WO2011100730A2 - Delivery systems with in- line selective extraction devices and associated methods of operation - Google Patents
Delivery systems with in- line selective extraction devices and associated methods of operation Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2011100730A2 WO2011100730A2 PCT/US2011/024813 US2011024813W WO2011100730A2 WO 2011100730 A2 WO2011100730 A2 WO 2011100730A2 US 2011024813 W US2011024813 W US 2011024813W WO 2011100730 A2 WO2011100730 A2 WO 2011100730A2
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- hydrogen
- extraction device
- permeable membrane
- line extraction
- mixture
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 94
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 65
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 102
- 239000013077 target material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 40
- 239000000284 extract Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical compound C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 113
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 claims description 98
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 98
- UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen Chemical compound [H][H] UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 65
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 claims description 64
- ATUOYWHBWRKTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Propane Chemical compound CCC ATUOYWHBWRKTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 60
- 229910001868 water Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 58
- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical compound O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 48
- 150000002431 hydrogen Chemical class 0.000 claims description 47
- 229910002092 carbon dioxide Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 45
- UGFAIRIUMAVXCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon monoxide Chemical compound [O+]#[C-] UGFAIRIUMAVXCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 40
- 229910002091 carbon monoxide Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 40
- OTMSDBZUPAUEDD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethane Chemical compound CC OTMSDBZUPAUEDD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 39
- XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Argon Chemical compound [Ar] XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 38
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 35
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 claims description 34
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 34
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 33
- 239000001569 carbon dioxide Substances 0.000 claims description 24
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 22
- RWSOTUBLDIXVET-UHFFFAOYSA-N Dihydrogen sulfide Chemical compound S RWSOTUBLDIXVET-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 21
- 239000001294 propane Substances 0.000 claims description 21
- 229910052786 argon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 19
- 239000003054 catalyst Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N platinum Chemical compound [Pt] BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000000376 reactant Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- KDLHZDBZIXYQEI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Palladium Chemical compound [Pd] KDLHZDBZIXYQEI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910052697 platinum Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000002808 molecular sieve Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910052763 palladium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- URGAHOPLAPQHLN-UHFFFAOYSA-N sodium aluminosilicate Chemical compound [Na+].[Al+3].[O-][Si]([O-])=O.[O-][Si]([O-])=O URGAHOPLAPQHLN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000035699 permeability Effects 0.000 claims 3
- PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Nickel Chemical compound [Ni] PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 2
- 229910052759 nickel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims 1
- 229910052761 rare earth metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims 1
- 150000002910 rare earth metals Chemical class 0.000 claims 1
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 36
- 239000003345 natural gas Substances 0.000 description 18
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 17
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 14
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 12
- 238000005868 electrolysis reaction Methods 0.000 description 11
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 10
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 10
- 238000001228 spectrum Methods 0.000 description 10
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 9
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 8
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 description 7
- 230000006911 nucleation Effects 0.000 description 7
- 238000010899 nucleation Methods 0.000 description 7
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 6
- -1 oxygen ions Chemical class 0.000 description 6
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 6
- QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ammonia Chemical compound N QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000001179 sorption measurement Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000007796 conventional method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000032258 transport Effects 0.000 description 4
- OKKJLVBELUTLKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Methanol Chemical compound OC OKKJLVBELUTLKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 3
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 239000002028 Biomass Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 description 2
- MCMNRKCIXSYSNV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Zirconium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Zr]=O MCMNRKCIXSYSNV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910021529 ammonia Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 238000004821 distillation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 description 2
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 230000037427 ion transport Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000007791 liquid phase Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005272 metallurgy Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 235000015097 nutrients Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000001590 oxidative effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000002787 reinforcement Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 2
- XOLBLPGZBRYERU-UHFFFAOYSA-N tin dioxide Chemical compound O=[Sn]=O XOLBLPGZBRYERU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910001887 tin oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000005909 Kieselgur Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910001252 Pd alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910000629 Rh alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910021536 Zeolite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- SBEFPWKYOBLFHO-UHFFFAOYSA-N [Rh].[Sn].[Pt] Chemical compound [Rh].[Sn].[Pt] SBEFPWKYOBLFHO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 150000001335 aliphatic alkanes Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 150000001336 alkenes Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 150000001345 alkine derivatives Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229910045601 alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000000956 alloy Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012159 carrier gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000919 ceramic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004587 chromatography analysis Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000013078 crystal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002950 deficient Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009792 diffusion process Methods 0.000 description 1
- HNPSIPDUKPIQMN-UHFFFAOYSA-N dioxosilane;oxo(oxoalumanyloxy)alumane Chemical compound O=[Si]=O.O=[Al]O[Al]=O HNPSIPDUKPIQMN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 125000004435 hydrogen atom Chemical group [H]* 0.000 description 1
- 229910000037 hydrogen sulfide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000002209 hydrophobic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004615 ingredient Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012784 inorganic fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011147 inorganic material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052500 inorganic mineral Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000012212 insulator Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005342 ion exchange Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000013528 metallic particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000010445 mica Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052618 mica group Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011707 mineral Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910000069 nitrogen hydride Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000007800 oxidant agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003647 oxidation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007254 oxidation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- SWELZOZIOHGSPA-UHFFFAOYSA-N palladium silver Chemical compound [Pd].[Ag] SWELZOZIOHGSPA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000012071 phase Substances 0.000 description 1
- HWLDNSXPUQTBOD-UHFFFAOYSA-N platinum-iridium alloy Chemical compound [Ir].[Pt] HWLDNSXPUQTBOD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000010287 polarization Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920000768 polyamine Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920005597 polymer membrane Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000007781 pre-processing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000197 pyrolysis Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002407 reforming Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000006104 solid solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003595 spectral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002351 wastewater Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002023 wood Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010457 zeolite Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
- B01D53/22—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by diffusion
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D63/00—Apparatus in general for separation processes using semi-permeable membranes
- B01D63/06—Tubular membrane modules
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
- C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
- C01B3/00—Hydrogen; Gaseous mixtures containing hydrogen; Separation of hydrogen from mixtures containing it; Purification of hydrogen
- C01B3/50—Separation of hydrogen or hydrogen containing gases from gaseous mixtures, e.g. purification
- C01B3/501—Separation of hydrogen or hydrogen containing gases from gaseous mixtures, e.g. purification by diffusion
- C01B3/503—Separation of hydrogen or hydrogen containing gases from gaseous mixtures, e.g. purification by diffusion characterised by the membrane
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
- C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
- C01B3/00—Hydrogen; Gaseous mixtures containing hydrogen; Separation of hydrogen from mixtures containing it; Purification of hydrogen
- C01B3/50—Separation of hydrogen or hydrogen containing gases from gaseous mixtures, e.g. purification
- C01B3/501—Separation of hydrogen or hydrogen containing gases from gaseous mixtures, e.g. purification by diffusion
- C01B3/503—Separation of hydrogen or hydrogen containing gases from gaseous mixtures, e.g. purification by diffusion characterised by the membrane
- C01B3/505—Membranes containing palladium
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
- C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
- C01B5/00—Water
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D2313/00—Details relating to membrane modules or apparatus
- B01D2313/24—Specific pressurizing or depressurizing means
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
- C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
- C01B2203/00—Integrated processes for the production of hydrogen or synthesis gas
- C01B2203/04—Integrated processes for the production of hydrogen or synthesis gas containing a purification step for the hydrogen or the synthesis gas
- C01B2203/0405—Purification by membrane separation
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
- C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
- C01B2203/00—Integrated processes for the production of hydrogen or synthesis gas
- C01B2203/04—Integrated processes for the production of hydrogen or synthesis gas containing a purification step for the hydrogen or the synthesis gas
- C01B2203/0465—Composition of the impurity
- C01B2203/048—Composition of the impurity the impurity being an organic compound
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
- C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
- C01B2203/00—Integrated processes for the production of hydrogen or synthesis gas
- C01B2203/04—Integrated processes for the production of hydrogen or synthesis gas containing a purification step for the hydrogen or the synthesis gas
- C01B2203/0465—Composition of the impurity
- C01B2203/0485—Composition of the impurity the impurity being a sulfur compound
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
- C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
- C01B2203/00—Integrated processes for the production of hydrogen or synthesis gas
- C01B2203/04—Integrated processes for the production of hydrogen or synthesis gas containing a purification step for the hydrogen or the synthesis gas
- C01B2203/0465—Composition of the impurity
- C01B2203/0495—Composition of the impurity the impurity being water
Definitions
- the present disclosure is related generally to chemical and/or energy delivery systems with in-line selective extraction devices and associated methods of operation.
- a methane reforming facility typically receives methane (CH 4 ) through a natural gas pipeline and receives other reactants (e.g., hydrogen (H 2 ), carbon dioxide (C0 2 ), etc.) in separate cylinders by trucks.
