Seawater Electrolysis Hydrogen Recovery And Power Generation System

Abstract

A seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system is capable of recovering hydrogen gas and using the hydrogen gas to drive an electric turbine generator during the operation of a seawater electrolyzer for production of sodium hypochlorite. The seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system includes pipelines, booster pumps, a plenum chamber and a condenser chamber.

Claims

1. A seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system implementable with a seawater electrolysis apparatus, comprising: a first pipeline having a first end, connectable to an output of the seawater electrolysis apparatus, and a second end; a first booster pump located in the first pipeline; a second pipeline having a first end, connected to the second end of the first pipeline, and a second end; a third pipeline having a first end, connected to the second end of the second pipeline, and a second end; a plenum chamber with a diameter greater than a diameter of the third pipeline, the plenum chamber having a bottom side connected to the second end of the third pipeline; a fourth pipeline having a first end, connected to a top side of the plenum chamber, and a second end connectable to a turbine of a power generation system such that a hydrogen gas flowing in the fourth pipeline pushes blades of the turbine to generate electricity; a fifth pipeline connectable to the turbine to collect the hydrogen gas after the hydrogen gas passes through the turbine blades; a condensation chamber configured to receive and condense the hydrogen gas from the fifth pipeline, wherein, when connected together, a portion of the first pipeline, the second pipeline, and a portion of the third pipeline form a U-shaped structure.

2. The seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system of claim 1, further comprising: a sixth pipeline having a first end, connected to the plenum chamber, and a second end connectable to a storage tank; and a second booster pump located in the sixth pipeline and between the plenum chamber and the storage tank.

3. The seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system of claim 2, wherein the first end of the sixth pipeline is connected to an opening of the plenum chamber at approximately one half of a height of the plenum chamber.

4. The seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system of claim 3, wherein, during operation, the opening of the plenum chamber is below a sea level.

5. The seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system of claim 1, wherein the second pipeline has a soft wall.

6. The seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system of claim 2, wherein the second pipeline has a soft wall.

7. The seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system of claim 3, wherein the second pipeline has a soft wall.

8. The seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system of claim 4, wherein the second pipeline has a soft wall.

9. The seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system of claim 1, further comprising: anti-leakage rings disposed at a connection between the first pipeline and the second pipeline and at a connection between the second pipeline and the third pipeline.

10. The seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system of claim 2, further comprising: anti-leakage rings disposed at a connection between the first pipeline and the second pipeline and at a connection between the second pipeline and the third pipeline.

11. The seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system of claim 3, further comprising: anti-leakage rings disposed at a connection between the first pipeline and the second pipeline and at a connection between the second pipeline and the third pipeline.

12. The seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system of claim 4, further comprising: anti-leakage rings disposed at a connection between the first pipeline and the second pipeline and at a connection between the second pipeline and the third pipeline.

13. The seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system of claim 1, wherein a portion of the first pipeline is configured to extend downwards by a length between 10 meters and 1000 meters.

14. The seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system of claim 2, wherein a portion of the first pipeline is configured to extend downwards by a length between 10 meters and 1000 meters.

15. The seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system of claim 3, wherein a portion of the first pipeline is configured to extend downwards by a length between 10 meters and 1000 meters.

16. The seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system of claim 4, wherein a portion of the first pipeline is configured to extend downwards by a length between 10 meters and 1000 meters.

17. The seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system of claim 2, further comprising: a seventh pipeline having an end connectable to the storage tank; and a third booster pump located in the seventh pipeline.

18. The seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system of claim 3, further comprising: a seventh pipeline having an end connectable to the storage tank; and a third booster pump located in the seventh pipeline.

19. The seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system of claim 4, further comprising: a seventh pipeline having an end connectable to the storage tank; and a third booster pump located in the seventh pipeline.

