PRODUCTION UNIT FOR GENERATING HYDROGEN

Abstract

A production unit for the production of hydrogen or ammonia by electrolytic decomposition of water, with an electrolysis unit supplied with electrical energy by a photovoltaic unit and connected on the media side to a water storage tank and on the output side to a hydrogen tank, is intended to enable a particularly reliable and fluctuation-insensitive use of a regenerative energy source. For this purpose, the production unit is designed for floating operation and comprises a balloon envelope forming a buoyant body which can be filled with a buoyancy gas and which is provided with a support structure for the water storage unit, the electrolysis unit, the photovoltaic unit and the hydrogen storage unit.

Claims

1. A production unit for producing hydrogen by electrolytic decomposition of water, comprising: an electrolysis unit supplied with electrical energy by a photovoltaic unit, the electrolysis unit connected on a media side to a water storage tank and on an output side to a hydrogen storage tank, a balloon envelope forming a buoyancy body which can be filled with a buoyancy gas, which is provided with a support structure for the water storage unit, the electrolysis unit, the photovoltaic unit and the water storage unit, and means for displacing a center of mass of the production unit in order to enable the center of mass to be positioned at a center of buoyancy of the production unit.

2. The production unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the water storage unit, the electrolysis unit, and/or the hydrogen storage unit are arranged inside half of the balloon envelope forming the buoyancy body.

3. The production unit according to claim 1, wherein the photovoltaic unit comprises one or more photovoltaic elements arranged outside the balloon envelope.

4. The production unit according to claim 3, wherein the balloon envelope has a volume of approximately 200,000 m.sup.3 to approximately 800,000 m.sup.3.

5. The production unit according to claim 4, wherein the water reservoir is formed by a plurality of tanks connected to one another on the media side.

6. The production unit according to claim 1, further comprising one or more balancing weights arranged in the buoyancy body and adjustable in their position.

7. The production unit according to claim 1, further comprising a synthesis unit for producing ammonia (NH.sub.3) by synthesizing hydrogen with nitrogen.

8. The method according to claim 9, further comprising positioning the production units at a working height of up to approximately 8,000 m above sea level during the production of the hydrogen or ammonia.

9. A method for producing hydrogen or ammonia with a plurality of production units according to claim 7, comprising positioning the center of mass of each production unit at its respective center of buoyancy during the production of the hydrogen or ammonia.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the production units are logistically connected to a central collection point for produced hydrogen via one or more transport units.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the production units are supplied with water by one or more water supply units, wherein each water supply unit comprises a base body configured as a buoyancy body and filled with helium and/or hydrogen as a buoyancy gas, and an extension plunger provided with a number of heating tubes for melting ice and receiving water.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein hydrogen is produced in the production units.

13. The method according to claim 8, wherein ammonia is produced in the production units.

14. The production unit according to claim 6, wherein the position of the balancing weights is adjusted via a spindle drive.

15. The production unit according to claim 7, wherein nitrogen is obtained from ambient air.

16. A method for producing hydrogen with a plurality of production units according to claim 1, comprising positioning the center of mass of each production unit at its respective center of buoyancy during the production of the hydrogen.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising positioning the production units at a working height of up to approximately 8,000 m above sea level during the production of the hydrogen.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Examples of embodiments of this disclosure are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a floating production unit for generating hydrogen (solar balloon) in partial section,

[0028] FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the floating production unit as shown in FIG. 1,

[0029] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the production unit as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2,

[0030] FIG. 4 shows another alternative embodiment of the floating production unit as shown in FIG. 1 in partial section,

[0031] FIG. 5 shows the floating production unit as shown in FIG. 4 in plan view,

[0032] FIG. 6 is a sketch of a number of different orientations of the production unit as shown in FIG. 1,

[0033] FIG. 7 shows the technical module in the version with a plurality of water tanks in plan view in a variant with three water tanks (FIG. 7a) and a variant with twelve water tanks (FIG. 7b),

[0034] FIG. 8 shows a production system with a plurality of production units of the type described above,

[0035] FIG. 9 shows a partial section of a water supply unit of the system shown in FIG. 8,

[0036] FIG. 10 shows an extension plunger of the water supply unit according to FIG. 9,

[0037] FIG. 11 is a sketch of the process sequence during operation of the water supply unit as shown in FIG. 9,

[0038] FIG. 12 is a side view of a hydrogen tanker of the system shown in FIG. 8,

[0039] FIG. 13 shows a docking or connection system for the above-mentioned components in section,

[0040] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the base plates of the components of the docking or connection system shown in FIG. 13,

