Hydrogen liquefaction system and hydrogen liquefaction method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydrogen liquefaction systems face inefficiencies in producing liquid hydrogen for long-term storage and long-distance transportation due to slow Ortho-Para (O-P) conversion processes, which require additional cooling and high energy consumption, and often skip O-P conversion for short-term storage to maintain efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen liquefaction system with a bypass mode that optionally performs O-P conversion using a bypass device and an external heat exchange chamber to cool conversion heat, allowing for the production of liquid hydrogen in both normal and equilibrium states, enhancing conversion efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If O-P conversion is performed using a separate hydrogen liquefaction device, then liquid hydrogen in equilibrium condition is produced for long-term storage, but energy consumption increases and conversion efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The O-P conversion device is integrated into the existing hydrogen liquefaction device, merging two separate functions (liquefaction and O-P conversion) into a single system. This eliminates the need for a separate O-P conversion device, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining the ability to produce equilibrium liquid hydrogen for long-term storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrogen liquefaction device is designed to perform multiple functions: both liquefaction of gaseous hydrogen and O-P conversion of liquid hydrogen. The controller enables the device to switch between liquefaction mode and O-P conversion mode, making the system universal and adaptable to different storage requirements without requiring separate dedicated devices.
2Reliability
If O-P conversion is performed, then liquid hydrogen in equilibrium condition is produced, but additional cooling power is required due to heat generation
Solution Approach 1:
The heat generated during O-P conversion, which was previously a harmful factor requiring additional cooling power, is converted into a beneficial resource. The controller utilizes this conversion heat to pre-cool gaseous hydrogen before it enters the liquefaction process, reducing the overall cooling power requirement and improving the efficiency of producing equilibrium liquid hydrogen.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling function for O-P conversion heat is merged with the existing cooling cycle device used for hydrogen liquefaction. The heat exchanger integrates the O-P conversion heat removal process with the liquefaction cooling process, allowing the same cooling infrastructure to serve dual purposes and reducing additional cooling power requirements.
3Reliability
If a separate O-P conversion device is used, then equilibrium liquid hydrogen is produced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The O-P conversion device is merged with the hydrogen liquefaction device into a single integrated system. The controller coordinates both liquefaction and O-P conversion functions within one device, eliminating the need for separate standalone O-P conversion equipment and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrogen liquefaction device is designed as a universal system that can perform both liquefaction and O-P conversion functions. The controller enables flexible operation modes, allowing the device to adapt to different storage requirements (short-term vs. long-term) without requiring separate dedicated devices, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture.
4Productivity
If gaseous hydrogen is directly liquefied without O-P conversion, then conversion efficiency is maintained for short-term storage, but liquid hydrogen stability decreases for long-term storage
Solution Approach 1:
The O-P conversion is performed as a preliminary action before long-term storage, converting ortho-hydrogen to para-hydrogen to achieve equilibrium condition. The controller determines whether to perform O-P conversion based on the intended storage duration, ensuring that liquid hydrogen is pre-prepared in a stable equilibrium state for long-term storage while maintaining high liquefaction efficiency for short-term applications.
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 the production of liquid hydrogen in a normal state for short-term storage and in equilibrium condition for long-term storage or transportation, while increasing conversion efficiency by effectively managing O-P conversion heat, thus addressing the inefficiencies of conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
heat exchange occurs in a heat exchange section leading to liquefaction of gaseous hydrogen into liquid hydrogen
Implementation Method 2
liquefaction of gaseous hydrogen into liquid hydrogen
Implementation Method 3
converting a ratio of ortho-hydrogen to para-hydrogen in a process of liquefying gaseous hydrogen into liquid hydrogen
Implementation Method 4
cooling O-P conversion heat using an external heat exchange chamber
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a hydrogen liquefaction system and hydrogen liquefaction method optionally enabling O-P conversion in a hydrogen liquefaction process, and may include: a hydrogen pipe, where gaseous hydrogen is introduced at a front end, heat exchange occurs in a heat exchange section leading to liquefaction of gaseous hydrogen into liquid hydrogen, and liquefied liquid hydrogen can be discharged at a rear end; a cooling cycle device that is in thermal contact with the heat exchange section of the hydrogen pipe so as to perform heat exchange with the heat exchange section of the hydrogen pipe such that gaseous hydrogen can be liquefied into liquid hydrogen; and an Ortho-Para (O-P) converter formed in the hydrogen pipe, converting a ratio of ortho-hydrogen to para-hydrogen in a process of liquefying gaseous hydrogen into liquid hydrogen.