Hydrogen Distribution Network Using LOHC and CGH2 Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrogen distribution methods face challenges in optimizing supply chain logistics, including inefficient storage, transportation, and route optimization, particularly due to the high energy requirements and limited capacity of existing hydrogen storage technologies like Compressed Gas Hydrogen (CGH2) and Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier (LOHC), which affect the economic feasibility and efficiency of hydrogen fuel distribution.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize LOHC technology for transporting hydrogen from production facilities to depots and then convert it to Compressed Gas Hydrogen (CGH2) for distribution to consumption sites, optimizing routes and inventory management through a centralized server that determines optimal vehicle routes and dispatch quantities, leveraging the lower risk and higher capacity of LOHC compared to CGH2.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If Compressed Gas Hydrogen (CGH2) is used for hydrogen storage and transportation, then hydrogen can be stored and transported at high pressure (350-900 bar), but the energy consumption for compression is high (2-4 kWh/kg of H2) and the transportation distance is limited to less than 300-500 km
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces LOHC (Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier) as an intermediary substance to transport hydrogen. Instead of directly transporting compressed hydrogen gas, the system converts hydrogen into hydrogenated LOHC at the production facility, transports the liquid carrier through existing fuel infrastructure, and then converts it back to hydrogen at consumption sites. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for high-pressure compression during transportation while maintaining hydrogen storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state and chemical form of hydrogen during transportation. Hydrogen is converted from a gaseous state requiring high-pressure compression to a liquid organic carrier form that can be transported at ambient conditions. This parameter change transforms the transportation challenge from a high-energy compression process to a low-energy liquid fuel delivery process using existing infrastructure.
2Quantity of substance
If Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier (LOHC) is used for hydrogen transportation, then transportation capacity increases (4-5 times more H2 than CGH2) and existing fuel infrastructure can be utilized, but dehydrogenation requires high energy input (9-10 kWh of heat)
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs hydrogenation at the production facility before transportation, converting hydrogen into hydrogenated LOHC in advance. This preliminary action allows the high-energy chemical transformation to occur at the production site where energy is already available, rather than at consumption sites. The hydrogenated LOHC is then transported as a stable liquid fuel requiring no additional energy input during transit.
Solution Approach 2:
LOHC serves as an energy-carrying intermediary that stores hydrogen in a high-density liquid form. The carrier molecule acts as a portable energy reservoir, enabling large quantities of hydrogen to be transported efficiently. The high dehydrogenation energy requirement is offset by the ability to transport 4-5 times more hydrogen per vehicle compared to CGH2, making the overall system more efficient for long-distance and large-scale distribution.
3Quantity of substance
If liquid hydrogen is used for storage and transportation, then storage capacity increases (2-7 times more than CGH2), but liquefaction requires very high energy input (10 kWh per kg of H2)
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing hydrogen to a liquid state through cryogenic cooling (which requires 10 kWh/kg), the system changes hydrogen to a chemically bound liquid form within LOHC molecules. This alternative parameter change achieves high-density liquid-phase transportation without the extreme cooling requirements, using chemical hydrogenation instead of physical phase change.
4Productivity
If centralized inventory optimization is implemented, then supply chain efficiency improves and vehicle routes are optimized, but system complexity increases due to real-time data processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements real-time feedback loops where consumption data from refueling stations, inventory levels at depots, and vehicle locations are continuously monitored and fed back to the central optimization server. This feedback mechanism enables dynamic route adjustment, predictive inventory management, and coordinated dispatch decisions that adapt to changing conditions, improving overall supply chain efficiency despite the increased computational complexity.
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 enables efficient transportation and storage of hydrogen, minimizing costs and optimizing routes, allowing for the daily supply of hydrogen to consumption sites while reducing the capital cost of storage and vehicle usage, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency and feasibility of hydrogen fuel distribution networks.
Implementation Method 1
storing the produced hydrogen in a Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier (LOHC) molecule by hydrogenation of chemicals
Implementation Method 2
compressing the hydrogen to high pressure to a pressure above 350 bar (referred to as Compressed Gas Hydrogen (CGH2))
Implementation Method 3
dehydrogenating the hydrogenated LOHC molecule to release the hydrogen at low pressure
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure generally relates to producing, transporting, distributing, and storing hydrogen fuel, more particularly to system and method for optimizing supply chain of hydrogen distribution network. A centralized server triggers production facility to produce gas/liquid Hydrogen. Centralized server stores at storage facility in hydrogen cylinders, produced gas/liquid Hydrogen, in Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier (LOHC) molecule, based on hydrogenation of chemicals. Centralized server transmits instructions for transporting hydrogenated LOHC molecule in tanker trucks, from production facility to depots, and dehydrogenates at depots, hydrogenated LOHC molecule to release hydrogen at low pressure. Centralized server compresses, at depots, released hydrogen, and fill compressed hydrogen in high-pressure tube trailers/flat-bed cylinder cascades. Centralized server determines optimal routes for transportation vehicles from depots to retailers/consumption sites, and stores, at retailers/consumption sites, compressed hydrogen in low-pressure tanks/high-pressure buffer cylinders. Centralized server outputs information corresponding to inventory of low-pressure tanks/high-pressure buffer cylinders at retailers/consumption sites.