WO2023073101A1 - Floating vessel comprising a regasification facility and an ammonia conversion facility and method of use thereof - Google Patents

Floating vessel comprising a regasification facility and an ammonia conversion facility and method of use thereof Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2023073101A1
WO2023073101A1 PCT/EP2022/080079 EP2022080079W WO2023073101A1 WO 2023073101 A1 WO2023073101 A1 WO 2023073101A1 EP 2022080079 W EP2022080079 W EP 2022080079W WO 2023073101 A1 WO2023073101 A1 WO 2023073101A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
facility
ammonia
gaseous
liquid
hydrogen
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2022/080079
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Tore LUNDE
Björn EIDE
Original Assignee
Höegh Lng As
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Höegh Lng As filed Critical Höegh Lng As
Publication of WO2023073101A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023073101A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B25/00—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby
    • B63B25/02—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby for bulk goods
    • B63B25/08—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby for bulk goods fluid
    • 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
    • C01B3/02—Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen
    • C01B3/04—Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen by decomposition of inorganic compounds, e.g. ammonia
    • C01B3/047—Decomposition of ammonia
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C01C—AMMONIA; CYANOGEN; COMPOUNDS THEREOF
    • C01C1/00—Ammonia; Compounds thereof
    • C01C1/003—Storage or handling of ammonia
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
    • B63B35/44—Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
    • B63B2035/4486—Floating storage vessels, other than vessels for hydrocarbon production and storage, e.g. for liquid cargo
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/01—Pure fluids
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0146—Two-phase
    • F17C2223/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/03—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2223/033—Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2225/00—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2225/01—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2225/0107—Single phase
    • F17C2225/0123—Single phase gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2225/00—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2225/03—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2225/035—High pressure, i.e. between 10 and 80 bars
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/01—Propulsion of the fluid
    • F17C2227/0128—Propulsion of the fluid with pumps or compressors
    • F17C2227/0135—Pumps
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/03—Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/0367—Localisation of heat exchange
    • F17C2227/0388—Localisation of heat exchange separate
    • F17C2227/0393—Localisation of heat exchange separate using a vaporiser
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2265/00—Effects achieved by gas storage or gas handling
    • F17C2265/05—Regasification
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2265/00—Effects achieved by gas storage or gas handling
    • F17C2265/07—Generating electrical power as side effect
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0102—Applications for fluid transport or storage on or in the water
    • F17C2270/0105—Ships
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0102—Applications for fluid transport or storage on or in the water
    • F17C2270/011—Barges
    • F17C2270/0113—Barges floating
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P20/00—Technologies relating to chemical industry
    • Y02P20/10—Process efficiency
    • Y02P20/133—Renewable energy sources, e.g. sunlight

Definitions

  • This invention relates in general to a floating vessel for converting energy from a form suitable for transportation and storage into a form that is usable for a consumer.
  • the floating vessel comprises a storage for liquid ammonia and a regasification facility for converting liquid ammonia into a first energy carrier in the form of gaseous ammonia.
  • the invention also relates to a method for using the floating vessel.
  • Ammonia is a carbon-free hydrogen carrier and is especially suitable for long-distance transport of energy and for long-term energy storage because of its higher volumetric energy density compared for example to hydrogen.
  • Ammonia can be produced from renewable energy, so called “green ammonia”, and may be used as an energy storage medium during high production periods. The ammonia can then be transported to different parts of the world which have limited access to renewable energy sources. Ammonia is already extensively used today, among others for use as a fertilizer. Part of this ammonia is being distributed via shipping, and there exists some infrastructure for ammonia along important shipping routes. As it can be synthesized from renewable sources, ammonia is very promising from an environmental perspective and can prove to be an important contributor in reducing carbon emissions.
  • the shipping sector is responsible for a large part of global greenhouse emissions and ammonia is seen as a promising alternative to current fossil fuels in order to decarbonize this sector.
  • Regulators such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) provide regulations to meet reduction targets for greenhouse gases, and ammonia can provide a solution to meet these targets and regulations.
  • IMO International Maritime Organization
  • ammonia consumption globally is expected to increase on a large scale as focus on reducing CO2-emissions and using renewable energy sources is growing.
  • the ammonia consumption will increase both due to usage as an alternative fuel, and due to storage and transportation of energy worldwide.
  • Infrastructure is one of the challenges faced as the ammonia consumption globally is increasing.
  • the current ammonia infrastructure is not sufficient to cope with the expected increase in ammonia demand, and there is a need for flexible solutions that can contribute to increased capacity of ammonia supply to be used as an energy carrier, e.g. as a hydrogen carrier, as a fuel and for power generation.
  • ammonia is in liquid state at temperatures below -33 °C and at atmospheric pressure, it is usually stored below -33 °C.
  • the boiling point is 25 °C at a pressure of 10 bar, and pressurizing is an alternative way to keep ammonia liquid when the required cold temperature cannot be maintained.
  • Ammonia is a toxic and corrosive substance; however, it is less flammable than other fuels, and has lower explosive limits in air than pure hydrogen.
  • ammonia is toxic, it is desirable to move processes involving ammonia and storage of ammonia offshore, in order to mitigate risks for both people, assets, and the environment.
  • energy carrier means a substance that is capable of moving energy and/or delivering energy in a usable form to consumers.
  • the term can be used for electricity and heat as well as solid, liquid and gaseous fuels.
  • Energy carriers can be intermediate steps in the energy-supply chain between primary sources and end-use applications. An energy carrier is thus a transmitter of energy, and in this specification, liquid ammonia, gaseous ammonia, liquid hydrogen, gaseous hydrogen, and electricity are all different types of energy carriers.
  • the present invention brings forward a vessel and a method that enables energy to be stored and transported in an efficient manner, while supplying the energy to consumers in a useable and convenient form. It further enables various options of energy carrier deliverables, providing a versatile and flexible solution for supplying energy to a receiver.
  • the present invention provides a contribution in expanding the global ammonia infrastructure as the conversion process is performed on board a marine vessel which removes the need for building local conversion facilities.
  • Usable energy forms are those forms that a receiver can consume, such as fuel for power generation, fuel for a vehicle, or electricity for various appliances or processes.
  • the receiver may be remote from the vessel, called remote receiver herein, or the receiver may be onboard the vessel itself, called onboard receiver herein.
  • the receiver may thus be a power generation facility, consumers connected to an electric grid receiving electricity, a factory needing electricity for its processes, or consumers of fuel for engines, etc.
  • the present invention relates to a floating vessel comprising: a storage tank for storing liquid ammonia, a regasification facility in fluid communication with the storage tank for receival of liquid ammonia, the regasification facility being configured to process the liquid ammonia into a first energy carrier in the form of gaseous ammonia, and an ammonia conversion facility configured to process liquid and/or gaseous ammonia into an additional energy carrier different from the first energy carrier.
  • the additional energy carrier is additional to the first energy carrier and is different from the first energy carrier.
  • the ammonia conversion facility may produce two or more different additional energy carriers, in addition to the first energy carrier. These may be referred to as the “first additional energy carrier”, the “second additional energy carrier” etc.
  • the vessel may comprise more than one storage tank.
