Trigeneration Facility Using Membrane Separation and SOFC

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Solution Overview

Problem

The transport sector faces challenges in meeting infrastructure requirements for hydrogen and electricity supply, particularly in utilizing existing hydrocarbon distribution infrastructure to address the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions amidst increasing CO2 emissions.

Innovation Solution

A trigeneration facility is introduced, comprising a desulfurization unit, a pre-reformer, a hydrogen membrane separator, and a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), which processes hydrocarbon feed streams to produce hydrogen, electrical power, and heat energy, leveraging existing infrastructure for efficient energy distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hydrogen and electricity infrastructure is established from scratch, then energy supply reliability for transport sector is improved, but infrastructure investment cost and construction time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy supply reliabilityVSAvoidinfrastructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling existing hydrocarbon distribution infrastructure to serve dual purposes: continuing to supply hydrocarbon fuels while simultaneously distributing hydrogen and electricity. This is achieved through integrated trigeneration facilities that produce all three energy carriers from a single feedstock source, allowing the infrastructure to adapt to new market demands without complete reconstruction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing trigeneration facilities as conversion nodes within the existing hydrocarbon distribution network. These facilities act as mediators that transform hydrocarbon feedstock into hydrogen and electricity, enabling the legacy infrastructure to support new energy carriers without requiring direct modification of the distribution pipes themselves

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If CO2 emissions are reduced through electrification, then environmental impact is improved, but infrastructure requirements for hydrogen and electricity supply become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 emissionsVSAvoidinfrastructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the existing hydrocarbon infrastructure, which is the source of CO2 emissions, into a benefit by using it as the feedstock source for producing clean hydrogen and electricity. The trigeneration facilities transform the problematic hydrocarbon resources into low-carbon energy carriers, turning the legacy infrastructure from an environmental liability into an asset for decarbonization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Device complexity

If existing hydrocarbon infrastructure is utilized for hydrogen and electricity distribution, then infrastructure investment cost is reduced, but separation of hydrogen from hydrocarbon mix becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfrastructure complexityVSAvoidhydrogen separation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing hydrogen production and separation at the source through trigeneration facilities located at hydrocarbon distribution nodes. Rather than attempting to separate hydrogen from mixed streams in the distribution network, the system pre-produces pure hydrogen at the trigeneration facility and injects it directly into the hydrogen distribution portion of the infrastructure, avoiding contamination and separation challenges

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 enables the efficient coproduction of hydrogen, electricity, and heat, utilizing existing hydrocarbon infrastructure, thereby reducing carbon footprint and supporting the transition to low-carbon operations while addressing the infrastructure challenges for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

A membrane separator is included to remove at least a portion of hydrogen from the methane rich gas in a permeate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is included to generate electrical power from a retentate from the membrane separator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFuel cell electrochemical conversion: Fuel Cell

Implementation Method 3

A pre-reformer is included to convert the desulfurized feed stream to a methane rich gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReforming:

Data Source

PatentUS12191543B2Integrated production of hydrogen, electricity, and heat

Publication Date: 2025.01.07 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A method and a system for the coproduction of hydrogen, electrical power, and heat energy. An exemplary method includes desulfurizing a feed stream to form a desulfurized feed stream, reforming the desulfurized feed stream to form a methane rich gas, and providing the methane rich gas to a membrane separator. A hydrogen stream is produced in a permeate from the membrane separator. A retentate stream from the membrane separator is provided to a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). Electrical power is produced in the SOFC from the retentate stream.