WO2014028952A1

WO2014028952A1 - Deep sea store

Info

Publication number: WO2014028952A1
Application number: PCT/AT2013/000130
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas BRUS
Original assignee: Brus Thomas
Priority date: 2012-08-21
Filing date: 2013-08-08
Publication date: 2014-02-27
Also published as: AT513030A4; AT513030B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for electrolytically decomposing an electrolyte, particularly water beneath the water surface, comprising an electrolysis device (1) which can be lowered beneath the water surface or whose height can be adjusted beneath the water surface and which comprises at least one connected line for removing the substance produced and at least one storage device for storing the substance produced, and characterised in that said storage device comprises at least one unpressurised deep sea store (23), for the purpose of temporarily storing the substance produced, that can be lowered beneath the water surface or whose height can be adjusted beneath the water surface, and at least one high-pressure store (51) which can be attached to said deep sea store (23).

Description

Tiefseespeieher

The invention relates to a device for the electrolytic decomposition of an electrolyte, preferably water below the water surface comprising a lowerable under the water surface or height adjustable under the water surface electrolysis device with at least one connected line for discharging the fabric produced and at least one storage device for storing the fabric produced.

With such a device, an electrolyte, in particular water in hydrogen and oxygen or salt water in hydrogen and chlorine, for example, for the production of hydrogen can be decomposed in the context of future hydrogen technologies. A membrane between the electrodes of the electrolysis device enables the clean separation of substances during the production of the substances. The electrode materials of the electrolytic device and the electrolyte decide on the accumulating substances. The deep-sea environment for the electrolysis enables gas production from water under deep sea pressure. The pressure difference to the water surface is 1 bar per 10 meters depth. While the quantity of gas produced under deep-sea conditions corresponds to the amount of gas produced per unit of time at atmospheric pressure at the surface of the water, the gas in a corresponding water depth is compressed by a factor corresponding to the pressure increase. If, for example, deep-sea electrolysis is used at a depth of 10,000 meters below the water surface, the gas produced is under a pressure of 1,000 bar, so that the gas occupies only 1/1000 of the volume compared to atmospheric pressure conditions, even though the same gas mass is produced , The deep-sea electrolysis is therefore associated with the advantage that the gas produced already in the compressed Zu- accumulates so that a subsequent compression, as would be required for an electrolysis under atmospheric pressure, eliminated, thereby significantly increasing the efficiency.

The principle of deep-sea electrolysis is already known from the documents DE 102006013344 AI, US 6833631, US 2010/0236939 AI and WO 2008/117284 AI. In deep-sea electrolysis, however, the transfer of the high-pressure substance, in particular gas to the

Water surface is a problem because it is usually associated with a loss of pressure. The present invention therefore aims to improve an electrolysis device of the type mentioned in that the storage of the material produced, in particular gas under high pressure and the transfer to the water surface can be facilitated and go in an economic manner without pressure drop.

To achieve this object, the invention essentially consists in a device of the type initially mentioned in that the storage device comprises at least one pressureless deep sea reservoir which can be lowered below the water surface for temporarily storing the generated substance and at least one high pressure reservoir connectable to the deep sea reservoir. Characterized in that a pressureless deep-sea storage is combined with a connectable to the deep sea storage high-pressure accumulator, the material produced under deep sea conditions, in particular the gas can be initially stored while maintaining the prevailing pressure in the deep sea storage. The deep-sea storage is preferably at the same level as the electrolyte. sevorrichtung. The deep sea reservoir is initially filled with water, wherein the gas generated in the electrolysis device is passed into the deep sea reservoir and continuously displaces the water in it until the deep sea reservoir is completely filled with gas. The deep-sea storage can preferably also be designed as a collapsible container so that it can be brought into the working position below the water surface in the folded state (ie without content) and inflated by the filling with the gas. The gas is in the deep sea reservoir under the same pressure as the surrounding water according to the depth of the water. Due to the fact that the contents of the deep sea reservoir are not under an overpressure relative to the environment, the deep sea reservoir can consist of an ordinary container and in particular does not have to be made pressure-resistant. Due to the fact that the gas in the deep sea reservoir can be stored at a high pressure in comparison with the atmospheric pressure, it is possible to store energy quantities in the gigawatt hours depending on the storage volume of the deep sea storage.

Preferably, two deep-sea reservoirs are provided, which are both connected to the electrolysis device, each deep-sea reservoir being filled by one of the two gases generated by the electrolysis device.