  • the liquid ammonia is preferably stored at -33 °C or colder temperatures at atmospheric pressure. As is apparent to a person skilled in the art, the liquid ammonia may also be pressurized, in which case the storage temperature may be increased.
  • the vessel is typically intended to be stationary, temporary or permanent, at one location for production, and may thus receive the liquid ammonia from a carrier ship at the location of production.
  • the vessel may also be used to transport the liquid ammonia and may thus receive the liquid ammonia via pipeline from another storage location, which may be located on shore or on water, and transport it to a location for temporary or permanent production.
  • a person skilled in the art will be aware of how the liquid ammonia can be transferred into the storage tanks of the vessel.
  • the liquid ammonia in the storage tank may be exported via a conduit for breakbulking and/or bunkering.
  • the liquid ammonia in the storage tank may be exported via a conduit, such as a pipeline, to a remote receiver, i.e. located remote from the vessel, such as to a receiver on shore or to another marine vessel or installation.
  • a remote receiver i.e. located remote from the vessel, such as to a receiver on shore or to another marine vessel or installation.
  • the liquid ammonia may also be directed to an onboard receiver, such as other onboard facilities on the vessel for using the liquid ammonia in onboard processes.
  • the regasification process requires heating of the liquid ammonia to convert it to gaseous form.
  • the regasification facility may thus be connected to a heat exchange system configured to transfer heat directly or indirectly from a heat source to the liquid ammonia in order to increase the temperature of the liquid ammonia to change it from liquid to gaseous state (before and/or after entering the regasification unit).
  • the heat source may be sea water, which may also be preheated. Other types of heat sources can also be used instead or in addition, such as excess heat from other onboard processes.
  • Another way to heat the liquid ammonia is by combustion of a fuel, such as ammonia itself.
  • An intermediate heating medium such as propane or glycol, may be used to transfer the heat from the heat source to the liquid ammonia.
  • the gaseous ammonia produced by the regasification facility may be exported via a conduit, such as a pipeline, to a remote receiver, such as to shore or to another marine vessel or installation, and/or may be directed to an onboard receiver for using the gaseous ammonia in onboard processes.
  • the pressure of the gaseous ammonia may be increased prior to export. This may be done by one or more pumps and/or compressors prior to export. Pressurization may be performed within the regasification facility or in a separate unit on the vessel receiving the gaseous ammonia from the regasification facility.
  • the additional energy carrier or the additional energy carriers (if more than one) produced by the conversion facility may be in the form of liquid hydrogen and/or gaseous hydrogen and/or electricity.
  • the additional energy carrier can be a non- ammonia-based energy carrier.
  • the additional energy carrier may be exported via a conduit, such as a pipeline, to a remote receiver, such as to shore or to another marine vessel or installation, and/or may be directed to an onboard receiver via an onboard conduit for using the energy carrier in onboard processes.
  • a conduit such as a pipeline
  • a remote receiver such as to shore or to another marine vessel or installation
  • the vessel can provide gaseous ammonia to the ammonia conversion facility.
  • the regasification facility efficiently converts the ammonia from liquid to gas, for example by heat exchange using sea water, and this provides the ammonia conversion facility with more options, since it can receive both liquid and gaseous ammonia for the conversion process.
  • the vessel is capable of producing at least one ammonia-based energy carrier, i.e. the first energy carrier (gaseous ammonia), and at least one additional energy carrier, different from the first energy carrier, which may be non-ammonia-based.
  • the first energy carrier gaseous ammonia
  • additional energy carrier different from the first energy carrier, which may be non-ammonia-based.
  • the first energy carrier and the additional energy carrier may be exported to the same remote receiver.
  • This remote receiver may also receive liquid ammonia from the storage tank in the vessel.
  • the ammonia conversion facility may comprise a cracking facility configured to process gaseous and/or liquid ammonia into the additional energy carrier in the form of hydrogen.
  • Ammonia cracking is an endothermic process where ammonia is dissociated into hydrogen and nitrogen. Ammonia is first passed through an evaporator (unless it is already in gaseous form) and heated and then passed over a catalyst bed for the decomposing process. Typically, the process takes place on a Nickel catalyst at -850 °C, but temperature and type of catalyst may vary.
  • the cracking facility may include a separator for separating the produced gas into hydrogen and nitrogen. The hot gas produced by the cracking facility can then be cooled and separated into nitrogen and hydrogen.
  • the additional energy carrier (and thus the hydrogen produced by the cracking facility) may be exported to a remote receiver.
  • the hydrogen is pressurized or compressed by a pump or compressor prior to export.
  • the nitrogen can be released into the open air but may also be utilized in onboard processes or exported.
  • the cracking facility on the vessel thus allows for energy to be stored and transported as liquid ammonia, which has a higher volumetric energy density than hydrogen, and thus allows for increased energy capacity.
  • storing liquid ammonia requires less cooling and/or pressurizing than storing liquid hydrogen.
  • the vessel also allows for the energy to be delivered to a user in the form of hydrogen, which can be more convenient for the receiver. It may for example be used directly as fuel for vehicles or for power generation by the receiver.
  • the ammonia conversion facility may comprise a power generation facility configured to produce electricity from gaseous and/or liquid ammonia and/or hydrogen.
  • the electricity may be the first additional energy carrier, or may be a further additional energy carrier (i.e. second, third etc.) if the ammonia conversion facility is configured to produce more than one additional energy carrier.
  • the power generation facility on the vessel allows for energy to be stored and transported as liquid ammonia, and be delivered to a user in the form of electricity, which may for example be distributed in a power grid to various consumers, or be utilized directly. Transporting the energy as liquid ammonia is much more convenient and flexible, and requires less infrastructure compared to transporting electricity via power cables or storing in batteries. Moreover, the energy in form of liquid ammonia can be stored and then at a later time when needed, it can be converted to electricity and utilized.
  • the ammonia conversion facility may be configured to produce two or more different additional energy carriers.
  • the ammonia conversion facility may comprise a cracking facility configured to process liquid and/or gaseous ammonia into hydrogen (and nitrogen) and a power generation facility configured to produce electricity from ammonia and/or hydrogen, wherein the produced hydrogen and electricity are two different types of additional energy carriers, in addition to the first energy carrier, i.e. electricity is the first additional energy carrier and hydrogen is the second additional energy carrier.
  • the vessel may utilize the thermal energy of the various fluids due to their temperature, for example in the gas produced by the cracking facility, by heat exchanging, and thus achieve synergistic effects that reduces or even eliminates the need for supplying additional heating or cooling in some of the processes. The overall energy consumption is thus reduced.
  • the cracking facility may be in fluid communication with an outlet of the storage tank for receival of liquid ammonia.
  • the cracking facility may be in fluid communication with an outlet of the regasification facility for receival of gaseous ammonia.
  • the cracking facility can separate gaseous ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen, which is more energy efficient than starting with liquid ammonia in the cracking facility.
  • the vessel may comprise a liquefaction facility configured to receive gaseous hydrogen dissociated from ammonia cracking process.
  • the liquefaction facility is configured to process the gaseous hydrogen into liquid hydrogen.
  • the liquefaction facility may form part of the cracking facility or may be separate from the cracking facility. In the latter case, the liquefaction facility may be connected to an outlet of the cracking facility for receival of the gaseous hydrogen.
