BE1026169B1 - Energy extraction systems - Google Patents

Abstract

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to an energy storage system, comprising (i) means for converting water to dihydrogen and diacid using a renewable energy source, (ii) a first pressure vessel for storing the dihydrogen, and (iii) a second pressure vessel for storing the diacid; wherein the first pressure vessel and / or the second pressure vessel are a supporting structural element in the energy storage system.

Description

Energy extraction systems

Field of application of the invention

This invention relates generally to energy generation. More specifically, this invention relates to methods and systems for collecting, storing, transporting and / or utilizing energy.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The search for environmentally-friendly, sustainable and renewable energy is a hot topic in today's society and promises to be one of the most important challenges in the coming decades. A considerable amount of research effort is dedicated to researching various possible alternative energy sources, including wind energy, solar energy, hydropower, wave energy, tidal energy and geothermal energy. In addition to issues regarding the return and efficiency of these alternatives, there is also the problem of their placement. After all, with many of these alternatives geographical factors are a limiting factor: for example, the presence of suitable watercourses with hydropower or the average amount of incident sunlight for solar energy; on the other hand, the placement of wind turbines often encounters complaints about landscape pollution from the local population.

The placement of these alternative energy sources in remote areas, such as at sea, in desert, steppe or polar regions, could mean significant added value here. Not only does this increase the number of suitable geographical locations considerably; due to the typically low amount of human activity in these areas, there is also little to no competition between this activity and the alternative energy sources. However, this approach has its own challenges: often these remote locations are too far away from the existing energy grid to be connected to it in an economic way,

BE2018 / 5639, as a result of which the economic feasibility of energy generation at these locations is seriously compromised.

Various options for dealing with this problem, in part, have already been proposed. In international patent application WO2014139967A1 storage towers (e.g. for hydrogen gas) are described which can form the supporting structure for, for example, wind turbines or solar towers. These structures can be further adapted, for example, so that the electricity generated is used for the electrolysis of water to form hydrogen gas; this hydrogen gas can then be stored temporarily in the towers and then transported to more populated areas and used there. However, due to the very low density of hydrogen gas, and consequently low energy density per volume, the transport of this hydrogen gas is only limitedly profitable. Moreover, a considerable part of the transformed energy, such as the oxygen gas that is obtained as a by-product during the electrolysis and / or gas separation (for example for obtaining nitrogen from air), is not used.

However, there is still room for a more efficient system and a more efficient method for the economic transport of energy generated at a remote location.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide structures, systems and methods for efficiently collecting and / or storing energy and for transporting and / or utilizing energy generated at a remote location. This object is achieved by an energy storage system, a system and / or a method according to the present invention.

It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that dihydrogen and diacid produced from renewable sources can be stored.

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It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the energy storage systems may include means for generating nitrogen and / or carbon oxide (e.g., carbon dioxide). It is a further advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the generated nitrous oxide and / or carbon oxide can be stored in an outer segment as less reactive gases.

It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the dihydrogen and / or diacid dust in the energy storage system can be transformed into derived products. It is a further advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the generated nitrous oxide and / or carbon oxide can also be used herein.

It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the energy (in the form of dihydrogen, di-oxygen or compounds derived therefrom) recovered from the renewable energy source can be usefully consumed. It is a further advantage of embodiments of the present invention that not only the dihydrogen and derivatives can be used, but also the dihydrogen and derivatives, whereby a larger part of the energy obtained is utilized. It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the pressure vessels can additionally perform a supporting function in the structure.

It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the pressure vessels can be spaced apart from each other; so that in the event of a leak no explosive mixture of dihydrogen and diuric dust is created, or, if an explosion were to occur, the damage would be contained.

It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the pressure vessels can be accommodated in different components (e.g., legs) of a superstructure structure (e.g., a tower).

It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the pressure vessels can be further separated into two different structure structures (e.g., two towers).

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It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that a pressure vessel can be composed of several segments.

It is a further advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the pressure vessel may consist of an inner segment surrounded by an outer segment.

It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the dihydrogen and the diacid can be stored in their respective inner segments, whereby the effects of, for example, hydrogen embrittlement and / or the risks of explosion hazards can be reduced.

It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that gases or liquids can be stored in the outer segments that are less reactive (e.g., inert) than dihydrogen and diacid, respectively.

It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the energy storage systems can be combined with generators for renewable energy.

