section Home
Production, Amateur
Radio amateur
Model aircraft, rocket-
Useful, entertaining 		Stealth master
Electronics
Physics
Technologies
invention 		space Mystery
Earth Mysteries
Secrets of the Ocean
Stealth
section Map
Start
Forum
Use of material is permitted for reference (for websites - hyperlinks)
INVENTION
Russian Federation Patent RU2121197

MODULAR POWER FOR, primarily of hydrogen from solar energy AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING ELECTRICITY

MODULAR POWER FOR, primarily of hydrogen from solar energy AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING ELECTRICITY

Name of the inventor: Wolf Yonssen (DE)
The name of the patentee: Hannelore Binsmayer (DE)
Address for correspondence:
Starting date of the patent: 1994.11.12

The basic construction includes a solar energy conversion unit in the biomass gasification module in the form of the gasification reactor for the gasification of biomass, a storage unit which stores hydrogen. conversion module comprises a unit for harvesting biomass and a processing unit for processing biomass to form a product prior to gasification. The gasification module is connected to the processing unit via the loading device. The storage module is connected to the gasification module by a fuel gas purification means. Yield gasification unit so matched to the capacity of the plant, the flow of the fuel gas can be used to generate steam, and another part of the stream and / or waste heat from the modular power plant can be used for drying the harvested biomass. The power generation method is based on a modular power station of this type. The invention allows a decentralized convert solar energy in a simple manner.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a modular power station for the production primarily of hydrogen from solar energy. The term "substantially hydrogen" means that it is the product hydrogen, which is designed for the process. The term "modular power" means that the power plant comprises a number of modules that perform various functions and from which power can be collected with the help of the construction of the system of standardized modules, if it was. The modules are mass-manufactured elements. Of course, they are connected to the lines and pull-up control lines. The invention relates to a method of and power generation by means of such a modular power.

Known modular power station for the production primarily of hydrogen from solar energy exists. However, the known solar plants contain a number of similar elements or solar collectors to collect solar energy, which is converted into electricity using the photoelectric effect or by thermal effect using heat engines. Other known power comprise at least one reactor for the gasification of fossil fuels, and biomass as fuel for the gas which is used, for example, by circulating through the heat engines.

"Biomass" - is a general term for all recyclable raw materials, ie materials that can be reused to obtain biological means, in essence -.. To obtain predictable rate, depending on the growing season in the region. Therefore biomass differs from fossil raw materials that form much more slowly than are used. The biomass can be purchased, a substantially intact cell structure or destroyed structure, for example - in the form of fine powder. Biomass consists mainly of elements such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen, and contains small amounts of protein and sulfur. In describing the invention, the term "biomass" is used in particular to describe C-4 plants classification type photosynthetic plants (Approx. Trans.) And plants rich in lignin. The invention is used to obtain biomass, particularly perennials.

Molecular hydrogen - as a raw material for power generation - is not available, so it must be obtained from hydrogen-containing raw materials. In the preparation of hydrogen by conventional electrolysis of water consumes more current than hydrogen may be generated, so it should be excluded from the beginning. Catalytic cleavage of water into hydrogen and oxygen - the process is very slow and yields only small quantities at high cost, which makes the process unattractive for industrial application. It has long been aware of the possibility of using coal to produce synthesis gas, consisting mainly of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Known and required for this installation. This process is called coal gasification. By changing the ratio of the reaction of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, carbon monoxide in the syngas can be converted to hydrogen and carbon dioxide by introducing water vapor at an elevated temperature. Carbon dioxide can be easily removed. The hydrogen produced can be used for various purposes, in particular - for the production of electricity by the fuel cell or for operating internal combustion engines.

Hitherto hydrogen obtained in large centralized plants - usually based on the application of fossil fuels.

