Hydrogen Synthesis System with Integrated CO2 Sequestration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Green Hydrogen technologies do not produce net power and suffer from high capital costs and low service factors due to intermittency and carbon footprint issues, particularly in the production of hydrogen from water electrolysis.
Innovation Solution
A method involving oxidizing a fuel in a power generator to produce electrical energy and a CO2-depleted water stream, followed by electrolysis to synthesize gaseous oxygen and hydrogen, which then oxidizes the fuel, while incorporating CO2 sequestration and the use of additional green power sources to enhance energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If water electrolysis is used to produce hydrogen, then hydrogen can be generated without direct CO2 emissions, but the process does not produce net power and suffers from high capital costs and low service factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a power generator that produces electricity with a water electrolyzer that produces hydrogen, integrating both functions into a single system. The power generator oxidizes fuel to produce electrical energy, while the electrolyzer uses this energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, thereby merging power generation and hydrogen production to achieve both electricity and clean fuel output
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it generates electrical energy from fuel oxidation, produces hydrogen through electrolysis, and can sequester CO2. This multi-functional approach allows the system to address both power production and clean fuel generation needs in one integrated platform
2Quantity of substance
If conventional steam-methane reforming is used to produce hydrogen, then large amounts of hydrogen can be produced, but significant CO2 emissions are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates CO2 sequestration capabilities that capture and store the carbon dioxide produced during fuel oxidation, converting what would be a harmful emission into a managed byproduct. This allows the system to maintain high hydrogen production while eliminating or significantly reducing CO2 releases to the atmosphere
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by using electrical energy from the power generator to drive the electrolysis reaction, rather than using thermal energy from combustion as in conventional reforming. This parameter change enables hydrogen production with controlled emissions through the integrated power generation and electrolysis process
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 increases net energy production and decreases CO2 emissions, achieving a significant reduction in atmospheric CO2 release and improving the economic viability of hydrogen production.
Implementation Method 1
oxidizing a fuel in a power generator to generate electrical energy and an exhaust comprising CO2 and H2O
Implementation Method 2
electrolyzing H2O from the CO2-depleted H2O stream using the generated electrical energy to synthesize gaseous O2 and the H2
Implementation Method 3
The synthesized gaseous O2 subsequently oxidizes at least a portion of the fuel
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for synthesizing H2 with a very low CO2 footprint are provided. A fuel is oxidized in a power generator to generate electrical energy and an exhaust comprising CO2 and H2O. CO2 and H2O in the exhaust are separated to produce a CO2-depleted H2O stream and a CO2 stream. H2O from the H2O stream is electrolyzed using the generated electrical energy to synthesize gaseous O2 and the H2. The synthesized gaseous O2 is used, at least in part, to oxidize the fuel in the power generator. The CO2 in the CO2 stream is sequestered.