[0041] FIG. 15 shows a coupling system for connecting the above-mentioned components to each other, and

[0042] FIG. 16 shows an outer ring of the coupling system according to FIG. 15 in plan view. Identical parts are marked with the same reference signs in all figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The production unit 1 according to FIG. 1 is designed for reliable and highly efficient production of hydrogen by electrolytic decomposition of water using a regenerative energy source, namely irradiated sunlight. Additionally or alternatively, the production unit 1 can also be designed to produce ammonia (NH.sub.3) from the green hydrogen produced, in particular by synthesizing it with nitrogen obtained from the ambient air. It comprises an electrolysis unit 4 positioned in a technology module 2, which is intended for the electrolytic decomposition of water stored in a water reservoir 6 connected on the media side to the electrolysis unit 4 and also positioned in the technology module 2. To supply the electrolysis unit 4 with electricity, it is connected to a photovoltaic unit 8, which generates the required electricity from the incident sunlight. Furthermore, the production unit 1 comprises a hydrogen storage unit 10, also positioned in the technology module 2, for the hydrogen produced and, depending on the intended use, a synthesis unit 11 for synthesizing ammonia.

[0044] In order to enable access to the sunlight intended as a regenerative energy source in a particularly reliable and low-fluctuation manner, the production unit 1 is intended and designed to be positioned at a particularly high altitude, preferably above the cloud ceiling. For this purpose, the production unit 1 is designed to be suitable for hovering operation. The ensemble provided for hydrogen production, comprising the electrolysis unit 4, the water storage unit 6, the photovoltaic unit 8 and the hydrogen storage unit 10 as essential components for this purpose, is arranged on a balloon envelope 12 forming a support structure, i.e. suitable platforms or support frames for the electrolysis unit 4, the water storage unit 6, the photovoltaic unit 8 and the hydrogen storage unit 10 are arranged on the balloon envelope 12. The balloon envelope 12 forms a buoyancy body 14 filled with a suitable buoyancy gas, for example helium. This basic construction, which is designed in the form of a bundle or packaging for the main components, allows the entire production unit 1 to float above the cloud ceiling during the production cycle. The production unit 1 is thus designed in the manner of a solar balloon.

[0045] Helium is preferably provided as the buoyancy gas; however, the hydrogen produced in the electrolysis unit 4 can also be used as a buoyancy agent if necessary.

[0046] Accordingly, the solar balloon formed by the production unit 1 fulfils the function of producing green hydrogen by means of electrolysis, fed by electricity from photovoltaics, and essentially corresponds to a buoyant body equipped with photovoltaics, electrolyzer, drive motors and tanks for water (H.sub.2O), hydrogen (H.sub.2) and oxygen (O.sub.2). Alternatively, the production unit 1 can also be designed to produce green ammonia; in this case, the green hydrogen generated in the electrolysis unit 4 is reacted with nitrogen extracted from the ambient air and synthesized into ammonia.

[0047] The buoyancy body 14 formed by the balloon envelope 12 serves, in addition to its actual function of providing the necessary buoyancy for hovering operation, as a structural base on or in which the other components are attached. The balloon envelope 12, which serves as the outer shell, is arranged on a lightweight support structure 16 with modular buoyancy gas containers 18. The lightweight support structure 16 also serves as a shaping element over which the outer skin or balloon envelope 12 is stretched. In the embodiment example shown in FIG. 1, a spherical shape is provided for the buoyancy body 14 in a particularly preferred embodiment, which is predetermined by correspondingly dimensioned disk or ring bodies 19 of the lightweight supporting structure 16. However, other shapes for the outer shell of the production unit 1 are also conceivable; for example, FIG. 2 shows a partial section of an alternatively designed production unit 1 with an essentially cylindrical shape of the buoyancy body. In both variants, the modular buoyancy gas containers 18 are arranged inside the outer or balloon envelope 12, the buoyancy gas of which keeps the solar balloon at the desired height.

[0048] In the embodiment example, the photovoltaic unit 8 intended for electricity production is composed of a large number of lightweight photovoltaic elements 20, photovoltaic components or solar modules from conventional production, which are mounted on a common support structure 22, which in the embodiment example is designed in the form of a spider web. In the embodiment examples shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the support structure 22 is designed in the form of an extended disk. The individual elements 20 mounted on the support structure 22 are clearly recognizable in the top view (with only half-covered support structure 22) as shown in FIG. 3. Alternatively, the support structure 22 could also be designed in the form of a sequence of stacked ring modules 23, adapted to the spherical design of the buoyancy body 14 in the example shown in FIG. 1, as shown in the partial section in FIG. 4 and in plan view in FIG. 5. For clarification, the ring modules 23 in FIG. 5 are shown in different shades of gray. The inner diameter of the ring modules 23 follows the outer diameter of the balloon envelope 12 at their positioning location. Furthermore, they are preferably dimensioned relative to each other in such a way that no mutual shading occurs when the light falls vertically, so that the efficiency of the system as a whole can be kept particularly high and, thanks to the free rotatability of the overall system around the center of gravity of the solar balloon, these can always be aligned in such a way that a perfect, vertical angle of incidence of the sunlight on the solar modules is achieved.