The invention is based on the technical problem of decentralized solar energy conversion in a simple manner, basically, to hydrogen. To solve this technical problem, the present invention relates to a modular power station for the production primarily of hydrogen from solar energy, the power module comprising:

a) conversion unit for converting solar energy into biomass, substantially comprising natural sulfur formed in the form of agricultural cultivation surface for growing plants, in particular, C4-plants, convertible into biomass;

b) a gasification module in the reactor shape for gasification of biomass in the presence of steam to produce hydrogen-containing fuel gas at temperatures and for a processing time of gasification products within the reactor gasification zone in order to suppress the condensation of tar in zones of the gasification modulation downstream of the gasification zone and / or in a downstream module; and

c) a storage unit which stores the resulting fuel gas or hydrogen,

wherein the conversion module comprises a unit for harvesting biomass and a processing unit for converting the biomass into a preliminary product for gasification, the gasification module is connected via the loading device to the processing unit, the storage module is connected to module gasification with a fuel gas purification means, the output of gasification and storage module module aligned with each other with respect to bandwidth installing and adjusted so that the flow of the fuel gas used to generate steam, and the flow of the other portion and / or the waste heat from the modular power station is usable for drying the harvested biomass, size conversion section concerning cultivation area selected according to a predetermined capacity of the plant in each case, the conversion module comprises a processing unit in the form of at least one machine biomass collection and in the form of the chopper or means tabletting and comprises storage means for the processed biomass so as to compensate for the deviation amount of processed biomass from -this growth conditions, the main elements of the conversion module, the gasification module and the storage module in the form of prefabricated modular elements of power that can be transported in an assembled or disassembled state. Of course, in accordance with the invention can be installed and some of the power of said modular structures adjacent to each other, and the conversion unit may be designed to serve a number of modular power stations. The hydrogen can be used in place or sold.

The invention is based on the discovery lies in the fact that solar energy can be produced and stored in large quantities and in accordance with the growing season geographic area with little technical complexity, using natural solar collectors, ie, plants, convertible into biomass. Thus the stored solar energy can be converted without any large cost in hydrogen and a hydrogen store and use, and in this form. For this purpose, the individual modules are made centrally and passed to storage or, if necessary, other elements disassembled for transport. In situ conversion section agree with the method prescribed capacity, which are intended to generate the gasification module and the storage module, and to this extent which is predetermined. The invention combines the natural process of conversion of solar energy with hardware elements of the resulting conversion module with proven units generate fuel gas and the production of hydrogen, also called modules.

In detail, according to the invention, there are various possibilities for further development and design. A preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the gasification module is designed for allothermic gasification and employ it so that the fuel gas has a hydrogen-biomass ratio greater than unity. Preferably, the gasification module is equipped with gasification reactor operating under pressure, and uses steam as a gasifying and fluidising agent, which in itself is known in the case of fossil fuels (compare, for example, from EP 0329673 B1). According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the gasification module is so adapted for allothermic gasification at the lowest possible temperature that the fuel gas contains at least about 50% hydrogen.

Hydrogen may be separated from the fuel gas in a known manner and stored under pressure in pressure vessels. Instead, hydrogen can be separated from the fuel gas and stored in a metal hydride.

Modular power plant according to the invention, can be operated independently and with low costs. For this purpose, according to the invention, there is further provided a module generate steam heated by the flow of the fuel gas. In addition, the conversion module can be provided with drying means heated by the waste heat of the modular power. The modular power station according to the invention is obtained by the gasification ash. It can be recycled in fertilizers in the form conversion unit. Plants, convertible into biomass, in particular, "C4" -rasteniya pass 5.10 or more growing periods before the die and before the zone is necessary to update the agricultural cultivations, which is a conversion unit. Waste heat is accumulated in a modular power station according to the invention, and it can be returned to the process, in particular - in the case allothermic process.

A more detailed description of the technological features of the invention. With regard to the partial oxidation gasification unit can be operated in various embodiments. In particular, it is possible to cause direct burning of the biomass in the partial oxidation reactor. In a specific embodiment an important cause partial oxidation heat generated alternating supply and gasification agent containing mainly water vapor. This method, in another context, is known as allothermic gasification. Heat generated from the outside, it is necessary to apply allothermic gasification process, since the reaction between water vapor and biomass, wherein the fuel gas is formed generally endothermic. The heat for partial oxidation can preferably be produce by the combustion of fuel gas or biomass. Preferably, heat is supplied for the partial oxidation in the oxidation reactor by conventional heat-carrying gas flow through the heat exchanger. In another embodiment of the method according to the invention, partial oxidation is brought without supplying external heat generated from the gasification agent consisting mainly of water vapor and molecular oxygen or air. This method, in another context, is known as autothermal gasification. The reaction occurring during its exothermic oxidation with molecular oxygen in the gasification agent, whereby the thus obtained "in situ" heat required for the endothermic reaction between water vapor and biomass. Allothermic autothermal or gasification, in principle, known from "StahL und Eisen", t. 110, 1990, N 8, Julian 131-136, but in another context. The modular power station according to the invention, the preferred allothermic gasification, in order to optimize the production of hydrogen.