  • an additional energy carrier is provided, i.e.
  • liquid hydrogen which may be a second additional energy carrier if the vessel comprises a cracking facility producing gaseous hydrogen as the first additional energy carrier, or may be a third additional energy carrier if the vessel comprises both a cracking facility producing gaseous hydrogen and a power generation facility producing electricity as the second additional energy carrier.
  • Liquefaction may be done by cooling the hydrogen gas and/or by compression of the gas.
  • the liquefaction facility may be connected to a heat exchange system transferring heat from the hydrogen gas to a cooling source.
  • An intermediate heating medium may be used to transfer the heat from the hydrogen gas to the cooling source.
  • the liquefaction facility may comprise a compressor or pump for compressing the gas.
  • the produced liquid hydrogen is preferably pressurized suitably for being exported via a conduit, such as a pipeline, to a receiver at a remote receiver, such as to shore or to another marine vessel or installation.
  • the vessel may comprise one or more export conduits connected to an outlet of the storage tank for export of liquid ammonia and/or to an outlet of the regasification facility for export of gaseous ammonia, and/or connected to an outlet of the ammonia conversion facility for export of the additional energy carrier to a receiver located remote from the floating vessel.
  • the vessel may also comprise an export conduit connected to an outlet of the liquefaction facility for export of liquid hydrogen.
  • Each export conduit may lead to the same remote receiver, or the different export conduits may lead to different remote receivers.
  • the fluids that may be exported i.e. liquid or gaseous ammonia, or liquid or gaseous hydrogen, may be increased in pressure suitably by a pump or a compressor prior to export in a traditional manner.
  • the power generation facility may comprise a gas turbine, or a piston engine, or a fuel cell, or any combinations thereof.
  • the gas turbine may be configured for utilizing gaseous ammonia as fuel.
  • the gas turbine may be connected to an outlet of the regasification facility for receival of the gaseous ammonia.
  • the piston engine may be configured for utilizing liquid ammonia as fuel.
  • the piston engine may be connected to an outlet of the storage tank for receival of the liquid ammonia.
  • the piston engine may comprise hydrogen injection means.
  • the piston engine may thus be connected to an outlet of the cracking facility for receival of gaseous hydrogen to be injected via the injection means.
  • the fuel cell may be configured for utilizing either liquid or gaseous ammonia or hydrogen as fuel.
  • the fuel cell may be connected to:
  • the vessel may comprise a first heat recovery assembly connected to an outlet of the cracking facility for receival of the produced hydrogen and/or nitrogen, and wherein the heat recovery assembly is configured to recover heat from the hydrogen and/or nitrogen.
  • the connection of the heat recovery assembly to the outlet may be arranged prior to separation of the produced gas, or to the outlets for the already separated gases, i.e. hydrogen and nitrogen. The purpose is to recover the heat that is present in the gas due to the high temperature in the cracking process and use it for heating purposes.
  • the vessel may comprise a second heat recovery assembly connected to the power generation facility and configured to recover excess heat from power generation. Because power generation processes typically emit heat, for example by the exhaust gas, this heat can be recovered and used for heating purposes.
  • the first and/or the second heat recovery assembly may comprise a heat exchange system configured to transfer the recovered heat to the regasification facility for heating the liquid ammonia to be converted to gaseous ammonia.
  • a heat exchange system configured to transfer the recovered heat to the regasification facility for heating the liquid ammonia to be converted to gaseous ammonia.
  • An intermediate heating medium may be used to transfer the heat from the heat source to the liquid ammonia.
  • the heat exchangers may be of a type that is known in the art and the skilled person will know how to design such heat exchangers for the required use.
  • the invention further relates to a method for using a floating vessel as described above comprising the steps of: converting liquid ammonia into a first energy carrier in the form of gaseous ammonia and converting liquid or gaseous ammonia into an additional energy carrier different from the first energy carrier.
  • the method comprises converting liquid or gaseous ammonia into two or more different additional energy carriers.
  • the method further comprises the steps of:
  • the liquid ammonia may be converted into hydrogen and nitrogen by a cracking facility.
  • the liquid ammonia may be converted into electricity by a power generation facility. This may also be done in addition to converting ammonia to hydrogen and nitrogen in a cracking facility.
  • Fig. la shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers onboard a vessel according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. lb shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers onboard a vessel according to an embodiment of the invention wherein a heat exchange system is used to transfer heat from the conversion facility to the regasification facility and wherein the dashed lines illustrate the heat flow to/from the heat exchange system.
  • Fig. 2 shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers in an embodiment of the invention wherein the ammonia conversion facility comprises a cracking facility.
  • Fig. 3 shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers in an embodiment of the invention wherein the ammonia conversion facility comprises a power generation facility.
  • Fig. 4 shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers in an embodiment of the invention wherein the ammonia conversion facility comprises a power generation facility and a cracking facility.
  • Fig. 5 shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers in an embodiment of the invention wherein the ammonia conversion facility comprises a cracking facility and wherein the vessel further comprises a liquefaction facility.
  • Fig. 6 shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers and heat flow in an embodiment of the invention comprising a cracking facility.
  • Fig. 7 shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers and heat flow in an embodiment of the invention comprising a power generation facility.
  • Fig. 8 shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers in an embodiment of the invention comprising a cracking facility and a power generation facility, and further illustrates various power generation options and how these may be connected to the storage tank, the regasification facility, and the cracking facility.
  • Fig. 9 shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers in an embodiment of the invention wherein the ammonia conversion facility comprises a cracking facility and a power generation facility, and wherein the vessel further comprises a liquefaction facility.
  • Fig. la shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers onboard a vessel 100 according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the vessel 100 comprises an ammonia storage, such as one or more storage tanks 110, for storing liquid ammonia 10L.
  • the liquid ammonia can be received from an ammonia supply, typically from a carrier ship, and transferred to the vessel 100 via a pipeline (not shown).
  • the ammonia is usually stored at -33 °C or colder at atmospheric pressure in the storage tank 110.
  • the vessel 100 may transport the liquid ammonia to another location, and may export the liquid ammonia 10L to a receiver 300 at a location remote from the vessel 100, such as to shore or to another marine vessel or installation, via conduit 200a for temporary or permanent storage and/or production.
  • the vessel 100 comprises a regasification facility 120 configured to process liquid ammonia 10L into a first energy carrier in the form of gaseous ammonia 10G.
  • the regasification facility 120 is therefore in fluid communication with the storage tank 110 for receiving the liquid ammonia 10L.
  • the gaseous ammonia 10G produced by the regasification facility 120 may be exported via a conduit 200b, such as a pipeline, to a receiver 300 at a location remote from the vessel 100, such as to shore or to another marine vessel or installation, and/or may be directed to other onboard facilities on the vessel 100 for using the gaseous ammonia 10G in onboard processes.
  • a conduit 200b such as a pipeline
  • a receiver 300 at a location remote from the vessel 100, such as to shore or to another marine vessel or installation, and/or may be directed to other onboard facilities on the vessel 100 for using the gaseous ammonia 10G in onboard processes.