[0049] However, the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 with a disc-shaped support structure 22 is preferable to this design, as it can always be aligned around the centre of gravity of the solar balloon during operation in such a way that a perfect, vertical angle of incidence of the sun light on the solar modules is achieved, also due to the free rotatability of the overall system. This is shown in sketch form in the variants a), b), c) according to FIG. 6, whereby the line 24 symbolizes the incident solar radiation in each case.

[0050] The technology module(s) 2 serves to accommodate the technically necessary components, and accordingly, depending on the individual system design, different numbers of technology modules 2 with possibly different equipment can be provided. The technology modules 2 are, as can be seen in the embodiment example according to FIG. 1, attached to the support structure 16 regardless of their equipment and taking into account the properties of the photovoltaic unit 8 in such a way that the center of gravity of the solar balloon 1 is in its center or middle, so that it can rotate freely around its center. They thus serve as a counterweight to the photovoltaic unit 8, as the ability to reliably align the system towards the sun in all operating phases is particularly important in order to achieve a high degree of efficiency. In order to facilitate or even completely enable this, the production unit 1, 1 according to one aspect of the invention is specifically designed so that the center of mass can be positioned in its center of buoyancy. If these centers of gravity coincide, it is particularly easy to rotate the system about these centers of gravity with a high degree of system stability. In order to make this possible, in the embodiment example shown, a plurality of water tanks 30 are provided as a means for the targeted displacement of the center of mass of the production unit 1, 1 in an embodiment which is regarded as independently inventive, which together form the water reservoir 6. The water tanks 30 are suitably distributed within the system and connected to each other on the media side, so that water can be pumped between the individual tanks 30 as required and the center of gravity can thus be changed accordingly. According to a further development considered to be inventive, one of the tanks 30 is positioned in the center of the photovoltaic unit 8, with the other tanks 30 being arranged in the area of the technology module 2. To balance the center of gravity, water can be distributed or pumped between the tanks in such a way that the center of gravity moves to the center of buoyancy and is held there.

[0051] Viewed from above, the tanks 30 can be arranged within the technology module 2 alternating with other modules, for example the electrolysis unit 4, a control unit 32 or the like. This can be seen, for example, in the top view of the technology module 2 as shown in FIG. 7, where three tanks 30 are shown in the variant shown in FIG. 7a and twelve tanks 30 in the variant shown in FIG. 7b. Of course, any other number of tanks 30 is also conceivable, whereby the selection of the number and positioning of the tanks 30 is advantageously selected on the basis of other boundary conditions such as controllability of the setting of the center of gravity, specification of external boundary conditions and the like.

[0052] Alternatively or additionally, suitably positionable, for example spindle-guided weights can also be provided, which can be suitably displaced in the buoyancy body 12 to balance the center of gravity.

[0053] The electrolysis unit 4 is housed in one of the technology modules 2. It is supplied with water from the water tanks forming the water reservoir 6, which are also housed in technology modules 2, and produces green hydrogen with regard to the supply of electricity from the photovoltaic unit 8. The water tanks in turn are filled by means of an associated water supply, which is represented either by water extraction machines (e.g. condensers) housed in the technical area or preferably by the water supply unit described below.

[0054] To maneuver and position the buoyant body 14, a number of motors, in the embodiment example electric motors 26 with propellers 28, are arranged on it. These are powered by fuel cells, battery units or electricity from photovoltaics. Alternatively, a suitably selected number of hydrogen-powered combustion engines could be provided instead. Finally, the solar balloon is also equipped with a suitably designed control system for independent, autonomous movement.

[0055] The products from the water electrolysis in the production unit 1, 1, hydrogen (H.sub.2) and oxygen (O.sub.2), can be transferred to the corresponding tanks via a system for high-pressure and/or liquid storage. For example, compression (e.g. 700 bar) or liquefaction can be provided upstream of for space-saving storage.

