GB2582268A - Hydrogen from deep ocean nuclear Power - Google Patents

Hydrogen from deep ocean nuclear Power Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2582268A
GB2582268A GB1902985.9A GB201902985A GB2582268A GB 2582268 A GB2582268 A GB 2582268A GB 201902985 A GB201902985 A GB 201902985A GB 2582268 A GB2582268 A GB 2582268A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
dock
pressure
sea
hydrogen
vessel
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1902985.9A
Other versions
GB201902985D0 (en
Inventor
Thomas Hampson John
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB1902985.9A priority Critical patent/GB2582268A/en
Publication of GB201902985D0 publication Critical patent/GB201902985D0/en
Publication of GB2582268A publication Critical patent/GB2582268A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63GOFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS ON VESSELS; MINE-LAYING; MINE-SWEEPING; SUBMARINES; AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
    • B63G8/00Underwater vessels, e.g. submarines; Equipment specially adapted therefor
    • B63G8/001Underwater vessels adapted for special purposes, e.g. unmanned underwater vessels; Equipment specially adapted therefor, e.g. docking stations
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C01INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C01BNON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
    • C01B3/00Hydrogen; Gaseous mixtures containing hydrogen; Separation of hydrogen from mixtures containing it; Purification of hydrogen
    • C01B3/02Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen
    • C01B3/04Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen by decomposition of inorganic compounds, e.g. ammonia
    • C01B3/042Decomposition of water
    • GPHYSICS
    • G21NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21CNUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C13/00Pressure vessels; Containment vessels; Containment in general
    • G21C13/02Details
    • G21C13/024Supporting constructions for pressure vessels or containment vessels
    • GPHYSICS
    • G21NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21DNUCLEAR POWER PLANT
    • G21D9/00Arrangements to provide heat for purposes other than conversion into power, e.g. for heating buildings
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63BSHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B35/00Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
    • B63B35/44Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
    • B63B2035/4433Floating structures carrying electric power plants
    • B63B2035/4446Floating structures carrying electric power plants for converting nuclear energy into electric energy
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63BSHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B35/00Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
    • B63B35/44Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
    • B63B2035/4473Floating structures supporting industrial plants, such as factories, refineries, or the like
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63BSHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B35/00Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
    • B63B35/44Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63GOFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS ON VESSELS; MINE-LAYING; MINE-SWEEPING; SUBMARINES; AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
    • B63G8/00Underwater vessels, e.g. submarines; Equipment specially adapted therefor
    • B63G8/001Underwater vessels adapted for special purposes, e.g. unmanned underwater vessels; Equipment specially adapted therefor, e.g. docking stations
    • B63G2008/002Underwater vessels adapted for special purposes, e.g. unmanned underwater vessels; Equipment specially adapted therefor, e.g. docking stations unmanned
    • B63G2008/004Underwater vessels adapted for special purposes, e.g. unmanned underwater vessels; Equipment specially adapted therefor, e.g. docking stations unmanned autonomously operating
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63GOFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS ON VESSELS; MINE-LAYING; MINE-SWEEPING; SUBMARINES; AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
    • B63G8/00Underwater vessels, e.g. submarines; Equipment specially adapted therefor
    • B63G8/001Underwater vessels adapted for special purposes, e.g. unmanned underwater vessels; Equipment specially adapted therefor, e.g. docking stations
    • B63G2008/002Underwater vessels adapted for special purposes, e.g. unmanned underwater vessels; Equipment specially adapted therefor, e.g. docking stations unmanned
    • B63G2008/008Docking stations for unmanned underwater vessels, or the like
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D88/00Large containers
    • B65D88/78Large containers for use in or under water
    • YGENERAL 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
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02EREDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E30/00Energy generation of nuclear origin
    • YGENERAL 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
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02EREDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E30/00Energy generation of nuclear origin
    • Y02E30/30Nuclear fission reactors
    • YGENERAL 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
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02EREDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/36Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis
    • YGENERAL 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
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10STECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S376/00Induced nuclear reactions: processes, systems, and elements
    • Y10S376/912Nuclear reactor systems situated in the ocean

