GB2579779A - Power generation for subsea marine applications - Google Patents
Power generation for subsea marine applications Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2579779A GB2579779A GB1820262.2A GB201820262A GB2579779A GB 2579779 A GB2579779 A GB 2579779A GB 201820262 A GB201820262 A GB 201820262A GB 2579779 A GB2579779 A GB 2579779A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- power generation
- oxidant
- pressure
- fuel
- generation device
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000010248 power generation Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 69
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 99
- 239000007800 oxidant agent Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 73
- 230000001590 oxidative effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 73
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 45
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 claims description 29
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- OKKJLVBELUTLKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Methanol Chemical compound OC OKKJLVBELUTLKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 4
- ATUOYWHBWRKTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Propane Chemical compound CCC ATUOYWHBWRKTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- MYMOFIZGZYHOMD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Dioxygen Chemical compound O=O MYMOFIZGZYHOMD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003487 electrochemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003792 electrolyte Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 125000004435 hydrogen atom Chemical class [H]* 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000001294 propane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B41/00—Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00
- E21B41/0085—Adaptations of electric power generating means for use in boreholes
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
- H01M8/04313—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by the detection or assessment of variables; characterised by the detection or assessment of failure or abnormal function
- H01M8/0438—Pressure; Ambient pressure; Flow
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
- H01M8/04089—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
- H01M8/04313—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by the detection or assessment of variables; characterised by the detection or assessment of failure or abnormal function
- H01M8/0438—Pressure; Ambient pressure; Flow
- H01M8/04432—Pressure differences, e.g. between anode and cathode
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
- H01M8/04694—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by variables to be controlled
- H01M8/04746—Pressure; Flow
- H01M8/04753—Pressure; Flow of fuel cell reactants
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
- H01M8/2465—Details of groupings of fuel cells
- H01M8/247—Arrangements for tightening a stack, for accommodation of a stack in a tank or for assembling different tanks
- H01M8/2475—Enclosures, casings or containers of fuel cell stacks
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/10—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
- H01M2008/1095—Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M2250/00—Fuel cells for particular applications; Specific features of fuel cell system
- H01M2250/20—Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
- Y02E60/50—Fuel cells
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02T90/40—Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Fuel Cell (AREA)
Abstract
A power generation device comprising a pressurised chamber 1, a fuel cell 4, which is contained within the pressurised chamber, an oxidant supply means 2 for supplying oxidant to the fuel cell, which comprises an oxidant pressure regulator 2a for regulating a supply pressure of the oxidant, and a fuel supply means 3 for supplying fuel to the fuel cell. The pressurised chamber is pressurised to a pressure above ambient pressure by the oxidant and the regulated supply pressure of the oxidant is controlled by the ambient pressure. The fuel supply means may also comprise a fuel pressure regulator 3a. The fuel supply pressure may be regulated to be higher than the regulated oxidant supply pressure. The chamber may comprise a vent valve.
Description
Power Generation for Subsea Marine Applications The present disclosure relates to a device for power generation that is particularly suited to subsea marine applications.
Much oil and gas exploration/extraction/processing occurs subsea. Various pieces of equipment that are used beneath the surface of the sea for such purposes are electrically operated or actuated. The electrical power required can be provided by connecting the equipment to a surface power source via electrical cables, or by placing a power source near the site of the equipment itself.
Electrical power is limited by cable and transmission restrictions. Generation of electrical power in a local proximity eliminates the need to adhere to strict power budgets.
Fuel cells provide a means to generate electricity locally. Fuel cells make use of an electrochemical reaction involving a fuel and an oxidant in a cell that comprises an anode, cathode, and electrolyte, to generate electricity.
The present invention arose during work to develop an improved power generation device using a fuel cell. The power generation device of the present invention can be used in a variety of applications. Although the invention is primarily described herein in relation to subsea applications, it should be understood that the invention can be used in applications other than subsea applications.