The deep-sea tank (s) can not be filled naturally transported to the water surface, as they are not formed pressure resistant. In order to be able to bring the produced gas to the surface in a storage container, the high-pressure accumulator provided according to the invention is required. The high-pressure accumulator is first filled with water at the water surface and then preferably lowered to the same level at which the electrolysis device or the deep-sea reservoir is located. is more, with the level of the high-pressure accumulator is selected taking into account the buoyancy of the gas. Thereafter, the high-pressure accumulator is filled with gas from the deep-sea reservoir and, after completion of the filling, closed in a high-pressure-tight manner. Thereafter, the high-pressure accumulator can be brought to the water surface, so that the gas generated in the electrolysis device can be made available at the water surface under the pressure corresponding to the corresponding pressure in the corresponding water depth. At the same time, the advantage achieved by the construction according to the invention is that the transfer of the high-pressure gas to the water surface does not lead to any interruption of the gas production.

Although in the invention with a single high-pressure accumulator Auslangen can be found, it is advantageous depending on the application, at least provide another high-pressure accumulator. If the v / eitere high-pressure accumulator is to serve for receiving a gas generated in the electrolysis device, the high-pressure accumulator can be connected to a deep-sea storage and is filled with the gas stored in the deep sea storage. If the additional high-pressure accumulator is to serve for receiving a liquid, it can be connected directly to the electrolysis device. According to a preferred embodiment it is provided that connecting lines between the electrolysis device and the we ^¬ nigstens a deep store and between the deep memory and the high-pressure accumulator and, if necessary fertilize between the electrolysis device and the high-pressure accumulator as a flexible Schlauchverbin- are executed. The provision of flexible hose connections has the advantage that a variable distance between the interconnected components can be accommodated. In particular, this will enable light, that, as this corresponds to a preferred embodiment, the electrolysis device and the at least one deep sea reservoir and possibly the high-pressure accumulator each have at least one hose reel for rolling up provided for the hose connections hoses. Due to the use of hose reels, correspondingly large lengths of the connecting hoses can be provided, so that the connection of the electrolysis device with the deep sea reservoir or the deep sea reservoir with the high-pressure accumulator and possibly with the electrolysis device on the water surface can be made, even if at least one of them units to be connected is located at great depth. The preparation of the hose connection between the electrolysis device and the at least one deep-sea storage or the disconnection of this connection may be necessary, for example, in the case of an exchange of a deep-sea storage for maintenance purposes. The fact that the corresponding connecting hoses are connected to each other at the water surface or separated from each other, the electrolysis device in the exchange process of a deepwater reservoir in position underwater remain or in a replacement process of the electrolysis, the at least one deepwater reservoir can remain under water.

In this connection, it is preferably provided that a hose connection is formed between two units of two connection hoses which can be connected to one another on the water surface, each of which can start from a hose reel. In order to arrange the device according to the invention in large water depth, it is usually necessary to operate the A ^¬ direction on the open sea. In this context, it is particularly advantageous if the electrolysis device tion and the at least one deepwater reservoir is associated with a respective floating platform, from which the respective unit can be lowered by means of a pull rope. In this case, the floating platforms preferably each have at least one cable pulley for a pull rope connecting the platform to the lowerable unit. The lowerable unit, ie the electrolysis device and / or the at least one deep-sea storage device, can furthermore be anchored to the ground with the aid of an anchor rope and a corresponding anchorage. If, as corresponds to a preferred embodiment, the anchor rope on the corresponding unit arranged anchor rope pulley is rolled up, the corresponding unit can be adjusted in a simple manner in height and at the same time be securely positioned.

Preferably, it is further provided that the floating platforms each have at least one safety rope pulley for a safety rope, to which one end of a connecting hose can be fastened. The safety rope can in this case in particular be fastened permanently at the end of the respective connecting hose, so that the end of the connecting hose can be lowered in a simple manner from the floating platform down to the electrolysis unit or the deep-sea storage. In the event that the connecting hoses in turn must be separated, the safety rope is used to pull the interconnected ends of the hoses to the water surface, so that the handling is simplified accordingly. The high-pressure accumulator does not necessarily have its own floating platform, but can be held by the other units associated floating platforms. The training is preferred in this context. that the floating platform associated with the electrolysis device and the floating platform associated with the at least one deepwater reservoir each have a pulley for a pull rope which can be connected to the high-pressure accumulator. Particularly preferably, it is provided that at least two deep-sea storage are provided, each with associated floating platform, wherein the floating platforms of at least one electrolysis device and the at least two deep-sea storage are arranged to open a triangle in the case of three floating platforms, the high-pressure accumulator in the Center of the triangle is arranged and is attached with traction cables to the floating platforms of at least one Elektroiyseeinrichtung and the at least two deep-sea storage. Accordingly, in the case of more than three floating platform units, a polygon, in particular a quadrangle or hexagon, may be formed by the floating platforms, the high pressure accumulator being again located in the middle of the polygon and attached to the floating platforms.

