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INVENTION
Patent of the Russian Federation RU2247446
METHOD OF OPERATION OF THE ENERGY INSTALLATION BASED ON ELECTROCHEMICAL GENERATOR AND DEVICE OF FASHION REALIZATION
The name of the inventor: Glukhikh IN (RU); Starostin A.N. (RU); Chelyaev V.F. (RU)
The name of the patent holder: Open Joint-Stock Company "Rocket and Space Corporation Energia" named after SP Korolev "
Address for correspondence: 141070, Moscow Region, Korolev, ul. Lenina, 4a, OAO RSC Energia named after S.P. Queen, laboratory of industrial property and innovation
Date of commencement of the patent: 2003.01.08
The invention relates to the field of DC power supplies, namely to DC power systems operating on hydrogen and oxygen. According to the invention, a method of operating an energy installation based on an electrochemical generator (ECG) involves starting a power plant and operating it in a stationary mode with the evaporation of liquid methanol and water, producing hydrogen and carbon dioxide by chemically combining methanol vapor with water vapor, then chemically combining the resulting hydrogen with oxygen with The formation of water and heat vapor and the release of water and carbon dioxide into the environment. When the power plant is operating in a steady state, liquid methanol is evaporated by the heat of the chemical reaction of the hydrogen-oxygen compound in the ECG, and the water vapor produced by this chemical reaction is directed to a reaction with methanol vapor to produce hydrogen. The device for implementing this method of operating an energy installation based on an electrochemical generator comprises a methanol storage tank and a series-connected steam reformer, a gas separation unit with a carbon dioxide discharge line and an electrochemical generator with heat recovery and reaction products. The device incorporates a methanol circulation loop containing a series-connected electrochemical generator connected through a heat release line, a pump, a heat exchanger-liquefier and a methanol vapor flow controller; In addition, a gas heat exchanger is introduced into the device, and a water vapor circulation circuit comprising a series connected electrochemical generator connected through the inlet via hydrogen and a reaction product discharge line, a heat exchanger-water separator with a reaction product discharge line, a heat exchanger-water separator with a water discharge line , A fan, a steam reformer and a gas heat exchanger, wherein the inlet of the steam reformer is connected to a methanol vapor flow controller via a gas heat exchanger, and a methanol storage tank is connected to the methanol transfer circuit between the liquefier and the pump. The technical result of the invention is a significant reduction in energy consumption for own needs, an increase in efficiency, an improvement in the mass-dimension characteristics of the installation, and simplification of its design.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to the field of DC power supplies, namely to DC power systems operating on hydrogen and oxygen.
A method for operating an energy installation (EC) based on an electrochemical generator (ECG) is known, which includes the chemical combination of hydrogen and oxygen to form water and heat, which is discharged into the environment [1]. The corresponding EC implementing this method contains ECG, hydrogen and oxygen storage units connected to ECG, the hydrogen circulation loop [1]. The water withdrawal is carried out by the circulation of the heat carrier - electrolyte. This technical solution is chosen as an analogue to the proposed one.
The disadvantage of this method of operation of EC with ECG and the device for its implementation is increased fire and explosion hazard, caused by the constant presence of hydrogen in the unit. In addition, the storage of significant quantities of hydrogen in relatively small power plants is associated with significant technical difficulties (high or ultra-high pressure cylinders, cryogenic tanks, etc.) are required and often limited in time.
The method of operation of the EC with oxygen-hydrogen ECG, adopted as a prototype [2] and using chemically bound hydrogen storage - in the form of methanol, is closer in nature. This method involves evaporation of liquid methanol and water, the production of hydrogen by chemical reaction of the resulting vapor (steam reforming of methanol), and the subsequent chemical combination of hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, water and heat.
The device for the operation of EC with ECG, which implements this method, [2] contains ECG with a heat-discharge main, oxygen and hydrogen supply lines and a water discharge line, a methanol storage unit, a pump and a fuel converter (reformer) docked to the hydrogen supply pipe of the ECG.
Unlike the analogue [1] in this technical solution, hydrogen is not stored in the plant and is used in the fuel cell (TE) immediately after generation, which significantly increases the fire and explosion safety (PVB) of the installation. In addition, the storage of methanol, in contrast to the storage of hydrogen, presents no difficulties and is practically unlimited in time.
The disadvantage of the prototype (both method and device) is low efficiency, associated with inefficient heat transfer from ECG to other aggregates and the combustion of hydrogen. As in the analogue [1], in the prototype [2] the heat transfer from the ECG is carried out with the help of a thermal control system (TPP) with a liquid coolant. In most cases, such a carrier is a special liquid with a wide operating temperature range (for example, antifreeze). In addition, there is a second MFR for the work of the reformer due to the heat of hydrogen afterburning. In all cases, heat transfer is carried out through the walls of heat exchangers. The efficiency of such a heat transfer system is low (especially with a small difference in aggregate temperatures), and energy consumption for coolant circulation is significant. In addition, part of the resulting hydrogen is burned in the afterburner.