The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, given only as an example, in which:

MODULAR POWER FOR, primarily of hydrogen from solar energy AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING ELECTRICITY

FIG. 1 - block diagram of a modular power station according to the invention;
FIG. 2 - functional diagram corresponding to FIG. 1.

MODULAR POWER FOR, primarily of hydrogen from solar energy AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING ELECTRICITY

FIG. 3 - Further refinement of the functional diagram corresponding to FIG. 2.

The drawings show a modular power station for the production primarily of hydrogen from solar energy. A modular power plant comprises three modules, special purpose, ie. E. Conversion module 1 for converting solar energy into biomass, substantially comprising natural sulfur in the shape of the surface of agricultural cultivation to the cultivation of plants, in particular, C4-plants, convertible into biomass. Basically, perennials are used. The gasification module 2 into the gasification reactor shape for gasifying biomass in the presence of steam to produce a fuel gas at temperatures, and for products of processing time for gasification in the gasification reactor zone in order to supply the condensation resin in the zones of the gasification module downstream of the gasification zone and / or in a downstream fuel cell module. Storage Module 3 receives a hydrogen-rich fuel gas and / or oxygen. Conversion module 1 comprises a unit 4 for biomass collection and processing unit 5 to convert biomass into a preliminary product for gasification. The gasification module 2 is connected via the loading device 6 to the processing unit 5. The storage unit 3 containing, for example, the storage means 7 in the form of a metal hydride is connected to a fuel gas purification means 8 to the gasification module 2. In this construction, the gasification module output 2 and the storage module 3 are coordinated with each other and with the capacity of the plant and adjusted so that the flow of the fuel gas used to generate steam, and another part of the stream and / or waste heat from the modular power station is usable for drying the harvested biomass. storage module 3 may comprise a plurality of storage elements, although not shown. 1 conversion module comprises a unit 5 for processing biomass in the form of the chopper 9 or 10. tabletting agents transform module 1 and is provided with means 11 for storing the processed biomass to compensate for deviations due to the number of processed biomass growth conditions. Basic elements of the conversion module 1 and 2 and the gasification module and the storage module 3 are transported in the assembled or dismantled state, and usually manufactured centrally in advance. As shown in FIG. 2, the gasification module 2 is designed for allothermic gasification. The actual gasification reactor 15 is, generally speaking, for gasification under pressure using steam which serves as a gasifying and fluidising agent. Furthermore, in this example, module 12 provides generate steam from conduit 13, and this unit is heated by burning part of the stream of fuel gas. As noted, one can use waste heat. Hydrogen is withdrawn from mono modular power line 14 and used in situ or supplied to the network.

FIG. 2 shows the gasification module 2 comprising a gasification reactor 15, means 16 for supplying preliminary products for gasification and an outlet 17 for ash. Provided and the heat exchanger 18 for superheating the steam. The heat exchanger 18 is heated by the combustor 19 fed with the flow of the fuel gas. The water needed for generating steam, is fed through the water treatment means 20 and is supplied to the steam generator 21. Of course, this is connected necessary pumps, valves, and means for using waste heat.

The gasification module 2 and the storage module 3 are connected by means of the installation 22, one of which is an important element of the reactor 23, wherein the hydrogen content in the fuel gas is increased by the water gas shift. This setting and comprises a heat exchanger 24 and damping means 25.