According to the present invention, in a first aspect, there is provided a power generation device comprising: a pressurised chamber, a fuel cell, which is contained within the pressurised chamber, an oxidant supply means for supplying oxidant to the fuel cell, which comprises an oxidant pressure regulator for regulating a supply pressure of the oxidant, and a fuel supply means for supplying fuel to the fuel cell, wherein the pressurised chamber is pressurised to a pressure above ambient pressure by the oxidant, the regulated supply pressure of the oxidant being controlled by the ambient pressure.
The fuel supply means preferably comprises a fuel pressure regulator for regulating a supply pressure of the fuel. The regulated supply pressure of the fuel may be controlled by the pressure of the pressurised chamber, i.e. in dependence on the regulated supply pressure of the oxidant, or by the ambient pressure, in which case the pressure of the pressurised chamber will be the average of the regulated supply pressures of the oxidant and fuel.
According to a further aspect, there is provided a power generation system as detailed above and a Submarine, Remotely Operated Vehicle or Autonomous Underwater Vehicle that is powered by the power generation device.
According to a yet further aspect, there is provided a power generation system comprising a plurality of power generation devices as detailed above. The system may comprise an oxidant storage tank and a fuel storage tank, wherein each of the plurality of power generation devices receives oxidant from the oxidant storage tank and fuel from the fuel storage tank.
Further, preferred, features of the different aspects are presented in the dependent claims.
Non-limiting embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic drawing of a power generation device according to a first embodiment; Figure 2 shows a schematic drawing of a power generation device according to a second embodiment; and Figure 3 shows a schematic drawing of a power generation system, which comprises a plurality of power generation devices according to the first or second 30 embodiments.
With reference to Figure 1, there is shown a schematic layout for a power generation device according to a first embodiment, which comprises a pressurised chamber 1, a fuel cell 4, which is contained within the pressurised chamber, an oxidant supply means 2 for supplying oxidant to the fuel cell 4 and a fuel supply means 3 for supplying fuel to the fuel cell. The oxidant supply means 2 comprises an oxidant pressure regulator 2a for regulating a supply pressure Po of the oxidant.
The pressurised chamber 2 is pressurised to a pressure Pc above ambient pressure PA by the oxidant. The regulated supply pressure Po of the oxidant is controlled by the ambient pressure PA. The regulator 2a is exposed to ambient pressure PA and will be arranged/mounted accordingly.
The oxidant supply pressure is regulated to a predetermined value above ambient pressure. This may, for example, be up to 0.5 Bar above ambient pressure, up to 1 Bar above ambient pressure, up to 5 Bar above ambient pressure, or up to 10 Bar above ambient pressure.
The fuel supply means comprises a fuel pressure regulator 3a for regulating a supply pressure PF of the fuel. The regulated supply pressure of the fuel is controlled by the pressure Pc of the pressurised chamber, which is directly related to the regulated supply pressure Po of the oxidant. The regulator 3a is exposed to the internal pressure Pc of the pressurised chamber. It is preferably located within the pressurised chamber 1.
The fuel supply pressure is regulated to a predetermined value above the pressure Pc of the pressurised chamber (noting that the pressure of the pressurised chamber Pc is directly related to the supply pressure Po of the oxidant). This predetermined value above the pressure Pc of the pressurised chamber of the oxidant will be dependent on the fuel cell. It may, for example, be up to 30 Millibar, up to 50 Millibar or up to 1 Bar. The value will ultimately be determined by the specific fuel cell design.
With the arrangement of the first embodiment, where: PA = Ambient pressure of the atmosphere surrounding the pressurised chamber Pc = Pressure in the pressurised chamber. Equal to Po, PF exhaust average Po = Regulated supply pressure of the oxidant, controlled by PA PF = Regulated supply pressure of the fuel, controlled by Pc Then: Pc > Pa and PF > Pc With reference to Figure 2, there is shown a second embodiment of the power generation device 1. This arrangement differs from the power generation device of the first embodiment in respect of the pressure regulation. The fuel supply means again comprises a fuel pressure regulator 3a for regulating a supply pressure PF of the fuel. However, in the second embodiment, rather than the regulated supply pressure PF of the fuel being controlled by the pressure Pc of the pressurised chamber, it is controlled by the ambient pressure PA. The regulator 3a is exposed to the ambient pressure PA along with the regulator 2a.