- reactants e.g., hydrogen (H 2 ), carbon dioxide (C0 2 ), etc.
- the foregoing delivery system can be inefficient and expensive to operate.
- separation of the chemical reactants typically involves absorption, adsorption, cryogenic distillation, and/or other techniques that have high capital costs and are energy-intensive.
- construction and maintenance of pipelines as well as separate delivery of chemicals in cylinders can be expensive and time-consuming. Accordingly, several improvements in efficient and cost- effective chemical delivery systems and devices may be desirable.
- Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a delivery system in accordance with aspects of the technology.
- Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an in-line extraction device suitable for use in the delivery system of Figure 1 in accordance with aspects of the technology.
- Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the in-line extraction device in Figure 2.
- Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an in-line extraction assembly suitable for use in the delivery system of Figure 1 in accordance with aspects of the technology.
- Figures 5A and 5B are flowcharts of a method of supplying a chemical in accordance with aspects of the technology.
- Figure 6 is a schematic block diagram of an energy generation/delivery system in accordance with aspects of the technology.
- Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an in-line extraction device in accordance with aspects of the technology.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a delivery system 100 in accordance with aspects of the technology.
- the delivery system 100 includes a source 102, a delivery conduit 104 (e.g., a section of pipe) coupled to the source 102, at least one in-line extraction device 106 (three are shown for illustration purposes and identified individually as 106a-106c), and a plurality of downstream facilities 108, 110, and 1 14 (three downstream facilities are shown for illustration purposes and identified individually as 114a-114c) coupled to the in-line extraction devices 106.
- the delivery system 100 is shown in Figure 1 with the foregoing particular components, in other embodiments, the delivery system 100 can also include valves, compressors, fans, composition analyzers, and/or other suitable components.
- the source 102 can be configured to produce and supply a mixture of chemicals to the delivery conduit 104.
- the source 102 can include a natural gas facility that provides methane (CH 4 ), ethane (C 2 H 6 ), propane (C 3 H 8 ), and/or other suitable alkanes, alkenes, or alkynes to the delivery conduit 104.
- the source 102 can include a pyrolysis facility configured to convert a biomass (e.g., wood) into a synthetic natural gas containing hydrogen (H 2 ), carbon monoxide (CO), and carbon dioxide (C0 2 ).
- the source 102 can also include other suitable facilities that produce and supply hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), water (H 2 0), and/or other suitable compositions.
- the in-line extraction devices 106 can be configured to selectively extract, separate, and/or otherwise obtain a chemical composition from the mixture of chemicals supplied by the source 102.
- the extracted chemical composition can then be supplied to the corresponding downstream facilities 108, 110, and 114 for further processing.
- the extracted chemical composition can include at least one of methane (CH 4 ), ethane (C 2 H 6 ), propane (C 3 H 8 ), hydrogen (H 2 ), water (H 2 0), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (C0 2 ), nitrogen (N 2 ), oxygen (0 2 ), argon (Ar), hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), and/or other suitable gaseous compositions.
- the extracted chemical composition can also include gasoline, diesel, and/or other suitable liquid phase compositions.
- the extracted chemical composition can include a combination of gas and liquid phase compositions.
- the in-line extraction devices 106 can be configured to extract hydrogen (H 2 ) from the mixture in the delivery conduit 104 that contains methane (CH 4 ), ethane (C 2 H 6 ), propane (C 3 H 8 ), and hydrogen (H 2 ).
- the first in-line extraction device 106a can include a filter that extracts hydrogen (H 2 ).
- the extracted hydrogen (H 2 ) can then be supplied to the downstream facility 108 and used, for example, for atomic absorption spectral photography, used as a carrier gas in chromatography, reacted with carbon dioxide (C0 2 ) to form methanol (CH3OH), reacted with nitrogen (N 2 ) to form ammonia (NH 3 ), used to power a fuel cell or an internal combustion engine, and/or used for other suitable purposes.
- the first in-line extraction device 106a can be configured to extract water (H 2 0) as steam, liquid water, or ice.
- the in-line extraction devices 106 can be configured to extract energy from the mixture in the delivery conduit 104 as electricity, heat, and/or other forms of energy.
- the second in-line extraction device 106b can include a fuel cell (not shown) that can convert hydrogen (H 2 ) in the mixture into electricity and water with external oxygen and/or with oxygen contained in the mixture.
- the electricity can be supplied to the downstream facility 1 10 (e.g., a power grid) and the water collected in a drain 1 12.
- the collected water may be used for steam generation and/or other suitable purposes.
- an appropriate inline filter such as a low temperature semipermeable membrane or a high temperature oxygen ion transport membrane such as a zirconia solid solution transports oxygen ions in a fuel cell system to react with a fuel 1000 from pipeline 1002 such as hydrogen, ammonia, or a hydrocarbon to produce electricity and/or water and/or carbon dioxide.
- a fuel cell system 1001 such as shown in Figure 7 provides an oxygen ionization electrode 1010, an oxygen ion transport membrane 1008 and a fuel electrode. Electricity is provided to an external circuit between electrode 1006 and 1010. In instances that the fuel selection produces water it may be collected for various useful applications by fluid passageways 1004,1012 and/or accumulator 1014 and dispensed by valve 1016 as shown.
- the fuel selection produces more moles of product than the moles of reactants it may be utilized to pressurize a portion of the fuel cell and has applications as disclosed in U.S. Application entitled “METHODS, DEVICES, AND SYSTEMS FOR DETECTING PROPERTIES OF TARGET SAMPLES,” attorney docket no. 69545-8801. US01 , filed February 14, 2011 , concurrently herewith, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- the in-line extraction devices 106 can also include a controller configured to (1) select an extraction target material; (2) adjust a rate of extraction of the extraction target material; and/or (3) control a characteristic (e.g., pressure, temperature, etc.) of the extraction target material, e.g., by using a metering system.
- the third in-line extraction device 106c is operatively coupled to a controller 107 (e.g., a computer with a non-transitory computer- readable medium) and the plurality of downstream facilities 1 14.
- the non-transitory computer-readable medium of the controller 107 can contain instructions that accept an input of an extraction target material from at least one of the downstream facilities 1 4, adjust an operation characteristic of the third in-line extraction device 106c, and provide the extraction target material to a corresponding downstream facility 114 by switching appropriate valves 116a-1 6c.
- the non-transitory computer-readable medium can also include other suitable instructions for controlling the operation of the third in-line extraction device 106c.
- One characteristic of the delivery system 100 is that the mixture produced by the source 102 is not separated before being supplied to the delivery conduit 104. Instead, various compositions are extracted in-line from the mixture before being supplied to the downstream facilities 108, 1 10, and 1 14. As a result, a central separation facility is eliminated, and the various compositions of the mixture can share one delivery conduit 104, thus reducing capital investment and operating costs compared to conventional techniques.
- Embodiments of the delivery system 100 can also be more flexible than conventional techniques for supplying different compositions to a particular downstream facility. For example, in accordance with conventional techniques, if a downstream facility requires a new composition, then a new pipeline may need to be constructed, requiring substantial capital investment and production delay. In contrast, embodiments of the delivery system 100 can readily extract different compositions because the delivery conduit 104 can deliver a wide spectrum of compositions.
- existing natural gas storage and distribution systems can be improved by addition of hydrogen produced from surplus electricity and/or other forms of surplus energy and selective separation systems for removal of hydrogen from other ingredients typically conveyed by the natural gas systems.
- Hydrogen can be supplied at increased pressure compared to the pressure of delivery to the separation systems by application of selective ion filtration technology, pressure swing adsorption coupled with a compressor, temperature swing adsorption coupled with a compressor, and diffusion coupled with a compressor.
- Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an in-line extraction device 106 suitable for use in the delivery system 100 of Figure 1 in accordance with aspects of the technology.
- Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the in-line extraction device 106 in Figure 2.
- the in-line extraction device 106 includes a coaxial filter 254 concentrically positioned in the delivery conduit 104. Insulator seals 274 support and isolate the filter 254.
- the coaxial filter 254 includes conductive reinforcement materials 255 on the outside diameter as shown in Figure 3 as a magnified section.
- the filter 254 is configured to selectively extract a target material from the mixture in the delivery conduit 104.
- hydrogen extraction is used as an example to illustrate the selective extraction technique, though other compositions may also be extracted with generally similar or different techniques.
- the filter 254 can allow hydrogen to pass through the filter 254 from a first or interior surface 252 to a second or exterior surface 256.
- the filter 254 can be an electrolyzer that is positioned inline with a conduit 262 and that includes corresponding electrodes at the first and second surfaces 252 and 256.