It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the energy storage system can be in a location that is difficult to switch on to the mains (eg at a remote location) and that the energy that is generated nonetheless (for example, whether or not as electrical energy, or as a chemical compound such as a fuel) can still be used elsewhere for good.

It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the dihydrogen, the diacid and / or the derived products can be used in various ways, e.g. as a fuel, for the production of all kinds of useful products or in a variety of useful processes. It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the dihydrogen, the diacid, and / or the derived products can be produced (and optionally consumed) in a manner that is carbon dioxide neutral.

It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the dihydrogen, diuric and / or derived products can be transported in various ways.

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It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that good methods for utilizing renewable energy sources (e.g., in remote locations) can be obtained.

It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the recovered oxygen, which can be obtained as a by-product and in an ecological (eg CCh neutral) manner, can be used in high concentration (eg 100 vol%) to improve the efficiency of increase a combustion reaction (eg of dihydrogen, ammonia or methane); for example in comparison with the same combustion reaction using air, the concentration of di-oxygen being only 21 vol%.

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to an energy storage system, comprising (i) means for converting water to dihydrogen and oxygen using a renewable energy source, (ii) a first pressure vessel for storing the dihydrogen, and (iii) ) a second pressure vessel for storing the diacid; wherein the first pressure vessel and / or the second pressure vessel are a supporting structural element in the energy storage system. In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a system for utilizing a renewable energy source, comprising (i) an energy storage system according to an embodiment of the first aspect, located at a first location and (ii) a processing system for processing the dihydrogen, or a compound derived therefrom, and the diacid dust, or a compound derived therefrom. If the processing system is at least partially located at a second location, the system may also include (iii) a means of transport for collecting and transporting the dihydrogen, or the compound derived therefrom, and the diacid, or the compound derived therefrom, from the first location to the second location.

In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a method for utilizing a renewable energy source, comprising: (a) converting water to dihydrogen and diacid using the renewable energy source and (b) storing dihydrogen in the first pressure vessel and diacid dust in the second pressure vessel in an energy storage system according to an embodiment of the first

BE2018 / 5639 aspect. Optionally, the method comprises (c) converting the dihydrogen into a compound derived therefrom and / or the diacid oxygen into a compound derived therefrom, and storing one or more of the aforementioned derived compounds. The method may also include (d) collecting with a transport means the dihydrogen, or the compound derived therefrom, and the diacid, or the compound derived therefrom at a first location and transporting it to a second location. The method may furthermore also comprise (e) processing the dihydrogen, or the compound derived therefrom, and the diacid, or the compound derived therefrom. In areas that can be connected to the mains, an energy buffer can be created as an alternative to a reservoir, by storing the dihydrogen gas and the diacid gas produced during, for example, electrolysis in a ratio of 2 pressure vessels for dixater dust and 1 pressure vessel for the oxygen. If the energy must then be converted to electrical energy, the ideal ratio of H2 and O2 is immediately available for a fuel cell or a gas turbine. Specific and preferred aspects of the invention are included in the appended independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims can be combined with features of the independent claims and with features of other dependent claims as appropriate and not merely as explicitly stated in the claims.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment (s) described below.

Brief description of the figures

FIG. 1, the general concept of embodiments illustrates the second aspect of the present invention.

The figures are only schematic and non-limiting. In the figures, the dimensions of some parts may be exaggerated and not represented to scale for illustrative purposes.

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Reference numbers in the claims may not be interpreted to limit the scope of protection. In the various figures, the same reference numbers refer to the same or similar elements.

Detailed description of illustrative embodiments

The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings, however, the invention is not limited thereto but is only limited by the claims. The described drawings are only schematic and not restrictive. In the drawings, the dimensions of some elements may be increased for illustrative purposes and not drawn to scale. The dimensions and the relative dimensions sometimes do not correspond to the current practical embodiment of the invention.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims are used to distinguish similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, neither in time, nor spatially, nor in ranking, or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms used in such a manner are suitable under interchangeable conditions and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operating in a different order than described or depicted herein.

In addition, the terms upper, lower, upper, for and the like in the description and claims are used for description purposes and not necessarily to describe relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used may be interchanged under given circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are also suitable to operate in other orientations than described or shown herein.

It is to be noted that the term comprising, as used in the claims, is not to be interpreted as being limited to the means described thereafter; this term does not exclude other elements or steps. It can therefore be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated characteristics,

BE2018 / 5639 values, steps or components referred to, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other characteristics, values, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the term a device comprising means A and B should not be limited to devices that consist only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, A and B are the only relevant components of the device.

Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment or one embodiment means that a specific feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the occurrence of the expressions in one embodiment or in an embodiment at various places throughout this specification need not necessarily refer to the same embodiment in each case, but it can do so. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to those skilled in the art based on this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together into a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining disclosure and assisting in understanding one or several of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure should not be interpreted in any way as a reflection of an intention that the invention requires more features than explicitly mentioned in any claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all the features of a single prior disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby explicitly included in this detailed description, with each independent claim as a separate embodiment of the present invention.

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Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some, but not other, features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the invention, and constitute different embodiments, as would be understood by those skilled in the art . For example, in the following claims, any of the described embodiments can be used in any combination.

Numerous specific details are set forth in the description provided here. It is, however, understood that embodiments of the invention can be practiced without these specific details. In other cases, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail to keep this description clear.

As used herein, references to an aggregation state of a substance, such as gas, liquid, or solid, refer to the aggregation state of that substance under the standard conditions of 1 bar and 0 ° C. In certain embodiments, the real aggregation state may therefore differ from this aggregation state under standard conditions. For example, in some embodiments a gas can occur as a liquid in that that embodiment comprises an elevated pressure or a reduced temperature.

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to an energy storage system, comprising (i) means for converting water into dihydrogen (H2) and diacid dust (O2) using a renewable energy source, (ii) a first pressure vessel for storing the dihydrogen, and (iii) a second pressure vessel for storing the diacid; wherein the first pressure vessel and / or the second pressure vessel are a supporting structural element in the energy storage system.

In embodiments, the means for converting water to dihydrogen and diacid may include an electrolysis device. The electrolysis of water leads to the production of di-hydrogen and di-oxygen, which are advantageously non-polluting. Dihydrogen is advantageously used for the production of numerous industrially relevant chemical compounds and fuels, or can itself be used as a

BE2018 / 5639 fuel. Many reactions with dihydrogen include hydrogenation, such as the reaction with nitrous oxide to form ammonia, e.g. via the Haber-Bosch process, or the formation of water peroxide with di-oxygen, e.g. via the anthraquinone process. Other reactions do not include hydrogenation, such as the reaction with dichlorine to form hydrogen chloride. Diacid oxygen can also be used advantageously in the production of many different chemical compounds, or it can be used to achieve a better combustion reaction of a fuel (e.g. to promote a complete combustion). In the latter it is advantageous to use this oxygen in a relatively high concentration (eg 30 vol% or more, preferably 50 vol%, more preferably 70 vol% or more, most preferably 90 vol% or more, such as 100 vol%), resulting in a more efficient combustion reaction.

In embodiments, the renewable energy source may be selected from wind energy, solar energy, hydropower, wave energy, tidal energy or geothermal energy. In embodiments, the energy storage system may include one or more transformers selected from a wind turbine, solar panel, hydropower transformer, wave stroke transformer, tidal transformer, and geothermal generator.

In embodiments, the energy storage system may include a structure with two or more components (eg legs), wherein a first component contains the first pressure vessel, but no pressure vessel for storing diacid, and a second component contains the second pressure vessel, but no pressure vessel for the storage of dihydrogen.

In embodiments, the energy storage system may include two or more superstructure structures, in which a first superstructure structure contains the first pressure vessel, but no pressure vessel for storing diacid, and a second superstructure structure contains the second pressure vessel, but no pressure vessel for storing dihydrogen.

In embodiments, the first pressure vessel may be a duplex pressure vessel containing a first segment and a second segment, and / or the second pressure vessel may be a duplex pressure vessel containing a first segment and a second segment.

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In embodiments, the first segment of the first pressure vessel may be an inner segment and the second segment of the first pressure vessel may be an outer segment with the outer segment substantially surrounding the inner segment. In alternative or complementary embodiments, the first segment of the second pressure vessel may be an inner segment and the second segment of the second pressure vessel may be an outer segment, the outer segment substantially surrounding the inner segment. In embodiments, the first segment of the first pressure vessel may contain dihydrogen and the second segment of the first pressure vessel may contain a fluid different from dihydrogen and diuric dust. In alternative or complementary embodiments, the first segment of the second pressure vessel may contain diacid and the second segment of the second pressure vessel may contain a fluid different from dihydrogen and diacid.