[0056] To further explain the mode of operation, a system 40 for producing hydrogen or ammonia with a plurality of production units 1 or 1 of the type described above is shown in FIG. 8. The system 40 is designed for a globally organized mode of operation from and is therefore shown with respect to the global stationing of its components relative to the earth 42. In addition to a plurality of pro duction on units 1, 1 of the type described above, of which only one is shown in the north and one in the south in FIG. 8 for the sake of clarity, the system 40 comprises a number of water supply units 44 provided for supplying the respective solar balloons with water, a number of hydrogen or ammonia tankers 46 and a number of hydrogen or ammonia terminals 48.

[0057] The tankers 46 and the terminals 48 are used to transport and transfer the hydrogen or ammonia produced in the production units 1, 1 to the respective H.sub.2 or NH.sub.3 networks. In contrast, the water supply units 44 are used to supply water to the production units 1, 1 so that sufficient basic material is kept available for hydrogen or ammonia production.

[0058] As shown schematically in FIG. 8, the production units 1, 1 are stationed above the terrestrial north pole 50 (in relation to the northern hemisphere) in the summer half-year, in particular above the Arctic Circle, so that a continuous availability of sunlight is guaranteed. This allows the production units 1, 1 to be continuously supplied with regenerative energy during this period and to produce hydrogen or ammonia. In the process, they are supplied with water via the water supply units 44, which they obtain by melting ice in the polar region, for example, in the form of a pendulum operation. The hydrogen or ammonia produced is then regularly transported from the production units 1, 1 to the terminals 48 by the tankers 46, also in the form of a shuttle operation, from where it can be fed into the respective networks. This means that production can be carried out continuously in the area of the North Pole 50 in the period from April to August of each calendar year, for example.

[0059] In a subsequent phase, in conjunction with the end of summer in the northern hemisphere, the production units 1, 1, possibly together with the other components, can be moved from their location in the area of the terrestrial north pole 50 to an alternative location in the area of the terrestrial south pole 52 in September of the respective calendar year, for example, where they carry out production during the winter half-year (in relation to the northern hemisphere). Thus, for example, production can be carried out continuously in the area of the south pole 52 in the period from October to March of each calendar year, as continuous solar radiation is available here during this time period. As the summer in the southern hemisphere comes to an end, for example in March, the production units 1, 1 can then be relocated back to their northern location in the area of the north pole 50 and the annual production cycle can begin again. The key dates for the respective position changes from the northern to the southern polar region and vice versa are preferably selected and, according to one aspect of the invention, according to the criterion that solar radiation should be available as completely as possible over the entire day away, so that a 7-day/week 24-hour den/day operation is possible. This can be achieved, taking into account the terrestrial conditions, by placing the production units 1, 1 at a working height above the cloud cover, in particular up to 8000 m, during the period from March 28 to September 14 of each calendar year in the area of the northern hemisphere. September of each calendar year in the area of the North Pole, with a maximum deviation from the North Pole of 1.8 on March 28 of a calendar year up to a maximum deviation from the North Pole of 23.5 on June 21 up to a maximum deviation from the North Pole of 1.8 on September 14, so that they are exposed to full-time solar radiation on the polar day. Similarly, this applies to a deviation from the South Pole of 1.8 on September 28 up to a deviation from the South Pole of 23.5 on December 21 up to a deviation from the South Pole of 1.8 on March 14 for stationing near the South Pole during the winter half-year (in relation to the northern hemi sphere).

[0060] In summary, the solar balloons 1, 1 thus produce water continuously over the North Pole from around April to August, preferably from March 28 to September 14, with the water supply units 44 continuously supplying the solar balloons 1, 1 with water. The tankers 46 fly the hydrogen continuously from the solar balloons 1, 1 to the terminals 48. In a variation without tankers 46, the solar balloons 1, 1 themselves fly the hydrogen or ammonia to the terminals every six months. In September, the solar balloons fly with the water supply units 44 from the North Pole 50 to the South Pole 52. At the South Pole 52, the solar balloons 1, 1 produce hydrogen or ammonia continuously from approximately October to February, preferably from September 28 to March 14. In March, the solar balloons 1, 1 fly with the water supply units 44 from the South Pole 52 back to the North Pole 50.