- the filter 254 may also include a catalyst coated on and/or embedded in the filter 254.
- palladium and alloys of palladium such as silver-palladium and/or other suitable catalysts may be provided in the filter 254.
- Filters or membranes suitable for such filtering can include molecular sieves, semi-permeable polymer membranes, hybrid sieve/membranes, capillary structures, and/or a combination thereof.
- the filter 254 can include an architectural construct, as described in U.S. Patent Application
- the filter 254 can include zeolite, clays (e.g., calcines), and/or other natural minerals.
- the filter 254 can include mica, ceramics, patterned metallurgy (e.g., diffusion- bonded metallic particles), and/or other man-made materials.
- the filter 254 can also include natural materials (e.g., diatomaceous earth) that are milled and/or packaged.
- Semi-permeable membranes suitable for the filter 254 can include proton exchange membranes of the types used for electrolysis and/or fuel cell applications. Utilizing such a membrane, a process called "selective ion filtration technology" can be performed. For example, as shown in Figure 3, hydrogen is ionized on the first or interior surface 252 for entry and transport in the filter 254 as an ion by application of a bias voltage to the filter 254.
- a catalyst may be coated on the filter 254 for increasing the reaction rates. Suitable catalysts include platinum or alloys, such as platinum-iridium, platinum palladium, platinum-tin- rhodium alloys and catalysts developed for fuel cell applications in which hydrocarbon fuels are used.
- the exterior surface 256 may include conductive tin oxide (not shown) or a screen of stainless steel can be attached to the bare end of an insulated lead from a controller 270 to facilitate electron removal from the ionized hydrogen. Electrons circuited by another insulated lead as shown to the outside surface of the filter 254 by the controller 270 can be returned to hydrogen ions reaching the outside of the filter 254 by the coated tin oxide or the stainless steel screen that also serves as a pressure arrestment reinforcement and electron distributor.
- Electrons taken from the hydrogen during ionization are conducted to the exterior surface 256 of the filter 254.
- the energy required for such selective-ion filtration and hydrogen pressurization can be much less than the pumping energy required by other separation and pressurization processes.
- the controller 270 maintains the bias voltage as needed to provide hydrogen delivery at a desired pressure at a port 266. Bias voltage generally in the range of 0.2 to 6 volts is needed depending upon the polarization and ohmic losses in developing and transporting hydrogen ions along with pressurization of the hydrogen delivered to the annular region 264.
- the filter 254 can also include a hybrid sieve/membrane.
- the filter 254 can include a sieve followed by an ionic membrane.
- the sieve can first extract a particular diatomic and/or other types of molecule (e.g., hydrogen) from the mixture, and then the ionic membrane may extract a particular output (e.g., hydrogen or water and electricity).
- the filter 254 can include additional sieves and/or membranes.
- the filter 254 can include capillary structures.
- the filter 254 can include cellulosic and/or other types of organic/inorganic fibers and materials.
- architectural construct, described above may be formed to have capillary functions.
- such capillary structures may be combined with the sieves and/or membranes discussed above.
- the filter 254 can include features that are generally similar in structure and function to the corresponding features of electrolyzer assemblies disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 12/707,651 , filed February 17, 2010, entitled “ELECTROLYZER AND ENERGY INDEPENDENT TECHNOLOGIES”; U.S. Patent Application No. 12/707,653, filed February 17, 2010, and entitled “APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING NUCLEATION DURING ELECTROLYSIS”; and U.S. Patent Application No. 12/707,656, filed February 17, 2010, and entitled “APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GAS CAPTURE DURING ELECTROLYSIS,” each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- the filter 254 may have a selectivity determined at least in part based on the type of structure of the filter 254 (e.g., arrangement, distribution, alignment of components of the filter 254), environmental factors (e.g., electrical input, ultrasonic drivers, optical drivers, centrifugal drivers, and thermal conditions), additional reactants (e.g., oxygen) to the extraction target material, concentration of the extraction target material in the mixture, and/or a target rate of extraction.
- the selectivity may also be determined by other suitable factors.
- Nickel H 2 +O 2 ->H 2 0 inputs may
- FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an in-line extraction assembly 450 configured in accordance with another embodiment of the technology.
- the assembly 450 includes multiple electrolyzers or filters 454 (shown schematically and identified individually as first through fourth filters 454a-454d) positioned in line with a conduit 462.
- the conduit 462 can be a natural gas conduit, such as natural gas conduit in a preexisting network of natural gas conduits, a water conduit, and/or other suitable types of conduit.
- the filters 454 can be configured to remove hydrogen that has been added to the natural gas in the conduit 462 for different purposes or end results.
- each of the filters 454 can include any of the features described above with reference to the filter 254 of Figures 2 and 3, including, for example, corresponding electrolyzer electrodes.
- four filters 454 are shown in Figure 4, the separation of these filters 454 as individual spaced- apart filters is for purposes of illustration.
- the filters 454 may provide different outcomes or functions as described in detail below, in other embodiments the filters 454 can be combined into a single filter assembly.
- the filters 454 are schematically illustrated as separate filters for selectively filtering hydrogen for one or more purposes.
- the first filter 454a can be a hydrogen filter that removes hydrogen from a gaseous fuel mixture in the conduit 462 that includes hydrogen and at least one other gas, such as natural gas.
- the first filter 454a can accordingly remove a portion of the hydrogen (e.g., by ion exchange and/or sorption including adsorption and absorption) from the fuel-mixture for the purpose of providing the hydrogen as a fuel to one or more fuel consuming devices.
- the second filter 454b can be configured to produce electricity when removing the hydrogen from the gaseous fuel mixture.
- the second filter 454b For example, as the hydrogen ions pass through the second filter 454b, electrons pass to the electron-deficient side of the second filter 454b (e.g., a side of the second filter 454b exposed to oxygen or another oxidant and opposite the side of the gaseous fuel mixture).
- the third filter 454c can be used to provide water as an outcome of filtering the hydrogen from the gaseous fuel mixture.
- the fourth filter 454d can be used to filter hydrogen from the gaseous fuel mixture and to combine the filtered hydrogen with one or more other stored fuels to create an enriched or Hyboost fuel source.
- the filtered hydrogen can be added to a reservoir of existing gas fuels.
- any of the functions of the first through fourth filters 454a-454d can be accomplished by a single filter assembly 454.
- the illustrated embodiment accordingly provides for the storage and transport of hydrogen mixed with at least natural gas using existing natural gas lines and networks.
- the filters 454 as described herein accordingly provide for filtering or otherwise removing at least a portion of the hydrogen for specific purposes.
- FIG. 5A is a process flow diagram of a method or process 500 configured in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
- the process 500 includes storing a gaseous fuel mixture including hydrogen and at least one other gas (block 502).
- the hydrogen can make up approximately 20% or less of the gaseous fuel mixture.
- the natural gas can be greater than or less than approximately 20% of the gaseous fuel mixture.
- the process 500 further includes distributing the gaseous fuel mixture through a conduit (block 504).
- the conduit can be a natural gas conduit, such as a conventional or preexisting natural gas conduit as used to distribute natural gas for residential, commercial, and/or other purposes.
- the process 500 further includes removing at least a portion of the hydrogen from the gaseous fuel mixture (block 506).
- Removing at least a portion of the hydrogen can include removing the hydrogen from the conduit through a filter positioned in line with the conduit.
- the filter can be a filter generally similar in structure and function to any of the filters described above with reference to Figures 2-4.
- the process of removing the hydrogen can be used to provide the hydrogen as a fuel to a fuel-consuming device, produce electricity, produce water, and/or or produce hydrogen for combination with one or more other fuels to produce an enriched fuel mixture.
- Figure 5A shows the method 500 described with respect to a gaseous fuel
- the method 500 can be applied to a liquid fuel as well.
- the method 500 can be applied to a mixture of liquid and gas fuels.
- FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an energy generation/delivery system 600 in accordance with aspects of the technology.
- the energy generation/delivery system 600 can include an energy system 602, a pipeline 604, an electrical grid 605, an input in-line extraction device 606a, an output in-line extraction device 606b, and an energy consumer 608 operatively coupled to one another.
- the energy system 602 can include a waste water to energy system.
- the energy system 602 can include other suitable energy generating systems.
- the pipeline 604 includes a gas pipeline (e.g., a natural gas pipeline).
- the pipeline 604 can also include a liquid pipeline and/or a two-phase pipeline.
- the input and output in-line extraction devices 606a and 606b can be generally similar to the in-line extraction device 106 ( Figure 1) in structure and in function.
- the energy consumer 608 can include a caterpillar natural gas turbine and/or other suitable devices that can consume the energy delivered via the pipeline 604.
