Lactone–Terminal Diol Carriers for Safer Hydrogen Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for handling dihydrogen using liquid organic hydrogen carriers involve hazardous and toxic compounds, expensive catalysts, and high energy costs, diminishing their economic viability.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing lactones as the first organic compound and terminal diols as the second organic compound, with Cu-based catalysts, and controlling reaction conditions to maintain temperature within specific ranges, reduces energy consumption and enhances safety by using less expensive catalysts and safer compounds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If hazardous and toxic organic compounds are used as hydrogen carriers, then the hydrogen storage and transport capability is improved, but the safety and handling difficulty deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen storage capabilityVSAvoidsafety hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs lactones and terminal diols as hydrogen carriers that can be easily replaced and handled. These compounds are not hazardous and can be disposed of or regenerated without special safety precautions, unlike traditional hazardous hydrogen carriers. The system uses conventional equipment without requiring specialized hazardous material handling infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Productivity

If expensive catalysts are used for hydrogenation/dehydrogenation reactions, then the reaction efficiency and selectivity are improved, but the manufacturing cost deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereaction efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs conventional, inexpensive catalysts such as copper-based catalysts for hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions. These catalysts are significantly cheaper than noble metal catalysts typically used in LOHC systems, while still achieving high conversion rates and selectivity. The use of cheap catalysts directly reduces the manufacturing and operational costs of the hydrogen storage system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If high energy input is provided for hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions, then the reaction rate and completeness are improved, but the energy cost deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereaction completenessVSAvoidenergy cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the favorable thermodynamic parameters of lactone-terminal diol hydrogenation/dehydrogenation reactions. The hydrogenation reaction is exothermic and proceeds readily at moderate temperatures and pressures, while the dehydrogenation reaction can be driven by moderate heating. This eliminates the need for high energy input required by traditional LOHC systems, significantly reducing operational energy costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If conventional hydrogen storage methods are used, then the hydrogen availability is improved, but the storage and transport safety deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen availabilityVSAvoidstorage safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses lactones and terminal diols as intermediary substances to store and transport hydrogen in a safe, liquid form. These compounds act as mediators that convert hazardous gaseous hydrogen into safe liquid carriers for storage and transport, then release hydrogen on-demand through dehydrogenation. This intermediary approach maintains hydrogen availability while eliminating storage and transport safety hazards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The method achieves high conversion rates and selectivity, significantly reducing energy costs and improving the safety and ease of storage and transport of dihydrogen by using non-hazardous, chemically stable organic compounds.

Implementation Method 1

a chemical compound is submitted to a hydrogenation reaction, wherein the compound bonds with hydrogen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogenation: Hydrogenation

Implementation Method 2

a reverse dehydrogenation reaction, wherein dihydrogen is released

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDehydrogenation: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP4620901A1Method for handling dihydrogen by means of a liquid organic hydrogen carrier and associated industrial plant

Publication Date: 2025.09.24 TECHNIP ENERGIES FRANCE SAS

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AI summary

The invention relates to a method (100) for handling dihydrogen, comprising : a step of providing a first organic compound (104) ; then a hydrogenation step (102), comprising submitting the first organic compound to a hydrogenation reaction in the presence of dihydrogen, so as to obtain a second organic compound (106) ; then a step (110) of conditioning the second organic compound for storage and/or transport; and storing and/or transporting the conditioned second organic compound ; then a dehydrogenation step (108), comprising submitting the second organic compound to a dehydrogenation reaction, so as to obtain dihydrogen and the first organic compound. The first organic compound is a lactone and the second organic compound is a terminal diol.