SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DELIVERING HYDROGEN AND SEPARATION OF HYDROGEN FROM A CARRIER MEDIUM
First Claim
1. A method of transporting hydrogen, the method comprising:
- adding a volume of hydrogen to a volume of natural gas to form a mixed gas volume;
flowing the mixed gas volume as a mixed gas stream from a first location to a second location;
cooling the mixed gas stream and liquefying a substantial portion of the volume of natural gas;
substantially separating the liquefied natural gas from the volume of hydrogen to provide a natural gas stream and a hydrogen stream; and
using at least one of the natural gas stream and the hydrogen stream to cool the mixed gas stream.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for the transportation of hydrogen including the use of a carrier medium and the subsequent separation of the hydrogen from the carrier medium upon delivery of the mixed gas stream to a desired location. In one example, up to approximately 20% hydrogen (molar fraction) may be mixed with natural gas and transported through a natural gas pipeline. The hydrogen may be separated from the natural gas by liquefying the natural gas and separating the liquid and vapor components in a gas-liquid separator to form a natural gas stream and a hydrogen stream. One or both of the separated streams may be used in cooling of the mixed stream. Precompression and expansion pressure of the various streams may be used to influence the purity level of the hydrogen. Other constituents, or impurities, present in the mixed gas stream may also be removed as may be desired.
122 Citations
44 Claims
-
1. A method of transporting hydrogen, the method comprising:
-
adding a volume of hydrogen to a volume of natural gas to form a mixed gas volume;
flowing the mixed gas volume as a mixed gas stream from a first location to a second location;
cooling the mixed gas stream and liquefying a substantial portion of the volume of natural gas;
substantially separating the liquefied natural gas from the volume of hydrogen to provide a natural gas stream and a hydrogen stream; and
using at least one of the natural gas stream and the hydrogen stream to cool the mixed gas stream. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
-
-
25. A method of separating hydrogen from natural gas contained in a mixed gas stream, the method comprising:
-
cooling the mixed gas stream and liquefying a substantial portion of the volume of natural gas;
substantially separating the liquefied natural gas from the volume of hydrogen to provide a natural gas stream and a hydrogen stream; and
using at least one of the natural gas stream and the hydrogen stream to cool the mixed gas stream. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
-
-
37. A system for separating hydrogen from natural gas contained in a mixed stream, the system comprising:
-
a first compressor;
a first heat exchanger;
a second heat exchanger;
a gas-liquid separator;
at least one expansion device;
a first flow path defined and configured to deliver a mixed gas stream sequentially through the first compressor, the second compressor, and into the gas-liquid separator; and
a second flow path defined and configured to deliver at least one of liquid natural gas and hydrogen gas from the gas liquid separator, through the at least one expansion device and through the second heat exchanger. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
-
Specification