- the energy system 602 receives a feedstock 601 (e.g., a biomass, natural gas, etc.) and converts the feedstock 601 into a mixture of compositions.
- a feedstock 601 e.g., a biomass, natural gas, etc.
- the energy generated during the conversion is consumed locally and/or fed to the electrical grid 605.
- the input in-line extraction device 606a then selectively extracts a first target composition (e.g., a combination of methane and hydrogen and/or other suitable compositions) and supply the extracted first target composition to the pipeline 604.
- a first target composition e.g., a combination of methane and hydrogen and/or other suitable compositions
- the output in-line extraction device 606b then selectively extracts a second target composition and supply the extracted second composition to the energy consumer 608.
- the second target composition can be generally similar to or different from the first target composition.
- the second target composition can include methane and hydrogen.
- the second target composition can include methane or hydrogen.
- the second target composition can include other suitable materials.
- the energy consumer 608 can then convert the extracted second composition into useful energy (e.g., electricity), which may be consumed locally and/or supplied to the electrical grid 605.
- the energy generation/delivery system 600 can also include a metering system (not shown) coupled to at least some of the input/output in-line extraction devices 606a/606b for measuring a quantity of materials produced, transferred, and withdrawn from the pipeline 604.
- a metering system is described in U.S. Patent Application No. , entitled
- the metering system can also be configured for monitoring and controlling a pressure, a composition, a temperature, and/or other suitable operating parameters of the material in the pipeline 604 at different points. By monitoring and/or controlling such operating parameters, the economics of the "wheeling" stations, pumping stations, hubs, market hubs, and market centers can be enhanced by quantity, pressure, and timing when compared to conventional techniques.
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Abstract
The present disclosure is directed to a system for delivery of a target material and/or energy. The system includes a source configured to provide a mixture containing the target material and a non-target material, a delivery conduit coupled to the source to receive the mixture from the source, and an in-line extraction device concentric to the delivery conduit. The in-line extraction device is configured to selectively extract the target material and/or energy from the mixture in the delivery conduit and to delivery it to a downstream facility.
Description
DELIVERY SYSTEMS WITH IN-LINE SELECTIVE EXTRACTION DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED METHODS OF OPERATION
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] The present application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 61/304,403, filed on February 13, 2010 and titled FULL SPECTRUM ENERGY AND RESOURCE INDEPENDENCE; U.S. Patent Application No. 61/345,053 filed on May 14, 2010 and titled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RENEWABLE RESOURCE PRODUCTION; and U.S. Patent Application No. 61/401 ,699, filed on August 16, 2010 and titled COMPREHENSIVE COST MODELING OF AUTOGENOUS SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ENERGY, MATERIAL RESOURCES AND NUTRIENT REGIMES. The present application is a continuation in part of: U.S. Patent Application No. 12/857,553, filed on August 16, 2010 and titled SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH INTEGRATED PRODUCTION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY, MATERIALS RESOURCES, AND NUTRIENT REGIMES, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/345,053 filed on May 14, 2010 and titled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RENEWABLE RESOURCE PRODUCTION and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/304,403, filed February 13, 2010 and titled FULL SPECTRUM ENERGY AND RESOURCE INDEPENDENCE. U.S. Patent Application No. 12/857,553 is also a continuation-in-part of each of the following applications: U.S. Patent Application No. 12/707,651 , filed February 17, 2010 and titled ELECTROLYTIC CELL AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF; PCT Application No. PCT/ US10/24497, filed February 17, 2010 and titled ELECTROLYTIC CELL AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF; U.S. Patent Application No. 12/707,653, filed February 17, 2010 and titled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING NUCLEATION DURING ELECTROLYSIS; PCT Application No. PCT/ US10/24498, filed February 17, 2010 and titled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING NUCLEATION DURING ELECTROLYSIS; U.S. Patent Application No. 12/707,656, filed February 17, 2010 and titled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GAS CAPTURE DURING
ELECTROLYSIS; and PCT Application No. PCT/ US10/24499, filed February 17, 2010 and titled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING NUCLEATION DURING ELECTROLYSIS; each of which claims priority to and the benefit of the following applications: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/153,253, filed February 17, 2009 and titled FULL SPECTRUM ENERGY; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/237,476, filed August 27, 2009 and titled ELECTROLYZER AND ENERGY INDEPENDENCE TECHNOLOGIES; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/304,403, filed February 13, 2010 and titled FULL SPECTRUM ENERGY AND RESOURCE INDEPENDENCE. The present application is also a continuation in part of U.S. Patent Application No. 12/857,541 , filed on August 16, 2010 and titled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH INTEGRATED FULL SPECTRUM PRODUCTION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY; U.S. Patent Application No. 12/857,554, filed on August 16, 2010 and titled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH INTEGRATED FULL SPECTRUM PRODUCTION OF RENEWABLE MATERIAL RESOURCES USING SOLAR THERMAL; U.S. Patent Application No. 12/857,502, filed on August 16, 2010 and titled ENERGY SYSTEM FOR DWELLING SUPPORT; and U.S. Patent Application No. 12/857,433, filed on August 16, 2010 and titled ENERGY CONVERSION ASSEMBLIES AND ASSOCIATED METHODS OF USE AND MANUFACTURE, each of which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/304,403, filed February 13, 2010 and titled FULL SPECTRUM ENERGY AND RESOURCE INDEPENDENCE. U.S. Patent Application No. 12/857,541 , U.S. Patent Application No. 12/857,554. U.S. Patent Application No. 12/857,502, and U.S. Patent Application No. 12/857,433 are also each a continuation-in-part of each of the following applications: U.S. Patent Application No. 12/707,651 , filed February 17, 2010 and titled ELECTROLYTIC CELL AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF; PCT Application No. PCT/ US10/24497, filed February 17, 2010 and titled ELECTROLYTIC CELL AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF; U.S. Patent Application No. 12/707,653, filed February 17, 2010 and titled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING NUCLEATION DURING ELECTROLYSIS; PCT Application No. PCT/ US10/24498, filed February 17, 2010 and titled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING NUCLEATION DURING ELECTROLYSIS; U.S.
Patent Application No. 12/707,656, filed February 17, 2010 and titled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GAS CAPTURE DURING ELECTROLYSIS; and PCT Application No. PCT/ US10/24499, filed February 17, 2010 and titled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING NUCLEATION DURING ELECTROLYSIS; each of which claims priority to and the benefit of the following applications: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/153,253, filed February 17, 2009 and titled FULL SPECTRUM ENERGY; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/237,476, filed August 27, 2009 and titled ELECTROLYZER AND ENERGY INDEPENDENCE TECHNOLOGIES; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/304,403, filed February 13, 2010 and titled FULL SPECTRUM ENERGY AND RESOURCE INDEPENDENCE. Each of these applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. To the extent the foregoing application and/or any other materials incorporated herein by reference conflict with the disclosure presented herein, the disclosure herein controls.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure is related generally to chemical and/or energy delivery systems with in-line selective extraction devices and associated methods of operation.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Currently, industrial gases (e.g., oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, etc.) and/or other chemical feedstocks are typically separated in distillation and/or other processing facilities and supplied to various users via separate pipelines or cylinders carried by trucks. For example, a methane reforming facility typically receives methane (CH4) through a natural gas pipeline and receives other reactants (e.g., hydrogen (H2), carbon dioxide (C02), etc.) in separate cylinders by trucks.
[0004] The foregoing delivery system can be inefficient and expensive to operate. For example, separation of the chemical reactants typically involves absorption, adsorption, cryogenic distillation, and/or other techniques that have high capital costs and are energy-intensive. Also, construction and maintenance of pipelines as well as separate delivery of chemicals in cylinders can be expensive
and time-consuming. Accordingly, several improvements in efficient and cost- effective chemical delivery systems and devices may be desirable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a delivery system in accordance with aspects of the technology.
[0006] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an in-line extraction device suitable for use in the delivery system of Figure 1 in accordance with aspects of the technology.
[0007] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the in-line extraction device in Figure 2.
[0008] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an in-line extraction assembly suitable for use in the delivery system of Figure 1 in accordance with aspects of the technology.
[0009] Figures 5A and 5B are flowcharts of a method of supplying a chemical in accordance with aspects of the technology.
[0010] Figure 6 is a schematic block diagram of an energy generation/delivery system in accordance with aspects of the technology.
[0011] Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an in-line extraction device in accordance with aspects of the technology.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Various embodiments of chemical and/or energy delivery systems with in-line selective extraction devices and associated methods of operation are described below. Many of the details, dimensions, angles, shapes, and other features shown in the Figures are merely illustrative of particular embodiments of the technology. Accordingly, other embodiments can have other details, dimensions, angles, and features without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that further embodiments of the disclosure can be practiced without several of the details described below.