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)

Abstract

A pressure vessel 6 (e.g. for electrolytic hydrogen production from water) is submerged in fluid (e.g. deep under water in the ocean) to reduce the pressure differential. The hydrogen and oxygen production may be powered by a nuclear reactor 7. The submerged production platform 5 including the container 6 and reactor 7 may be tethered to a docking platform 1 using cables 4, with pipes allowing the hydrogen and oxygen gases to be sent from the vessel 6 to the dock 1. Both platforms may float underwater at different depths which may be controlled using buoyancy spaces – the production platform deeper that the shallower dock. The dock may include a manifold 2 allowing connection of unmanned autonomous sea-going submersible transport vessels (submarine vehicles) 3 for transporting the hydrogen to remote sea ports, and for electrically powering and controlling the dock. The dock may also be connected to surface buoys 8.

Description

Hydrogen from Deep Ocean Nuclear Power
Description
Many industrial processes involve operations at high pressure requiring costly containment vessels to avoid dangerous explosion risks. This invention is concerned with submerging these processes in deep ocean water where the surrounding ambient pressure will minimise both the cost of the vessel and the risk of explosion.
A particular application proposed here is a nuclear power plant designed to generate hydrogen by splitting water. Typically land based commercial nuclear reactors are installed inside pressure vessels which are located inside containment buildings, but major incidents have occurred where both have failed with serious consequences.
About 50% of the Earth-S surface comprises abyssal plain where the ocean is more than 3-km deep; this is probably the safest place on Earth to operate nuclear facilities.
Splitting water into hydrogen [Hz] and oxygen [02] typically involves the application of energy in the form of heat, electricity and pressure. Various chemical and electrolytic processes are available to produce H2 and 02 which can be shipped either at high pressure or expanded and cooled for transportation in liquid form.
Figure 1 shows a submerged system for generating H2 and 02 by splitting water and includes supporting auxiliary and transportation facilities. It is configured for maximum safety and reliability and the figure shows two main submersed facilities; the Dock 1 and a Production Platform 5 which are linked together via a Tether 4.
The Production Platform 5 would be submerged at a depth so that the ambient pressure matched the process; perhaps 1-km deep at an ambient pressure of 10-MPa where water remains liquid at 300-degC. Heat energy from the Nuclear Reactor 7 together with electrical power from the Dock 1 would be used by the Water Splitter 6 to generate H2 and Oz and this would be sent to the Dock 1 via the Tether 4, though some gas [Hz or 02] will be retained on the Production Platform 5 for buoyancy proposes.
Feedwater would be supplied from the Dock 1 either from a desalination plant or brought in by a Sub 3 tanker which might also be used to transport H2 or 02 back to port. An advanced water splitting system might directly extract H2 and Oz from seawater.
The Tether 4 connects the Production Platform 5 to the Dock 1 and comprises a cluster of pipes and cables [not all shown]. This enables different functions to be undertake at different depths and pressures. The Tether 4 could be eliminated in circumstances where the Dock 1 and Production Platform 5 can function at the same depth. The components of the Tether 4 will need to be strong enough to cope with pressure differentials arising from variations in depth and also to tie the two floating structures together. Pressure reduction valves could be used to regulate the pressure at different depths and a loosely coiled spring-like Tether 4 design might be used to accommodate some movement between the two ends. p.1
The Production Platform 5 needs to be as simple and reliable as possible to minimise the risk of failure and for this reason complex sub-systems like electrical power generation, gas liquification, desalination etc. would be undertaken at the Dock 1, perhaps within a Sub 3 where they can be returned to port for maintenance and repair.
The Dock 1 in this example is submerged at a shallower depth so that feedwater and production gasses can circulate naturally without active pumping. Extracting the high pressure gasses (Hz and 02) at the Dock will induce feedwater to descend to the Production Platform 5. It should also be possible to induce primary coolant pumping to transfer heat from the Nuclear Reactor 7 to the Water Splitter 6 using an impellor system driven by the main feedwater loop, avoiding the need for active pumping within the Production Platform 5. Additional feedwater pumping could also be provided at the Dock 1, particularly during the initial start-up.
The Dock would also function as a transportation hub. The Manifold 2 would provide sea docking facilities for numerous Subs 3. These would include tankers for Hz, 02, and feedwater deliveries and other facilities that might require transportation back to port for maintenance.
The Dock 1 and connected Subs 3 would provide all the main auxiliary activities including process control, electric power generation, flotation and orientation control and communication via surface buoys 8. The Manifold 2 would support automated docking to the Tether 4 for Subs 3 and would employ solutions to connect directly to feedwater, Hz, 02, electrical power, control and communications pathways.
Flotation control would employ buoyancy spaces typically filled with retained Hz or 02 to displace water and regulate the buoyancy of each module in order to maintain position, orientation and to avoid excessive stress on the system including the Tether 4.
A Sub 3 would be an unmanned submersible subsystem having the capability to travel underwater independently between the Dock 1 and a remote destination port. In some cases its internal pressure would be matched to the ambient sea pressure to avoid the need for an expensive pressurised hull. Subs 3 would need their own power and propulsion system for transportation purposes and these could employ nuclear power to generate electrical energy and use steerable electric propulsors. While connected to the Manifold 2 these facilities could also be used to provide electrical power to the Production Platform 5 (via the Tether 4) and steerable Sub 3 propulsors could help with station keeping and orientation. At any one time there would likely be at least three Subs 3 docked at the Manifold 2. Subs 3 could transport their cargo over long distances underwater in order to manage cargo pressure differentials and avoid surface weather disruption. Navigation would require a combination of inertial guidance equipment, sonar and Buoys 8 arranged to provide communication and global positioning information. p.2

