Process and method for transporting liquid hydrocarbon and co2 for producing hydrogen with co2 capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transporting CO2 and liquid hydrocarbons over long distances is inefficient due to high energy consumption and shipping costs, as existing methods require semi-pressurized and refrigerated carriers that often return empty, leading to increased costs and energy usage.
Innovation Solution
A loading and unloading station with thermal linkages that facilitate heat transfer between CO2 and liquid hydrocarbons, allowing for simultaneous unloading of CO2 and loading of liquid hydrocarbons, and utilizing a vessel to transport CO2 captured from hydrogen production back to the origin, reducing energy consumption and shipping costs through heat/cold integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If semi-pressurized and refrigerated carriers are used to transport CO2 or liquid hydrocarbons, then the fluids can be transported safely over long distances, but energy consumption increases and shipping costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines CO2 and liquid hydrocarbon transport into a single vessel with integrated thermal linkages, allowing heat transfer between the two fluids. This merging of transport functions reduces overall energy consumption by utilizing the coldness of CO2 for hydrocarbon liquefaction and vice versa, while maintaining safe transport conditions for both fluids.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts temperature and pressure parameters of both CO2 and liquid hydrocarbons during transport by establishing thermal linkages. This allows the fluids to maintain optimal transport conditions through parameter interplay, reducing the energy required for separate refrigeration and pressurization systems.
2Reliability
If semi-pressurized and refrigerated carriers are used to transport CO2 or liquid hydrocarbons, then the fluids can be transported safely over long distances, but shipping costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines CO2 and liquid hydrocarbon transport into a single vessel with integrated thermal linkages, allowing heat transfer between the two fluids. This merging of transport functions reduces overall energy consumption by utilizing the coldness of CO2 for hydrocarbon liquefaction and vice versa, while maintaining safe transport conditions for both fluids.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal linkages enable the CO2 and liquid hydrocarbons to serve each other's cooling and pressurization needs during transport. The coldness of one fluid is utilized to cool the other, creating a self-sustaining thermal system that reduces external energy input and operational costs.
3Productivity
If CO2 or liquid hydrocarbons are shipped from a first point to a second point, then the destination is supplied, but the ship returns with an empty load increasing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The vessel is designed to perform multiple functions: transporting both CO2 and liquid hydrocarbons simultaneously, and returning with a useful load rather than empty. The dual-cargo capability ensures the ship can deliver supplies to the destination and return with valuable materials, eliminating wasted return trips and reducing overall shipping costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines CO2 and liquid hydrocarbon transport into a single vessel with integrated thermal linkages, allowing heat transfer between the two fluids. This merging of transport functions reduces overall energy consumption by utilizing the coldness of CO2 for hydrocarbon liquefaction and vice versa, while maintaining safe transport conditions for both fluids.
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 system reduces overall energy consumption and transport costs by harnessing the coldness of CO2 for liquefaction and utilizing the same vessel for both CO2 and hydrocarbon transport, enabling efficient and cost-effective transportation of CO2 and liquid hydrocarbons.
Implementation Method 1
a first thermal linkage between the first fluid being unloaded and the second fluid being loaded that facilitates heat transfer between the first fluid and the second fluid at the loading and unloading station
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger that transfers coldness of the LPG to the CO2 resulting in cooling of the CO2
Implementation Method 3
a CO2 liquefaction unit that is fluidly connected to CO2 capture unit and the source of the second fluid. The CO2 liquefaction unit is configured to receive the captured CO2 from the CO2 capture unit, and to liquefy the captured CO2 to desired storage conditions and transport conditions
Implementation Method 4
an expansion device configured to receive at least a portion of the LPG from the at least one storage tank in the vessel. The expansion device is configured to reduce a pressure of the LPG prior to its delivery to an LPG unloading unit
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3A
AI summary
Systems and methods related to loading and unloading stations for simultaneous unloading of a first fluid from at least one storage tank in a vessel and loading of a second fluid into a storage tank of the same vessel are provided. In at least one aspect, a loading and unloading station includes a first connector for fluid connection to a storage tank of the vessel for unloading the first fluid, and a source of the second fluid. The station also includes a second connector for fluidly connecting the source of the second fluid with a storage tank of the vessel for loading the second fluid. The station further includes a first thermal linkage between the first fluid being unloaded and the second fluid being loaded that facilitates heat transfer between the first fluid and the second fluid at the loading and unloading station.