[0013] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the occurrences of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
[0014] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a delivery system 100 in accordance with aspects of the technology. As shown in Figure 1 , the delivery system 100 includes a source 102, a delivery conduit 104 (e.g., a section of pipe) coupled to the source 102, at least one in-line extraction device 106 (three are shown for illustration purposes and identified individually as 106a-106c), and a plurality of downstream facilities 108, 110, and 1 14 (three downstream facilities are shown for illustration purposes and identified individually as 114a-114c) coupled to the in-line extraction devices 106. Athough the delivery system 100 is shown in Figure 1 with the foregoing particular components, in other embodiments, the delivery system 100 can also include valves, compressors, fans, composition analyzers, and/or other suitable components.
[0015] The source 102 can be configured to produce and supply a mixture of chemicals to the delivery conduit 104. In one embodiment, the source 102 can include a natural gas facility that provides methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), and/or other suitable alkanes, alkenes, or alkynes to the delivery conduit 104. In another embodiment, the source 102 can include a pyrolysis facility configured to convert a biomass (e.g., wood) into a synthetic natural gas containing hydrogen (H2), carbon monoxide (CO), and carbon dioxide (C02). In further embodiments, the source 102 can also include other suitable facilities that produce and supply hydrogen sulfide (H2S), water (H20), and/or other suitable compositions.
[0016] The in-line extraction devices 106 can be configured to selectively extract, separate, and/or otherwise obtain a chemical composition from the mixture of chemicals supplied by the source 102. The extracted chemical composition can then be supplied to the corresponding downstream facilities 108, 110, and 114 for
further processing. In certain embodiments, the extracted chemical composition can include at least one of methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), hydrogen (H2), water (H20), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (C02), nitrogen (N2), oxygen (02), argon (Ar), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and/or other suitable gaseous compositions. In other embodiments, the extracted chemical composition can also include gasoline, diesel, and/or other suitable liquid phase compositions. In further embodiments, the extracted chemical composition can include a combination of gas and liquid phase compositions.
[0017] In one embodiment, the in-line extraction devices 106 can be configured to extract hydrogen (H2) from the mixture in the delivery conduit 104 that contains methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), and hydrogen (H2). For example, the first in-line extraction device 106a can include a filter that extracts hydrogen (H2). The extracted hydrogen (H2) can then be supplied to the downstream facility 108 and used, for example, for atomic absorption spectral photography, used as a carrier gas in chromatography, reacted with carbon dioxide (C02) to form methanol (CH3OH), reacted with nitrogen (N2) to form ammonia (NH3), used to power a fuel cell or an internal combustion engine, and/or used for other suitable purposes. In another embodiment, the first in-line extraction device 106a can be configured to extract water (H20) as steam, liquid water, or ice. One example of the in-line extraction devices 106 is described below in more detail with reference to Figures 2 and 3.
[0018] In another embodiment, the in-line extraction devices 106 can be configured to extract energy from the mixture in the delivery conduit 104 as electricity, heat, and/or other forms of energy. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the second in-line extraction device 106b can include a fuel cell (not shown) that can convert hydrogen (H2) in the mixture into electricity and water with external oxygen and/or with oxygen contained in the mixture. The electricity can be supplied to the downstream facility 1 10 (e.g., a power grid) and the water collected in a drain 1 12. The collected water may be used for steam generation and/or other suitable purposes.
[0019] In another embodiment, an appropriate inline filter such as a low temperature semipermeable membrane or a high temperature oxygen ion transport
membrane such as a zirconia solid solution transports oxygen ions in a fuel cell system to react with a fuel 1000 from pipeline 1002 such as hydrogen, ammonia, or a hydrocarbon to produce electricity and/or water and/or carbon dioxide. A fuel cell system 1001 such as shown in Figure 7 provides an oxygen ionization electrode 1010, an oxygen ion transport membrane 1008 and a fuel electrode. Electricity is provided to an external circuit between electrode 1006 and 1010. In instances that the fuel selection produces water it may be collected for various useful applications by fluid passageways 1004,1012 and/or accumulator 1014 and dispensed by valve 1016 as shown. In instances that the fuel selection produces more moles of product than the moles of reactants it may be utilized to pressurize a portion of the fuel cell and has applications as disclosed in U.S. Application entitled "METHODS, DEVICES, AND SYSTEMS FOR DETECTING PROPERTIES OF TARGET SAMPLES," attorney docket no. 69545-8801. US01 , filed February 14, 2011 , concurrently herewith, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0020] In further embodiments, the in-line extraction devices 106 can also include a controller configured to (1) select an extraction target material; (2) adjust a rate of extraction of the extraction target material; and/or (3) control a characteristic (e.g., pressure, temperature, etc.) of the extraction target material, e.g., by using a metering system. For example, the third in-line extraction device 106c is operatively coupled to a controller 107 (e.g., a computer with a non-transitory computer- readable medium) and the plurality of downstream facilities 1 14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of the controller 107 can contain instructions that accept an input of an extraction target material from at least one of the downstream facilities 1 4, adjust an operation characteristic of the third in-line extraction device 106c, and provide the extraction target material to a corresponding downstream facility 114 by switching appropriate valves 116a-1 6c. In other embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable medium can also include other suitable instructions for controlling the operation of the third in-line extraction device 106c.
[0021] One characteristic of the delivery system 100 is that the mixture produced by the source 102 is not separated before being supplied to the delivery conduit 104. Instead, various compositions are extracted in-line from the mixture
before being supplied to the downstream facilities 108, 1 10, and 1 14. As a result, a central separation facility is eliminated, and the various compositions of the mixture can share one delivery conduit 104, thus reducing capital investment and operating costs compared to conventional techniques.
[0022] Embodiments of the delivery system 100 can also be more flexible than conventional techniques for supplying different compositions to a particular downstream facility. For example, in accordance with conventional techniques, if a downstream facility requires a new composition, then a new pipeline may need to be constructed, requiring substantial capital investment and production delay. In contrast, embodiments of the delivery system 100 can readily extract different compositions because the delivery conduit 104 can deliver a wide spectrum of compositions.
[0023] Further, existing natural gas storage and distribution systems can be improved by addition of hydrogen produced from surplus electricity and/or other forms of surplus energy and selective separation systems for removal of hydrogen from other ingredients typically conveyed by the natural gas systems. Hydrogen can be supplied at increased pressure compared to the pressure of delivery to the separation systems by application of selective ion filtration technology, pressure swing adsorption coupled with a compressor, temperature swing adsorption coupled with a compressor, and diffusion coupled with a compressor.
[0024] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an in-line extraction device 106 suitable for use in the delivery system 100 of Figure 1 in accordance with aspects of the technology. Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the in-line extraction device 106 in Figure 2. Referring to Figures 2 and 3 together, in the illustrated embodiment, the in-line extraction device 106 includes a coaxial filter 254 concentrically positioned in the delivery conduit 104. Insulator seals 274 support and isolate the filter 254. The coaxial filter 254 includes conductive reinforcement materials 255 on the outside diameter as shown in Figure 3 as a magnified section.
[0025] The filter 254 is configured to selectively extract a target material from the mixture in the delivery conduit 104. In the following description, hydrogen extraction is used as an example to illustrate the selective extraction technique, though other compositions may also be extracted with generally similar or different
techniques. In the illustrated embodiment, the filter 254 can allow hydrogen to pass through the filter 254 from a first or interior surface 252 to a second or exterior surface 256. In certain embodiments, the filter 254 can be an electrolyzer that is positioned inline with a conduit 262 and that includes corresponding electrodes at the first and second surfaces 252 and 256. In other embodiments, if the extraction target material (e.g., hydrogen) is reacted (e.g., via oxidation with oxygen), the filter 254 may also include a catalyst coated on and/or embedded in the filter 254. For example, in the example of oxidizing hydrogen to produce electricity and water, palladium and alloys of palladium such as silver-palladium and/or other suitable catalysts may be provided in the filter 254.
[0026] Filters or membranes suitable for such filtering can include molecular sieves, semi-permeable polymer membranes, hybrid sieve/membranes, capillary structures, and/or a combination thereof. For example, in one embodiment, the filter 254 can include an architectural construct, as described in U.S. Patent Application
No. entitled "ARCHITECTURAL CONSTRUCT HAVING FOR EXAMPLE A
PLURALITY OF ARCHITECTURAL CRYSTALS," attorney docket No. 69545- 8701. US00, filed concurrently herewith, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In another embodiment, the filter 254 can include zeolite, clays (e.g., calcines), and/or other natural minerals. In further embodiments, the filter 254 can include mica, ceramics, patterned metallurgy (e.g., diffusion- bonded metallic particles), and/or other man-made materials. In yet further embodiments, the filter 254 can also include natural materials (e.g., diatomaceous earth) that are milled and/or packaged.