Claims (8)

  1. Claims 1. A means to reduce the forces acting on pressure vessels by submerging them in fluid such that the ambient fluid pressure reduces the pressure differential on the vessel.
  2. 2. A means to operate a process having multiple pressure vessels as described in claim 1 at different depths according to their needs and matching the pressure of each vessel to the ambient pressure.
  3. 3. A means to tie two or more pressure vessels as described in claims 1 and 2 together at varying depths using a tether system comprising pipes and cables employed in the process being undertaken.
  4. 4. A means to support pressure vessels positioned as described in claims 1 and 2 and tethered as described in claim 3 by incorporating buoyancy spaces having a lower density than the surrounding fluid in order to regulate their depth and limit forces on the tether.
  5. 5. A means to enable a pressure vessel as described in claim 1 to be configured as a Dock to enable process based docking connections to be made via a manifold between sea-going submersible transport vessels and the system as described in claims 1, 2, 3, and 4.
  6. 6. A means to provide a sea-going submersible transport vessel having the capability to autonomously convey materials between a remote sea port and the Dock described in claim 5 including the capability to manoeuvre and connect to the manifold in order transfer materials to or from the system described in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, and S.
  7. 7. A means to provide a sea-going submersible transport vessel housing process equipment between a remote sea port and the sea-dock described in claim 5 including the capability to manoeuvre and connect to the manifold and directly participate with the processes undertaken in claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
  8. 8. A means to provide a submerged system deep in the ocean as described in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 configured to manufacture hydrogen and oxygen using nuclear powered water splitting technology and supported by various submerged processing systems together with a transportation system to deliver materials and equipment to and from a remote port. p.3
GB1902985.9A 2019-03-06 2019-03-06 Hydrogen from deep ocean nuclear Power Withdrawn GB2582268A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1902985.9A GB2582268A (en) 2019-03-06 2019-03-06 Hydrogen from deep ocean nuclear Power

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1902985.9A GB2582268A (en) 2019-03-06 2019-03-06 Hydrogen from deep ocean nuclear Power

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201902985D0 GB201902985D0 (en) 2019-04-17
GB2582268A true GB2582268A (en) 2020-09-23

Family

ID=66377491

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB1902985.9A Withdrawn GB2582268A (en) 2019-03-06 2019-03-06 Hydrogen from deep ocean nuclear Power

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2582268A (en)