In embodiments, the duplex pressure vessel may be a duplex pressure vessel as described in WO2017114880A1, which is incorporated herein by reference.

In embodiments, the fluid other than dihydrogen and diuric may be independently selected from nitrous or carbon oxide. In embodiments, the energy storage system may include a nitrogen generator and / or a carbon oxide generator. A nitrogen or carbon oxide generator on board the storage system advantageously allows to obtain on-site nitrous oxide or carbon oxide (e.g. carbon dioxide), for example from the separation of air. This nitrous oxide can then, on site or elsewhere (e.g. on a means of transport or at a second location, cf. infra) be used in, for example, a Haber-Bosch reaction or an Ostwald reaction.

In embodiments, the nitrogen generator may be based on the separation of air; for example, operating on the basis of membrane gas separation, pressure change adsorption or cryogenic distillation.

In embodiments, the carbon oxide generator (e.g., carbon dioxide generator) may be based on the separation of air. In specific embodiments, the carbon oxide generator may also be a nitrogen oxide generator. In alternative embodiments, the carbon oxide generator may be based on the

BE2018 / 5639 decomposition of ammonium bicarbonate and / or ammonium carbonate. In embodiments, a composition comprising ammonium bicarbonate and / or ammonium carbonate may be supplied via the transport means. Here, the transport means can, for example, supply the composition comprising ammonium bicarbonate and / or ammonium carbonate before collecting and transporting the dihydrogen, or a compound derived therefrom, and the diacid, or a compound derived therefrom, from the first location to the second location (cf the second aspect). Ammonium bicarbonate and / or ammonium carbonate may in turn have been obtained from a reaction between aqueous ammonia and carbon dioxide. This carbon dioxide may, for example, have been captured from industrial combustion reactions; in this way a CCh-neutral fuel can also be obtained advantageously: the carbon dioxide that is possibly released during the connection of, for example, methane (see below) comes from carbon dioxide, the emission of which was previously prevented.

In embodiments, the energy storage system may include means for producing and storing ammonia. In embodiments, the means for producing ammonia may include means for carrying out a Haber-Bosch process. The production of ammonia can proceed advantageously via a reaction between dihydrogen and nitrous oxide. This reaction is commonly carried out via the Haber-Bosch process, the reaction typically proceeding at 150 to 400 bar and 400 to 650 ° C in the presence of an iron-based catalyst promoted with potassium, an osmium-based catalyst or a ruthenium-based catalyst. Ammonia is advantageously a gas with a higher density than dihydrogen. By way of illustration: the density of ammonia is approximately 8.6 times higher than that of dihydrogen under standard conditions of 1 bar and 0 ° C; this can be further increased by bringing the ammonia into the liquid state. Ammonia is used advantageously in many industrial applications such as in the production of fertilizer, medicines and cleaning products. The production of ammonia consumes more than 1% of the total human energy production worldwide, it is therefore advantageous that according to the present invention it can be generated on the basis of renewable energy sources. Alternatively, ammonia can also

BE2018 / 5639 can be used as an energy carrier, for example in a fuel cell, by direct combustion when injected into an industrial furnace or via an NH3 direct combustion gas turbine. Oxygen is also used for this direct combustion in accordance with the following reaction:

4NH ₃ + 3O ₂ ^ 2N 2 + 6H ₂ O

It is an advantage of the present embodiments that oxygen is directly available since it is stored in the structural elements. It can be used on site or it can also be transported. After transport, the oxygen can also be used for a chemical reaction such as combustion, oxidation or in a fuel cell. Such a fuel cell can be on a larger scale or on a smaller scale, for example in a vehicle. It is also worth noting that this incineration process does not generate CO ₂ advantageously. In a specific aspect, therefore, the present invention also relates to a system for utilizing a renewable energy source, which comprises an energy storage system.

In embodiments, the energy storage system may also include further means for processing the diacid oxygen through its use for oxidation processes, which may be both chemical and electrochemical. In other words, the energy storage system or a renewable energy source use system comprising such an energy storage system may be provided with a unit for carrying out a chemical or electrochemical reaction, wherein oxygen can be used for oxidation.

In embodiments, the energy storage system may include means for producing and storing methane. In embodiments, the means for producing methane may comprise means for performing a Sabation process. Methane is advantageously a gas with density that is approximately 8.0 times greater than that of dihydrogen, under standard conditions. The reaction of dihydrogen with carbon dioxide to form methane is typically carried out via the Sabation process. This reaction can be carried out reversibly: after all, methane is used industrially in steam reforming, where hydrogen is obtained from the methane, for example for carrying out

BE2018 / 5639 of the Haber-Bosch process. In addition, methane is also the main component of natural gas and can therefore be used as fuel. For example, methane can be used advantageously for replenishing natural gas reserves or for the production of electricity in gas turbines or steam generators.