The oxidant supply pressure is, again, regulated to a predetermined value above ambient pressure. This may, for example, be up to 0.5 Bar above ambient pressure, up to 1 Bar above ambient pressure, up to 5 Bar above ambient pressure, or up to 10 Bar above ambient pressure.
The fuel supply pressure is regulated to a predetermined value above the ambient pressure PA, which is higher than the predetermined value above ambient pressure of the oxidant supply pressure Po. The fuel supply pressure PF will be dependent on the fuel cell. It may, for example, be up to 30 Millibar, up to 50 Millibar or up to 1 Bar higher than the regulated oxidant supply pressure Po. The value will ultimately be determined by the specific fuel cell design.
With the arrangement of the second embodiment, where: PA = Ambient pressure of the atmosphere surrounding the pressurised chamber Pc = Average of PO, PF exhausted Po = Regulated supply pressure of the oxidant, controlled by PA PF = Regulated supply pressure of the fuel, controlled by PA Then: Po > PA and PF > PA In both the first and second embodiments, valves 9 are provided to control the flowrate of the oxidant and fuel to the fuel cell 4.
In both the first and second embodiments, the outlet (not shown) of the fuel cell 4 is open to the pressure Po of the pressurised chamber 1. Waste gasses and water from the fuel cell are expelled into the pressurised chamber 1. A vent valve 5, which comprises a one-way valve, allows the waste exhaust products to be expelled without the need for compression, pumping or storage (by virtue of the pressure differential between the pressurised chamber and the surrounding atmosphere). It also provides over pressure relief if the external pressure is lowered.
In both the first and second embodiments, feedthrough connectors 8 are provided for control and power lines 6, 7 entering/exiting the pressurised chamber 1. Only low differential sealing is required. Any additional input/outputs, e.g. cooling, are also available through low pressure differential connections.
There is thus provided, in accordance with either the first or second embodiment, a fuel cell in a pressure controlled enclosure, wherein the pressure of the enclosure is variable and directly related to/controlled by the ambient external pressure PA. The pressurised chamber 1 is regulated to be at a slightly higher pressure than the ambient pressure of the surrounding medium.
The oxidant and fuel supply means 2, 3 may comprise umbilicals, hoses, or otherwise, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.
The power generation device is ideally suited for use in a subsea marine environment. The device operates at varying ambient pressures, thus allowing for use at constant or varying water depths. It may, however, also be used in any other surrounding medium with an ambient pressure equal to or different to normal atmospheric conditions.
With the pressurisation of the pressurised chamber to a level regulated with respect to the ambient environment, the chamber need not be engineered to withstand large pressure differentials, accordingly, the vessel may have far thinner walls than prior art arrangements. A lighter and more cost effective enclosure can be provided. The power generation device in fact overcomes a number of the issues normally associated with equipment operating at high ambient pressures, including but not limited to problems with structural integrity, a need for high pressure penetrators, and problems with the removal of gas/liquid exhausted from the fuel cell.
The fuel cell is preferably a Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cell. It could alternatively comprise a Direct Methanol fuel cell, aSolid Oxide fuel cell, or otherwise. The fuel cell may be of any design/construction that uses a fuel and oxidant to generate electrical power, as will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. The fuel may be Hydrogen, Propane, Methanol, or otherwise. The oxidant may be air, an oxygen enriched gas mix or pure oxygen.
Applications for the power generation device will include power generation for subsea oil/gas fields and processing equipment, remotely operated vehicle (ROV)/autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) equipment and other subsea industrial applications. The power generation device allows electrical power to be generated at or close to the equipment requiring electrical power.
The power generation device is scalable, as will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, thus allowing for different and varying power requirements.