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3652431A (en) * 1970-03-12 1972-03-28 Julian Louis Reynolds Method of operating an electrolysis cell for the production of gases under hydrostatic pressure
US4850190A (en) * 1988-05-09 1989-07-25 Pitts Thomas H Submerged ocean current electrical generator and method for hydrogen production
WO2001034973A1 (en) * 1999-11-11 2001-05-17 Peter Alexander Josephus Pas System for producing hydrogen making use of a stream of water
US20020154725A1 (en) * 2001-04-23 2002-10-24 Hayman W. Z. (Zack) Seafloor power station
US20110067618A1 (en) * 2009-09-24 2011-03-24 Harry Edward Dempster Water-Based Material Transportation System
US20120328069A1 (en) * 2009-10-02 2012-12-27 Dcns Underwater electricity generation module
WO2014028952A1 (en) * 2012-08-21 2014-02-27 Brus Thomas Deep sea store

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3652431A (en) * 1970-03-12 1972-03-28 Julian Louis Reynolds Method of operating an electrolysis cell for the production of gases under hydrostatic pressure
US4850190A (en) * 1988-05-09 1989-07-25 Pitts Thomas H Submerged ocean current electrical generator and method for hydrogen production
WO2001034973A1 (en) * 1999-11-11 2001-05-17 Peter Alexander Josephus Pas System for producing hydrogen making use of a stream of water
US20020154725A1 (en) * 2001-04-23 2002-10-24 Hayman W. Z. (Zack) Seafloor power station
US20110067618A1 (en) * 2009-09-24 2011-03-24 Harry Edward Dempster Water-Based Material Transportation System
US20120328069A1 (en) * 2009-10-02 2012-12-27 Dcns Underwater electricity generation module
WO2014028952A1 (en) * 2012-08-21 2014-02-27 Brus Thomas Deep sea store

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201902985D0 (en) 2019-04-17

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
JP7114716B2 (en) Phased deployment of buoys and buoy networks
KR20230012569A (en) Hydrogen Production and Return System
US7814856B1 (en) Deep water operations system with submersible vessel
US10523047B2 (en) Autonomous ROVs with offshore power source that can return to recharge
NO162880B (en) EN-ATMOSPHERIC UNDERWATER SYSTEM FOR EXTRACTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES.
Jung et al. A study on unmanned surface vehicle combined with remotely operated vehicle system
US20240025517A1 (en) Offshore energy generation system
WO2021235941A1 (en) Shuttle loading system
CN111483561B (en) Modularization detachable heat supply ship
US3545215A (en) Field processing equipment for oil wells mounted at a subsea location
GB2582268A (en) Hydrogen from deep ocean nuclear Power
RU2700518C1 (en) Device for hydrocarbons delivery in arctic basin
RU173011U1 (en) NUCLEAR POWER SUPPLY SHIP
WO2000024004A1 (en) Unmanned seafloor power station and method of employment
Boeck et al. Smis-subsea monitoring via intelligent swarms, design challenges of an autonomous seabed station
WO2022162519A1 (en) Offshore energy generation system (oegs)
KR101511360B1 (en) Processing apparatus for single point mooring
KR101078647B1 (en) Electronic power plant using hot water gushing out of seabed
EP3429918B1 (en) Rechargeable autonomous rovs with an offshore power source
KR20160072308A (en) Underwater operation system
Love et al. Buoyancy control for an autonomous underwater vehicle
US20240076013A1 (en) A ship and a method for bringing liquified gas from an onshore terminal across a sea to a subsurface permanent storage reservoir
GB2579779A (en) Power generation for subsea marine applications
KR20240055032A (en) Devices, systems, and methods for hydrogen generation, collection, and distribution
Ma Design and Dynamic Analysis of a Novel Subsea Shuttle Tanker

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)
S20A Reinstatement of application (sect. 20a/patents act 1977)

Free format text: REQUEST FOR REINSTATEMENT ALLOWED

Effective date: 20211011

Free format text: REQUEST FOR REINSTATEMENT FILED

Effective date: 20210921

WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)