In embodiments, the energy storage system may contain means for producing and storing nitric acid. In embodiments, the means for producing ammonia may include means for performing an Ostwald process. The production of nitric acid can proceed advantageously via a reaction between ammonia and diacid. This reaction is typically carried out via the Ostwald process. Nitric acid is a liquid with a density that is approximately 1967 times greater than that of ammonia, under standard conditions. Nitric acid is used industrially mainly in the production of fertilizer and in nitreting in organic syntheses, for example in the production of plastics such as nylon.

In embodiments, the energy storage system may include means for producing and storing ammonium nitrate. The production of ammonium nitrate can proceed advantageously via an acid-base reaction between nitric acid and ammonia. Ammonium nitrate is a solid with a density that is approximately 1.1 times greater than nitric acid and approximately 2243 times greater than ammonia, under standard conditions. Ammonium nitrate is used industrially primarily as a source of nitrogen in fertilizer.

In embodiments, the energy storage system may comprise means for hydrogenating an unsaturated compound, a carbon oxide or diacid, and means for storing at least one of the reaction products obtained. The hydrogenation of an unsaturated compound, such as an unsaturated organic compound, results in a chemical compound with a higher density than dihydrogen. In some embodiments, this hydrogenation can be carried out reversibly, for example, this is the case with the hydrogenation of dibenzyl toluene. A reversible hydrogenation advantageously permits the transport of dihydrogen in the form of a more compact chemical compound and, at a later stage, the dihydrogen via a dehydrogenation of the chemical

BE2018 / 5639 connection, recoverable. This dihydrogen can then be reused, for example as a fuel when driving an engine or in the production of other chemical compounds. The hydrogenation of carbon oxides, such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, leads to the production of methanol and formic acid, respectively. Both chemical compounds are used advantageously in many industrial processes. The hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to formic acid can also advantageously be carried out reversibly, whereby carbon dioxide and dihydrogen can be recovered again. The hydrogenation of diacid oxygen advantageously leads to the production of hydrogen peroxide. This reaction is typically carried out via the anthraquinone process: first, anthraquinone, or a derivative, is hydrogenated with dihydrogen; then diuric acid is hydrogenated with the hydroquinone obtained. Hydrogen peroxide is advantageously used in many industrial processes, mainly as a bleaching and / or disinfecting agent.

In embodiments, the energy storage system may include means for carrying out a combustion reaction with the dihydrogen and / or diuric dust. In the combustion reaction, dihydrogen and / or diacid dust and / or one or more compounds derived therefrom can be burned. In these embodiments, the energy storage system can be utilized, for example, as an energy buffer (similar to a battery or an energy-saving basin, to balance peak and trough moments of supply and demand), whereby water is converted into dihydrogen and diacid oxygen (or a compound derived therefrom, such as ammonia), which are subsequently stored in the energy storage system. If necessary, energy can be generated from these substances again, for example via a combustion reaction. Such a system for utilizing an energy source (e.g. a renewable energy source) can advantageously be used both at remote locations and at locations that can in principle be easily connected to the mains. Hereby the surplus energy that can be extracted in a peak moment (eg in windy or sunny weather in the case of a windmill or a solar panel respectively) can be stored inexpensively, after which it can easily be reused later during a trough moment (eg in windless weather or at night).

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It should be noted that elements of the system can be in different places and that steps from the corresponding method can happen in different places. For example, the generation of dihydrogen and diuric oxygen can take place at a first place, the storage of these or derived products can take place at a second place, and the processing of these or derived products can take place at a third place. These places can be mobile. For example, the storage and processing unit may be mobile (e.g., a vehicle).

In embodiments, features of the first aspect or its embodiments may be independent as correspondingly described for another aspect or embodiments thereof.

In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a system for utilizing a renewable energy source, comprising (i) an energy storage system according to an embodiment of the first aspect, located at a first location; (ii) a processing system for processing the dihydrogen, or a compound derived therefrom, and the diacid, or a compound derived therefrom, located at a second location; and (iii) a transport means for collecting and transporting the dihydrogen, or the compound derived therefrom, and the diacid, or the compound derived therefrom, from the first location to the second location. This system is shown schematically in FIG. 1.