  • the vessel 100 also comprises an ammonia conversion facility 130 configured to process liquid and/or gaseous ammonia 10G, 10L into an additional energy carrier different from the first energy carrier.
  • the additional energy carrier may be in the form of liquid or gaseous hydrogen 20L, 20G, or electricity 40, i.e. the additional energy carrier can be a non-ammonia-based energy carrier.
  • the ammonia conversion facility 130 may be fluidly connected to an outlet of the storage tank 110 for receiving liquid ammonia 10L to be converted.
  • the ammonia conversion facility 130 may additionally, or instead, be fluidly connected to an outlet of the regasification facility 120 for receiving gaseous ammonia 10G to be converted.
  • the additional energy carrier may be exported via a conduit 200c, 200d, such as a pipeline, to a receiver 300 at a location remote from the vessel 100, such as to shore or to another marine vessel or installation, and/or may be directed to other onboard facilities on the vessel 100 for using the energy carrier 20G, 20L, 40 in onboard processes (the latter alternative not illustrated in Fig. la, but see e.g. Fig 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 9).
  • Fig. lb shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers onboard a vessel according to an embodiment of the invention wherein a heat exchange system 160, 161 is used to transfer heat from the ammonia conversion facility 130 to the regasification facility 120 and wherein the dashed lines 50 illustrate the heat flow to/from the heat exchange system 160, 161.
  • the regasification facility 120 may be connected to the heat exchange system 160, 161 which is configured to transfer heat directly or indirectly from a heat source to the liquid ammonia 10L in order to increase the temperature of the liquid ammonia 10L to change it from liquid to gaseous state.
  • the dashed lines illustrate heat flow 50 of excess heat from the ammonia conversion facility 130 flowing via a heat recovery assembly 150, 151 to the regasification facility 120.
  • the heat recovery assembly 150, 151 is an assembly configured to recover and/or transfer the heat, for example by using a heat exchange system 160, 161. Another way to heat the liquid ammonia 10L is by combustion of a fuel, such as ammonia itself.
  • FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers in an embodiment of the invention wherein the ammonia conversion facility 130 comprises a cracking facility 131.
  • the cracking facility 131 is configured to process liquid and/or gaseous ammonia 10L, 10G into hydrogen 20G, which may be the additional energy carrier, and nitrogen 30G.
  • the cracking facility 131 may be fluidly connected to an outlet of the storage tank 110 for receiving liquid ammonia 10L and/or the cracking facility 131 may be fluidly connected to an outlet of the regasification facility 120 for receiving gaseous ammonia 10G.
  • the cracking facility 131 includes a separator that separates the cracked gas into nitrogen 30G and hydrogen 20G.
  • the hydrogen 20G may be exported via a conduit 200c, such as a pipeline, to a receiver 300 at a location remote from the vessel 100, such as to shore or to another marine vessel or installation, and/or may be directed to other onboard facilities on the vessel 100, via an onboard conduit 230, for using hydrogen 20G in onboard processes.
  • the nitrogen 30G may be released to the air or reused in onboard processes.
  • the gaseous ammonia 10G produced by the regasification facility 120 that is not directed to the cracking facility 131 may be exported or directed in the same way as discussed in relation to Fig. la.
  • Fig. 3 shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers in an embodiment of the invention wherein the ammonia conversion facility 130 comprises a power generation facility 135, and Fig. 4 shows a similar flow diagram of an embodiment of the invention wherein the ammonia conversion facility comprises both a power generation facility and a cracking facility.
  • the power generation facility 135 is configured to produce electricity 40, which may be the additional energy carrier, from liquid or gaseous ammonia 10L, 10G and/or from hydrogen 20G.
  • the power generation facility 135 may be fluidly connected to an outlet of the storage tank 110 for receiving liquid ammonia 10L and/or to an outlet of the regasification facility 120 for receiving gaseous ammonia 10G.
  • the vessel 100 also comprises a cracking facility 131 (as in Fig. 4)
  • the power generation facility 120 may be connected to an outlet of the cracking facility 131 for receival of gaseous hydrogen 20G (separated from the nitrogen 30G).
  • Fig. 5 shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers in an embodiment of the invention wherein the ammonia conversion facility 130 comprises a cracking facility 131 and wherein the vessel 100 further comprises a liquefaction facility 140 that is configured to process gaseous hydrogen 20G into liquid hydrogen 20L.
  • the liquefaction facility 140 is fluidly connected to an outlet of the cracking facility 131 for receival of gaseous hydrogen 20G (separated from the nitrogen 30G).
  • the liquid hydrogen 20L produced by the liquefaction facility 140 may be exported via a conduit 200e, such as a pipeline, to a receiver 300 at a location remote from the vessel 100, such as to shore or to another marine vessel or installation.
  • the liquefaction process requires cooling of the gaseous hydrogen 20G, while the regasification process requires heating of the liquid ammonia 10L. Because the liquid ammonia 10L is typically stored at -33 °C or colder, this cold energy can be utilized to cool the gaseous hydrogen 20G. Also, the gas exiting the cracking facility 131, hydrogen 20G and nitrogen 30G, has a very high temperature compared to the liquid ammonia 10L entering the regasification facility 120. A heat exchange system 162 may thus be used to transfer heat from the hot gas (20G, 30G) exiting the cracking facility 131, to the liquid ammonia 10L that is to be converted to gas in the regasification facility 120.
  • the cooling of the hydrogen 20G will contribute to lower the temperature of the hydrogen 20G as part of the liquefaction process, and thus reduce the need for additional cooling. In addition, this heat transfer contributes to heating the liquid ammonia for converting it into gas in the regasification facility 120.
  • the dashed lines 50 illustrate the flow of heat from the hydrogen 20G to be liquified in the liquefaction facility 140, to the liquid ammonia 10L to be regasified in the regasification facility 120, via the heat exchanger system 162.
  • Fig. 6 shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers and heat flow in an embodiment of the invention comprising a cracking facility 131.
  • This embodiment is similar to the embodiment of Fig. 2, however, it discloses a first heat recovery assembly 150 connected to an outlet of the cracking facility 131 for receival of the produced hydrogen 20G and/or nitrogen 30G, and which recovery assembly 150 is configured to recover heat from the hydrogen 20G and/or nitrogen 30G.
  • the first heat recovery assembly 150 comprises a heat exchange system 160 which is configured to transfer heat to the regasification facility 120 for heating the liquid ammonia 10L that is to be converted to gaseous ammonia 10G.
  • the heat exchange system 160 may thus comprise one or more heat exchangers known in the art for transferring heat between two or more fluids, and which is configured to allow separate flow of the hot hydrogen 20G and/or nitrogen 30G and the liquid ammonia 10L.
  • An intermediate heating medium may be used to transfer the heat from the heat source to the liquid ammonia 10L.
  • the heat flow 50 from the cracking facility 131, via the heat recovery assembly 150 with the heat exchange system 160 and further to the regasification facility 120, is illustrated by dashed lines 50.
  • Fig. 7 shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers and heat flow in an embodiment of the invention comprising a power generation facility.
  • This embodiment is similar to the embodiment of Fig. 3, however, it discloses a second heat recovery assembly 151 connected to the power generation facility 135 and configured to recover excess heat from the power generation process.