Power generation systems may be provided that include a plurality of the power generation devices 1 in accordance with any arrangement described herein.
The power generation device may operate as a standalone unit or be coupled to other such units and/or hybrid electrical storage systems. The power generation device may be a permanent or retrievable unit.
The power generation device may be designed for single or multi-stack configurations, thus allowing cell redundancy in the event of failures.
The power generation device 1 may be supplied with fuel/oxidant in varying ways, as will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. For example, the oxidant and fuel supply means 2, 3 may comprise permanent topside supply lines, permanent subsea supply lines to remote storage/production facilities, or locally sited storage means, such as tanks, that are replaceable or replenishable, using an ROV or otherwise. Any particular power generation device 1 according to the present invention may be supplied with fuel/oxidant by a combination of the above options, with a different supply means for the fuel and the oxidant and/or a range of the means being used in dependence on a usage stage of the device, or otherwise.
In one arrangement, as depicted in Figure 3, there may be provided a power generation system that comprises a plurality of the power generation devices 1 according to the first or second embodiments with central oxidant and fuel supply means. In the arrangement of Figure 3, there are shown three power generation devices 101a, 101b and 101c. Each of the power generation devices is in accordance with either the first or second embodiment, as discussed above. The fuel and oxidant supply means 102, 103 comprise topside supply lines, such as suitable umbilicals or hoses. The oxidant supply means 102 comprises an oxidant storage tank supply pressure regulator 102a for regulating a supply pressure of the oxidant. The fuel supply means 103 comprises a fuel storage tank supply pressure regulator 103a for regulating a supply pressure of the fuel. The regulated supply pressures of the oxidant and fuel are both controlled by the ambient pressure PA.
The regulators 102a, 103a are exposed to the ambient pressure PA. The regulated oxidant and fuel supplies are provided to storage tanks 104a, 104b, which are located subsea and are maintained at the regulated pressures of the oxidant and fuel supplies respectively. Since the storage tanks 104a, 104b are pressure regulated they do not need to contain high pressure differentials and do not need high structural integrity. The power generation devices 101a, 101 b and 101c are fed with fuel and oxidant from the storage tanks 104a, 104b. The storage tanks are maintained at pressures POT and PFT, which need only be high enough to locally supply the power generation devices 101a, 101 b and 101c. The oxidant supply means 2 for each of the power generation devices 101a, 101b and 101c extends between the storage tank 104a and the respective power generation device 101a, 101b and 101c and the fuel supply means 3 for each of the power generation devices 101a, 101b and 101c extends between the storage tank 104b and the respective power generation device 101a, 101 b and 101c.
The arrangement of Figure 3 has the advantage that the number of required topside supply lines is reduced. In the present arrangement only two topside supply lines 102, 103 are required (one topside supply line per storage tank) rather than six topside supply lines (i.e. rather than two topside supply lines per power generation device 101a, 101b and 101c).
It should be understood that the present arrangement is not limited to three power generation devices 101a, 101 b, 101c or to only two storage tanks 104a, 104b, there may be more or less power generation devices and/or storage tanks. In fact numerous alternative configurations will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. A fully scalable system is provided. Moreover, it should be appreciated that the supply from the storage tanks to the generation units could be arranged in series or parallel or in a combination of both series and parallel. Arrangements may be selected to optimise/limit connections, wherein a single line from each tank could supply a number of the power generation devices. Arrangements may be provided with intervening distribution manifolds between the storage tanks and the power generation devices.
Claims (18)
- Claims 1. A power generation device comprising: a pressurised chamber, a fuel cell, which is contained within the pressurised chamber, an oxidant supply means for supplying oxidant to the fuel cell, which comprises an oxidant pressure regulator for regulating a supply pressure of the oxidant, and a fuel supply means for supplying fuel to the fuel cell, wherein the pressurised chamber is pressurised to a pressure above ambient pressure by the oxidant, the regulated supply pressure of the oxidant being controlled by the ambient pressure.
