Hydrogen Storage System Using Partial Distillation to Remove Catalyst Poisons

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing hydrogen storage and transportation systems using organic chemical hydrides face high energy costs due to the need for extensive distillation to remove high boiling point components, including poisoning substances, which degrade the dehydrogenation catalyst, limiting its service life and requiring significant energy for separation.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a hydrogenation reaction unit, a first separation unit maintaining the product temperature above the boiling point to separate gas and liquid components, a second separation unit to isolate the hydrogenated aromatic compound, and a distillation unit using reaction heat to minimize energy consumption and prevent catalyst poisoning, thereby extending catalyst life and reducing energy costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If a distillation unit is provided to remove poisoning substances from the hydrogenated aromatic compound, then the catalyst service life is extended, but the energy consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst service lifeVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes only the necessary portion of high boiling point components containing poisoning substances through a distillation unit. By separating the hydrogenated aromatic compound into fractions and selectively removing the toxic fraction, the system extends catalyst life while minimizing energy consumption compared to complete distillation of the entire product stream.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of completely distilling the entire hydrogenated aromatic compound stream, the invention applies partial distillation action by processing only a portion of the stream through the distillation unit. This partial action is sufficient to remove poisoning substances to acceptable levels while significantly reducing the energy input required compared to full distillation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Manufacturing precision

If the product stream is maintained above the boiling point for gas-liquid separation, then separation efficiency is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the temperature parameter of the product stream, maintaining it above the boiling point of the hydrogenated aromatic compound during gas-liquid separation. This parameter change enables efficient separation of gas and liquid phases while the subsequent partial distillation removes only the necessary portion, balancing separation efficiency with energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the entire hydrogenated aromatic compound stream is distilled to remove poisoning substances, then catalyst poisoning is prevented, but the energy cost becomes unacceptably high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst performanceVSAvoidenergy cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes only the necessary portion of high boiling point components containing poisoning substances through a distillation unit. By separating the hydrogenated aromatic compound into fractions and selectively removing the toxic fraction, the system extends catalyst life while minimizing energy consumption compared to complete distillation of the entire product stream.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of completely distilling the entire hydrogenated aromatic compound stream, the invention applies partial distillation action by processing only a portion of the stream through the distillation unit. This partial action is sufficient to remove poisoning substances to acceptable levels while significantly reducing the energy input required compared to full distillation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 configuration minimizes energy usage in separating high boiling point components, reduces catalyst poisoning, and maintains stable hydrogen supply by efficiently recycling the hydrogenated aromatic compound, extending the catalyst's service life and optimizing energy efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a hydrogenation reaction unit (11) for adding hydrogen to an aromatic compound by a hydrogenation reaction to produce a hydrogenated aromatic compound

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogenation reaction: Hydrogenation

Implementation Method 2

a first separation unit (12) for separating a gas and a liquid component from a product of the hydrogenation reaction unit while maintaining a temperature of the product higher than a boiling point of the hydrogenated aromatic compound

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas-liquid separation:

Implementation Method 3

a distillation unit (51) for distilling the liquid component separated by the first separation unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDistillation: Distillation

Implementation Method 4

a dehydrogenation system (3) for producing hydrogen by dehydrogenation of the hydrogenated aromatic compound separated by the second separation unit and mixed with the effluent of the distillation unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDehydrogenation:

Data Source

PatentEP3103783B1Hydrogen storage and transport system and process utilizing same
Publication Date: 2019.07.10 CHIYODA CORP
  • EP3103783B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3103783B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3103783B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The energy is minimized that is required to lower the concentration of the high boiling point components (containing the poisoning substance for the dehydrogenation catalyst) contained in the hydrogenated aromatic compound produced by the hydrogenation of an aromatic compound. The hydrogenation system (2) for an aromatic compound comprises a hydrogenation reaction unit (11) for adding hydrogen to an aromatic compound by a hydrogenation reaction to produce a hydrogenated aromatic compound, a first separation unit (12) for separating a gas and a liquid component from a product of the hydrogenation reaction unit while maintaining a temperature of the product generally higher than a boiling point of the hydrogenated aromatic compound, and a second separation unit (13) for separating the hydrogenated aromatic compound from the gas component separated by the first separation unit.