• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    The present invention relates broadly to a renewable methane production module (10). The production module (10) generally comprises: 1. a water capture generator 12 designed for directly capturing water from atmosphere to provide water in a liquid form at (14); 2. an electrolyser (16) operatively coupled to the water capture generator (12) for electrolysis of the liquid water to produce hydrogen at (18); 3. a reactor (20) operatively coupled to the electrolyser (16) for reacting the hydrogen with carbon dioxide at (22) to produce renewable methane at (24).
    公开号:ES2819057A2
    申请号:ES202090068
    申请日:2019-05-30
    公开日:2021-04-14
    发明作者:Rohan Gillespie
    申请人:Southern Green Gas Ltd；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    [0004] Technical field
    [0006] The present invention relates generally to a method for producing renewable methane and a renewable methane production system. The invention also relates generally to a renewable methane production module and relates in particular, though not exclusively, to a plurality of co-located production modules that together form a renewable methane production plant. The invention also relates generally to a method for producing hydrogen and a hydrogen production system.
    [0008] Background
    [0010] It is known that carbon dioxide is reacted with hydrogen in a Sabatier reactor to produce methane. Carbon dioxide can be recovered from the atmosphere, for example in a direct air capture plant. Hydrogen can be obtained by electrolysis of water with feeding the electrolyzer from a renewable energy source, such as solar energy. The state of the art Australian patent no. 2014200989 exemplifies this method for producing methane. This Australian patent and other technologies in this field present at least the following problems:
    [0012] i) the electrolyzer needs a readily available liquid water source for electrolysis in hydrogen production;
    [0013] ii) the production of hydrogen and / or carbon dioxide requires energy derived from non-renewable sources and, strictly speaking, methane is not considered renewable.
    [0015] Summary of the invention
    [0017] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a renewable methane production module is provided comprising:
    [0019] a water capture generator designed to directly capture water from the atmosphere to provide water in liquid form;
    [0020] an electrolyzer operatively coupled to the water capture generator to receiving the liquid water, the electrolyzer being effective in electrolysis of liquid water to produce hydrogen;
    [0021] a reactor operatively coupled to the electrolyzer to receive the hydrogen and react it with carbon dioxide to produce renewable methane.
    [0023] Preferably, the water capture generator includes an absorbent material designed to be exposed to the atmosphere to directly absorb water from the atmosphere onto the absorbent material. More preferably, the water capture generator also includes a heating means designed to adsorb heat from a renewable energy source and transfer it to the absorbent material to release the absorbed water from the absorbent material to provide the liquid water for the electrolyzer.
    [0025] Preferably, the renewable methane production module also comprises an electricity generator set powered by a renewable energy source, said electricity generator set configured to provide electricity to power the electrolyzer in the electrolysis of atmospheric water in the production of hydrogen. More preferably, the electricity generator assembly includes a plurality of solar panels operatively coupled to the electrolyzer for power. More preferably still, the solar panels are coupled to the electrolyzer by means of an inverter. Alternatively, the solar panels are attached directly to the electrolyzer.
    [0027] Preferably, the solar panels are in the form of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels arranged in an elongated bank of panels. Alternatively, solar panels are in the form of printed solar membranes. More preferably, the photovoltaic solar panel bank is located in two (2) rows on respective opposite faces of a solar frame structure that is oriented in a generally magnetic North to South direction. More preferably still, the solar frame structure is in the cross-sectional shape of an isosceles triangle having each of the two (2) rows of photovoltaic panels mounted on respective leg sides of the solar frame structure to increase the solar exposure of said solar panels.
    [0029] Preferably, the renewable methane production module also comprises a carbon dioxide extractor for extracting carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. More preferably, the carbon dioxide extractor is configured to directly capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere using an organometallic framework (MOF) or other absorbent structure capable of directly absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. atmosphere.