  • the second heat recovery assembly 151 comprises a heat exchange system 161 which is configured to transfer heat to the regasification facility 120 for heating the liquid ammonia 10L that is to be converted to gaseous ammonia 10G.
  • the heat exchange system 161 may thus comprise one or more heat exchangers known in the art.
  • the heat exchanger may be configured for transferring heat between two or more fluids, and allow separate flow of the heat source and the liquid ammonia 10L.
  • An intermediate heating medium may be used to transfer the heat from the heat source to the liquid ammonia 10L.
  • Fig. 8 shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers in an embodiment of the invention comprising a cracking facility and a power generation facility, and further illustrates various power generation options and how these may be connected to the storage tank 110, the regasification facility 120, and the cracking facility 131.
  • the figure is intended to show possible combinations of facilities and power generation options; however, the vessel 100 may have only some of these facilities and power generation options, and it does not exclude further possibilities of power generation options.
  • the power generation facility 135 may comprise a piston engine 137.
  • the piston engine 137 may be configured for utilizing liquid ammonia 10L as fuel.
  • the piston engine 137 may be connected to an outlet of the storage tank 110 for receival of the liquid ammonia 10L.
  • the power generation facility 135 may, instead of or in addition to the piston engine 137, comprise a gas turbine 136.
  • the gas turbine 136 may be configured for utilizing gaseous ammonia 10G as fuel.
  • the gas turbine 136 may be connected to an outlet of the regasification facility 120 for receival of the gaseous ammonia 10G.
  • the power generation facility 135 may, instead of or in addition to the piston engine 137 and/or the gas turbine 136, comprise a fuel cell 139.
  • the fuel cell 139 may be configured for utilizing either gaseous or liquid ammonia 10G, 10L or hydrogen 20G as fuel.
  • the fuel cell 139 may be connected to:
  • the power generation facility 135 may thus comprise any combination of a piston engine 137, a gas turbine 136, and a fuel cell 139 which may be configured and connected as described above in relation to Fig. 8.
  • the produced electricity 40 may be exported via a conduit 200d, such as a cable, to a receiver 300 at a location remote from the vessel 100, such as to shore or to another marine vessel or installation, and/or may be directed to other onboard facilities on the vessel 100 for using the electricity 40 in onboard processes (the latter not illustrated in Fig. 8).
  • a conduit 200d such as a cable
  • receiver 300 at a location remote from the vessel 100, such as to shore or to another marine vessel or installation, and/or may be directed to other onboard facilities on the vessel 100 for using the electricity 40 in onboard processes (the latter not illustrated in Fig. 8).
  • the produced hydrogen gas 20G from the cracking facility 131, and/or the liquid ammonia 10L in the storage tank 110, and/or the produced gaseous ammonia 10G from the regasification facility 120 may be exported via a conduit 200a, 200b, 200c, such as a pipeline, to a receiver 300 at a location remote from the vessel 100, such as to shore or to another marine vessel or installation.
  • the receiver 300 may be the same receiver for all exported energy carriers or may be different receivers 300.
  • Fig. 9 shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers in an embodiment of the invention wherein the ammonia conversion facility 130 comprises a cracking facility 131 and a power generation facility 135, and wherein the vessel 100 further comprises a liquefaction facility 140.
  • the vessel 100 then enables conversion of liquid ammonia 10L into four different energy carriers: gaseous ammonia 10G, electricity 40, gaseous hydrogen 20G and liquid hydrogen 20L, which may be exported to a remote receiver 300 or directed to an onboard receiver. Additionally, the vessel may export the liquid ammonia 10L.
  • the remote receiver 300 may be the same receiver for all exported energy carriers or may be different receivers 300.
  • at least part of the produced electricity 40 may be utilized in the cracking facility 131, liquefaction facility 140, and/or regasification facility 120, as well as for other systems and facilities onboard requiring electric power.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)

Abstract

It is described a floating vessel (100) comprising: - a storage tank (110) for storing liquid ammonia (10L), - a regasification facility (120) in fluid communication with the storage tank (110) for receival of liquid ammonia (10L), the regasification facility (120) being configured to process the liquid ammonia (10L) into a first energy carrier in the form of gaseous ammonia (10G), and - an ammonia conversion facility (130) configured to process liquid and/or gaseous ammonia (10L, 10G) into an additional energy carrier (20G, 20L, 40) different from the first energy carrier. It is further described a method for using such a floating vessel (100), the method comprising the steps of converting liquid ammonia (10L) into a first energy carrier in the form of gaseous ammonia (10G) and converting liquid or gaseous ammonia (10G,10L) into an additional energy carrier (20G, 20L, 40) different from the first energy carrier.

Description

FLOATING VESSEL COMPRISING A REGASIFICATION FACILITY AND AN AMMONIA CONVERSION FACILITY AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to a floating vessel for converting energy from a form suitable for transportation and storage into a form that is usable for a consumer. The floating vessel comprises a storage for liquid ammonia and a regasification facility for converting liquid ammonia into a first energy carrier in the form of gaseous ammonia. The invention also relates to a method for using the floating vessel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Ammonia (NH3) is a carbon-free hydrogen carrier and is especially suitable for long-distance transport of energy and for long-term energy storage because of its higher volumetric energy density compared for example to hydrogen. Ammonia can be produced from renewable energy, so called “green ammonia”, and may be used as an energy storage medium during high production periods. The ammonia can then be transported to different parts of the world which have limited access to renewable energy sources. Ammonia is already extensively used today, among others for use as a fertilizer. Part of this ammonia is being distributed via shipping, and there exists some infrastructure for ammonia along important shipping routes. As it can be synthesized from renewable sources, ammonia is very promising from an environmental perspective and can prove to be an important contributor in reducing carbon emissions.
The shipping sector is responsible for a large part of global greenhouse emissions and ammonia is seen as a promising alternative to current fossil fuels in order to decarbonize this sector. Regulators, such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) provide regulations to meet reduction targets for greenhouse gases, and ammonia can provide a solution to meet these targets and regulations.
Thus, ammonia consumption globally is expected to increase on a large scale as focus on reducing CO2-emissions and using renewable energy sources is growing. The ammonia consumption will increase both due to usage as an alternative fuel, and due to storage and transportation of energy worldwide. Infrastructure is one of the challenges faced as the ammonia consumption globally is increasing. The current ammonia infrastructure is not sufficient to cope with the expected increase in ammonia demand, and there is a need for flexible solutions that can contribute to increased capacity of ammonia supply to be used as an energy carrier, e.g. as a hydrogen carrier, as a fuel and for power generation.
Building onshore terminals is a large investment which requires a long-term perspective of continuous supply and production. It also requires a large available building site for the facilities needed. In contrast, a floating vessel or terminal can be time chartered for shorter or longer time periods, removing the need for extensive infrastructure onshore. The vessel can be moved to a location for temporary or permanent production.
Because ammonia is in liquid state at temperatures below -33 °C and at atmospheric pressure, it is usually stored below -33 °C. The boiling point is 25 °C at a pressure of 10 bar, and pressurizing is an alternative way to keep ammonia liquid when the required cold temperature cannot be maintained. Ammonia is a toxic and corrosive substance; however, it is less flammable than other fuels, and has lower explosive limits in air than pure hydrogen.