The method illustrated in FIG. 3, it is possible to embody the invention. In this method, electric power is generated by means of a hydrogen fuel cell. FIG. 3 shows primarily the oxidation reactor module 101 to produce the raw fuel gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide from oxygen-containing biomass through gasification agent. In the exemplified embodiments of the oxidation reactor module operation it is allothermic. To this end, the steam is fed to the oxidation reactor module 115 of the steam generator through the flow control element 116 of the gasifying agent. The biomass is fed to the biomass flow control element 111. reforming unit 102 for storing hydrogen from the raw fuel gas in a reformer elements 103, 103 'by reaction with a material storage module is connected to the oxidation reactor through cyclone filter 117, filter 118 and resin capacitor 119. For this purpose, provided the raw fuel gas supply pipe 105 . Substances that are in suspension, is isolated from the raw fuel gas by a cyclone filter 117. Filter 118 removes tar minor amounts unwanted precipitation of resin from the raw fuel gas. Residues in the resulting water vapor after allothermic gasification fuel gas separated by the condenser 119. Elements reformer 103, 103 'are in the form of reactors based on sponge iron. Hidden hydrogen present in the form of carbon monoxide and reduces iron oxide to form iron sponge. Using the reactors based DRI as a reformer element 103 is advantageous because the porous structure of the sponge iron is suitable for the filtration of toxic substances residues from the raw fuel gas. The raw fuel gas flowing through the discharge conduit 106 for gas from the raw fuel reformer element 103 connected to the oxidation reactor module 101 may include components, which can also be used, in particular hydrogen and methane and. In this embodiment, the above the components that are still in use, are used in the combustion apparatus with heat exchanger 120 to supply the oxidation reactor module 101 of the thermal energy needed for allothermic gasification. The exhaust gas from the combustion device 120 is passed through the exhaust gas purifier 121, which, in particular, carbon dioxide may be separated. The thus purified exhaust gas can be discharged into the environment. In the exemplified embodiments, the reformer module 102 comprises a second reformer element 103 '. The latter is connected to the fuel cell module 104. Pure water-containing fuel gas, which is essentially free of carbon, may be discharged from the second reformer element 103 'on the outlet line 107 for a clean fuel gas. For this purpose, the reforming unit 102 comprises a conduit 108 supplying water vapor whereby water vapor reaches the reformer element 103 '. DRI reaction with water leads to the formation of pure hydrogen fuel gas. Generation of steam in the steam generator 122 occurs steam. The net fuel gas discharged from the reformer element 103 is supplied to the fuel cell unit 104 by discharge line 107 for a clean fuel gas. This element comprises at least one low temperature fuel cell. In this embodiment, there photoelectromagnetic (PEM (PEM)) fuel cell 125. To generate electricity clean fuel gas is passed over the anode 128, disposed on one side of the polymer membrane 124 of the fuel cell 125. On the opposite side of the polymer membrane 124 is a cathode 129. Oxygen preferably - atmospheric oxygen, is passed over this cathode via conduit 130 feeding fuel material. As a result of pure hydrogen fuel gas is oxidized to form water in the space 125 of the fuel cell on the cathode side. This leads to the generation of electricity, which can be withdrawn at terminal 127. The outlet conduit 107 for the pure fuel gas can be provided to isolate the capacitor 123 from the pure water vapor fuel gas. Of course, it is advisable to leave the minimum amount of water in the pure fuel gas should be avoided since the drying of the membrane of the PEM fuel cell 124 125. The control device comprises a first control means for controlling produce raw fuel gas in accordance with the reaction with the hydrogen storing material and a second control means for controlling the release of the pure fuel gas in accordance with the power withdrawn from the fuel cell module 104. First control means comprises a gas sensor 110, preferably - CO-sensor, in the outlet conduit 106 to the raw fuel gas, biomass flow control element 111 in the oxidation reactor module and a first controller. Second control means includes a voltage sensor 112 for measuring the voltage module 104 generiruemomogo fuel cells, the flow control element 113 in the steam supply pipe 108 and a second water vapor controller. The first and second controllers are constructed in a single computing unit 114. Both regulators operate so that, on the one hand, the acquisition control raw fuel gas in accordance with the reaction with the hydrogen storing material and on the other hand, the separate control of the release of pure fuel gas in accordance with the power withdrawn from the fuel cell module 104. In detail, the gas sensor 110 detects the flow recovery in the reformer element 103 connected to the oxidation reactor module 101. If the raw fuel gas is produced at a rate exceeding the corresponding reduction rate in the reformer element 103, then, for example, the content of carbon monoxide in the exhaust conduit 106 to the raw fuel gas increases. Then the computer unit 114 reduces the supply of biomass to the oxidation reactor module 101 via biomass flow control 111, and vice versa. Instead this can be controlled via the flow control member 116 of the gasifying agent. It measures the voltage drop across the high load on the output 127 in the second voltage sensor 112 controls in comparison with the rated voltage. If the voltage drop increases, the computing unit 114 controls the flow control element 113 of steam so that more steam is supplied via line 108 to supply steam reformer element 103 connected to the fuel cell module 104. Finally, from the drawing it is evident that provided means 109 for switching pipe 105 supplying the raw fuel gas and the discharge pipe 106 to the raw fuel gas, on the one hand, and the discharge pipe 107 for the pure fuel gas pipe 108 supplying steam, on the other hand between different reactors it based on sponge iron. By means of these switching means 109, both elements 192 are connected to the reforming unit 101 or the oxidation reactor with the fuel cell module 104 in accordance with the amount of stored hydrogen. Once the reformer element 103 'connected to the fuel cell unit 104 are substantially oxidized, it is separated from the fuel cell unit 104, switching means 109 and 101 connected to the oxidation reactor module. Conversely, in case of a significant recovery reformer element 103 connected to the oxidation reactor module 101 is separated from the latter and, if necessary, connected to the fuel cell module 104. To implement control switching means 109, it is advantageous to use a voltage sensor 112 and the gas sensor 110. In addition, the control switching means 109 performs the computational side 114 course in the management stages of the invention, it is possible to use other means of sensors that are different from those shown in the above embodiment.