    [0031] Preferably, the reactor is an exothermic reactor for reacting hydrogen from the electrolyzer with carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide extractor to produce renewable methane in a Sabatier reaction. More preferably, the exothermic reactor is operatively coupled to a heat exchanger designed to exchange heat derived from renewable methane production with the carbon dioxide extractor to heat the absorbent structure of said extractor to release the absorbed carbon dioxide from the structure. absorbent. Alternatively, the carbon dioxide extractor is operatively coupled to the electricity generating module to heat the absorbent structure to release the absorbed carbon dioxide. More preferably still, the heat exchanger is operatively coupled to the electrolyzer where the steam produced from the exothermic reactor exchanges heat with the carbon dioxide extractor to promote the release of the absorbed carbon dioxide where said steam condenses to provide liquid water to the electrolyzer. for the production of hydrogen.
    [0033] Preferably, the water capture generator includes at least one pair of water capture panels mounted on a water capture frame structure associated with the solar frame structure. More preferably, the water capture frame structure has substantially the same configuration and is aligned with the solar frame structure to increase the sun exposure of the pair of water capture panels that are located on respective opposite sides of the frame structure. of water capture.
    [0035] Alternatively, the water capture generator is configured to directly capture water from the atmosphere using a MOF or other absorbent structure capable of directly absorbing water from the atmosphere. In this variation, the heat exchanger associated with the exothermic reactor is operatively coupled to the water capture generator to heat the absorbent structure of said water generator to release the absorbed water from the absorbent material. In this embodiment, the water capture generator is operatively coupled to the carbon dioxide extractor where the carbon dioxide extractor receives dehumidified air from the water capture generator to extract carbon dioxide from the dehumidified air. In this case, the carbon dioxide extractor is operatively coupled to the heat exchanger associated with the exothermic reactor to heat the absorbent structure of the carbon dioxide extractor to release the absorbed carbon dioxide. Alternatively, the absorbed carbon dioxide is released from the absorbent structure by heating it with the use of electricity provided by the electricity generating module.
    [0037] Preferably, the renewable methane production module includes an equipment platform on which at least the electrolyzer, reactor, heat exchanger, and carbon dioxide extractor are located. Most preferably, the equipment platform is located adjacent to the solar frame structure and the water capture frame structure.
    [0039] Preferably, the carbon dioxide extractor is operatively coupled to one or more batteries charged by electricity derived from the plurality of solar panels. More preferably, the carbon dioxide extractor includes pumps and / or fans powered by electricity supplied from said one or more batteries.
    [0041] Preferably, the renewable methane production module is one of a plurality of said production modules. More preferably, said production modules are co-located and together form a renewable methane production plant.
    [0043] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method for producing renewable methane is provided comprising the steps of:
    [0044] capture water directly from the air to provide water in liquid form; produce hydrogen by electrolysis of liquid water;
    [0045] reacting hydrogen with carbon dioxide to produce renewable methane.
    [0047] Preferably, the step of capturing water directly involves exposing air to an absorbent material to absorb water from the air onto the absorbent material. More preferably, said step also involves i) releasing the absorbed water from the absorbent material by heating it, and ii) condensing the released water by cooling it to provide the liquid water. Even more preferably, the absorbed water is released from the absorbent material using a) solar energy and / or b) waste heat from the reaction between hydrogen and carbon dioxide to heat the absorbent material. Alternatively, the step of capturing water directly involves cooling the air to release water from the air to provide the liquid water.
    [0049] Preferably, the step of producing hydrogen involves: i) generating electricity through a renewable energy source, and ii) using the electricity to power the electrolysis of liquid water for the production of hydrogen.
    [0050] Preferably, the step of reacting hydrogen with carbon dioxide involves a preliminary step of extracting carbon dioxide from the air or obtaining carbon dioxide from a biogas reactor. More preferably, the removal of carbon dioxide from the air involves the direct capture of carbon dioxide from the air using solar energy and / or waste heat from the reaction between hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
    [0052] Preferably, the method also comprises the step of recirculating liquid water produced from the reaction between hydrogen and carbon dioxide for electrolysis in the production of hydrogen. Most preferably, the recirculated liquid water is combined with the liquid water captured directly from the air for electrolysis in the production of hydrogen.
    [0054] According to a third aspect of the invention, a renewable methane production system is provided comprising:
    [0056] a water capture module for directly capturing water from the air to provide water in liquid form;
    [0057] an electrolysis module for the electrolysis of liquid water to produce hydrogen; an exothermic reactor to react hydrogen with carbon dioxide to produce renewable methane.