[0061] The production unit 1, 1is designed to operate at a working height above the cloud cover so that production operations can be maintained as continuously as possible. For this purpose, the production unit 1, 1is stationed at a working altitude of up to approximately 8000 m in the design example. The components, in particular the balloon envelope 12 and its load-bearing capacity, are dimensioned and designed accordingly. Among other things, it is taken into account that an air density of 0.542 kg/m.sup.3 is to be expected in the ambient air at the intended working height. With a spherical design of the balloon envelope, a nominal power of the electrolyzer (corresponding to the design power output of the photovoltaic system) of 1 MW, an operating weight of the photovoltaic system of 20 t, an operating weight of the electrolyzer of about 36 t and taking into account the required media supplies and stocks, a design volume of about 200,000 m.sup.3 is preferably provided for the balloon envelope at a flight altitude of about 8 km. More specifically, the following design parameters are preferably provided as examples for exemplary scenarios of a nominal output of the electrolysis unit of 1 MW or 4 MW:

1. Variant: Design 1 MW

TABLE-US-00001 Output (MW) 1 Shape balloon envelope 12 ball Flight altitude (km) 8 Air density at an altitude of 8 km (kg/m.sup.3) 0.542 Buoyant gas Helium/hydrogen Photovoltaic unit 8: Output (MW) 1 Weight at 1MW output (t) 20 Area at 1MW output (m.sup.2) 7000 Electrolyzer 4: Power input (MW) 1 Output H.sub.2 (kg/d) 450 Pressure H.sub.2 (bar) 30 Weight electrolyzer (t) 36 Size approx. 13.2 4.0 5.7 m Hydrogen storage 10: Variant pressure tank 700bar: Specific weight H.sub.2 at 700bar (kg/m.sup.3) 40 Daily volume with pressure tank storage (m.sup.3) 11.25 Hourly volume with pressure tank storage (m.sup.3) 0.47 Liquid storage variant: Specific weight H.sub.2 at liquefaction (kg/m.sup.3) 71 Daily volume with liquefaction (m.sup.3) 6.34 Hourly volume with liquefaction (m.sup.3) 0.26

[0062] In the variant intended for ammonia storage, dimensions and weights can be of a similar order of magnitude as for hydrogen, as the medium ammonia is comparatively heavier, but the tanks can be designed to be lighter in a similar ratio.

Characteristic and Design Data for Solar Balloon 1

Utilization Concept: Terminals in Australia (September-March) and Germany (March-September)

TABLE-US-00002 Flight speed solar balloon 1 (km/h) 60.00 Flight distance north-south pole (km) 20015.00 Flight duration (h) 333.58 Active production time per half-year (h) 4046.42 (calculated from 365*24 h/2 - flight duration) Half-yearly yield H.sub.2 per solar balloon (t) 75.87 Annual yield H.sub.2 per solar balloon (t): 151.74 (calculated from production time * production capacity) Airspeed H.sub.2 -tanker 46 (km/h) 100.00 Flight distance North Pole-Hamburg (km) 4052.00 Flight duration (h) 40.52 Flight distance South Pole-Melbourne (km) 5800.00 Flight duration (h) 58.00
With a coverage of one H.sub.2 tanker per solar balloon (1), the tank volume results from the longest flight duration*2+pick-up time at the terminal+loading time at the solar balloon (1) (=production time) multiplied by the hours volume of the H.sub.2 production

TABLE-US-00003 Estimated pick-up time at the terminal (h) 12.00 Estimated loading time on the solar balloon (h) 12.00 Production time (h): Longest flight time H.sub.2 -tanker*2 + acceptance time + 140.00 loading time Tank volume at production time at 700 bar (m.sup.3) 65.63 Tank volume at production time liquefaction (m.sup.3) 36.97 Weight H.sub.2 tank capacity, both solar balloon and H.sub.2 2.63 tanker (t) Weight electrolyzer (t) 36.00 Weight photovoltaic (t) 20.00 Buoyancy body estimate (t) 50.00 Weight solar balloon full tank (t) 108.63 Volume of buoyancy body at 8 km altitude 200,415.13 full tank (m.sub.3) Diameter of sphere at 8km altitude 72.61 with full tank (m)

Characteristics and Design Data for Hydrogen Tankers 46

TABLE-US-00004 Airspeed H.sub.2 -tanker (km/h) 100.00 Flight distance North Pole-Hamburg (km) 4052.00 Flight duration (h) 40.52 Flight distance South Pole-Melbourne (km) 5800.00 Flight duration (h) 58.00 Flight duration for one load/unload (h): Longest flight time*2 + pick-up time + loading time 140.00 Fuel bills see above Tank volume at production time at 700 bar (m.sup.3) 65.63 Tank volume at production time liquefaction (m.sup.3) 36.97 Weight H.sub.2 -tank capacity, both solar balloon and hydrogen tanker (t) 2.63 Weight of buoyancy body estimate (t) 5.00 Weight full H.sub.2 tanker (t) 7.63 Volume of buoyancy body at 8 km altitude with full tank (m.sup.3) 14,068.27