20. A sea platform, comprising: a seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system comprising: a seawater electrolysis apparatus capable of electrolyzing seawater from a sea; a first pipeline having a first end, connected to an output of the seawater electrolysis apparatus, and a second end; a first booster pump located in the first pipeline; a second pipeline having a first end, connected to the second end of the first pipeline, and a second end; a third pipeline having a first end, connected to the second end of the second pipeline, and a second end; a plenum chamber with a diameter greater than a diameter of the third pipeline, the plenum chamber having a bottom side connected to the second end of the third pipeline; a fourth pipeline having a first end, connected to a top side of the plenum chamber, and a second end connectable to a turbine of a power generation system such that a hydrogen gas flowing in the fourth pipeline pushes blades of the turbine to generate electricity; a fifth pipeline connectable to the turbine to collect the hydrogen gas after the hydrogen gas passes through the turbine blades; a condensation chamber configured to receive and condense the hydrogen gas from the fifth pipeline, wherein, when connected together, a portion of the first pipeline, the second pipeline, and a portion of the third pipeline form a U-shaped structure; and a floating device coupled to the seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system, the floating device capable of floating at a surface of the sea when disposed in the sea.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of the present disclosure. The drawings illustrate implementations of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. It is appreciable that the drawings are not necessarily in scale as some components may be shown to be out of proportion than the size in actual implementation in order to clearly illustrate the concept of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a conventional structure of a water electrolyzer.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a relationship between a conventional seawater hypochlorite production amount and a direct-current (DC) load.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a first perspective view of a seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system according to side aspect perspective view.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a top view of a seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 6 is a second perspective view of a seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 7 is a first enlarged perspective view of a seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure after removal of working platform.

[0032] FIG. 8 is a second enlarged perspective view of a seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure after removal of working platform.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates a seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. A seawater electrolysis apparatus (E) is shown in FIG. 3. A front end seawater (P1) booster pump pushes seawater through decimation filter into conduit(s) between cell electrode plates where electrolytic chemical reaction takes place to result in electrolytic water containing sodium hypochlorite and hydrogen (chlorine-and-hydrogen containing seawater). The chlorine-and-hydrogen containing seawater continues to be pumped by booster pump (P2) into the deep sea through a substantially vertical pipeline (1) from the sea level. Because seawater pressure increases with depth, as the depth of the sea increases to 100 meters the water pressure increases by about 1 atm. Therefore, in the first output pipeline of seawater electrolysis apparatus (E), booster pump (P2) is added to push chlorine-and-hydrogen containing seawater into the deep sea.

[0034] A second pipeline (2), with a soft material for its wall and in a substantially horizontal suspension state, has left and right ends. The lower end of the first pipeline (1) is connected to the left end of the second pipeline (2), and the right hand side of the second pipeline (2) is connected to the lower end of a third pipeline (3). At the connection between the first pipeline (1) and the second pipeline (2), an anti-leakage ring (R1) is added, and at the connection between the second pipeline (2) and the third pipeline (3), an anti-leakage ring (R2) is added to prevent pipeline leaks inside and outside.

[0035] The third pipeline (3) from the deep is connected vertically upwards at the bottom surface of the plenum (C). The second pipeline (2) is under pressure due to the soft wall of the depths of the sea and thus may be in a depressed state until the booster pump (P2) starts to overcome pressure in pushing chlorine-and-hydrogen containing seawater into the first pipeline (1) through the second pipeline (2) and the third pipeline (3), before rising to the plenum chamber (C).

[0036] The diameter of plenum (C) may be far greater than the diameter of the third pipeline (3), and the plenum (C) may allow the sea level to reach at about half the height of plenum (C). In other words, inside the plenum chamber (C), chlorine-and-hydrogen containing seawater may account for approximately the lower half of the space, with the space of the upper half filled with chlorine and hydrogen discharged from the seawater. According to the formula PV=nRT, assuming that the second pipeline (2) is at about 1000 m below sea level at a pressure of about 100 times that at sea level, when the chlorine-and-hydrogen containing seawater rises to the plenum (C), the pressure on the hydrogen gas in the space is reduced 100 times. In accordance with general oceanographic observation data, the difference in the temperature of the seawater at the depth of 1000 m in the second pipeline (2) and the plenum (C) at sea level is between about 20 25° C. Therefore, the hydrogen volume V in the plenum chamber (C) can increase to about 2000 times the volume in the second pipeline (2).

[0037] Under the dual influence of pressure and temperature, the chlorine and hydrogen discharged to plenum (C) from the seawater would increase the amount of hydrogen in the upper half of the space. This hydrogen may go through a fourth pipeline (4) to drive a turbine (T) to cause generator (G) to generate power. Then, the hydrogen may be guided through a fifth pipeline (5) into a condensation chamber (H). As hydrogen storage and condensation can be achieved using conventional technology, it is not the focus of the present disclosure and thus is not described herein.