In embodiments, the first location can be an off-grid location. The off-grid location can for example be a location that is difficult to connect to the mains, for example a remote location such as a location at sea or in a desert, steppe or polar area. In embodiments, the second location can be easily accessible and / or connected. The second location can for example be located near a harbor or station, or in an industrial zone.

In embodiments, the processing system may comprise means for the production of ammonia, methane, nitric acid and / or ammonium nitrate, etc. and / or means for containing a hydrogenation, as previously described for

BE2018 / 5639 embodiments of the first aspect. Some of these types of processing means may thus be present in embodiments or at the first location, or at the second location, or at both locations.

In embodiments, the processing system may comprise means for a combustion reaction, for example, a combustion reaction with diacid. In embodiments, a fuel for the combustion reaction can be, for example, dihydrogen, ammonia or methane. These can advantageously also be obtained on the basis of raw materials from the first location, for example they can be produced at the first location.

In embodiments, the transport means may be a vessel (e.g., a ship), a railway (e.g., a train), carriage (e.g., a truck) or a pipe system (e.g., a pipeline). The means of transport can for instance be a transport ship that collects energy from one or more offshore energy storage systems; or the means of transport may also be, for example, a train, truck or pipeline that collects energy from one or more energy storage systems located in desert, steppe or polar regions.

In embodiments, a derivative can be derived from hydrogen, derived from oxygen, or derived from both together. In embodiments, the derivative compound may be easier to transport than dihydrogen and / or diacid dust. The derived compound may, for example, have a greater density than the dihydrogen and / or diacid dust.

In embodiments, the derivative compound may additionally comprise energy in the form of electrical energy, pressure, thermal energy, chemical energy, or a combination thereof.

In embodiments, features of the second aspect or its embodiments may be independent as correspondingly described for another aspect or embodiments thereof.

In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a method for utilizing a renewable energy source, comprising: (a)

BE2018 / 5639 converting water into dihydrogen and diacid dust using the renewable energy source; (b) storing dihydrogen in the first pressure vessel and di-oxygen in the second pressure vessel in an energy storage system according to an embodiment of the first aspect; (c) optionally converting the dihydrogen into a compound derived therefrom and / or the diacid oxygen into a compound derived therefrom, and storing one or more of said derivative compounds; (d) collecting with a transport means of the dihydrogen, or the compound derived therefrom, and the diacid, or the compound derived therefrom at a first location and transporting it to a second location, and (e) processing the dihydrogen, or the derivative thereof compound, and the diacid, or the compound derived therefrom.

In embodiments, features of the third aspect or its embodiments may be independent as correspondingly described for another aspect or embodiments thereof.

Example 1: energy transport in the form of ammonia and derived compounds

We refer to FIG. 2. An energy storage system in the form of a wind tower is located at sea. The wind tower has the ability to transform wind energy to drive an electrolysis of water (H2O) to form dihydrogen (H2) and diacid (O2). The wind tower also has the option of separately storing dihydrogen and diacid dust in pressure vessels that are supporting structural elements of the wind tower (for example, structural elements that form legs of the wind tower). Furthermore, in or around the wind tower, an optional storage for nitrous oxide (N2) is also provided. For example, the dihydrogen (or di-oxygen) pressure vessel may consist of a first segment for the storage of dihydrogen (or di-oxygen) and a second segment around it for the storage of nitrous oxide. This nitrous oxide can, for example, be obtained from the separation of air by means of a nitrogen generator, with the aid of the transformed energy. With this separation, di-oxygen can again be obtained, which can also be stored (e.g. in the aforementioned load-bearing structural elements).

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Optionally, the energy storage system may also comprise means for forming a derivative from the dihydrogen and / or diuric dust. For example, the energy storage system can include the necessary means to further process the dihydrogen and the nitrous oxide into ammonia (NH3), for example via a HaberBosch process. These reagents can therefore be converted into products with a higher energy density. This ammonia can optionally be further processed into nitric acid (HNO3) and / or ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3). The derived connections are ultimately stored again, for example in pressure vessels (e.g. in a first or a second segment, cf. supra) or storage containers.