[0027] Semi-permeable membranes suitable for the filter 254 can include proton exchange membranes of the types used for electrolysis and/or fuel cell applications. Utilizing such a membrane, a process called "selective ion filtration technology" can be performed. For example, as shown in Figure 3, hydrogen is ionized on the first or interior surface 252 for entry and transport in the filter 254 as an ion by application of a bias voltage to the filter 254. Optionally, a catalyst may be coated on the filter 254 for increasing the reaction rates. Suitable catalysts include platinum or alloys, such as platinum-iridium, platinum palladium, platinum-tin-
rhodium alloys and catalysts developed for fuel cell applications in which hydrocarbon fuels are used.
[0028] The exterior surface 256 may include conductive tin oxide (not shown) or a screen of stainless steel can be attached to the bare end of an insulated lead from a controller 270 to facilitate electron removal from the ionized hydrogen. Electrons circuited by another insulated lead as shown to the outside surface of the filter 254 by the controller 270 can be returned to hydrogen ions reaching the outside of the filter 254 by the coated tin oxide or the stainless steel screen that also serves as a pressure arrestment reinforcement and electron distributor.
[0029] Electrons taken from the hydrogen during ionization are conducted to the exterior surface 256 of the filter 254. On the "filtered hydrogen" side 256 of the filter 254, electrons recombine with hydrogen ions and form hydrogen atoms that in turn form diatomic hydrogen that pressurizes an annular region 264. The energy required for such selective-ion filtration and hydrogen pressurization can be much less than the pumping energy required by other separation and pressurization processes. The controller 270 maintains the bias voltage as needed to provide hydrogen delivery at a desired pressure at a port 266. Bias voltage generally in the range of 0.2 to 6 volts is needed depending upon the polarization and ohmic losses in developing and transporting hydrogen ions along with pressurization of the hydrogen delivered to the annular region 264.
[0030] In other embodiments, the filter 254 can also include a hybrid sieve/membrane. For example, in one embodiment, the filter 254 can include a sieve followed by an ionic membrane. In such an embodiment, the sieve can first extract a particular diatomic and/or other types of molecule (e.g., hydrogen) from the mixture, and then the ionic membrane may extract a particular output (e.g., hydrogen or water and electricity). In other embodiments, the filter 254 can include additional sieves and/or membranes.
[0031] In yet other embodiments, the filter 254 can include capillary structures. For example, the filter 254 can include cellulosic and/or other types of organic/inorganic fibers and materials. In another example, architectural construct, described above may be formed to have capillary functions. In yet another example,
such capillary structures may be combined with the sieves and/or membranes discussed above.
[0032] In further embodiments, the filter 254 can include features that are generally similar in structure and function to the corresponding features of electrolyzer assemblies disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 12/707,651 , filed February 17, 2010, entitled "ELECTROLYZER AND ENERGY INDEPENDENT TECHNOLOGIES"; U.S. Patent Application No. 12/707,653, filed February 17, 2010, and entitled "APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING NUCLEATION DURING ELECTROLYSIS"; and U.S. Patent Application No. 12/707,656, filed February 17, 2010, and entitled "APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GAS CAPTURE DURING ELECTROLYSIS," each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0033] The filter 254 may have a selectivity determined at least in part based on the type of structure of the filter 254 (e.g., arrangement, distribution, alignment of components of the filter 254), environmental factors (e.g., electrical input, ultrasonic drivers, optical drivers, centrifugal drivers, and thermal conditions), additional reactants (e.g., oxygen) to the extraction target material, concentration of the extraction target material in the mixture, and/or a target rate of extraction. In other embodiments, the selectivity may also be determined by other suitable factors.
[0034] Various examples of the mixtures, additional reactants, filter types, catalysts, downstream reactions, and tuning parameters are listed in the table below.
These examples are listed for the purpose of illustration, and the current technology can also include embodiments with additional and/or different combinations of the foregoing components and/or parameters.
Mixture Additional Filter Catalyst Downstream Tuning
reactants Reaction Parameter
H2 + CH4 02 (or one 0 Architectural oRare earth Ultrasonic of Cl2, Br2, construct metals and/or
F2, S) (neat or optical
suspended) 0 Nickel H2+O2->H20 inputs may
(electrically + heat be used to tunable) 0 Platinum improve filter
0 Ionic transport; membrane membranes
(e.g., may be polyamines) turned with
o Pattern electrical metallurgy bias sieve
H2 + CH4 + Hydrophobic
H20 sieve, followed
by one of the
options above
to select
hydrogen
H2 H2S Sieve preprocessing
followed by one
of the options
above to select
hydrogen
[0035] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an in-line extraction assembly 450 configured in accordance with another embodiment of the technology. In the illustrated embodiment, the assembly 450 includes multiple electrolyzers or filters 454 (shown schematically and identified individually as first through fourth filters 454a-454d) positioned in line with a conduit 462. In certain embodiments, the conduit 462 can be a natural gas conduit, such as natural gas conduit in a preexisting network of natural gas conduits, a water conduit, and/or other suitable types of conduit. Moreover, the filters 454 can be configured to remove hydrogen that has been added to the natural gas in the conduit 462 for different purposes or end results. For example, each of the filters 454 can include any of the features described above with reference to the filter 254 of Figures 2 and 3, including, for example, corresponding electrolyzer electrodes. Furthermore, although four filters 454 are shown in Figure 4, the separation of these filters 454 as individual spaced- apart filters is for purposes of illustration. For example, although the filters 454 may provide different outcomes or functions as described in detail below, in other embodiments the filters 454 can be combined into a single filter assembly.
[0036] As noted above, the filters 454 are schematically illustrated as separate filters for selectively filtering hydrogen for one or more purposes. In one embodiment, for example, the first filter 454a can be a hydrogen filter that removes hydrogen from a gaseous fuel mixture in the conduit 462 that includes hydrogen and at least one other gas, such as natural gas. The first filter 454a can accordingly remove a portion of the hydrogen (e.g., by ion exchange and/or sorption including
adsorption and absorption) from the fuel-mixture for the purpose of providing the hydrogen as a fuel to one or more fuel consuming devices. The second filter 454b can be configured to produce electricity when removing the hydrogen from the gaseous fuel mixture. For example, as the hydrogen ions pass through the second filter 454b, electrons pass to the electron-deficient side of the second filter 454b (e.g., a side of the second filter 454b exposed to oxygen or another oxidant and opposite the side of the gaseous fuel mixture). The third filter 454c can be used to provide water as an outcome of filtering the hydrogen from the gaseous fuel mixture. Moreover, the fourth filter 454d can be used to filter hydrogen from the gaseous fuel mixture and to combine the filtered hydrogen with one or more other stored fuels to create an enriched or Hyboost fuel source. For example, the filtered hydrogen can be added to a reservoir of existing gas fuels.
[0037] Although the filters 454 of the illustrated embodiment are shown as separate filters, in other embodiments any of the functions of the first through fourth filters 454a-454d (e.g., providing hydrogen, providing electricity, providing water, and/or providing an enriched fuel source) can be accomplished by a single filter assembly 454. The illustrated embodiment accordingly provides for the storage and transport of hydrogen mixed with at least natural gas using existing natural gas lines and networks. The filters 454 as described herein accordingly provide for filtering or otherwise removing at least a portion of the hydrogen for specific purposes.
[0038] Figure 5A is a process flow diagram of a method or process 500 configured in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the process 500 includes storing a gaseous fuel mixture including hydrogen and at least one other gas (block 502). In one embodiment, for example, the hydrogen can make up approximately 20% or less of the gaseous fuel mixture. In other embodiments, however, the natural gas can be greater than or less than approximately 20% of the gaseous fuel mixture. The process 500 further includes distributing the gaseous fuel mixture through a conduit (block 504). In certain embodiments, the conduit can be a natural gas conduit, such as a conventional or preexisting natural gas conduit as used to distribute natural gas for residential, commercial, and/or other purposes. In other embodiments, however, the conduit can be other types of conduit suitable for distributing the gaseous fuel mixture.