[0038] At about half the height of the plenum (C) around the surface of the chlorine-and-hydrogen containing seawater, a sixth pipeline (6) may be connected to the opening. By starting a pump (P3), sodium hypochlorite may be introduced into a storage tank (S). Thereafter, general application of sodium hypochlorite process may be performed.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a first perspective view of a seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system according to side aspect perspective view. FIG. 5 shows an upper view of the seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system. FIG. 6 is a second perspective view of a seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 4-6, embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by first selecting suitable locations with appropriate sea depth and not far from the coastal. Using Taiwan as an example, Taiwan is surrounded by the sea with an average depth on this side of the Taiwan Strait of about 200 meters and up to 600 meters near the Penghu archipelago. In Eastern Taiwan by the Pacific Ocean, locations with seawater depth up to 1000 meters may be found about 1 km from the southeast shore for setting up a working platform (F). Working platform (F) on the sea may be built by taking advantage of existing technologies such as offshore oil drilling platforms. In addition, a large barge (barge) could also be used. Working platform (F) may have anchor structure, which may be based on a conventional technology and is not a focus of the present disclosure. For simplicity, in FIGS. 4-6 only sea platform (F) is shown to be floating on the sea.

[0040] On the working platform (F), a booster pump (P1) on the pipeline may be utilized to pump seawater into seawater electrolysis apparatus (E). After seawater electrolysis, the output of seawater electrolysis apparatus (E) is pumped by booster pump (P2) into a first pipeline (1). The first pipeline (1) may extend vertically downward to an appropriate depth. This depth preferred may be approximately 1000 meters. The lower end of the first pipeline (1) may be made of soft material, and may be connected to the left end of a second pipeline (2). The right end of the second pipeline (2) may be connected the lower end of a third pipeline (3) extending perpendicular all the way up to the sea level to the bottom surface of a plenum (C). About half of the height of plenum (C) may be immersed in the sea, with the other half thereof above the sea level. In plenum (C) lines plotted as two cylindrical shape hemispherical, one on top of the other, with a diameter greater than the diameter of the third pipeline (3). The shape of plenum (C) may be cylindrical but is not limited thereto, and may be in any other suitable shape such as, for example, spherical, football-shaped or cubic.

[0041] High-pressure hydrogen gas in the upper space of a collection chamber (C) may go through a fourth pipeline (4) to turn the turbine (T) to drive generator (G) for power generation. It can be seen in FIGS. 4-6 that the electricity generated by the electric generator (G) may be transported in parallel via a cable plant to a power grid of coastal land. A fifth pipeline (5) may be used to guide the low pressure hydrogen into a condensation chamber (H), followed by collection of hydrogen in a hydrogen storage tank. Concerning hydrogen condensation technology is a conventional technology, it is not a focus of the present disclosure and thus is not described herein.

[0042] Due to a lot of discharge of hydrogen and sodium hypochlorite seawater, in the plenum (C) at sea level, where an opening on the side wall of plenum (C) is connected to a sixth pipeline (6), sodium hypochlorite seawater may be pumped by a booster pump (P3) to push the sodium hypochlorite seawater into a sodium hypochlorite storage tank (S). Thereafter it can be used for the desired line for general plant cleaning. As shown in FIGS. 4-6, there are pipes, via a booster pump (P4), connected to a storage tank (S) of sodium hypochlorite and then connected to the sodium hypochlorite storage tank (S) along the coast of the power plant, through which the sodium hypochlorite seawater can flow.

[0043] FIG. 7 is a first enlarged perspective view of a seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure after removal of working platform. FIG. 8 is a second enlarged perspective view of a seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure after removal of working platform. From FIGS. 7 and 8, one or ordinary skill in the art can more clearly understand the link between the piping and components of the present disclosure, as well as how they can be implemented in the industry and in various applications, as it is easy to adapt to the actual conditions by making appropriate adjustment.

[0044] As described above, the production of the sodium hypochlorite and hydrogen production may be achieved by enhancing the area of cell electrode plate or current load. As this is conventional technology, it is not a focus of the present disclosure and thus is not described herein. In implementations in which the seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system, which is built on a working platform, is packaged as a single unit, the amount of sodium hypochlorite and hydrogen produced may be increased by increasing the number of such a single unit. This is an application of the proposed technology of the present disclosure.

[0045] Preferably, the seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system in accordance with the present disclosure is powered by wind or solar cells. Such wind or solar power generation may be mounted on the working platform as necessary.