Because ammonia is toxic, it is desirable to move processes involving ammonia and storage of ammonia offshore, in order to mitigate risks for both people, assets, and the environment.
It is thus a need for a versatile solution that can contribute to increase infrastructure for ammonia worldwide in order to meet environmental goals and requirements. More specifically, it is a need for a solution providing sustainable and environmentally friendly energy forms to areas where there is a lack or shortage of energy resources, especially renewable energy resources, and/or to areas not having the required infrastructure or where it is not feasible to build the infrastructure. Moreover, there is a need for a solution that can provide more options for the receiver in terms of different types of energy deliverables, in order to meet the demand at various locations worldwide having different needs and requirements and also that can efficiently convert the ammonia to useful energy carriers for onboard processes. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention.
Throughout this specification, the term “energy carrier” means a substance that is capable of moving energy and/or delivering energy in a usable form to consumers. The term can be used for electricity and heat as well as solid, liquid and gaseous fuels. Energy carriers can be intermediate steps in the energy-supply chain between primary sources and end-use applications. An energy carrier is thus a transmitter of energy, and in this specification, liquid ammonia, gaseous ammonia, liquid hydrogen, gaseous hydrogen, and electricity are all different types of energy carriers.
With the abovementioned challenges in mind, the present invention brings forward a vessel and a method that enables energy to be stored and transported in an efficient manner, while supplying the energy to consumers in a useable and convenient form. It further enables various options of energy carrier deliverables, providing a versatile and flexible solution for supplying energy to a receiver.
The present invention provides a contribution in expanding the global ammonia infrastructure as the conversion process is performed on board a marine vessel which removes the need for building local conversion facilities.
Different processes and different locations may require different energy carriers as input to their systems. This depends on the equipment at hand, the resources available on site, the distances of transportation etc. Thus, in one location, gaseous ammonia is desirable for example for use in a power generation facility, while in another location, hydrogen in liquid form may be required as fuel, or electricity is needed due to lack of energy resources or renewable energy resources. Thus, it is a huge advantage to provide a vessel that is capable of converting liquid ammonia, which is suitable to be transported over long distances by ships, into various different energy carriers that can be supplied to a receiver offshore or onshore, or even to onboard facilities, and that is in a form that is usable for the receiver. Furthermore, it is an advantage that the conversion process can be performed offshore or near shore, both due to safety reasons and to eliminate or reduce the need for onshore infrastructure and equipment. Usable energy forms are those forms that a receiver can consume, such as fuel for power generation, fuel for a vehicle, or electricity for various appliances or processes. The receiver may be remote from the vessel, called remote receiver herein, or the receiver may be onboard the vessel itself, called onboard receiver herein. The receiver may thus be a power generation facility, consumers connected to an electric grid receiving electricity, a factory needing electricity for its processes, or consumers of fuel for engines, etc.
Accordingly, the present invention relates to a floating vessel comprising: a storage tank for storing liquid ammonia, a regasification facility in fluid communication with the storage tank for receival of liquid ammonia, the regasification facility being configured to process the liquid ammonia into a first energy carrier in the form of gaseous ammonia, and an ammonia conversion facility configured to process liquid and/or gaseous ammonia into an additional energy carrier different from the first energy carrier.
The additional energy carrier is additional to the first energy carrier and is different from the first energy carrier. The ammonia conversion facility may produce two or more different additional energy carriers, in addition to the first energy carrier. These may be referred to as the “first additional energy carrier”, the “second additional energy carrier” etc.
The vessel may comprise more than one storage tank.
The liquid ammonia is preferably stored at -33 °C or colder temperatures at atmospheric pressure. As is apparent to a person skilled in the art, the liquid ammonia may also be pressurized, in which case the storage temperature may be increased. The vessel is typically intended to be stationary, temporary or permanent, at one location for production, and may thus receive the liquid ammonia from a carrier ship at the location of production. The vessel may also be used to transport the liquid ammonia and may thus receive the liquid ammonia via pipeline from another storage location, which may be located on shore or on water, and transport it to a location for temporary or permanent production. A person skilled in the art will be aware of how the liquid ammonia can be transferred into the storage tanks of the vessel. The liquid ammonia in the storage tank may be exported via a conduit for breakbulking and/or bunkering.
The liquid ammonia in the storage tank may be exported via a conduit, such as a pipeline, to a remote receiver, i.e. located remote from the vessel, such as to a receiver on shore or to another marine vessel or installation. The liquid ammonia may also be directed to an onboard receiver, such as other onboard facilities on the vessel for using the liquid ammonia in onboard processes.
The regasification process requires heating of the liquid ammonia to convert it to gaseous form. The regasification facility may thus be connected to a heat exchange system configured to transfer heat directly or indirectly from a heat source to the liquid ammonia in order to increase the temperature of the liquid ammonia to change it from liquid to gaseous state (before and/or after entering the regasification unit). The heat source may be sea water, which may also be preheated. Other types of heat sources can also be used instead or in addition, such as excess heat from other onboard processes. Another way to heat the liquid ammonia is by combustion of a fuel, such as ammonia itself. An intermediate heating medium, such as propane or glycol, may be used to transfer the heat from the heat source to the liquid ammonia.
The gaseous ammonia produced by the regasification facility may be exported via a conduit, such as a pipeline, to a remote receiver, such as to shore or to another marine vessel or installation, and/or may be directed to an onboard receiver for using the gaseous ammonia in onboard processes. The pressure of the gaseous ammonia may be increased prior to export. This may be done by one or more pumps and/or compressors prior to export. Pressurization may be performed within the regasification facility or in a separate unit on the vessel receiving the gaseous ammonia from the regasification facility.
The additional energy carrier or the additional energy carriers (if more than one) produced by the conversion facility may be in the form of liquid hydrogen and/or gaseous hydrogen and/or electricity. The additional energy carrier can be a non- ammonia-based energy carrier.
The additional energy carrier may be exported via a conduit, such as a pipeline, to a remote receiver, such as to shore or to another marine vessel or installation, and/or may be directed to an onboard receiver via an onboard conduit for using the energy carrier in onboard processes.
By having a combination of a regasification facility and an ammonia conversion facility, the vessel can provide gaseous ammonia to the ammonia conversion facility. The regasification facility efficiently converts the ammonia from liquid to gas, for example by heat exchange using sea water, and this provides the ammonia conversion facility with more options, since it can receive both liquid and gaseous ammonia for the conversion process.
Thus, the vessel is capable of producing at least one ammonia-based energy carrier, i.e. the first energy carrier (gaseous ammonia), and at least one additional energy carrier, different from the first energy carrier, which may be non-ammonia-based.
The first energy carrier and the additional energy carrier may be exported to the same remote receiver. This remote receiver may also receive liquid ammonia from the storage tank in the vessel.