    [0059] Preferably, the water capture module includes an absorbent unit that includes an absorbent material designed to be exposed to air to absorb water from the air onto the absorbent material. More preferably, the water capture module also includes i) a heating unit designed to heat the absorbent material to release the absorbed water from the absorbent material, ii) a condensing unit designed to condense the released water by cooling it to provide the liquid water. . Even more preferably, the heating unit includes a) a solar heating unit and / or b) a heat recovery unit associated with the exothermic reactor to recover waste heat from the exothermic reaction, which are arranged to heat the absorbent material.
    [0061] Preferably, the electrolysis module includes an electricity generator module powered by a renewable energy source, said electricity generator module configured to provide electricity to power the electrolysis of liquid water in the production of hydrogen.
    [0062] Preferably, the production system also comprises a carbon dioxide module for extracting carbon dioxide from the air or for obtaining carbon dioxide from a biogas reactor. More preferably, the carbon dioxide module includes a carbon dioxide capture module for directly capturing carbon dioxide from the air.
    [0064] Preferably, the production system also comprises a water recirculation module arranged to recirculate liquid water produced from the exothermic reactor to the electrolysis module for the production of hydrogen.
    [0066] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for producing hydrogen comprising the steps of:
    [0067] capture water directly from the air to provide water in liquid form; produce hydrogen by electrolysis of liquid water.
    [0069] Preferably, the step of capturing water directly involves exposing air to an absorbent material to absorb water from the air onto the absorbent material. More preferably, said step also involves i) releasing the absorbed water from the absorbent material by heating it, and ii) condensing the released water by cooling it to provide the liquid water. Even more preferably, the absorbed water is released from the absorbent material using solar energy to heat it.
    [0071] Preferably, the hydrogen production step involves: i) generating electricity through a renewable energy source, and ii) using the electricity to power the electrolysis of captured water directly for hydrogen production.
    [0073] Preferably, the method also comprises the step of purifying the hydrogen produced from electrolysis to provide hydrogen fuel. More preferably, the step of purifying the hydrogen involves filtering the hydrogen produced by electrolysis to obtain the hydrogen fuel at the purity levels required for fuel cell vehicles. Alternatively or additionally, the purification step involves drying the hydrogen.
    [0075] According to a fifth aspect of the invention, a hydrogen production system is provided comprising:
    [0077] a water capture module to directly capture water from the air to provide water in liquid form;
    [0078] an electrolysis module for the electrolysis of liquid water to produce hydrogen.
    [0080] Preferably, the water capture module includes an absorbent unit that includes an absorbent material designed to be exposed to air to absorb water from the air onto the absorbent material. More preferably, the water capture module also includes i) a heating unit designed to heat the absorbent material to release the absorbed water from the absorbent material, and ii) a condensing unit designed to condense the released water by cooling it to provide the water. liquid. Even more preferably, the heating unit includes a solar heating unit for heating the absorbent material.
    [0082] Preferably, the electrolysis module includes an electricity generator module powered by a renewable energy source, said electricity generator module configured to provide electricity to power the electrolysis of captured water directly in the production of hydrogen.
    [0084] Preferably, the production system also comprises a purification module to purify hydrogen from the electrolysis module to provide hydrogen fuel. More preferably, the purification module includes a purification filter to filter the hydrogen produced by the electrolysis module to obtain the hydrogen fuel at purity levels required for fuel cell vehicles. Alternatively or additionally, the purification module includes a dryer for drying the hydrogen.
    [0086] Brief description of the drawings
    [0088] In order to better understand the nature of the present invention, a preferred embodiment of a renewable methane production module will now be described, as well as a method and system for the production of renewable methane or hydrogen, solely by way of For example, referring to the accompanying drawings, in which:
    [0090] Figure 1 is an enlarged plan view of part of one embodiment of a renewable methane production module in accordance with one aspect of the invention;
    [0092] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the renewable methane production module of the embodiment of Figure 1 shown in its entirety;
    [0093] Figure 3 is a schematic of a process flow diagram for a method and system for the production of renewable methane in accordance with another aspect of the invention;
    [0095] Figure 4 is a schematic of a process flow diagram for a method and system for the production of hydrogen in accordance with a further aspect of the invention.
