Stabilization process for the electrical network, the gas network and/or the hydrogen network and for producing ammonia

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies lack a unified, efficient process for stabilizing both electrical and gas networks, particularly in refineries, and for producing ammonia, due to limitations in hydrogen storage and energy return coefficients.

Innovation Solution

Integration of electrolytic hydrogen production with hydrogen storage in liquid and cryo-compressed forms, using liquid and/or cryo-compressed nitrogen systems, and leveraging ammonia as a storage and transport medium for hydrogen.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If hydrogen is liquefied for storage, then storage capacity increases, but energy consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen storage capacityVSAvoidenergy consumption for liquefaction

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines hydrogen liquefaction with nitrogen production in a single integrated cryogenic system. The nitrogen is produced as a byproduct of the air separation process used for hydrogen liquefaction, eliminating the need for separate nitrogen production facilities and reducing overall energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cryogenic plant serves multiple functions simultaneously: it liquefies hydrogen for storage, produces nitrogen for ammonia synthesis, and generates cold energy that can be utilized for other processes. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the energy-intensive liquefaction process beneficial for multiple purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Quantity of substance

If ammonia is produced using nitrogen from Air Separation Unit, then ammonia production is achieved, but oxygen in reagents consumes hydrogen and requires water separation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveammonia productionVSAvoidhydrogen consumption by oxygen

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts nitrogen directly from the air separation unit without introducing oxygen into the ammonia synthesis process. By taking out only the nitrogen component and excluding oxygen, the system prevents hydrogen consumption by oxygen and eliminates the need for water separation, while maintaining ammonia production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If a unified process for stabilizing electrical and gas networks is implemented, then network stabilization is achieved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork stabilizationVSAvoidprocess integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges hydrogen production, liquefaction, storage, nitrogen production, and ammonia synthesis into a single integrated process. This consolidation stabilizes both electrical and gas networks by coordinating multiple functions in one system, while the integration itself manages the complexity through shared infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated plant performs multiple functions simultaneously: producing hydrogen through electrolysis, liquefying it for storage, generating nitrogen for ammonia synthesis, and producing ammonia. This multi-functionality in a single facility achieves network stabilization without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same infrastructure serves multiple purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 integrated process stabilizes electrical and gas networks, efficiently produces and stores hydrogen and ammonia, and optimizes energy use, overcoming previous limitations in energy return and storage capacity.

Implementation Method 1

a) producing and cooling hydrogen and ammonia using excess electricity and liquid and/or cryo-compressed nitrogen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrolysis: Electrolysis

Implementation Method 2

the storage of large amounts of hydrogen and/or oxygen requires the liquefaction of said gases at temperatures compatible with storage at atmospheric pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change