensive than high-pressure vessels, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining transport capability.
3Reliability
If hydrogen is stored in containment vessels, then hydrogen can be transported, but hydrogen molecules escape through vessel walls and cause embrittlement
Solution Approach 1:
By transitioning hydrogen to liquid state, the patent reduces the kinetic energy of hydrogen molecules, minimizing their ability to penetrate vessel walls and cause embrittlement. Liquid hydrogen requires different containment materials that are less susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement, improving reliability while reducing harmful effects.
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
This approach reduces transportation costs and energy consumption, allows for the production of hydrogen that can be marketed as environmentally friendly, and mitigates the embrittlement issues associated with traditional hydrogen transport methods.
Implementation Method 1
hydrogenating a hydrocarbon feed in a hydrogenator, in the presence of the hydrogen gas comprising the first hydrogen gas portion and the second hydrogen gas portion, to form a hydrogenated effluent
Implementation Method 2
dehydrogenating the portion of the hydrogenated effluent to form a hydrogen gas product and a separated-dehydrogenated effluent
Data Source
AI summary
A method of transporting hydrogen may comprise providing hydrogen gas comprising a first hydrogen gas portion produced by a method with no direct carbon emissions to the atmosphere and a second hydrogen gas portion produced by a method with direct carbon emissions to the atmosphere; at a first hydrocarbon processing facility, hydrogenating a hydrocarbon feed in the presence of the hydrogen gas to form a hydrogenated effluent; transporting a portion of the hydrogenated effluent from the first hydrocarbon processing facility to a second hydrocarbon processing facility; and at the second hydrocarbon processing facility, dehydrogenating the portion of the hydrogenated effluent to form a hydrogen gas product. On average, a mass flow rate of the first hydrogen gas portion may be at least 90% of a mass flow rate of the hydrogen gas product. The first hydrocarbon processing facility and the second hydrocarbon processing facility may be separated by a distance of at least 100 km.