Energy distribution network

• US 6,912,450 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2004
• Issued: 06/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hydrogenics Corporation (Cummins Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: 3793257 Canada, Inc. (Cummins Incorporated)
• Inventors: Stewart, William J., Stuart, Andrew T. B., Dong, Charlie, Fairlie, Matthew J., Thorpe, Steven J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo
• Assistant Examiner(s): Frank, Elliot L
• Application Number:
  US10/829,435
• Publication Number:
  US 20040199295A1
• Time in Patent Office: 432 Days
• Field of Search: 700/266, 700/271, 700/273, 210/603, 205/343, 205/628, 205/637, 48/61
• US Class Current: 700/273
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/54 Energy consumption estimation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/56 Temperature prediction, e.g. for pre-cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/30 for monitoring or controlling fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/34 by heating
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/0233 the reforming step being a steam reforming step
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/025 containing a partial oxidation step
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/1223 Methanol
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/1235 Hydrocarbons
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/1241 Natural gas or methane
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/84 Energy production
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/00 Hydrogen; Gaseous mixtures containing hydrogen; Separation of hydrogen from mixtures containing it separation of gases by physical means B01D; Purification of hydrogen production of water gas or synthesis gas from solid carbonaceous material C10J; purifying or modifying the chemical compositions of combustible technical gases containing carbon monoxide C10K
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/02 Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/32 by reaction of gaseous or liquid organic compounds with gasifying agents, e.g. water, carbon dioxide, air
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/36 using oxygen or mixtures containing oxygen as gasifying agents
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/20 Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/402 Combination of fuel cell with other electric generators combination of fuel cells with other electrochemical generator H01M16/003
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04216 characterised by the choice for a specific material, e.g. carbon, hydride, absorbent
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04298 Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0438 Pressure; Ambient pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04753 of fuel cell reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0612 : from carbon-containing material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0656 : by electrochemical means H01M8/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/10 : Applications of fuel cells in buildings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/32 : Hydrogen storage
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/36 : Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 : Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/133 : Renewable energy sources, e.g. sunlight
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/60 : Electric or hybrid propulsion means for production processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 : Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

A hydrogen fuel supply system includes a hydrogen generator for generating hydrogen from an energy source at an outlet pressure. An outlet conduit feeds the hydrogen to a user. A controller controls the hydrogen generator to produce hydrogen at the outlet pressure. An input interface receives user demand data and activates the controller in accordance with the user demand data.

Claims

1. A hydrogen energy system for one or more buildings, said system comprising:

(a) a hydrogen generator;

(b) at least one zone controller for receiving and processing demands from at least one hydrogen user associated with at least one zone of the one or more buildings;

(c) a unit controller for receiving and processing hydrogen demand data received from said at least one zone controller.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hydrogen demand data includes the quantity of hydrogen demanded.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hydrogen demand data includes hydrogen delivery time.

4. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hydrogen demand data includes hydrogen purity requirements.

5. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hydrogen demand data includes hydrogen pressure requirements.

6. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hydrogen demand data includes hydrogen temperature requirements.

7. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hydrogen demand data includes the intended end use of the hydrogen.

8. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hydrogen demand data includes the desired rate of delivery of the hydrogen.

9. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said unit controller controls the generation of hydrogen by said hydrogen generator.

10. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said unit controller controls the supply of hydrogen to said at least one hydrogen user.

11. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said unit controller controls the generation of hydrogen by said hydrogen generator and the supply of hydrogen to said at least one hydrogen user.

12. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of said hydrogen users comprises a device for converting hydrogen into electricity.

13. A system as claimed in claim 12 wherein said electricity conversion device is a hydrogen powered internal combustion engine.

14. A system as claimed in claim 12 wherein said electricity conversion device is a fuel cell.

15. A system as claimed in claim 12 wherein said electricity conversion device is adapted to deliver energy to an electricity grid.

16. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of said hydrogen users comprises a device for converting hydrogen into thermal energy.

17. A system as claimed in claim 16 wherein said thermal energy conversion device is a boiler.

18. A system as claimed in claim 16 wherein said thermal energy conversion device is a furnace.

19. A system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a compressor for compressing hydrogen generated by said hydrogen generator to a minimum desired pressure.

20. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hydrogen generator generates hydrogen at a minimum desired pressure.

21. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein a plurality of said zone controllers receive and process demands from a plurality of said hydrogen users and communicate said demands to said unit controller.

22. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein a plurality of said zone controllers receive and process demands for a plurality of said zones of the one or more buildings and communicate said demands to said unit controller.

23. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said system provides hydrogen to a plurality of buildings.

24. A system as claimed in claim 23 wherein each of said buildings includes one of said unit controllers, at least one of said zone controllers and at least one hydrogen user.

25. A system as claimed in claim 24 further comprising a building network controller for receiving and processing hydrogen demand data from said unit controllers for each of said buildings.

26. A system as claimed in claim 25 wherein said hydrogen generator generates hydrogen for a plurality of said buildings.

27. A system as claimed in claim 26 wherein said building network controller controls the generation of hydrogen by said hydrogen generator and the supply of hydrogen to said at least one hydrogen user for a plurality of said buildings.

28. A system as claimed in claim 26 wherein said building network controller receives and processes said energy source data in order to control the generation, storage and supply of hydrogen to meet the demands of said hydrogen users for a plurality of said buildings.

29. A system as claimed in claim 25 wherein said building network controller is in communication with an energy network controller that controls a network of energy sources each having energy source data associated therewith.

30. A system as claimed in claim 29 wherein said at least one hydrogen user comprises a device for converting hydrogen into electricity and wherein said electricity conversion device comprises one of said energy sources.

31. A system as claimed in claim 30 wherein said building network controller controls the generation and supply of electricity by said electricity conversion device.

32. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said unit controller is in communication with an energy network controller that controls a network of energy sources each having energy source data associated therewith.

33. A system as claimed in claim 32 wherein said unit controller receives and processes said energy source data in order to control the generation, storage and supply of hydrogen to meet the demands of said hydrogen users.

34. A system as claimed in claim 32 wherein said at least one hydrogen user comprises a device for converting hydrogen into electricity and wherein said electricity conversion device comprises one of said energy sources.

35. A system as claimed in claim 34 wherein said unit controller controls the generation and supply of electricity by said electricity conversion device.

36. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hydrogen generator is disposed remotely from said building.

37. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hydrogen generator is disposed proximate to said building.

38. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hydrogen generator is disposed within said building.

39. A system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a hydrogen storage apparatus for storing hydrogen received from said hydrogen generator for use by said at least one hydrogen user.

40. A system as claimed in claim 39 wherein said hydrogen storage apparatus comprises at least one hydride storage chamber.

41. A system as claimed in claim 39 wherein said hydrogen storage apparatus comprises at least one container for storing pressurized hydrogen.

42. A system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a hydrogen delivery system for delivering hydrogen to at least one of said hydrogen users.

43. A system as claimed in claim 42 wherein at least one of said hydrogen users comprises a hydrogen powered vehicle.

44. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one zone controller includes a user activation interface for receiving data concerning a demand for hydrogen.