Characteristic and Design Data for Water Supply Unit 44

[0063] Must ascend 8 km from the ground to the solar balloon (1), extract and deliver water. With a production target of 450 kg H.sub.2/day, 4050 kg/day of water is required Assumption:

TABLE-US-00005 ascent + delivery + descent Duration (h) 24.00 Tank volume with 4050 kg water (m.sup.3) 4.04 Empty weight estimate buoyancy body + technology (t) 7.50 Weight of full water supply unit (t) 11.54 Volume of buoyancy body at 8 km altitude 21,287.55 with full tank (m.sup.3)

2. Variant: Design 4 MW

TABLE-US-00006 Output (MW) 4 Shape of balloon envelope 12 Cylinder Flight altitude (km) 8 Air density at an altitude of 8 km (kg/m.sup.3) 0.542 Buoyant gas Helium/hydrogen Photovoltaic unit 8: Output (MW) 4 Weight at 1MW output (t) 80 Area with 1MW output (m.sup.2) 28000 Electrolyzer 4: Power input (MW) 4 Output H.sub.2 (kg/d) 1,800 Pressure H.sub.2 (bar) 30 Weight electrolyzer (t) 144 Size 4x approx. 13.2 4.0 5.7 m Hydrogen storage 10: Variant pressure tank 700bar: Specific weight H.sub.2 at 700bar (kg/m.sup.3) 40 Daily volume with pressure tank storage (m.sup.3) 45 Hourly volume with pressure tank storage (m.sup.3) 1.88 Liquid storage variant: Specific weight H.sub.2 at liquefaction (kg/m.sup.3) 71 Daily volume with liquefaction (m.sup.3) 25.35 Hourly volume with liquefaction (m.sup.3) 1.06
In the variant intended for ammonia storage, dimensions and weights can be of a similar order of magnitude as for hydrogen, as the medium ammonia is comparatively heavier, but the tanks can be designed to be lighter in a similar ratio.

Characteristic and Design Data for Solar Balloon 1

Utilization Concept: Terminals in Australia (September-March) and Germany (March-September)

TABLE-US-00007 Flight speed solar balloon (1) (km/h) 60.00 Flight distance north-south pole (km) 20015.00 Flight duration (h) 333.58 Active production time per half-year (h) 4046.42 (calculated from 365*24 h/2 - flight duration) Half-yearly yield H2 per solar balloon (t) 303 Annual yield H.sub.2 per solar balloon (t): 607 (calculated from production time * production capacity) Airspeed H.sub.2 -tanker (km/h) 100.00 Flight distance North Pole-Hamburg (km) 4052.00 Flight duration (h) 40.52 Flight distance South Pole-Melbourne (km) 5800.00 Flight duration (h) 58.00
With a coverage of one H.sub.2 tanker per solar balloon (1), the tank volume results from the longest flight duration*2+pick-up time at the terminal+loading time at the solar balloon (1) (=production time) multiplied by the hours volume of H.sub.2 production

TABLE-US-00008 Estimated pick-up time at the terminal (h) 12.00 Estimated loading time on the solar balloon (h) 12.00 Production time (h): Longest flight time H.sub.2 -tanker*2 + acceptance time + 140.00 loading time Tank volume at production time at 700 bar (m.sup.3) 262.5 Tank volume at production time liquefaction (m.sup.3) 148 Weight H.sub.2 tank capacity, both solar balloon and H.sub.2 10.5 tanker (t) Weight electrolyzer (t) 144.00 Weight photovoltaic (t) 80.00 Buoyancy body estimate (t) 200.00 Weight solar balloon (t) 434.50 Volume of buoyancy chamber at 8 km altitude (m.sup.3) 801,660.52 Diameter of sphere at 8km altitude (m) 115.26

Characteristics and Design Data for Hydrogen Tankers 46

TABLE-US-00009 Airspeed H.sub.2 -tanker (km/h) 100.00 Flight distance North Pole-Hamburg (km) 4052.00 Flight duration (h) 40.52 Flight distance South Pole-Melbourne (km) 5800.00 Flight duration (h) 58.00 Flight duration for one load/unload (h): Longest flight time*2 + pick-up time + loading time 140.00 Fuel bills see above Tank volume at production time at 700 bar (m.sup.3) 262.50 Tank volume at production time liquefaction (m.sup.3) 147.89 Weight H.sub.2 -tank capacity, both solar balloon and hydrogen tanker (t) 10.5 Weight of buoyancy chamber and tanks Estimate (t) 113.00 Weight H.sub.2 -tanker (t) 123.50 Volume of buoyancy chamber at 8 km altitude (m.sup.3) 227,859.78