    [0097] Detailed description
    [0099] As seen in Figures 1 and 2 there is, according to one aspect of the invention, a renewable methane production module 10 generally comprising:
    [0101] 1. a water capture generator 12 designed to directly capture water from the atmosphere to provide water in liquid form at 14;
    [0102] 2. an electrolyzer 16 operatively coupled to water capture generator 12 for electrolysis of liquid water to produce hydrogen at 18;
    [0103] 3. a reactor 20 operatively coupled to electrolyzer 16 to react hydrogen with carbon dioxide at 22 to produce renewable methane at 24.
    [0105] In this embodiment, the water capture generator 12 includes a pair of water capture panels 26a and 26b, each of which includes an absorbent material (not shown) designed to be exposed to the atmosphere to directly absorb water from the atmosphere. on the absorbent material. Each of the water capture panels 26a / b in this embodiment also includes a heating means (not shown) designed to absorb heat from a renewable energy source such as solar energy and transfer it to the absorbent material to release the absorbed water for providing water in a liquid form for the electrolyzer 16. In this example, the absorbent material and the solar heating means are integrated together within the water capture panels 26a / b.
    [0107] In this embodiment, the renewable methane production module 10 also comprises an electricity generator set (not designated) powered by a renewable energy source such as solar energy. The electricity generator set of this example includes a plurality of solar panels such as 28a / 28b and 30a / 30b operatively coupled to an inverter 32 for the production of electricity to power the electrolyzer 16. In the absence of an inverter, the solar panels are directly coupled to the electrolyzer 16. Solar panels such as 28a / b and 30a / b are in the form of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels arranged in an elongated bank of panels. In this case, the Photovoltaic solar panels are arranged in a first elongated bank of panels 34 in two rows such as 30a and 30b, respectively, on opposite faces of a first solar frame structure 36. The photovoltaic solar panels are also located in a second elongated bank of panels. 38 in two rows of panels such as 28a and 28b, respectively, on opposite faces of a second solar frame structure 40. The first and second solar frame structures 36 and 40 are aligned with each other and oriented in a generally magnetic north direction to South. Each of the first and second solar frame structures 36/40 has an isosceles triangle cross-sectional shape having each of the two rows of photovoltaic panels, such as 30a / b and 28a / b, mounted on respective leg sides, such as 42a / b and 44a / b, of the first and second solar frame structures 36 and 40, respectively. It will be understood that this North to South orientation combined with the triangular solar frame structures 36 and 40 provides greater exposure of the photovoltaic solar panels 30a / b and 28a / b to sunlight.
    [0109] In this embodiment, the renewal methane production module 10 also comprises a carbon dioxide extractor 50 for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide extractor 50 directly captures carbon dioxide from the atmosphere using an organometallic framework (MOF) or other absorbent structure (not shown). In this example, carbon dioxide extractor 50 is operatively coupled to heat exchanger 52 to heat the absorbent structure of carbon dioxide extractor 50 to release absorbed carbon dioxide from the absorbent structure. Carbon dioxide released at 22 is fed to reactor 20 to react with hydrogen to produce the renewable methane at 24.
    [0111] In this example, reactor 20 is an exothermic reactor that produces renewable methane in a Sabatier reaction. The exothermic Sabatier reactor 20 is operatively coupled to the heat exchanger 52 where the steam in 54 from the Sabatier reactor 20 exchanges heat with the carbon dioxide extractor 50 to release the absorbed dioxide from the absorbent structure associated with the carbon dioxide extractor 50. The steam exchanging its heat in the heat exchanger 52 is condensed to provide liquid water back in 56 to circulate it to the electrolyzer 16 for the production of hydrogen.
    [0113] In this embodiment, the renewable methane production module 10 comprises a water storage container 58 designed to store both the released water 14 from the water capture generator 12 and the return liquid water 56 from the exchanger. heat 52. The water storage vessel 58 supplies the liquid water at 600C to the electrolyzer 16 for the production of hydrogen. The water capture generator 12 is expected to supply liquid water to the storage container 58 primarily during daylight hours when water absorbed from the absorbent material of the water capture panels 26a / b is released by solar heating. The supply of the return liquid water 56 to the storage vessel 58 will occur during the production of renewable methane in the Sabatier reactor 20 while steam is being condensed in the heat exchanger 52.
