Integrated Hydrogen Purification Vessels for Water and Oxygen Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of hydrogen through water electrolysis faces challenges including energy-intensive downstream removal of oxygen and moisture, high capital and operational costs due to multiple vessels and equipment, catalyst contamination, and inefficiencies in oxygen removal processes.
Innovation Solution
Integrating adsorptive and catalytic treatment vessels with alternating operation modes for efficient water and oxygen removal, eliminating the need for separate catalytic reactors and reducing pre-heating requirements, thereby optimizing space and operational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate catalytic reactor is used for oxygen removal, then oxygen removal function is provided, but device complexity and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the catalytic oxygen removal function with the adsorption drying vessels by integrating a catalytic layer into the adsorption vessels. This allows the same vessel to perform both water adsorption and oxygen catalytic conversion, eliminating the need for a separate catalytic reactor and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment vessels are designed to perform multiple functions: adsorptive water removal and catalytic oxygen removal. The vessels operate in alternating treatment and regeneration modes, with the catalytic layer enabling oxygen conversion during treatment mode and the adsorption layers providing water removal functionality, making the system multi-functional.
2Reliability
If pre-heating is performed before catalytic oxygen removal, then catalytic reaction efficiency is improved, but energy consumption and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary water removal through adsorption before the catalytic oxygen removal step. By removing water vapor upstream, the gas feed to the catalytic layer has lower moisture content, which improves catalytic reaction efficiency without requiring additional pre-heating energy input.
3Reliability
If multiple treatment vessels are used for adsorptive water removal, then water removal efficiency is improved, but space demand and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the catalytic oxygen removal function into the adsorption drying vessels, so that the same vessels that remove water through adsorption also perform catalytic oxygen removal. This integration reduces the total number of vessels needed and decreases space demand while maintaining both water removal and oxygen removal efficiencies.
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 reduces installation and maintenance costs, enhances oxygen removal efficiency, and allows for a compact design with improved hydrogen purity, minimizing water contamination and catalyst particle issues.
Implementation Method 1
the first adsorption layer and the second adsorption layer are used for said adsorptive removal of water
Implementation Method 2
the catalytic layer is used for said catalytic removal of oxygen
Implementation Method 3
catalytically converting oxygen to hydrogen and water, commonly referred to as DeOxo in the field
Implementation Method 4
the treatment vessels are heated using a heating gas which is formed from a part of the second gas or the third gas, which is heated, and which is passed through the treatment vessels
Implementation Method 5
an electrolytic conversion of water
Implementation Method 6
a condensative removal of water from the first gas or a part thereof
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An method (100-600) for producing hydrogen is proposed, comprising providing a first gas (1) containing hydrogen, oxygen and water, said providing the first gas (1) comprising an electrolytic conversion of water; providing a second gas (5) containing hydrogen, oxygen and water, said providing the second gas (5) comprising a condensative removal of water from the first gas (1) or a part thereof; and providing a third gas (10) containing hydrogen, said providing the third gas (10) comprising an adsorptive removal of water and a catalytic removal of oxygen from the second gas (5) or a part thereof using a adsorptive and catalytic treatment arrangement (110) comprising treatment vessels (A, B), wherein each of the treatment vessels (A, B) comprises, in a first direction from a first opening to a second opening, a first adsorption layer (211), a catalytic layer (212) and a second adsorption layer (213), wherein each of the treatment vessels (A, B) is alternatingly operated in a treatment mode and a regeneration mode, wherein, in the treatment mode, the second gas (5) or a part thereof is passed in the first direction through the treatment vessels (A, B), wherein, in the treatment mode, the first adsorption layer (211) and the second adsorption layer (213) are used for said adsorptive removal of water and the catalytic layer (212) is used for said catalytic removal of oxygen, wherein, in the regeneration mode, the treatment vessels (A, B) are heated using a heating gas (5a, 10a) which is formed from a part of the second gas (5) or the third gas (10), is heated, and is passed through the treatment vessels (A, B). A corresponding apparatus is also provided.