[0046] In summary, the seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system of the present disclosure has a number of advantages. Firstly, the seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery device provides hydrogen to vehicle using hydrogen fuel cells. Secondly, the hydrogen collection apparatus of the seawater electrolysis prevents hydrogen from dissipating into the Earth's atmosphere to destroy the ozone layer, thus reducing global warming and improving human health. Thirdly, before the hydrogen storage, the use of high-pressure hydrogen for power generation may not only compensate the input power required, but also feed into the power grid. Fourthly, it provides the normal supply of sodium hypochlorite for clean power plant piping. Fifthly, it replaces the dehydrogenation equipment of conventional seawater electrolysis systems, thereby saving that part of the materials and energy for a power plant.

[0047] That is, with the use of seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system of the present disclosure, not only thermal power plants can be provided with the needed sodium hypochlorite supply, but there are also several benefits including hydrogen storage collection, power generation, environmental protection, and energy-saving. All are with great industrial utilization value. The scope of the present disclosure is not limited to power plants but all extend to industries that have use of seawater cooling circuit of facilities, such as nuclear power plants, etc. They all can benefit from the seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system of the present disclosure to create added value.

[0048] In view of the above, select features of the present disclosure are highlighted below.

[0049] In one aspect, a seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system implementable with a seawater electrolysis apparatus may include the following: a first pipeline having a first end, connectable to an output of the seawater electrolysis apparatus, and a second end; a first booster pump located in the first pipeline; a second pipeline having a first end, connected to the second end of the first pipeline, and a second end; a third pipeline having a first end, connected to the second end of the second pipeline, and a second end; a plenum chamber with a diameter greater than a diameter of the third pipeline, the plenum chamber having a bottom side connected to the second end of the third pipeline; a fourth pipeline having a first end, connected to a top side of the plenum chamber, and a second end connectable to a turbine of a power generation system such that a hydrogen gas flowing in the fourth pipeline pushes blades of the turbine to generate electricity; a fifth pipeline connectable to the turbine to collect the hydrogen gas after the hydrogen gas passes through the turbine blades; a condensation chamber configured to receive and condense the hydrogen gas from the fifth pipeline. When connected together, a portion of the first pipeline, the second pipeline, and a portion of the third pipeline may form a U-shaped structure.

[0050] In some implementations, the seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system may further include: a sixth pipeline having a first end, connected to the plenum chamber, and a second end connectable to a storage tank; and a second booster pump located in the sixth pipeline and between the plenum chamber and the storage tank.

[0051] In some implementations, the first end of the sixth pipeline may be connected to an opening of the plenum chamber at approximately one half of a height of the plenum chamber.

[0052] In some implementations, in operation, the opening of the plenum chamber may be below a sea level.

[0053] In some implementations, the second pipeline may have a soft wall.

[0054] In some implementations, the seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system may further include anti-leakage rings disposed at a connection between the first pipeline and the second pipeline and at a connection between the second pipeline and the third pipeline.

[0055] In some implementations, a portion of the first pipeline may be configured to extend downwards by a length between 10 meters and 1000 meters.

[0056] In some implementations, the seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system may further include: a seventh pipeline having an end connectable to the storage tank; and a third booster pump located in the seventh pipeline.

[0057] In another aspect, a sea platform may include a seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system and a floating device coupled to the seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system. The floating device may be capable of floating at a surface of the sea when disposed in the sea. The seawater electrolysis hydrogen recovery and power generation system may include: a seawater electrolysis apparatus capable of electrolyzing seawater from a sea; a first pipeline having a first end, connected to an output of the seawater electrolysis apparatus, and a second end; a first booster pump located in the first pipeline; a second pipeline having a first end, connected to the second end of the first pipeline, and a second end; a third pipeline having a first end, connected to the second end of the second pipeline, and a second end; a plenum chamber with a diameter greater than a diameter of the third pipeline, the plenum chamber having a bottom side connected to the second end of the third pipeline; a fourth pipeline having a first end, connected to a top side of the plenum chamber, and a second end connectable to a turbine of a power generation system such that a hydrogen gas flowing in the fourth pipeline pushes blades of the turbine to generate electricity; a fifth pipeline connectable to the turbine to collect the hydrogen gas after the hydrogen gas passes through the turbine blades; a condensation chamber configured to receive and condense the hydrogen gas from the fifth pipeline. When connected together, a portion of the first pipeline, the second pipeline, and a portion of the third pipeline may form a U-shaped structure.

[0058] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various implementations of the present disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the various implementations disclosed herein are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.