    [0115] In this embodiment, the renewable methane production module 10 further comprises one or more hydrogen storage vessels 62 arranged to receive the hydrogen 18 produced from the electrolyzer 16. The hydrogen storage vessel 62 is designed to provide a prolonged supply of hydrogen to the Sabatier reactor 20 for continuous operation without being limited to daylight hours during which water is released primarily from the water capture generator 12. That is, the hydrogen storage vessel 62 provides an effective buffer in storage. of hydrogen to supply it to the Sabatier reactor 20. This hydrogen storage capacity is consistent with the operation of the electrolyzer 16 mainly during daylight hours when it is powered by the photovoltaic solar panels such as 28a / b and 30a / b and the associated inverter 32.
    [0117] In this configuration, the renewable methane production module 10 includes an equipment platform 70 in which the electrolyzer 16, the Sabatier reactor 20, the inverter 32, the carbon dioxide extractor 50, the heat exchanger 52, the vessel water storage container 58 and hydrogen storage container 62 are located. In this embodiment, the equipment platform 70 is located between the first and second solar frame structures 36 and 40. The pair of water capture panels 26a / b are mounted on a water capture frame structure 72 located adjacent to the equipment platform 70. In this example, the water capture frame structure 72 has substantially the same configuration as the second solar frame structure 40 and is aligned with it. It will be understood that this configuration provides the pair of water capture modules 26a / b with increased solar exposure in a manner similar to photovoltaic solar panels such as 28a / b.
    [0119] The carbon dioxide extractor 50 of this embodiment can be operatively coupled to one or more batteries (not shown) for extended operation without being limited to batteries. hours of sunlight. In this configuration, the inverter 32 is arranged to provide electricity to charge the batteries. The electricity produced from the batteries can be used mainly outside daylight hours not only to heat the MOF or other absorbent structure of the carbon dioxide extractor 50 to release carbon dioxide, but also to power pumps and / or fans (not shown) associated with carbon dioxide extractor 50. Carbon dioxide extractor 50 is otherwise powered during daylight hours by photovoltaic solar panels such as 28a / b and 30a / b through associated inverter such as 32 This means that the carbon dioxide extractor can potentially run 24 hours a day 7 days a week in the production of carbon dioxide to supply it to the Sabatier 20 reactor which can also run day and night.
    [0121] As can be seen in Figure 3, there is, according to another aspect of the invention, a renewable methane production system 100 that generally comprises:
    [0123] 1. a water capture module 120 to directly capture water from the air to provide water in liquid form;
    [0124] 2. an electrolysis module 140 for electrolysis of liquid water to produce hydrogen; 3. an exothermic reactor 160 for reacting hydrogen from electrolysis module 140 with carbon dioxide to produce renewable methane.
    [0126] In this embodiment, the water capture module 120 is in the form of a direct air capture module that includes an organometallic framework (MOF) or other absorbent designed to capture or absorb water from the air. The MOF is the absorbent material within an absorbent unit of the water capture module 120. The water capture module 120 also includes i) a heating unit (not shown) designed to heat the MOF to release the absorbed water, and ii) a condensing unit (not shown) designed to condense the water released from the MOF by cooling the released water to provide the liquid water for the electrolysis module 140. In this example, the heating unit includes a) a solar heating unit 130, and / or b) a heat recovery unit 150 associated with the exothermic reactor 160 to recover residual heat from the associated exothermic reaction, the heating unit being arranged in both cases to heat the MOF.
    [0128] In this embodiment, the electrolysis module 140 includes an electricity generating module 170 powered by a renewable energy source, such as solar energy arranged to powering an electricity generator (not shown) configured to provide electricity to power electrolysis module 140 for hydrogen production from liquid water. It will be understood that the electrolysis module 140 can be powered by other renewable energy sources including, but not limited to, wind, single or tidal sources. The production system 100 of this embodiment also comprises a water recirculation module 180 arranged to recirculate liquid water produced from the exothermic reactor 160 to the electrolysis module 140 for the production of hydrogen.
