Floating Offshore Wind Hydrogen Production From Seawater
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for economically viable systems to produce large-scale green hydrogen fuel, which does not require the use of agricultural materials, organic waste, or carbon capture technologies, and can be efficiently deployed offshore.
Innovation Solution
An offshore wind turbine system with a floating tower structure, lift pump, desalination unit, and electrolysis unit that produces hydrogen from seawater, allowing for modular, scalable, and self-sufficient operation, with the hydrogen being delivered via an export riser to a manifold or pipeline.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a floating tower structure with electrolysis unit is deployed offshore, then large-scale green hydrogen production is enabled, but system complexity and deployment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular components including a floating tower structure, electrolysis units, desalination units, and export risers that can be independently deployed and scaled. Multiple electrolysis units can be connected in parallel to increase hydrogen production capacity without requiring a completely new system design for each increment.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating tower structure serves multiple functions: supporting wind turbines, housing electrolysis units, containing desalination equipment, and providing a platform for hydrogen export. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate infrastructure components and simplifies the overall system.
2Productivity
If multiple wind turbines form windships with underwater electrolysis units, then hydrogen production capacity increases, but manufacturing and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows individual wind turbine-electrolysis unit modules to be manufactured separately and then assembled offshore. Each module can be pre-fabricated on land and transported to the deployment location, where they are connected to form larger windship configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional onshore or fixed offshore installations to mobile, vessel-based platforms. This allows the system to be deployed in locations inaccessible to fixed structures and enables flexible configuration based on site conditions.
3Productivity
If electrolysis units are deployed deepwater, then hydrogen production scalability increases, but deployment difficulty and risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The floating tower structure uses buoyant forces to counteract the weight of the electrolysis units and other heavy components. This allows the system to be deployed in deepwater locations where traditional fixed structures cannot stand, while maintaining stability through the floating platform's buoyancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating tower acts as an intermediary platform between the wind turbines and the electrolysis units, providing a stable base for deepwater deployment. It facilitates the connection between surface-mounted wind turbines and submerged electrolysis equipment while managing the challenges of deepwater operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If modular system design is implemented, then system scalability and asset risk reduction are improved, but initial system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed with standardized modular units that can be replicated and connected. Each module contains complete functional components (wind turbine, electrolysis unit, desalination system, export riser) that can be independently manufactured, tested, and deployed, then interconnected to form larger systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design allows the system to be scaled by changing the number and configuration of modules rather than redesigning the entire system. Parameters such as hydrogen production capacity, power generation, and system footprint can be adjusted by adding or reconfiguring modular units.
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
Enables large-scale production of green hydrogen with reduced environmental impact and operational costs, while allowing for incremental expansion and reduced asset risk through modular design and distributed electrolysis units.
Implementation Method 1
The lift pump, desalination unit, and electrolysis unit are powered by the wind turbine generator
Implementation Method 2
the electrolysis of seawater for the large scale production and delivery of hydrogen
Implementation Method 3
desalinate, and electrolytically split seawater, respectively
Data Source
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AI summary
An offshore wind turbine system for the large scale production of hydrogen from seawater that includes a floating tower structure, a wind turbine generator, a lift pump, a desalination unit, anelectrolysis unit, and an export riser. The floating tower structure may be secured to the sea floor by a suction anchor for deepwater deployment. The lift pump, desalination unit, and electrolysis unit are powered by the wind turbine generator and configured to pump, desalinate, and electrolytically split seawater, respectively. The hydrogen generated by the electrolysis unit is provided to the export riser for delivery to a manifold or pipeline that may be deployed upon the sea floor. Individual units of the system may be combined into a field interconnected to one or more such manifolds to increase the scale of the system.