A transport vessel collects energy from this energy storage system by taking the dihydrogen, the diacid, or the compounds derived from it from the storage system. Optionally, the ship includes means for producing further derivative compounds from the collected dihydrogen, diuric, or compounds derived therefrom. The further processing of ammonia into nitric acid and / or ammonium nitrate can, for example, also take place on board the ship. In addition, the ship can also collect other forms of energy from the energy storage system, such as electrical energy, which can for instance be used on board the ship (e.g. for driving the ship or for driving further processing means).

Once sufficiently loaded, the transport ship sails to a processing system for the collected connections, or the products derived therefrom, located at a second location (eg a port). Here the cargo can be unloaded from the ship and the connections can be further processed or utilized, for example in all kinds of processes in the chemical industry or as a fuel.

Example 2: alternative forms of energy transport in the form of other chemical compounds

Example 1 is repeated but the energy storage system produces other chemical compounds. Although these options are referred to below as alternatives, it goes without saying that they can also occur in combination with example 1 and / or in mutual combination.

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In a first alternative, hydrogenation of dibenzyl toluene (C21 H20) is carried out using the collected dihydrogen. On land a dihydrogen and dibenzyl toluene can be obtained again on the basis of a dehydrogenation reaction. The dihydrogen can then be utilized, e.g. as a fuel in hydrogen vehicles, while the dibenzyl toluene can optionally be reused in a subsequent energy collection.

In a second alternative, the collected dihydrogen is used to hydrogenate carbon monoxide (CO) and / or carbon dioxide (CO 2) to form methanol (CH 3 OH) and / or formic acid (CH 3 COOH), respectively. These carbon oxides can be supplied by a means of transport or can be obtained directly through the energy storage system. Optionally, the formic acid can also be dehydrogenated at the second location to recover dihydrogen and carbon dioxide.

In a third alternative, dihydrogen and diacid are used for hydrogenation to form hydrogen peroxide.

In a fourth alternative, the collected dihydrogen is used in a methanization of carbon dioxide to form methane. On land the methane can be used, for example, to replenish natural gas reserves. The carbon dioxide can be obtained by the energy storage system itself (e.g. from the separation of air), but can also be supplied by a transport means. This can be, for example, in the form of a composition of ammonium carbonate ((NH 2 H 2 CO 3) and / or ammonium bicarbonate (NH 4 HCO 3), such as the 2: 1: 1 (NH 4) 2 CO 3: NH 4 HCO 3: H 2 O composition, also known as ammonium sesquicarbonate. from carbon dioxide and an aqueous solution of ammonia The carbon dioxide may, for example, have been captured from a combustion reaction and the ammonia may have been obtained as described in example 1. With mild heating, approximately 36 ° C, this aqueous composition of ammonium carbonate and ammonium bicarbonate is redissolved ammonia, carbon dioxide and water As an alternative to the ammonium sesquicarbonate, the solid salt of ammonium carbonate or other compositions, which for example also

BE2018 / 5639 ammonium carbamate can be used. These compositions are all strongly related and dissolve in a similar way in carbon dioxide and ammonia.

Example 3: alternative forms of energy transport in other environments

Examples 1 and 2 can be repeated in other environments, using other means of transport and other energy sources; these alternatives are not shown in figures. For example, the energy storage system can be a solar tower in a steppe area, rail vehicle. This gas under pressure can then be collected on board a train or a truck.

Example 4: energy storage and processing in the form of combustion of ammonia

After the production of ammonia in the first example, ammonia can also be further used directly as an energy carrier by direct combustion. This can happen, for example, in a fuel cell, in a gas turbine or in an industrial furnace. In one specific example, such an installation may be, for example, a gas turbine facility comprising a fuel supply system, an ammonia gas compressor, a gas turbine and an NOx reduction device. Another example is an industrial combustion unit for the combustion of ammonia, wherein the system is provided with a supply of ammonia and with a supply for oxygen to enable the combustion of ammonia to proceed in an optimum manner. Because systems according to the present invention provide a local storage of oxygen, these can be optimally combined with such combustion systems.

The various aspects can be easily combined with each other, and the combinations thus also correspond to embodiments according to the present invention.