    [0130] In this embodiment, the production system 100 also comprises a carbon dioxide module 200 for extracting carbon dioxide from the air. The carbon dioxide module is based on MOF technology with the absorbent material designed to absorb 200 carbon dioxide from the air. Carbon dioxide capture module 200, similarly to water capture module 120, heats absorbent material such as MOF through a solar heating unit 190. Alternatively, carbon dioxide can be obtained from a biogas reactor. In either case, carbon dioxide combines with hydrogen in exothermic reactor 160 for the production of renewable methane. In this example, this reaction is a Sabatier reaction where, under the influence of a suitable catalyst, carbon dioxide reacts with hydrogen to produce renewable synthetic methane.
    [0132] In a further aspect of the invention, in the context of the renewable methane production system 100, there is a method for producing renewable methane comprising the general steps of:
    [0134] 1. directly capture water from the air into the water capture module 120 to provide water in liquid form;
    [0135] 2. produce hydrogen by electrolysis of liquid water in electrolysis module 140;
    [0136] 4. React hydrogen with carbon dioxide to produce renewable methane in exothermic reactor 160.
    [0138] As seen in Figure 4, there is a hydrogen production system 500 of yet another aspect of the invention for producing hydrogen. In this embodiment, the hydrogen produced is in the form of hydrogen fuel for fuel cell vehicles. It will be understood that the hydrogen produced from this aspect of the technology may have other uses including, without limitation, the production of fertilizers and ammonia, the production of chemicals including hydrochloric acid, pharmaceuticals, semiconductor manufacturing, petroleum refining, hydrogenation, metal mineral reduction, welding, cryogenics, methanol production, and glass purification.
    [0140] The hydrogen fuel production system 500 of this embodiment generally comprises:
    [0142] 1. a water capture module 520 to directly capture water from the air to provide water in liquid form;
    [0143] 2. an electrolysis module 540 for electrolysis of liquid water to produce hydrogen; 3. a purification module 560 to purify hydrogen from electrolysis module 540 to provide hydrogen fuel.
    [0145] In this embodiment, the water capture module 520 and the electrolysis module 540 are substantially of the same construction as the corresponding modules of the renewable methane production system 100. The hydrogen fuel production system 50 deviates to the extent wherein it includes the purification module 560 which in this embodiment includes a purification filter (not shown) to filter the hydrogen produced by the electrolysis module 540. The purification module 560 thus filters the hydrogen produced by the electrolysis module 540 to Obtain hydrogen fuel to purity levels required for fuel cell vehicles. In another departure from the renewable methane production system 100, the electrolysis module 540 relies primarily on the water capture module 520 for its liquid water supply.
    [0147] Now that a preferred embodiment of a renewable methane production module and other aspects of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that it has the following advantages:
    [0149] 1. the production module in renewable methane production is only powered by renewable energy sources and, in particular, solar energy;
    [0150] 2. the renewable methane production module and the other production systems are efficient in harnessing the residual heat from the Sabatier reactor to help with the direct capture of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere;
    [0151] 3. the production module exploits the production of steam or liquid water in the Sabatier reactor for its return to the electrolyzer in the production of hydrogen;
    [0152] 4. the production module in its preferred solar panel orientation more effectively harnesses solar energy by increasing electrolyzer utilization for prolonged hydrogen production;
    [0153] 5. Both production systems in the production of renewable methane and hydrogen are powered by or derived from renewable energy sources and, in particular, solar energy.
    [0155] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. For example, the specific number and configuration of the solar panels on the production module may vary from what is described. Direct capture of water and / or carbon dioxide from the atmosphere may be different from MOF or other technologies of the preferred embodiment. For example, the direct capture of water from the air can be accomplished by cooling using a reverse cycle air conditioning system that is effective in releasing water from the air in liquid form. In this variant, the residual heat from the Sabatier reaction can be used to cool the air to release the liquid water. In another example, vacuum tubes can be used as an alternative heat source to release carbon dioxide from the absorbent material of the carbon dioxide extractor. In the context of renewable methane production, it is not necessary to recirculate liquid water from the Sabatier reactor to the electrolysis module. It should be understood that references to solar panels extend to printed solar energy such as thin film photovoltaics.