All this increases the energy consumption for the needs of the EA and reduces its efficiency.
The task of the proposed technical solution is to create a method for the operation of EC with ECG and devices for its implementation, which, with increased PVB, would have the following properties:
- Increase of efficiency (EFFICIENCY) of conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy;
- simplification of the method of heat exchange between EA units and simplified MFR;
- increase of reliability of functioning;
- Reducing the number of working components of the EC.
The problem is solved by the fact that in the method of operating an energy installation based on an electrochemical generator, including the evaporation of liquid methanol, the production of hydrogen by chemical coupling of methanol vapor with water vapor, then the chemical compound of the obtained hydrogen with oxygen to form water vapor and heat, liquid methanol is evaporated in ECG The heat of the electrochemical reaction of the hydrogen compound with oxygen, and the water vapor resulting from this reaction is directed to a reaction with methanol vapor to produce hydrogen.
The device for implementing this method of operating an energy installation based on an electrochemical generator comprises a methanol storage tank, a pump for its supply and a series-connected steam reformer, a gas separation unit with a carbon dioxide discharge line, and an electrochemical generator with a heat release line and a reaction product discharge line, A heat exchanger installed between the steam reformer and the gas separation unit, a heat exchanger-liquefier and a methanol vapor flow controller connected to the steam reformer inlet through a gas heat exchanger, a methanol pumping loop comprising a series-connected pump, an electrochemical generator connected via a heat recovery pipe, A methanol vapor flow controller and a heat exchanger-liquefier; In addition, a heat exchanger-moisture separator with a water discharge line connected to the discharge line of the reaction products from the electrochemical generator is introduced into the device, while a fan communicating with the inlet of the steam reformer is installed at the inlet of the heat exchanger-moisture separator.
The essence of the proposed method is that in the stationary mode of operation, the working reagent EC-methanol is used as the coolant that cools the ECG. It is suitable for this, since at operating pressure of ECG (~ 3 atm) methanol boils at a temperature slightly lower than the operating temperature of the generator (in contrast to water). This allows the boiling of liquid (methanol) to be used to cool the ECG. At the same time, the specific heat of evaporation of methanol, although half the heat of evaporation of water, is quite large in comparison with other organic liquids.
The methanol vapor obtained in ECG is partially directed to the steam reforming reaction, simultaneously heating them with an additional hot synthesis gas leaving the reformer. Thus, methanol vapor acquires the temperature necessary for a chemical reaction. The remaining methanol vapor is liquefied and again sent to the ECG heat removal line. In this way, methanol is circulated in a closed circuit, with the evacuation of vapors into the reformer to react.
The water vapor formed in the ECG as a result of the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, and, without condensing, is completely directed to the steam reforming reaction. Excess water is condensed and discharged into the environment. Thus, the circulation of water vapor and takes place in a closed loop with the discharge of excess water into the environment.
The proposed method under this EC scheme is implemented as follows. After starting the power plant, liquid methanol is sent to the ECG (4), where it evaporates, and its vapor is directed to the steam reforming reaction. Along the way, the pairs are additionally heated with hot products of this reaction - a mixture of hydrogen and carbon dioxide (in a gas heat exchanger).
This gas mixture (syngas) is separated by components, and carbon dioxide is released into the environment. Hydrogen is sent to an electrochemical reaction with oxygen, and the resulting water vapor is directed to steam reforming of methanol, partially separating water from it. Thus, during the operation of the unit, two circulation circuits function - with methanol and with water, while both methanol and water circulate in circuits with the measurement of their aggregate state (evaporating and condensing).
To implement this method, an installation has been developed, the block diagram of which is shown in the drawing, where it is indicated:
 |
1 - steam reformer; The ECG inlet (4) is connected to the hydrogen outlet of the gas separation unit (3) by hydrogen, the reaction products discharge line (6) through the heat exchanger-moisture separator (12) and the fan (13) are connected to the steam reformer inlet (1). The input of the steam reformer through the gas heat exchanger (2) is connected to the outlet of the methanol vapor flow controller (10). The second output of this regulator (10) is connected through the heat exchanger-liquefier (9) to the pump (8). The input of this pump is connected to the methanol storage tank (11). |
The output of the pump (8) is connected to the input of the heat release line (5), and the output of this line is connected to the inlet of the methanol vapor flow regulator (10), resulting in a closed loop of methanol through ECG.