In aspects, the ammonia conversion facility may comprise a cracking facility configured to process gaseous and/or liquid ammonia into the additional energy carrier in the form of hydrogen. Ammonia cracking is an endothermic process where ammonia is dissociated into hydrogen and nitrogen. Ammonia is first passed through an evaporator (unless it is already in gaseous form) and heated and then passed over a catalyst bed for the decomposing process. Typically, the process takes place on a Nickel catalyst at -850 °C, but temperature and type of catalyst may vary. The skilled person will be aware that the cracking facility may include a separator for separating the produced gas into hydrogen and nitrogen. The hot gas produced by the cracking facility can then be cooled and separated into nitrogen and hydrogen.
As described above, the additional energy carrier (and thus the hydrogen produced by the cracking facility) may be exported to a remote receiver. Preferably, the hydrogen is pressurized or compressed by a pump or compressor prior to export. The nitrogen can be released into the open air but may also be utilized in onboard processes or exported.
The cracking facility on the vessel thus allows for energy to be stored and transported as liquid ammonia, which has a higher volumetric energy density than hydrogen, and thus allows for increased energy capacity. In addition, storing liquid ammonia requires less cooling and/or pressurizing than storing liquid hydrogen. The vessel also allows for the energy to be delivered to a user in the form of hydrogen, which can be more convenient for the receiver. It may for example be used directly as fuel for vehicles or for power generation by the receiver.
In aspects, the ammonia conversion facility may comprise a power generation facility configured to produce electricity from gaseous and/or liquid ammonia and/or hydrogen. The electricity may be the first additional energy carrier, or may be a further additional energy carrier (i.e. second, third etc.) if the ammonia conversion facility is configured to produce more than one additional energy carrier.
The power generation facility on the vessel allows for energy to be stored and transported as liquid ammonia, and be delivered to a user in the form of electricity, which may for example be distributed in a power grid to various consumers, or be utilized directly. Transporting the energy as liquid ammonia is much more convenient and flexible, and requires less infrastructure compared to transporting electricity via power cables or storing in batteries. Moreover, the energy in form of liquid ammonia can be stored and then at a later time when needed, it can be converted to electricity and utilized.
In aspects, the ammonia conversion facility may be configured to produce two or more different additional energy carriers. Thus, in aspects, the ammonia conversion facility may comprise a cracking facility configured to process liquid and/or gaseous ammonia into hydrogen (and nitrogen) and a power generation facility configured to produce electricity from ammonia and/or hydrogen, wherein the produced hydrogen and electricity are two different types of additional energy carriers, in addition to the first energy carrier, i.e. electricity is the first additional energy carrier and hydrogen is the second additional energy carrier.
The vessel may utilize the thermal energy of the various fluids due to their temperature, for example in the gas produced by the cracking facility, by heat exchanging, and thus achieve synergistic effects that reduces or even eliminates the need for supplying additional heating or cooling in some of the processes. The overall energy consumption is thus reduced. In aspects, the cracking facility may be in fluid communication with an outlet of the storage tank for receival of liquid ammonia.
In aspects, the cracking facility may be in fluid communication with an outlet of the regasification facility for receival of gaseous ammonia. Thus, the cracking facility can separate gaseous ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen, which is more energy efficient than starting with liquid ammonia in the cracking facility.
In aspects, the vessel may comprise a liquefaction facility configured to receive gaseous hydrogen dissociated from ammonia cracking process. The liquefaction facility is configured to process the gaseous hydrogen into liquid hydrogen. The liquefaction facility may form part of the cracking facility or may be separate from the cracking facility. In the latter case, the liquefaction facility may be connected to an outlet of the cracking facility for receival of the gaseous hydrogen. Thus, yet an additional energy carrier is provided, i.e. liquid hydrogen, which may be a second additional energy carrier if the vessel comprises a cracking facility producing gaseous hydrogen as the first additional energy carrier, or may be a third additional energy carrier if the vessel comprises both a cracking facility producing gaseous hydrogen and a power generation facility producing electricity as the second additional energy carrier.
Liquefaction may be done by cooling the hydrogen gas and/or by compression of the gas. To cool the hydrogen gas, the liquefaction facility may be connected to a heat exchange system transferring heat from the hydrogen gas to a cooling source. An intermediate heating medium may be used to transfer the heat from the hydrogen gas to the cooling source. The liquefaction facility may comprise a compressor or pump for compressing the gas. The produced liquid hydrogen is preferably pressurized suitably for being exported via a conduit, such as a pipeline, to a receiver at a remote receiver, such as to shore or to another marine vessel or installation.
In aspects, the vessel may comprise one or more export conduits connected to an outlet of the storage tank for export of liquid ammonia and/or to an outlet of the regasification facility for export of gaseous ammonia, and/or connected to an outlet of the ammonia conversion facility for export of the additional energy carrier to a receiver located remote from the floating vessel. When the vessel comprises a liquefaction facility connected to a cracking facility, the vessel may also comprise an export conduit connected to an outlet of the liquefaction facility for export of liquid hydrogen. Each export conduit may lead to the same remote receiver, or the different export conduits may lead to different remote receivers.
The fluids that may be exported, i.e. liquid or gaseous ammonia, or liquid or gaseous hydrogen, may be increased in pressure suitably by a pump or a compressor prior to export in a traditional manner.
In aspects, the power generation facility may comprise a gas turbine, or a piston engine, or a fuel cell, or any combinations thereof.
The gas turbine may be configured for utilizing gaseous ammonia as fuel. For that purpose, the gas turbine may be connected to an outlet of the regasification facility for receival of the gaseous ammonia.
The piston engine may be configured for utilizing liquid ammonia as fuel. For that purpose, the piston engine may be connected to an outlet of the storage tank for receival of the liquid ammonia.
The piston engine may comprise hydrogen injection means. The piston engine may thus be connected to an outlet of the cracking facility for receival of gaseous hydrogen to be injected via the injection means.
The fuel cell may be configured for utilizing either liquid or gaseous ammonia or hydrogen as fuel. For that purpose, the fuel cell may be connected to:
- an outlet of the storage tank for receival of the liquid ammonia, or
- to an outlet of the regasification facility for receival of the gaseous ammonia, or
- to an outlet of the cracking facility for receival of the gaseous hydrogen.
In aspects, the vessel may comprise a first heat recovery assembly connected to an outlet of the cracking facility for receival of the produced hydrogen and/or nitrogen, and wherein the heat recovery assembly is configured to recover heat from the hydrogen and/or nitrogen. The connection of the heat recovery assembly to the outlet may be arranged prior to separation of the produced gas, or to the outlets for the already separated gases, i.e. hydrogen and nitrogen. The purpose is to recover the heat that is present in the gas due to the high temperature in the cracking process and use it for heating purposes.
In aspects, the vessel may comprise a second heat recovery assembly connected to the power generation facility and configured to recover excess heat from power generation. Because power generation processes typically emit heat, for example by the exhaust gas, this heat can be recovered and used for heating purposes.
In aspects, the first and/or the second heat recovery assembly may comprise a heat exchange system configured to transfer the recovered heat to the regasification facility for heating the liquid ammonia to be converted to gaseous ammonia. This allows for the liquid ammonia to receive heat from the hot gas (hydrogen and nitrogen) exiting the cracking facility via a heat exchange system in the first heat recovery assembly and/or to receive excess heat from the power generation facility via a heat exchange system in the second heat recovery assembly. By utilizing excess heat from onboard processes, the need for supplying additional heat may be significantly reduced or even eliminated, saving both cost and resources. The total energy consumption by the vessel can thus be significantly reduced.