CLAIM

1. A modular power station for the production primarily of hydrogen from solar energy comprising: a) converting unit for converting solar energy into biomass, substantially comprising natural sulfur formed in the form of agricultural cultivation surface for growing plants, particularly C4- plants, convertible into biomass; b) a gasification module in the reactor shape for allothermic gasification of biomass in the presence of steam to produce hydrogen-containing fuel gas at temperatures, and for processing products of gasification of time in the gasification reactor zone in order to suppress the condensation of tar in zones of the gasification module downstream of the gasification zone and / or in a downstream module, and c) a storage unit which stores the resulting fuel gas or hydrogen, with the conversion module comprises a unit for harvesting biomass and a processing unit for converting the biomass into a preliminary product for gasification, the gasification module is connected via loading device to the processing unit, the storage module is connected to the gasification module by a fuel gas purification means, the outputs of the gasification and storage modulus modulus matched to each other with respect to capacity of the plant and adjusted so that the flow of the fuel gas used to generate steam, and Feed other part and / or the waste heat from the modular power station is usable for drying the harvested biomass, size conversion unit relative to the area of ​​cultivation are selected in accordance with a predetermined bandwidth installing in each case, the conversion module comprises a processing unit in the form of at least one machine for gathering biomass and chopper form or by means of tableting, and comprises storage means for the processed biomass so as to compensate for the deviation amount of processed biomass due to the conditions of growth, and the basic elements of the conversion module, the module gasification and storage unit in advance made in the form of elements of modular power plant which can be transported in an assembled or disassembled state.

2. Power plant according to Claim. 1, characterized in that the gasification module is equipped with at least one gasification reactor which operates under pressure and using steam as a gasifying and fluidising agent.

3. Power plant according to Claim. 1 or 2, characterized it that the gasification module is so adapted for allothermic gasification at the lowest possible temperature that the fuel gas contains at least about 50% hydrogen.

4. Power plant according to any one of claims. 1 - 3, characterized in that hydrogen is recovered from the fuel gas in a known manner and stored under pressure in pressure vessels.

5. Power plant according to any one of claims. 1 - 3, characterized in that the hydrogen gas separated from the fuel and stored in a storage means of the metal hydride.

6. The power plant according to any one of claims. 1 - 5, characterized in that it is further provided with steam generation unit is heated and the flow of the fuel gas.

7. The power plant according to any one of claims. 1 - 6, characterized in that the conversion unit is connected to means for pre-drying the product of gasification, waste heat of the heated power mole.

8. A method of producing electrical energy from the raw materials, adapted to the gasification of biomass in particular by means of a modular power according to any one of claims. 1 - 7 and in combination with this power plant, wherein the raw fuel gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide produced in the module oxidation reactor from the raw material by using an oxygen-containing gasification agent is fed to the raw fuel gas in a reforming unit connected to the module oxidation reactor, and the hydrogen from the raw fuel gas is intermediately stored in elements reforming by reaction with storing material discharged clean fuel gas containing hydrogen and substantially free of carbon, from the module reformate is supplied to the module of the fuel elements connected to the module reforming and perform its circulation unit fuel cells operated obtain the raw fuel gas, on the one hand, according to the reaction of the hydrogen with storing material and on the other hand, controlled release of the clean fuel gas is separated in accordance with the power withdrawn from the unit fuel elements.

9. A method according to claim. 8, characterized in that receiving the raw fuel gas in the oxidation reactor module is performed via allothermic steam and unwanted water recovered from the raw fuel gas through the condenser.

print version
Publication date 27.02.2007gg