Hydrogen Storage Pressure Cycling for Stable Renewable Supply

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Solution Overview

Problem

The inherent fluctuations in renewable energy availability for hydrogen production cause instability in the supply of hydrogen to downstream processes, necessitating effective storage solutions to maintain consistent hydrogen feed.

Innovation Solution

A method integrating electrolysis with a multistage compression system to store excess hydrogen during production surpluses and release it during demand shortages, utilizing renewable energy sources and pressure adjustment to optimize storage and distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hydrogen is stored at high pressure to compensate for renewable energy variability, then hydrogen supply stability is improved, but storage vessel volume and capital costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen supply stabilityVSAvoidstorage vessel volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts storage pressure based on real-time conditions - filling during periods of excess production and discharging during periods of high demand. This dynamic operation allows the system to maintain supply stability while optimizing storage volume utilization, as the storage vessel operates across a range of pressures rather than requiring constant high-pressure capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the pressure parameter of stored hydrogen - compressing to high pressure (e.g., 700 bar) during filling and reducing pressure during discharge. This parameter change allows the same storage vessel to provide different levels of service at different times, maintaining reliability while reducing the required storage volume compared to constant high-pressure storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional compression systems are added to handle storage filling and discharge, then hydrogen supply flexibility is improved, but compression power requirements and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen supply flexibilityVSAvoidcompression power requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The compression system is designed to perform multiple functions: compressing hydrogen from electrolysers during normal operation, filling storage vessels during periods of excess production, and potentially recompressing hydrogen during discharge. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated compression systems for each operation, thereby reducing overall power requirements and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the storage filling operation with the existing multistage compression system that is already in place for feeding downstream processes. By integrating these functions, the system avoids the need for separate compression infrastructure, reducing both capital costs and operational power requirements while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If existing multistage compression systems are utilized for storage operations, then system complexity is reduced, but additional compression power needs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidadditional compression power needs

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The existing multistage compression system serves itself by taking on additional storage-related functions. The same compressors that feed downstream processes also fill storage vessels during periods of excess hydrogen production, eliminating the need for separate dedicated compression equipment and reducing overall system complexity while utilizing existing infrastructure capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 stabilizes hydrogen supply by reducing storage vessel volume and capital costs while maintaining consistent hydrogen delivery to downstream processes, enhancing efficiency and flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

producing hydrogen gas by electrolysis of water; wherein at least some electricity for the electrolysis is generated from at least one renewable energy source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrolysis: Electrolysis

Implementation Method 2

compressing the hydrogen gas in a multistage compression system to produce compressed hydrogen gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3957772B1A method for generating, storing and using hydrogen

Publication Date: 2026.04.29 AIR PROD & CHEM INC

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AI summary

Hydrogen is produced by electrolysis of water using electricity generated from a renewable energy source such as wind and/or solar radiation, compressed in a multistage compression system and consumed in at least one downstream process. Supply of hydrogen to the downstream process(es) fluctuates with demand and/or the availability of the renewable energy source. In order to accommodate such fluctuations, excess hydrogen is stored during periods when production of hydrogen exceeds that required by the downstream process(es) so that, during periods when demand exceeds production, hydrogen is removed from storage and, after suitable pressure reduction, fed to the downstream process(es) via a stage of the multistage compression system.