Characteristic and Design Data of Water Supply Unit 44

[0064] Must ascend 8 km from the ground to the solar balloon (1), extract and deliver water. With a production target of 450 kg H.sub.2/day, 4050 kg/day of water is required Assumption:

TABLE-US-00010 ascent+delivery+descent Duration (h) 24.00 Tank volume with 4050 kg water (m.sup.3) 16.15 Empty weight estimate buoyancy body + technology (t) 15 Weight of full water supply unit (t) 31.20 Volume of buoyancy body at 8 km altitude 57,564.58 with full tank (m.sup.3)

[0065] Of course, a large number of other parameter combinations are also conceivable for the design of the system 40, whereby the values specified above can be used as orientation values. In the preferred range for the design of the power of 1 MW to 4 MW, a weight of for example 106 to 424 tons and a buoyancy volume of the buoyancy body 14 of for example 200,000 m.sup.3 to 800,000 m.sup.3 can prove to be suitable. Hydrogen or Helium is preferably provided as the lifting gas, the preferred flight altitude is up to about 8000 m, and the shape of the lifting body can be spherical to cylindrical.

[0066] A partial sectional view of an embodiment of the water supply unit 44 is shown in FIG. 9. The water supply unit 44 has a base body 56, also designed as a buoyancy body, which is filled with helium and/or hydrogen as a buoyancy gas and is equipped with a photovoltaic surface 58 for energy supply. Furthermore, in the embodiment example shown, it comprises a heatable extension plunger 60 for water extraction, which is shown enlarged in FIG. 10. Stainless steel heating tubes 62 are arranged on the discharge plunger 60. These melt water from ice on the ground, which is conveyed by means of a pump to the water tanks 64 arranged in the interior of the base body 56 of the water supply unit 44. After filling the water tanks 64, the water supply unit 44 rises to the solar balloons 1, 1 and delivers the water to them, as shown in the sketch of the process sequence in FIG. 11. The water supply unit 44 forms a self-sufficient production system together with the solar balloon 1, 1. Alternatively, the solar balloon 1, 1 could be supplied directly from the water content of the air, for example by condensation ration. In the embodiment example, the drive is provided by electricity from the photovoltaic surface 58 and/or electricity from a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell or a battery unit, each of which can suitably drive an electric motor. .sub.2Just like the solar balloons 1, 1, the water supply unit 44 is also equipped with tanks for water (H.sub.2O) (not expressly shown) in addition to the tanks (64) for hydrogen (H.sub.2) and oxygen (O.sub.2).

[0067] A side view of an embodiment example of the tanker 46 is shown in FIG. 12. In terms of its structure, such a tanker in the embodiment example is essentially designed in the manner of a conventional airship. The tanker 46 should also be able to cover long distances, which is why it is manufactured in an aerodynamic form in the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 12. Propellers 70 are provided as the drive, which can be powered, for example, by electric motors 72 with a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell, a battery unit, a photovoltaic system or a combination of these options. Alternatively, a number of hydrogen engines could also be provided. The tanker 46 is also equipped with an unspecified control system for independent, autonomous movement andas an independent aircraftalso with unspecified tanks for water (H.sub.2O), for hydrogen (H.sub.2) and for oxygen (O.sub.2). Alternatively or additionally, depending on the design of the system, ammonia tanks can of course also be provided.

[0068] Reliable, problem-free media transfer between the individual components is of particular importance for reliable operation of the system 40, as the hydrogen or ammonia produced in the production units 1, 1 must be transferred reliably and with as little loss as possible to the hydrogen/ammonia tankers 46 and from these to the respective terminals 48 after transportation. On the other hand, the water produced by the water supply units 44 must also be transferred to the production units 1, 1.

[0069] In order to make these transfer processes as reliable and low-loss as possible, the aforementioned components are equipped with a docking or connection system 74 at the relevant interfaces, which is considered to be independently inventive. This is designed to provide a reliable and stable detachable connection between two of the aforementioned components and to enable reliable media transfer between the components. To this end, the docking or connection system, as shown in section in FIG. 13, comprises two complementary, matched connecting elements 76, 78, of which the first connecting element 76 could be described as male and the second connecting element 78 as female. Both connecting elements 76, 78 each have a base plate 80, via which the mechanical connection to the other base plate 80 can be established in the manner of a surface contact. A circumferential collar 82, 84 is arranged on the side of the respective base plate 80, which in the case of the first, male connecting element 76 is inclined backwards, i.e. away from the other connecting element 78, by a predetermined angle, in the embodiment example 45, and in the case of the second, female connecting element 78 is inclined forwards, i.e. towards the other connecting element 76, by the same predetermined angle. The two collars 82, 84 thus together form a guide pairing for the docking system 74, which ensures that when contact is made between the two base plates 80 with each other, they are correctly guided relative to each other and centered with respect to each other in accordance with the design. The two base plates 80 can then be fixed to each other by suitable means, for example a vacuum system or by means of magnetic elements, and maintained.