    [0157] It should be understood that any acknowledgment of the prior art in this specification shall not be construed as an admission that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge at the priority date of the claims.
    [0159] All such variations and modifications should be considered within the scope of the present invention, the nature of which will be determined from the foregoing description.
    权利要求:
    Claims (29)
    [1]
    1. A renewable methane production module comprising:
    a water capture generator designed to directly capture water from the atmosphere to provide water in liquid form, the water capture generator including an absorbent material designed to be exposed to the atmosphere to directly absorb water from the atmosphere onto the absorbent material;
    an electrolyzer operatively coupled to the water capture generator to receive the liquid water, the electrolyzer being effective in electrolysis of liquid water to produce hydrogen;
    a reactor operatively coupled to the electrolyzer to receive the hydrogen and react it with carbon dioxide to produce renewable methane.
    [2]
    2. A renewable methane production module according to claim 1, wherein the water capture generator also includes a heating means designed to adsorb heat from a renewable energy source and transfer it to the absorbent material to release the absorbed water from the absorbent material to provide liquid water for the electrolyzer.
    [3]
    3. A renewable methane production module according to any of claims 1 or 2, which also comprises an electricity generator set powered by a renewable energy source, said electricity generator set configured to provide electricity to power the electrolyzer in the electrolysis of atmospheric water in the production of hydrogen.
    [4]
    4. A renewable methane production module according to claim 3, wherein the electricity generator set includes a plurality of solar panels operatively coupled to an inverter for the production of electricity to feed the electrolyzer, the solar panels having the shape of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels arranged in an elongated bank of panels.
    [5]
    A renewable methane production module according to claim 4, wherein the bank of solar photovoltaic panels is located in two (2) rows on respective opposite faces of a solar frame structure that is oriented in a generally magnetic direction of North to South, the solar truss structure is shaped in cross section of an isosceles triangle each having two (2) rows of photovoltaic panels mounted on respective leg sides of the solar frame structure to increase the solar exposure of said solar panels.
    [6]
    6. A renewable methane production module according to any one of the preceding claims which also comprises a carbon dioxide extractor for extracting carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, where the carbon dioxide extractor is configured to directly capture carbon dioxide. carbon from the atmosphere using an organometallic scaffold (MOF) or other absorbent structure capable of directly absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
    [7]
    7. A renewable methane production module according to claim 6, wherein the reactor is an exothermic reactor for reacting hydrogen from the electrolyzer with carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide extractor to produce renewable methane in a Sabatier reaction.
    [8]
    8. A renewable methane production module according to claim 7, wherein the exothermic reactor is operatively coupled to a heat exchanger designed to exchange heat derived from the production of renewable methane with the carbon dioxide extractor to heat the structure absorber of said extractor to release the absorbed carbon dioxide from the absorbent structure.
    [9]
    9. A renewable methane production module according to claim 8, wherein the heat exchanger is operatively coupled to the electrolyzer where the steam produced from the exothermic reactor exchanges heat with the carbon dioxide extractor to promote the release of carbon dioxide. absorbed carbon where said vapor is condensed to provide liquid water to the electrolyzer for hydrogen production.
    [10]
    10. A renewable methane production module according to claims 8 or 9, wherein the water capture generator is configured to directly capture water from the atmosphere using a MOF or other absorbent structure capable of directly absorbing water from the atmosphere, the heat exchanger associated with the exothermic reactor being operatively coupled to the water capture generator to heat the absorbent structure of said water generator to release the absorbed water from the absorbent material.
    [11]
    11. A renewable methane production module according to claim 10, where the water capture generator is operatively coupled to the carbon dioxide extractor where the carbon dioxide extractor receives dehumidified air from the water capture generator to extract carbon dioxide from the dehumidified air.
    [12]
    12. A renewable methane production module according to any of claims 10 or 11, wherein the carbon dioxide extractor is operatively coupled to the heat exchanger associated with the exothermic reactor to heat the absorbent structure of the carbon dioxide extractor. to release absorbed carbon dioxide.
    [13]
    13. A renewable methane production module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the renewable methane production module is one of a plurality of said production modules, said production modules being co-located and together forming a plant of renewable methane production.