The flexible connection options of the hose connections of the deep sea storage tanks also allow the further transport of the gases via further hose connections. Both the aforementioned hose reels, as well as the safety wire pulleys and the Zugseilrollen can be designed as electrically driven rollers, without further Schlauchbzw. Rope lengths of 10 km can be rolled up. In addition, a high-voltage electric cable reel may be arranged on the floating platform assigned to the electrolysis device in order to feed the electrolysis device independently of its lowered position with the current required for the electrolysis. Optionally, by means of at least one additional storage container for the electrolyte (preferably water) and / or at least one destination container for the electrolyte used and corresponding connections for electrolysis under the electrolysis units, an additional platform underneath with pull rope rollers fastened on the underside and with an additional hose roll next to it. the removal of additional accumulating substances of the electrolysis (for example soda lye) done by the next Abbe the high-pressure storage platform in advance in a separate, suitable storage and transported to the surface, or together with the electrolysis without replacing the electrolyte to the Surface can be spent.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment schematically illustrated in the drawing.

In the figure, an electrolysis device 1 is shown, with the floating platform 2, on the top two safety rope pulleys 3 and 4, a pulley 5 for a pull rope 14 and another, recognizable in plan view, a high-pressure accumulator 51 leading pull rope 58 receiving pulley. 6 are attached. Also attached are eyelets 7 and 8 for attaching the gas hoses 10 and 11 to the floating platform 2. The hose ends of the gas hoses 10 and 11 are secured by means of securing cables 12 and 13 secured to the floating platform 2. The underwater platform 9 of the electrolysis device 1 is connected to the floating platform 2 via the traction cable 14. At the floating platform 2, the traction cable 14 is guided and fastened through an opening 15. At the underwater platform 9 the connection with the traction cable 14 takes place at an intended suspension 16. At the underwater platform form 9 there are two hose rollers 17 and 18 for rolling up the gas hoses 10 and 11 and the electrolysis cells 19 attached next to the safety rope pulley 20. The provision of at least two electrolytic cells achieves redundancy and thus increases reliability. The safety rope pulley 20 attached centrally to the underside of the underwater platform 9 serves to receive an anchor rope 21 connected to an anchor device 22. The floating platform of the first deep sea reservoir 23 is designated 24. A second deep-sea storage is designated 62 and is identical to the first deep-sea storage 23. On the platform 24 are safety ropes 25 and 26 for receiving safety cables 27 and 28 for securing the gas supply hose 30 and the gas discharge hose 29, and two pulleys 31st and 32 for winding on the ünterwasserplattform 35 by means of eyelets 36 and 37 (not shown) attached traction cables 33 and 34. Furthermore, two safety eyes 49 and 50 for securing the Gaszulei- tion 30 and the gas discharge hose 29, a pulley 40 for receiving a attached to the underwater platform 35 central pull cable 39 and an underlying, seen in plan view pulley 38 for receiving a high-pressure accumulator 51 leading cable 56 is arranged. On the underside of the underwater platform 35 is centrally mounted a pulley 41 for winding the anchor rope 42, which is connected at its end with an anchor device 43. Laterally outside of the pulley 41, a hose reel 44 accommodating the gas discharge hose 29 and a hose reel 45 accommodating the gas supply hose 30 (hidden, behind the reel 41) are fastened. The two hose ends of the gas supply 30 and gas discharge hose 29 are through the two openings 46 and 47 (not shown) to the deep sea tank 48 led. The deep-sea tank 48 consists of a plurality of balloon-like storage volumes. Due to the plurality of storage volumes redundancy and thus a reliability is achieved.