[0039] The process 500 further includes removing at least a portion of the hydrogen from the gaseous fuel mixture (block 506). Removing at least a portion of the hydrogen can include removing the hydrogen from the conduit through a filter positioned in line with the conduit. For example, the filter can be a filter generally similar in structure and function to any of the filters described above with reference to Figures 2-4. The process of removing the hydrogen can be used to provide the hydrogen as a fuel to a fuel-consuming device, produce electricity, produce water, and/or or produce hydrogen for combination with one or more other fuels to produce an enriched fuel mixture. Even though Figure 5A shows the method 500 described with respect to a gaseous fuel, in other embodiments, as shown in Figure 5B, the method 500 can be applied to a liquid fuel as well. In further embodiments, the method 500 can be applied to a mixture of liquid and gas fuels.
[0040] Figure 6 is a schematic block diagram of an energy generation/delivery system 600 in accordance with aspects of the technology. As shown in Figure 6, the energy generation/delivery system 600 can include an energy system 602, a pipeline 604, an electrical grid 605, an input in-line extraction device 606a, an output in-line extraction device 606b, and an energy consumer 608 operatively coupled to one another. In one embodiment, the energy system 602 can include a waste water to energy system. In other embodiments, the energy system 602 can include other suitable energy generating systems. In the illustrated embodiment, the pipeline 604 includes a gas pipeline (e.g., a natural gas pipeline). In other embodiments, the pipeline 604 can also include a liquid pipeline and/or a two-phase pipeline. The input and output in-line extraction devices 606a and 606b can be generally similar to the in-line extraction device 106 (Figure 1) in structure and in function. The energy consumer 608 can include a caterpillar natural gas turbine and/or other suitable devices that can consume the energy delivered via the pipeline 604.
[0041] In operation, the energy system 602 receives a feedstock 601 (e.g., a biomass, natural gas, etc.) and converts the feedstock 601 into a mixture of compositions. The energy generated during the conversion is consumed locally and/or fed to the electrical grid 605. The input in-line extraction device 606a then selectively extracts a first target composition (e.g., a combination of methane and
hydrogen and/or other suitable compositions) and supply the extracted first target composition to the pipeline 604.
[0042] The output in-line extraction device 606b then selectively extracts a second target composition and supply the extracted second composition to the energy consumer 608. The second target composition can be generally similar to or different from the first target composition. For example, in one embodiment, the second target composition can include methane and hydrogen. In another embodiment, the second target composition can include methane or hydrogen. In further embodiments, the second target composition can include other suitable materials. The energy consumer 608 can then convert the extracted second composition into useful energy (e.g., electricity), which may be consumed locally and/or supplied to the electrical grid 605.
[0043] Even though only one input/output in-line extraction device 606a/606b is shown in Figure 6, in other embodiments, multiple input/output in-line extraction devices 606a/606b can be located at various locations along the pipeline 604. Optionally, in certain embodiments, the energy generation/delivery system 600 can also include a metering system (not shown) coupled to at least some of the input/output in-line extraction devices 606a/606b for measuring a quantity of materials produced, transferred, and withdrawn from the pipeline 604. One suitable metering system is described in U.S. Patent Application No. , entitled
"METHODS, DEVICES, AND SYSTEMS FOR DETECTING PROPERTIES OF TARGET SAMPLES", attorney docket No. 69545-8801. US01 , filed concurrently herewith, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. In other embodiments, the metering system can also be configured for monitoring and controlling a pressure, a composition, a temperature, and/or other suitable operating parameters of the material in the pipeline 604 at different points. By monitoring and/or controlling such operating parameters, the economics of the "wheeling" stations, pumping stations, hubs, market hubs, and market centers can be enhanced by quantity, pressure, and timing when compared to conventional techniques.
[0044] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise," "comprising," and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say,
in a sense of "including, but not limited to." Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number, respectively. When the claims use the word "or" in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.
[0045] The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the disclosure can be modified, if necessary, to employ fuel injectors and ignition devices with various configurations, and concepts of the various patents, applications, and publications can be modified to provide yet further embodiments of the disclosure.
[0046] These and other changes can be made to the disclosure in light of the above detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the disclosure to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all systems and methods that operate in accordance with the claims. Accordingly, the invention is not limited by the disclosure, but instead its scope is to be determined broadly by the following claims.
Claims
1. A system for delivery of a target material and/or energy, the system comprising:
a source configured to provide a mixture containing the target material and a non-target material;
a delivery conduit coupled to the source to receive the mixture from the source; and
an in-line extraction device radially positioned relative to the delivery conduit, the in-line extraction device being configured to selectively extract the target material and/or energy from the mixture in the delivery conduit and to supply the target material and/or energy to a downstream facility.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein:
the mixture includes hydrogen (H2) and at least one of methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), water (H20), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (C02), nitrogen (N2), oxygen (02), argon (Ar), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S); and
the in-line extraction device includes at least one of an ionic membrane, a molecular sieve, a hybrid sieve/membrane, and a capillary structure configured to extract hydrogen from the mixture.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein:
the mixture includes hydrogen (H2) and at least one of methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), water (H20), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (C02), nitrogen (N2), oxygen (02), argon (Ar), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S); and
the in-line extraction device includes a proton permeable membrane.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein: the mixture includes hydrogen (H2) and at least one of methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), water (H20), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (C02), nitrogen (N2), oxygen (02), argon (Ar), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S);
the in-line extraction device includes a proton permeable membrane having a first side in contact with the mixture in the delivery conduit and a second side opposite the first side; and
the in-line extraction device further includes an annular space around the proton permeable membrane and a port coupled to the annular space for supplying the extracted hydrogen to the downstream facility.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein:
the mixture includes hydrogen (H2) and at least one of methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), water (H20), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (C02), nitrogen (N2), oxygen (02), argon (Ar), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S);
the in-line extraction device includes a proton permeable membrane having a first side in contact with the mixture in the delivery conduit and a second side opposite the first side; and
the in-line extraction device further includes:
a conductive screen on the second side of the proton permeable membrane;
an annular space around the proton permeable membrane; and a port coupled to the annular space for supplying the extracted hydrogen to the downstream facility.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein:
the mixture includes hydrogen (H2) and at least one of methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), water (H20), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (C02), nitrogen (N2), oxygen (02), argon (Ar), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S); the in-line extraction device includes a proton permeable membrane having a first side in contact with the mixture in the delivery conduit and a second side opposite the first side; and
the in-line extraction device further includes:
a conductive screen on the second side of the proton permeable membrane; and
a controller configured to supply a current to the first side of the proton permeable membrane and to the conductive screen on the second side of the proton permeable membrane.
7. An in-line extraction device for extracting a target material from a mixture in a delivery conduit, the device comprising:
a filter radially positioned relative to the delivery conduit, the filter having a first side in contact with the mixture in the delivery conduit and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the filter is configured to selectively allow the target material to pass through the filter; and an annular space on the second side of the filter, the annular space being configured to collect the target material passed through the filter and to supply the target material to a downstream facility.
8. The in-line extraction device of claim 7 wherein:
the mixture includes hydrogen (H2) and at least one of methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), water (H20), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (C02), nitrogen (N2), oxygen (02), argon (Ar), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S); and
the filter includes at least one of an ionic membrane, a molecular sieve, a hybrid sieve/membrane, and a capillary structure configured to extract hydrogen from the mixture.
9. The in-line extraction device of claim 7 wherein:
the mixture includes hydrogen (H2) and at least one of methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), water (H20), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (C02), nitrogen (N2), oxygen (02), argon (Ar), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S); and
the in-line extraction device includes a proton permeable membrane.
10. The in-line extraction device of claim 7 wherein:
the mixture includes hydrogen (H2) and at least one of methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), water (H20), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (C02), nitrogen (N2), oxygen (02), argon (Ar), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S);
the filter includes a proton permeable membrane having a first side and a second side; and
the in-line extraction device further includes a conductive screen on the second side of the proton permeable membrane, the conductive screen being configured to pressurize the target material.
1 1. The system of claim 7 wherein:
the mixture includes hydrogen (H2) and at least one of methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), water (H20), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (C02), nitrogen (N2), oxygen (02), argon (Ar), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S);
the in-line extraction device includes a proton permeable membrane; and the in-line extraction device further includes a controller configured to supply a current to the first side and the second side of the proton permeable membrane.
12. A method of delivering a target material via a delivery conduit, the method comprising:
supplying a mixture containing the target material and at least one non-target material to the delivery conduit;
selectively removing at least a portion of the target material from the mixture in the delivery conduit using an in-line extraction device, the in-line extraction device having a first side in contact with the mixture in the delivery conduit and a second side opposite the first side; and collecting the target material removed by the in-line extraction device and supplying the collected target material to a downstream facility.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein:
the mixture includes hydrogen (H2) and at least one of methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), water (H20), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen (N2), oxygen (02), argon (Ar), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S);
the in-line extraction device includes a filter concentric to the delivery conduit; and
selectively removing at least a portion of the target material includes selectively removing at least a portion of the hydrogen from the mixture with the filter concentric to the delivery conduit.