Claims (28)

Conclusions 1, - An energy storage system, containing i. means for converting water into dihydrogen and diuric dust using a renewable energy source, ii. a first pressure vessel for storing the dihydrogen, and iii. a second pressure vessel for storing the diacid; wherein the first pressure vessel and / or the second pressure vessel are a bearing structural element in the energy storage system. The energy storage system according to claim 1, wherein the energy storage system is adapted to store a fluid different from dihydrogen and diuric oxygen. The energy storage system of claim 2, wherein the fluid other than dihydrogen and diacid is independently selected from nitrogen or carbon oxide. The energy storage system according to any of the preceding claims, which includes a nitrogen generator and / or a carbon oxide generator. 5. The energy storage system according to any one of the preceding claims, which comprises means for producing and storing or processing ammonia and / or methane. The energy storage system according to any one of the preceding claims, which comprises a structure with two or more components, wherein - a first component contains the first pressure vessel, but no pressure vessel for storing diacid, and - a second component contains the second pressure vessel, but no pressure vessel for storing dihydrogen. The energy storage system according to any of claims 1 to 5, which comprises two or more building structures, wherein - a first structure contains the first pressure vessel, but no pressure vessel for storing diacid, and BE2018 / 5639 - a second structure contains the second pressure vessel, but no pressure vessel for storing dihydrogen. The energy storage system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein - the first pressure vessel is a duplex pressure vessel, comprising a first segment and a second segment, and / or - the second pressure vessel is a duplex pressure vessel, comprising a first segment and a second segment. 9. The energy storage system according to claim 8, wherein - the first segment of the first pressure vessel is an inner segment and the second segment of the first pressure vessel is an outer segment, and / or - the first segment of the second pressure vessel is an inner segment and the second segment of the second pressure vessel is an outer segment, the outer segment substantially surrounding the inner segment. The energy storage system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein - the first segment of the first pressure vessel contains dihydrogen and the second segment of the first pressure vessel contains a fluid different from dihydrogen and diacid, and / or the first segment of the second pressure vessel contains dihydrogen and the second segment of the second pressure vessel contains a fluid different from dihydrogen and diuric oxygen. 11. The energy storage system according to any one of the preceding claims, which comprises a wind turbine and / or solar panel. 12, - A system for utilizing a renewable energy source, containing i. an energy storage system according to any of the preceding claims, located at a first location; and ii. a processing system for processing at least the dihydrogen, or a compound derived therefrom, and the diacid, or a compound derived therefrom. BE2018 / 5639 A system according to claim 12, wherein the processing system comprises a unit for carrying out a combustion reaction with the dihydrogen and / or the diacid dust. 14. A system according to any of claims 12 to 13, wherein the processing system comprises a unit for producing ammonia. A system according to claim 14, wherein the processing system further comprises a unit for carrying out a combustion reaction of ammonia. A system according to claim 15, wherein the unit for carrying out a combustion reaction is a fuel cell, a gas turbine or an industrial furnace. A system according to any of claims 12 to 16, wherein at least a part of the processing system is provided at a second location and wherein the system furthermore comprises a transport means for collecting and transporting the dihydrogen, or the connection derived therefrom, and the diacid, or the compound derived therefrom, from the first location to the second location. The system of claim 7, wherein the first location is an off-grid location. The system according to any of claims 12 to 18, wherein the processing system comprises means for the production of nitric acid. The system according to any of claims 16 to 18, wherein the transport means is a vessel, a railway vehicle or a carriage. 21, - A method for utilizing a renewable energy source, consisting of a. converting water into dihydrogen and diuric dust using the renewable energy source; b. storing dihydrogen in the first pressure vessel and dihydrogen in the second pressure vessel in an energy storage system as defined in any of claims 1 to 11; and BE2018 / 5639 c. optionally converting the dihydrogen into a compound derived therefrom and / or the diacid oxygen into a compound derived therefrom, and storing one or more of the aforementioned derived compounds. A method according to claim 21, wherein the method comprises processing the dihydrogen, or the compound derived therefrom, and processing the diacid, or the compound derived therefrom. A method according to any of claims 21 or 22, wherein the method further comprises collecting with a transport means the dihydrogen, or the derivative thereof, and / or the diacid, or the derivative thereof at a first location and the transporting it to a second location for performing the processing at the second location. A method according to any of claims 21 to 23, wherein the method is further adapted to store a fluid different from dihydrogen and diuric oxygen. A method according to claim 24, wherein the fluid other than dihydrogen and diacid is independently selected from nitrogen or carbon oxide. A method according to any of claims 21 to 25, wherein the method comprises generating nitrogen or carbon oxide. A method according to any of claims 21 to 26, wherein the method comprises producing and storing or processing ammonia and / or methane. A method according to claim 27, wherein the processing of ammonia comprises the combustion of ammonia in a fuel cell, a gas turbine or an industrial furnace.