    [14]
    14. A method of producing renewable methane that comprises the steps of:
    directly capturing water from the air to provide water in liquid form, said step of directly capturing water involves exposing air to an absorbent material to absorb water from the air onto the absorbent material;
    produce hydrogen by electrolysis of liquid water;
    reacting hydrogen with carbon dioxide to produce renewable methane.
    [15]
    A method according to claim 14, wherein said step also involves i) releasing the absorbed water from the absorbent material by heating it, and ii) condensing the released water by cooling it to provide the liquid water.
    [16]
    16. A method according to any of claims 14 to 15, wherein the step of producing hydrogen involves: i) generating electricity through a renewable energy source, and ii) using the electricity to power the electrolysis of liquid water to hydrogen production.
    [17]
    17. A method according to any one of claims 14 or 16, wherein the step of reacting hydrogen with carbon dioxide involves a preliminary step of extracting carbon dioxide from the air or of obtaining carbon dioxide from a biogas reactor , the extraction of carbon dioxide from the air involves the direct capture of carbon dioxide from the air using solar energy and / or waste heat from the reaction between hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
    [18]
    18. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, also comprising the step of recirculating liquid water produced from the reaction between hydrogen and carbon dioxide for electrolysis in the production of hydrogen.
    [19]
    19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the recirculated liquid water is combined with the liquid water captured directly from the air for electrolysis in the production of hydrogen.
    [20]
    20. A method for producing hydrogen comprising the steps of:
    capturing water directly from the air to provide water in liquid form, said step of capturing water directly involves exposing air to an absorbent material to absorb water from the air onto the absorbent material;
    produce hydrogen by electrolysis of liquid water.
    [21]
    21. A method according to claim 20, wherein said step also involves i) releasing the absorbed water from the absorbent material by heating it, and ii) condensing the released water by cooling it to provide the liquid water.
    [22]
    22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the absorbed water is released from the absorbent material using solar energy to heat it.
    [23]
    23. A method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the step of producing hydrogen involves: i) generating electricity through a renewable energy source, and ii) using the electricity to power the electrolysis of the captured water directly for hydrogen production.
    [24]
    24. A method according to any one of claims 20 to 23, also comprising the step of purifying the hydrogen produced from electrolysis to provide hydrogen fuel at the purity levels required for fuel cell vehicles.
    [25]
    25. A hydrogen production system comprising:
    a water capture module to directly capture water from the air to provide water in liquid form, the water capture module includes a unit absorbent including an absorbent material designed to be exposed to air to absorb water from the air onto the absorbent material;
    an electrolysis module for the electrolysis of liquid water to produce hydrogen.
    [26]
    26. A hydrogen production system according to claim 25, wherein the water capture module also includes i) a heating unit designed to heat the absorbent material to release the absorbed water from the absorbent material, and ii) a unit Condensation designed to condense released water by cooling it to provide liquid water.
    [27]
    27. A hydrogen production system according to claim 26, wherein the heating unit includes a solar heating unit for heating the absorbent material.
    [28]
    28. A hydrogen production system according to any one of claims 25 to 27, wherein the electrolysis module includes an electricity generator module powered by a renewable energy source, said electricity generator module configured to provide electricity to power the electrolysis of captured water directly in the production of hydrogen.
    [29]
    29. A hydrogen production system according to any one of claims 25 to 28 which also comprises a purification module for purifying hydrogen from the electrolysis module to provide hydrogen fuel at levels of purity required for fuel cell vehicles .
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    ES2819057R1|2021-09-14|
    US20210221753A1|2021-07-22|
    WO2020000020A1|2020-01-02|
    AU2019296511A1|2021-01-14|
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    法律状态:
    2021-04-14| BA2A| Patent application published|Ref document number: 2819057 Country of ref document: ES Kind code of ref document: A2 Effective date: 20210414 |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    AU2018902332A|AU2018902332A0|2018-06-28|Hydrogen Production for Renewable Methane and Hydrogen Fuel|
    AU2018903181A|AU2018903181A0|2018-08-29|Renewable Methane Production Module|
    PCT/AU2019/050546|WO2020000020A1|2018-06-28|2019-05-30|Renewable methane production module|
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