14. The method of claim 12 wherein:
the mixture includes hydrogen (H2) and at least one of methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), water (H20), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (C02), nitrogen (N2), oxygen (02), argon (Ar), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S);
the in-line extraction device includes a proton permeable membrane concentric to the delivery conduit; and
selectively removing at least a portion of the target material includes selectively removing at least a portion of the hydrogen from the mixture with the proton permeable membrane concentric to the delivery conduit.
15. The method of claim 12 wherein:
the mixture includes hydrogen (H2) and at least one of methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), water (H20), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (C02), nitrogen (N2), oxygen (02), argon (Ar), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S);
the in-line extraction device includes a proton permeable membrane; the in-line extraction device further includes an annular space around the proton permeable membrane and a port coupled to the annular space; and
the method further includes collecting the removed hydrogen in the annular space and supplying the collected hydrogen to the downstream facility via the port.
16. The method of claim 12 wherein:
the mixture includes hydrogen (H2) and at least one of methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), water (H20), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (C02), nitrogen (N2), oxygen (02), argon (Ar), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S);
the in-line extraction device includes a proton permeable membrane;
the in-line extraction device further includes a conductive screen on the second side of the proton permeable membrane; and
the method further includes pressurizing the removed hydrogen with the conductive screen.
17. The method of claim 12 wherein:
the mixture includes hydrogen (H2) and at least one of methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), water (H20), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (C02), nitrogen (N2), oxygen (02), argon (Ar), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S);
the in-line extraction device includes a proton permeable membrane;
the in-line extraction device further includes a controller configured to supply a current to the first side and the second side of the proton permeable membrane; and
the method further includes:
removing electrons from hydrogen in the mixture at the first side of the proton permeable membrane, thereby forming a plurality of protons;
transporting the formed protons through the proton permeable membrane; and recombining the transported protons with electrons on the second side of the proton permeable membrane, thereby forming hydrogen on the second side of the proton permeable membrane.
18. The method of claim 12 wherein:
the mixture includes hydrogen (H2) and at least one of methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), water (H20), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (C02), nitrogen (N2), oxygen (02), argon (Ar), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S);
the in-line extraction device includes a proton permeable membrane;
the in-line extraction device further includes a controller configured to supply a current to the first side and the second side of the proton permeable membrane; and
the method further includes:
removing electrons from hydrogen in the mixture at the first side of the proton permeable membrane, thereby forming a plurality of protons;
transporting the formed protons through the proton permeable membrane;
recombining the transported protons with electrons on the second side of the proton permeable membrane, thereby forming hydrogen on the second side of the proton permeable membrane;
introducing oxygen to the second side of the proton permeable membrane; and
reacting the introduced oxygen with the hydrogen formed on the second side of the proton permeable membrane, thereby forming water.
19. The method of claim 12 wherein:
the mixture includes hydrogen (H2) and at least one of methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), water (H20), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (C02), nitrogen (N2), oxygen (02), argon (Ar), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S); the in-line extraction device includes a proton permeable membrane;
the in-line extraction device further includes a controller configured to supply a current to the first side and the second side of the proton permeable membrane; and
the method further includes:
removing electrons from hydrogen in the mixture at the first side of the proton permeable membrane, thereby forming a plurality of protons;
transporting the formed protons through the proton permeable membrane;
recombining the transported protons with electrons on the second side of the proton permeable membrane, thereby forming hydrogen on the second side of the proton permeable membrane;
introducing oxygen to the second side of the proton permeable membrane; and
reacting the introduced oxygen with the hydrogen formed on the second side of the proton permeable membrane, thereby forming water and releasing electrical energy.
20. A method of extracting a target material from a mixture in a delivery conduit, the method comprising:
selecting an in-line extraction device having a target permeability based on a characteristic of the target material;
selectively removing at least a portion of the target material from the mixture in the delivery conduit using the in-line extraction device, the in-line extraction device having a first side in contact with the mixture in the delivery conduit and a second side opposite the first side; and collecting the target material removed by the in-line extraction device and supplying the collected target material to a downstream facility.
21. The method of claim 20 wherein:
the mixture includes hydrogen (H2) and at least one of methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), water (H20), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (C02), nitrogen (N2), oxygen (02), argon (Ar), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S);
the target material includes hydrogen; and
selecting an in-line extraction device includes selecting a proton permeable membrane based on a permeability of hydrogen.
22. The method of claim 20 wherein selecting an in-line extraction device includes selecting an in-line extraction device based on at least one of a concentration of the target material in the mixture and a rate of extraction of the target material.
23. The method of claim 20 wherein:
the method further includes providing a reactant to the second side of the inline extraction device; and
selecting an in-line extraction device includes selecting an in-line extraction device having a catalyst based on the provided reactant.
24. The method of claim 20 wherein:
the mixture includes hydrogen (H2) and at least one of methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), water (H20), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (C02), nitrogen (N2), oxygen (02), argon (Ar), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S);
the target material includes hydrogen;
selecting an in-line extraction device includes selecting a proton permeable membrane based on a permeability of hydrogen;
the method further includes providing oxygen to the second side of the proton permeable membrane; and
selecting an in-line extraction device includes selecting a proton permeable membrane having a catalyst containing at least one of palladium, nickel, platinum and a rare earth metal.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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CN2011800092718A CN102869420A (en) | 2010-02-13 | 2011-02-14 | Delivery systems with in- line selective extraction devices and associated methods of operation |
EP11742996.9A EP2533872A4 (en) | 2010-02-13 | 2011-02-14 | Delivery systems with in- line selective extraction devices and associated methods of operation |
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US40169910P | 2010-08-16 | 2010-08-16 | |
US12/857,433 US20110061376A1 (en) | 2009-02-17 | 2010-08-16 | Energy conversion assemblies and associated methods of use and manufacture |
US12/857,502 US9097152B2 (en) | 2009-02-17 | 2010-08-16 | Energy system for dwelling support |
US12/857,541 US9231267B2 (en) | 2009-02-17 | 2010-08-16 | Systems and methods for sustainable economic development through integrated full spectrum production of renewable energy |
US12/857,502 | 2010-08-16 | ||
US12/857,554 US8808529B2 (en) | 2009-02-17 | 2010-08-16 | Systems and methods for sustainable economic development through integrated full spectrum production of renewable material resources using solar thermal |
US61/401,699 | 2010-08-16 | ||
US12/857,553 US8940265B2 (en) | 2009-02-17 | 2010-08-16 | Sustainable economic development through integrated production of renewable energy, materials resources, and nutrient regimes |
US12/857,553 | 2010-08-16 | ||
US12/857,554 | 2010-08-16 | ||
US12/857,541 | 2010-08-16 | ||
US12/857,433 | 2010-08-16 |
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WO2011100730A3 WO2011100730A3 (en) | 2012-01-26 |
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JPS60125203A (en) * | 1983-12-13 | 1985-07-04 | Nitto Electric Ind Co Ltd | Thermo-pervaporation apparatus |
US6468684B1 (en) * | 1999-01-22 | 2002-10-22 | California Institute Of Technology | Proton conducting membrane using a solid acid |
JP2002119822A (en) * | 2000-08-10 | 2002-04-23 | Yazaki Corp | Hydrogen permeable material and method of manufacturing for the same |
US6783750B2 (en) * | 2001-08-22 | 2004-08-31 | Praxair Technology, Inc. | Hydrogen production method |
CA2497317A1 (en) * | 2002-09-25 | 2004-04-08 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Method and system for separating a component from a multi-component gas |
JP4357969B2 (en) * | 2004-01-14 | 2009-11-04 | 日本電信電話株式会社 | Hydrogen purification equipment |
JP5013769B2 (en) * | 2006-08-03 | 2012-08-29 | 株式会社ノリタケカンパニーリミテド | Oxygen separation membrane |
CN101306302B (en) * | 2008-01-31 | 2011-08-31 | 上海交通大学 | Hydrogen containing industrial waste gas separation and purification method |
KR20090119098A (en) * | 2008-05-15 | 2009-11-19 | 주식회사 에이디피엔지니어링 | Composite membrane for hydrogen separation and method of manufacturing the same |
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- 2011-02-14 EP EP11742996.9A patent/EP2533872A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2011-02-14 CN CN2011800092718A patent/CN102869420A/en active Pending
- 2011-02-14 WO PCT/US2011/024813 patent/WO2011100730A2/en active Application Filing
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EP2533872A4 (en) | 2014-01-22 |
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