The device implements the method as follows. In the stationary mode of operation, the pump (8) pumped liquid methanol through the heat recovery line (5) of the ECG (4) along the circuit into which, in addition to the pump (8) and the heat recovery line (5), the methanol vapor flow regulator (10) and the heat exchanger- Liquefier (9). Circulating in this circuit, methanol evaporates in the ECG (4), part of the steam then flows into the steam reformer (1), and the remaining vapor condenses in the heat exchanger-liquefier (9) and is again pumped by the pump (8) to cool the ECG (4). The fluid is pumped into the circuit from the methanol storage tank (11).
The remaining methanol vapor from the ECG (4) enters the steam reformer (1) through the methanol vapor flow controller (1) preheated in the gas heat exchanger (2) with a mixture of gases leaving the steam reformer (1), while the temperature of the methanol vapor practically reaches Necessary for the reaction level. The mixture of gases produced in the steam reformer (1) through the gas heat exchanger (2) enters the gas separation unit (3), where hydrogen is released from the gas mixture and carbon dioxide is released into the environment along the carbon dioxide discharge line (7). The hydrogen separated in the gas separation unit (3) is sent to the ECG (4) for reaction with oxygen. The resulting steam is sent to the steam reformer (1) after separating part of the water in the heat exchanger-moisture separator (12). The driver of the flow in the water vapor circuit is the fan (13).
In the proposed method of operation of an energy installation based on an electrochemical generator and the device that implements it, a positive effect on the stationary mode of operation is achieved due to the following main factors:
1. Due to more efficient method of heat removal from ECG - not only the heat capacity of the coolant is used, but also its evaporation;
2. Due to a more efficient way of delivering heat to the reagent - heat is transferred together with the coolant itself, which is also a reagent;
3. Due to the optimal use of reaction products in ECG - water vapor, which without intermediate condensation are sent to the reformer.
This allows in a stationary mode to significantly reduce the energy consumption for the own needs of the EA, i.e. Increase its efficiency, improve the mass-size characteristics of the installation, simplify its design by reducing the number of working components (since the energy carrier is used as the heat transfer medium) and make the installation more reliable. At the same time PVB installation does not deteriorate.
Thus, the assigned task is solved by creating such a method of operation of an energy installation based on an electrochemical generator and a device implementing it, in which:
- heat exchange between the ECG and the reformer of the EC would be carried out not only by heat transfer to the coolant, but also by evaporation of the latter (it is known that evaporation for heat removal is much more efficient than heat transfer);
- reduction in the number of working components of the EC is achieved by using one of the consumable EC reagents as the heat carrier for cooling the ECG, namely methanol, the boiling point of which (at the working pressure in ECG) is somewhat less than the operating temperature of the ECG ( Texp ~ 90 ° C ; P ehg ~ 3 ati), in this connection, when passing through ECG, methanol will evaporate.
In addition, the water vapor formed in the ECG during the chemical reaction between oxygen and hydrogen is used in the steam reforming reaction of methanol. This increases the efficiency of the power plant and its reliability. Its maintenance is simplified, since the scheme is simplified.
The proposed measures allow to significantly reduce the energy consumption for the own needs of the EA, i.e. Increase its efficiency, improve the mass-size characteristics of the installation, simplify its design by reducing the number of working components, as the energy carrier is used as the heat carrier for the MFR, and to make the installation more reliable. At the same time PVB installation does not deteriorate.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. NV Korovin. "Electrochemical generators", "Energy", M. 1974, p.106-109.
2. US Patent No. 6063515, 2000
CLAIM
1. A method for operating a power plant based on an electrochemical generator, including starting a power plant and operating it in a stationary mode with the evaporation of liquid methanol and water, producing hydrogen and carbon dioxide by chemically combining methanol vapor with water vapor, then chemically combining the resulting hydrogen with oxygen to form vapors Water and heat, and the discharge of water and carbon dioxide into the environment, characterized in that when the power plant is operating in a stationary mode, liquid methanol is evaporated in the electrochemical generator by the heat of the electrochemical reaction of the hydrogen compound with oxygen, and the water vapor formed as a result of this reaction is directed to the reaction With methanol vapor to produce hydrogen.
2. A device for realizing a method for operating a power plant based on an electrochemical generator, comprising a methanol storage tank, a pump for supplying the same, and a series-connected steam reformer, a gas separation unit with a carbon dioxide discharge line, and an electrochemical generator with a heat discharge line and a reaction product discharge line, A gas exchanger installed between the steam reformer and the gas separation unit, a heat exchanger-liquefier and a methanol vapor flow controller connected to the inlet of the steam reformer through a gas heat exchanger, a methanol pumping loop comprising a series-connected pump, an electrochemical generator connected Through the heat release line, methanol vapor flow regulator and heat exchanger-liquefier; In addition, a heat exchanger-moisture separator with a water discharge line connected to the discharge line of the reaction products from the electrochemical generator is introduced into the device, while a fan communicating with the inlet of the steam reformer is installed at the outlet of the heat exchanger-moisture separator.
print version
Date of publication 13.01.2007gg
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