Hydrogen Plant With Direct Contact Cooling and CO2-to-Bicarbonate Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in producing hydrogen efficiently while effectively storing CO2 emissions at an acceptable cost, particularly in the context of using fossil fuels.
Innovation Solution
A plant and method that integrates a gasifier, reformer, heat exchange apparatus, and CO2 capture system to produce hydrogen and bicarbonate, utilizing a process that includes gasification, catalytic or thermal reforming, heat exchange, and ion exchange to form bicarbonate, thereby capturing and utilizing CO2.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If CO2 is captured and stored in geological formations, then CO2 emissions are reduced, but the risk of leakage and contamination of groundwater increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary monitoring system comprising detection wells, sensors, and monitoring equipment positioned between the CO2 storage formation and groundwater resources. This intermediary layer detects CO2 migration and leakage early, providing warning before contamination occurs, thus resolving the contradiction between CO2 storage and leakage prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through continuous monitoring of pressure, temperature, and CO2 concentration in detection wells. When abnormal changes indicate potential leakage, the system provides feedback signals to trigger alarm and corrective actions, creating a closed-loop control system that enhances reliability of CO2 storage
2Adaptability or versatility
If CO2 is transported over long distances via pipeline, then CO2 can be moved from emission sources to storage sites, but the complexity and cost of infrastructure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the pipeline infrastructure to serve multiple functions: CO2 transport, pressure monitoring, temperature sensing, and leakage detection. By integrating these functions into a single multi-functional system, the patent reduces overall infrastructure complexity while maintaining CO2 transport capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines transport and monitoring functions into an integrated pipeline system. Sensors and monitoring equipment are merged with the pipeline structure itself, eliminating separate monitoring infrastructure and reducing overall system complexity
3Quantity of substance
If CO2 is stored in deep geological formations, then storage capacity is increased, but the energy required for injection and monitoring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary characterization of geological formations before CO2 injection, identifying optimal storage sites with appropriate pressure, temperature, and permeability characteristics. This preliminary action reduces the energy required during actual injection by selecting formations that naturally accommodate CO2 with minimal energy input
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes injection parameters such as pressure, temperature, and injection rate based on formation characteristics. By adjusting these parameters to match optimal values for each formation, the system minimizes energy consumption while maximizing storage capacity
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 enables the efficient production of hydrogen and bicarbonate, offering a cost-effective solution for CO2 storage and utilization, making it a viable decarbonized fuel source.
Implementation Method 1
ethanol and co2 are produced e.g. by fermentation of sugars
Implementation Method 2
combustion of a geofuel in an internal combustion engine
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a plant and a method for the production of hydrogen and bicarbonate. The plant 100 first of all comprises a gasifier 110, a reformer 120, a direct contact exchanger 10 and an apparatus 20 for the production of bicarbonate. The plant 100 is suitable for receiving fuel, oxygen, water, carbonate, brine at the inlet and for producing hydrogen, bicarbonate and calcium chloride at the outlet. The plant 100 uses a self-cleaning direct contact heat exchanger to cool the syngas downstream of the reformer and to produce the superheated steam that feeds the gasifier: this heat exchanger allows the production of hydrogen at low costs and in modular plants.