- 2. A power generation device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the fuel supply means comprises a fuel pressure regulator for regulating a supply pressure of the fuel.
- 3. A power generation device as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the regulated supply pressure of the fuel is controlled by the pressure of the pressurised chamber or is controlled by the ambient pressure.
- 4. A power generation device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the oxidant supply pressure is regulated to be up to 0.5 Bar above ambient pressure.
- 5. A power generation device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the oxidant supply pressure is regulated to be up to 1 Bar above ambient pressure.
- 6. A power generation device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the oxidant supply pressure is regulated to be up to 10 Bar above ambient pressure.
- 7. A power generation device as claimed in Claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the fuel supply pressure is regulated to be higher than the regulated oxidant supply pressure.
- 8. A power generation device as claimed in Claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the fuel supply pressure is up to 30 Millibar higher than the regulated oxidant supply pressure.
- 9. A power generation device as claimed in Claims 2 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the fuel supply pressure is up to 1 Bar higher than the regulated oxidant supply pressure.
- 10. A power generation device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein an outlet of the fuel cell is open to the pressure of the pressurised chamber.
- 11. A power generation device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pressurised chamber comprises a vent valve for expelling waste exhaust products from the fuel cell from the pressurised chamber.
- 12. A power generation device as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the vent valve comprises a one-way valve.
- 13. A power generation device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fuel cell comprises a Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cell.
- 14. A power generation system comprising a power generation device as claimed in any preceding claim and a Submarine, Remotely Operated Vehicle or 25 Autonomous Underwater Vehicle that is powered by the power generation device.
- 15. A power generation system comprising a plurality of power generation devices as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 13.
- 16. A power generation system as claimed in Claim 15, which comprises an oxidant storage tank and a fuel storage tank, wherein each of the plurality of power generation devices receives oxidant from the oxidant storage tank and fuel from the fuel storage tank.
- 17. A power generation system as claimed in Claim 16, wherein an oxidant storage tank supply pressure regulator regulates the supply pressure of the oxidant to the oxidant storage tank and a fuel storage tank supply pressure regulator regulates the supply pressure of the fuel to the fuel storage tank.
- 18. A power generation system as claimed in Claim 17, wherein the oxidant supply tank is pressurised to a pressure above ambient pressure by the oxidant and the fuel supply tank is pressurised to a pressure above ambient pressure by the fuel.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB1820262.2A GB2579779B (en) | 2018-12-12 | 2018-12-12 | Power generation for subsea marine applications |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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GB1820262.2A GB2579779B (en) | 2018-12-12 | 2018-12-12 | Power generation for subsea marine applications |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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GB201820262D0 GB201820262D0 (en) | 2019-01-30 |
GB2579779A true GB2579779A (en) | 2020-07-08 |
GB2579779B GB2579779B (en) | 2021-05-05 |
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GB1820262.2A Expired - Fee Related GB2579779B (en) | 2018-12-12 | 2018-12-12 | Power generation for subsea marine applications |
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CN114459538A (en) * | 2022-01-21 | 2022-05-10 | 南京数之信市场研究有限公司 | Unmanned aerial vehicle remote sensing inspection method and system for garbage classification point |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0374368A1 (en) * | 1988-12-22 | 1990-06-27 | International Fuel Cells Corporation | Fuel cell power plant |
EP1770808A1 (en) * | 2004-06-25 | 2007-04-04 | Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd. | Fuel cell-use fuel storing body |
-
2018
- 2018-12-12 GB GB1820262.2A patent/GB2579779B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0374368A1 (en) * | 1988-12-22 | 1990-06-27 | International Fuel Cells Corporation | Fuel cell power plant |
EP1770808A1 (en) * | 2004-06-25 | 2007-04-04 | Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd. | Fuel cell-use fuel storing body |
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Publication number | Publication date |
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GB2579779B (en) | 2021-05-05 |
GB201820262D0 (en) | 2019-01-30 |
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