[0070] In FIG. 14, the base plates 80 of the male connecting element 76 and the female connecting element 78 are each shown in perspective view. It is clear from this that the base plates are provided with a number of media couplings that enable the safe transfer of the media that are important in the present case, namely hydrogen, oxygen and water. For this purpose, the base plate 80 assigned to the male connecting element 76 has a connecting plug 90 assigned to the medium hydrogen, a connecting plug 92 assigned to the medium oxygen and a connecting plug 94 assigned to the medium water. Complementary to these, the base plate 80 assigned to the female connecting element 78 has a connecting sleeve 96 assigned to the medium hydrogen, a connecting sleeve 98 assigned to the medium oxygen and a connecting sleeve 100 assigned to the medium water. These elements are provided with suitable self-closing valves. When a connection is established between the base plates 80, the corresponding media connections are also established by means of these plug-in connections so that media can be exchanged between the components.

[0071] Of course, an alternative or additional connector pairing assigned to the ammonia medium can also be provided if required.

[0072] Alternatively or additionally, a coupling system 110 can also be provided for connecting or coupling several of the aforementioned components, as shown as an example in a sectional view in FIG. 15 for the connection of a production unit 1, 1 with a tanker 46. The coupling system 110 is used, among other things, optionally in addition to a media transfer of the type described above, for the transfer of technology and tank modules between the system components solar balloon Water Supply Unit/tanker 46; it can thus be provided, for example, for the exchange or transfer of tank modules and/or for the exchange of technology modules 2 between any of the components mentioned.

[0073] As can be seen from the illustration in FIG. 15, the coupling system 110 comprises a pair of outer rings 112, 114 which can be coupled to one another, one of which is arranged on each of the components to be connected. As can be seen from the plan view according to FIG. 16, the pair of outer rings 112, 114 encloses an inner shaft 116, via which the said modules or other objects can be transferred between the coupled components. The coupling system 110 thus forms a ring-shaped docking mechanism. This has the shaft 116 in the middle, through which modules are transferred. The modules are isolated or separated from each other and are transported as a whole through the shaft 116.

[0074] The components of the system 40 are equipped with corresponding connecting elements 76, 78 and/or coupling systems 110 in an embodiment that is regarded as independently inventive, whereby all female connecting elements are designed to be compatible with all male connecting elements from, so that the components of the system 40 can be connected to one another as desired and in accordance with their purpose. In the design example shown, a distinction can be made between the up (=facing away from the earth and towards the sun) and down (=facing towards the earth) orientation due to the intended use of the components in floating operation. In order to enable system-wide compatibility of the components with each other, all components of the system 40 are equipped with a female connecting element 78 or outer ring 114 at their respective lower area and with a male connecting element 76 or outer ring 112 at their upper area. Of course, this could also be done the other way around.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0075] 1 Production unit [0076] 2 Technology module [0077] 4 Electrolysis unit [0078] 6 Water reservoir [0079] 8 Photovoltaic unit [0080] 10 Hydrogen storage [0081] 11 Synthesis unit [0082] 12 Balloon envelope [0083] 14 Buoyancy body [0084] 16 Lightweight support structure [0085] 18 Buoyant gas tank [0086] 19 Ring body [0087] 20 Photovoltaic element [0088] 22 Support structure [0089] 23 Ring modules [0090] 24 Line [0091] 26 Electric motor [0092] 28 Propeller [0093] 30 Water tank [0094] 40 System [0095] 42 Earth [0096] 44 Water supply unit [0097] 46 Hydrogen tanker [0098] 48 Hydrogen terminal [0099] 50 North Pole [0100] 52 South Pole [0101] 56 Base body [0102] 58 Photovoltaic area [0103] 60 Exit stamp [0104] 62 Heating pipe [0105] 64 Water tank [0106] 70 Screws [0107] 72 Electric motors [0108] 74 Docking system [0109] 76,78 Connecting element [0110] 80 Base plate [0111] 82,84 Collar [0112] 90-94 Connector plug [0113] 96-100 Connecting sleeve [0114] 110 Coupling system [0115] 112, 114 Outer ring [0116] 116 Shaft