Mobile hydrogen delivery system

• US 7,093,626 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2004
• Issued: 08/22/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Harnyss IP LLC
• Original Assignee: Ovonic Hydrogen Systems LLC
• Inventors: Li, Yang, Stetson, Ned, Bovinich, Daniel, Stahl, Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Douglas, Steven O.
• Application Number:
  US11/005,582
• Publication Number:
  US 20060118201A1
• Time in Patent Office: 624 Days
• Field of Search: 141/2, 141/18, 141/83, 141/94, 141/98, 141/231, 62/462, 481/97.R
• US Class Current: 141/231
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 11/005 for hydrogen
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/0104 cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/032 with substantially vertical main axis
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/035 with substantially horizontal main axis
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/058 portable (<30 l)
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0643 Stainless steels
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0646 Aluminium
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0107 Frames
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0146 with details of the manifold
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/012 Hydrogen
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/0123 gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/035 High pressure (>10 bar)
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/036 Very high pressure (>80 bar)
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2225/0123 gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2225/035 High pressure, i.e. between 10 and 80 bars
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2225/036 Very high pressure, i.e. above 80 bars
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2227/0164 with specified compressor type, e.g. piston or impulsive type
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2227/0302 by heating
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2227/0337 by cooling
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2227/0386 with a jacket
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2227/0397 : characterised by fins
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2227/043 : by pressure cascade
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2265/04 : using an independent energy source, e.g. battery
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/0168 : by vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/0171 : Trucks
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/0173 : Railways
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/32 : Hydrogen storage

Abstract

A mobile hydrogen delivery system for delivering a compressed stream of hydrogen at pressures up to 15000 psig. The mobile hydrogen delivery system includes a hydrogen compression system, a gaseous hydrogen storage system, and a delivery system for supplying hydrogen to end users. A mobile platform supports the hydrogen compression system, the gaseous hydrogen storage system, and the dispensing system. The mobile platform may be any platform, such as a trailer, capable of being pulled, pushed, or supported by any type of vehicle, such a truck, train, boat, tractor, etc.

Claims

1. A mobile hydrogen delivery system comprising:

a metal hydride hydrogen compressor for storing hydrogen and providing a low pressure stream of hydrogen;

a mechanical hydrogen compressor for receiving said low pressure stream of hydrogen and providing a high pressure stream of hydrogen at a pressure higher than the pressure of said low pressure stream of hydrogen;

a gaseous hydrogen storage system including one or more pressure containment vessels for receiving and storing said high pressure stream of hydrogen;

a hydrogen dispensing system for dispensing said low pressure stream of hydrogen from said metal hydride storage system and said high pressure stream of hydrogen from said gaseous hydrogen storage system; and

a mobile platform for supporting said metal hydride storage system, said mechanical hydrogen compressor, said gaseous hydrogen storage system, and said hydrogen delivery system.

2. The mobile hydrogen delivery system according to claim 1, wherein said one or more pressure containment vessels comprise two or more pressure containment vessels, and said hydrogen dispensing system dispenses hydrogen from said two or more pressure containment vessels in a cascading manner.

3. The mobile hydrogen delivery system according to claim 1, wherein said metal hydride compressor is a single stage compressor.

4. The mobile hydrogen delivery system according to claim 1, wherein said metal hydride compressor is a multi-stage compressor.

5. The mobile hydrogen delivery system according to claim 1, wherein said low pressure stream of hydrogen has a pressure up to 2000 psig.

6. The mobile hydrogen delivery system according to claim 1, wherein said high pressure stream of hydrogen has a pressure up to 15000 psig.

7. The mobile hydrogen delivery system according to claim 1 further comprising a hydrogen generator for generating said hydrogen supply stream and supplying said hydrogen supply stream to said metal hydride hydrogen compressor.

8. The mobile hydrogen delivery system according to claim 7, wherein said hydrogen generator comprises one or more selected from a hydrogen reformer, a chemical hydride reactor, and an electrolyzer.

9. The mobile hydrogen delivery system according to claim 8, wherein said chemical hydride reactor reacts a water reactive chemical hydride with water to produce gaseous hydrogen.

10. The mobile hydrogen delivery system according to claim 9, wherein said water reactive chemical hydride is selected from alkali metal hydrides, alkali metal borohydrides, alkaline earth metal hydrides, alkaline earth metal borohydrides, and combinations thereof.

11. The mobile hydrogen delivery system according to claim 8, wherein said electrolyzer is powered by a solar generator.

12. The mobile hydrogen delivery system according to claim 11, wherein said solar generator comprises one or more triple junction amorphous silicon solar cells.

13. The mobile hydrogen delivery system according to claim 1 further comprising a fuel cell and/or a hydrogen powered generator in gaseous communication with said hydrogen dispensing system.