The high pressure accumulator is denoted by 51, consisting of a platform 52 for supporting the high pressure tank 66, securing eyelets 53, 54, 55 (not shown) for attachment of the traction cables 56, 57, 58 and a centrally attached to the underside of the platform 52 pulley 59 to Rolling an ^' anchor rope 60, which is connected at its end with an Anke device 61.

The electrolysis unit 1 and the two deep sea reservoirs 23, 62 are arranged around the high-pressure accumulator 51 around. The electrolysis unit 1 and the two deep-sea storage 23, 62 are secured to each other by the safety ropes 63, 64, 65 and connected by the pull cables 56, 57, 58 to the high-pressure accumulator 51. The anchoring of the electrolysis unit and the two deep-sea storage can be offset radially outward compared to the respective associated floating platforms, in order to achieve in this way a pyramid-shaped structure, which leads to increased stability. The resulting stability can be exploited to dock additional floating platforms without anchoring to existing platforms.

The arrangement of the floating platforms enables the use of wave energy on the high seas. On the connecting cables 63, 64, 65 of the platforms acts through the waves a burden that can be additionally converted by appropriate shock absorber into electrical energy. Shock absorbers can for the use of the up and down movements are also arranged on traction cables of the floating platform.

The hose rollers arranged on the underwater platforms are preferably oriented such that the unwinding or winding direction runs as far as possible in the direction of the corresponding ^" adjacent platform.

Claims

Claims:

1. A device for the electrolytic decomposition of an electrolyte, preferably water below the water surface comprising a lowerable under the water surface or height adjustable under the water surface electrolysis device (1) with at least one connected line for discharging the fabric produced and at least one storage device for storing the produced material, characterized characterized in that the storage device comprises at least one lowerable under the water surface or vertically adjustable under the water surface depressurized deep sea storage (23) for temporarily storing the fabric produced and at least one to the deep sea reservoir (23) connectable high pressure accumulator (51).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that connecting lines between the electrolysis device (1) and the at least one deep sea reservoir (23) and between the deep sea reservoir (23) and the high pressure accumulator (51) are designed as flexible hose connections.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the electrolysis device (1) and the at least one deep sea reservoir (23) and possibly the high-pressure accumulator (51) each have at least one hose roll (17, 18, 44) for rolling up for the hose connections Connecting hoses (10, 11, 29) have.

4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized marked, that a hose connection between two units of two on the water surface can be connected to one another connecting hoses, each emanating from a hose roll.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the electrolysis device (1) and the at least one deep sea reservoir (23) is associated with a respective floating platform (2, 24), from which the respective unit by means of a pull rope ( 14, 33, 34, 39) can be lowered.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the floating platforms (2, 24) each have at least one

Pulley (5, 31, 32, 40) for a platform (2, 24) with the lowerable unit connecting pull rope (14, 33, 34, 39).

7. Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the lowerable unit by means of the tension cable (14, 33, 34, 39) and Θ nΘs uf on a pulley (17, 41) windable anchor rope (21, 42) is height adjustable.

8. Device according to claim 5, 6 or 7, characterized in that the floating platforms (2, 24) each have at least one safety rope pulley (3, 4, 25, 26) for a safety rope (12, 13, 27, 28), to which one end of a connecting hose can be fastened.

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the electrolysis device (1) associated with floating platform (2) and the at least one deep-sea memory (23) associated with floating platform (24) each have a pulley (38) for a having the high-pressure accumulator (51) connectable pull rope (56, 57).

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that at least two deep-sea storage (23, 62) are provided, each with associated floating platform (24), wherein the floating platforms (2, 24) of the at least one electrolysis device (1) and the at least two deep-sea storage (23, 62) are arranged to aufzuspannen a polygon, wherein the high pressure accumulator (51) is arranged in the middle of the polygon and with traction cables (56, 57, 58) to the floating platforms (2, 24) of at least an electrolysis device (1) and the at least two deep-sea storage (23, 62) is attached.

11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the anchors of the at least one electrolysis unit (1) and the at least two deep-sea storage (23, 62) in comparison to the respective associated floating platforms (2, 24) are offset radially outwards to to achieve a pyramidal structure.

12. Device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized marked, that the floating platforms (2, 24) by means of

Connecting cables (63, 64, 65) are interconnected, and that at least one of the tensioned between the floating platforms (2, 24) and the lowerable units tension cables and / or at least one of the connecting cables has a length-variable element whose change in length with a Energy converter is coupled to produce electrical energy.