Methanol Synthesis Buffering Fluctuating Hydrogen Supply
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methanol production plants face challenges with fluctuating hydrogen supply from renewable energy sources, leading to inefficiencies and the need for intermediate storage to manage load changes, as existing systems either waste excess hydrogen or require fossil fuels when demand drops.
Innovation Solution
An arrangement integrating an intermediate storage buffer between the hydrogen source and methanol synthesis reactor, allowing for efficient storage and recirculation of raw gas, with a compressor system that compresses and feeds raw gas back into the synthesis reactor as needed, reducing the need for separate storage compressors and enabling flexible operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no intermediate storage is used, then the system operates with fewer components and lower complexity, but excess hydrogen must be disposed of and the system cannot handle fluctuations in hydrogen supply
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediate storage facility is introduced between the electrolyzer and the methanol synthesis reactor. This storage facility acts as a buffer that decouples the fluctuating hydrogen supply from the continuous methanol synthesis process, allowing the system to handle variable renewable energy input while maintaining stable operation of the synthesis reactor.
Solution Approach 2:
Hydrogen is stored in advance in the intermediate storage facility before being supplied to the methanol synthesis reactor. This preliminary storage action allows the system to prepare for future synthesis needs and smooth out fluctuations in hydrogen availability from renewable sources.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an intermediate storage facility is added, then the system can buffer fluctuations in hydrogen supply, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compressor is designed to perform multiple functions: it compresses hydrogen for storage in the intermediate storage facility, and also compresses synthesis gas for supply to the methanol synthesis reactor. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate compression systems and overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The functions of hydrogen compression and synthesis gas compression are merged into a single compressor system. The compressor can switch between compressing raw hydrogen for storage and compressing synthesis gas for the reactor, thereby reducing the total number of components needed in the system.
3Loss of substance
If the methanol plant operates at partial load, then it can match lower hydrogen supply, but excess hydrogen must be disposed of
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate storage facility enables continuous operation of the methanol synthesis reactor at optimal load, while the compressor continuously transfers hydrogen from the electrolyzer to the storage facility or to the reactor as needed. This continuous action prevents hydrogen waste by ensuring that synthesis gas is always available for productive conversion to methanol.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors the load of the electrolyzer and the status of the intermediate storage facility, and adjusts the compressor operation accordingly. When the electrolyzer produces excess hydrogen, the feedback control directs the compressor to store hydrogen in the intermediate facility rather than disposing of it, thereby preventing substance loss.
4Reliability
If the hydrogen quantity drops rapidly, then the system must use conventional fossil hydrogen or shut down, but this reduces sustainability and operational stability
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate storage facility is filled with hydrogen in advance during periods of high renewable energy availability. This beforehand cushioning creates a buffer that can be drawn upon during periods of low renewable energy supply, preventing the need to shut down the methanol plant or use fossil hydrogen, thereby maintaining operational stability while avoiding fossil fuel dependence.
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 solution allows for stable methanol synthesis with fluctuating raw gas supplies, reducing waste and the need for fossil fuels, by efficiently storing and redistributing hydrogen, thus maintaining plant operation and enhancing energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first compressor (3) which is connected to the synthesis reactor arrangement (4) via a second main line (6)
Implementation Method 2
The raw gas comprises one or more of the reactants of methanol synthesis. The raw gas can contain at least one of the gas reactants hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and/or carbon monoxide.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
Arrangement (28) for methanol synthesis comprising: ▪ a raw gas source (1), ▪ an intermediate storage (2), ▪ a compressor (3), ▪ a synthesis reactor arrangement (4), wherein the raw gas source (1) is connected to the compressor (3) via a first main line (5), wherein the compressor (3) is connected to the synthesis reactor arrangement (4) via a second main line (6), wherein the second main line (6) is connected to an inlet (8) of the intermediate storage (2) via a first branch line (7), wherein an outlet (9) of the intermediate storage (2) is connected to the second main line (6) via a second branch line (10) and/or to the first main line (5) via a third branch line (11).