An intermediate heating medium may be used to transfer the heat from the heat source to the liquid ammonia. The heat exchangers may be of a type that is known in the art and the skilled person will know how to design such heat exchangers for the required use.
The invention further relates to a method for using a floating vessel as described above comprising the steps of: converting liquid ammonia into a first energy carrier in the form of gaseous ammonia and converting liquid or gaseous ammonia into an additional energy carrier different from the first energy carrier.
In aspects, the method comprises converting liquid or gaseous ammonia into two or more different additional energy carriers.
In aspects, the method further comprises the steps of:
- storing liquid ammonia in the storage tank,
- transporting liquid ammonia from the storage tank to the regasification facility,
- processing the liquid ammonia into gaseous ammonia in the regasification facility, - transporting liquid ammonia from the storage tank and/or gaseous ammonia from the regasification facility to the ammonia conversion facility, and
- converting the ammonia into the additional energy carrier in the conversion facility.
In aspects, the liquid ammonia may be converted into hydrogen and nitrogen by a cracking facility.
In aspects, the liquid ammonia may be converted into electricity by a power generation facility. This may also be done in addition to converting ammonia to hydrogen and nitrogen in a cracking facility.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The description above, as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. la shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers onboard a vessel according to an embodiment of the invention.
Fig. lb shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers onboard a vessel according to an embodiment of the invention wherein a heat exchange system is used to transfer heat from the conversion facility to the regasification facility and wherein the dashed lines illustrate the heat flow to/from the heat exchange system.
Fig. 2 shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers in an embodiment of the invention wherein the ammonia conversion facility comprises a cracking facility.
Fig. 3 shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers in an embodiment of the invention wherein the ammonia conversion facility comprises a power generation facility.
Fig. 4 shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers in an embodiment of the invention wherein the ammonia conversion facility comprises a power generation facility and a cracking facility. Fig. 5 shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers in an embodiment of the invention wherein the ammonia conversion facility comprises a cracking facility and wherein the vessel further comprises a liquefaction facility.
Fig. 6 shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers and heat flow in an embodiment of the invention comprising a cracking facility.
Fig. 7 shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers and heat flow in an embodiment of the invention comprising a power generation facility.
Fig. 8 shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers in an embodiment of the invention comprising a cracking facility and a power generation facility, and further illustrates various power generation options and how these may be connected to the storage tank, the regasification facility, and the cracking facility.
Fig. 9 shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers in an embodiment of the invention wherein the ammonia conversion facility comprises a cracking facility and a power generation facility, and wherein the vessel further comprises a liquefaction facility.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Fig. la shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers onboard a vessel 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The vessel 100 comprises an ammonia storage, such as one or more storage tanks 110, for storing liquid ammonia 10L. The liquid ammonia can be received from an ammonia supply, typically from a carrier ship, and transferred to the vessel 100 via a pipeline (not shown). The ammonia is usually stored at -33 °C or colder at atmospheric pressure in the storage tank 110. The vessel 100 may transport the liquid ammonia to another location, and may export the liquid ammonia 10L to a receiver 300 at a location remote from the vessel 100, such as to shore or to another marine vessel or installation, via conduit 200a for temporary or permanent storage and/or production.
The vessel 100 comprises a regasification facility 120 configured to process liquid ammonia 10L into a first energy carrier in the form of gaseous ammonia 10G. The regasification facility 120 is therefore in fluid communication with the storage tank 110 for receiving the liquid ammonia 10L.
The gaseous ammonia 10G produced by the regasification facility 120 may be exported via a conduit 200b, such as a pipeline, to a receiver 300 at a location remote from the vessel 100, such as to shore or to another marine vessel or installation, and/or may be directed to other onboard facilities on the vessel 100 for using the gaseous ammonia 10G in onboard processes.
The vessel 100 also comprises an ammonia conversion facility 130 configured to process liquid and/or gaseous ammonia 10G, 10L into an additional energy carrier different from the first energy carrier. The additional energy carrier may be in the form of liquid or gaseous hydrogen 20L, 20G, or electricity 40, i.e. the additional energy carrier can be a non-ammonia-based energy carrier. As illustrated by the flow into the ammonia conversion facility 130 in Fig.l, the ammonia conversion facility 130 may be fluidly connected to an outlet of the storage tank 110 for receiving liquid ammonia 10L to be converted. The ammonia conversion facility 130 may additionally, or instead, be fluidly connected to an outlet of the regasification facility 120 for receiving gaseous ammonia 10G to be converted. The additional energy carrier may be exported via a conduit 200c, 200d, such as a pipeline, to a receiver 300 at a location remote from the vessel 100, such as to shore or to another marine vessel or installation, and/or may be directed to other onboard facilities on the vessel 100 for using the energy carrier 20G, 20L, 40 in onboard processes (the latter alternative not illustrated in Fig. la, but see e.g. Fig 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 9).
Fig. lb shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers onboard a vessel according to an embodiment of the invention wherein a heat exchange system 160, 161 is used to transfer heat from the ammonia conversion facility 130 to the regasification facility 120 and wherein the dashed lines 50 illustrate the heat flow to/from the heat exchange system 160, 161.
The regasification facility 120 may be connected to the heat exchange system 160, 161 which is configured to transfer heat directly or indirectly from a heat source to the liquid ammonia 10L in order to increase the temperature of the liquid ammonia 10L to change it from liquid to gaseous state. In the embodiment of Fig. lb, the dashed lines illustrate heat flow 50 of excess heat from the ammonia conversion facility 130 flowing via a heat recovery assembly 150, 151 to the regasification facility 120. The heat recovery assembly 150, 151 is an assembly configured to recover and/or transfer the heat, for example by using a heat exchange system 160, 161. Another way to heat the liquid ammonia 10L is by combustion of a fuel, such as ammonia itself.
Figure 2 shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers in an embodiment of the invention wherein the ammonia conversion facility 130 comprises a cracking facility 131. The cracking facility 131 is configured to process liquid and/or gaseous ammonia 10L, 10G into hydrogen 20G, which may be the additional energy carrier, and nitrogen 30G. For this purpose, the cracking facility 131 may be fluidly connected to an outlet of the storage tank 110 for receiving liquid ammonia 10L and/or the cracking facility 131 may be fluidly connected to an outlet of the regasification facility 120 for receiving gaseous ammonia 10G. The cracking facility 131 includes a separator that separates the cracked gas into nitrogen 30G and hydrogen 20G. The hydrogen 20G may be exported via a conduit 200c, such as a pipeline, to a receiver 300 at a location remote from the vessel 100, such as to shore or to another marine vessel or installation, and/or may be directed to other onboard facilities on the vessel 100, via an onboard conduit 230, for using hydrogen 20G in onboard processes. The nitrogen 30G may be released to the air or reused in onboard processes. The gaseous ammonia 10G produced by the regasification facility 120 that is not directed to the cracking facility 131, may be exported or directed in the same way as discussed in relation to Fig. la.
Fig. 3 shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers in an embodiment of the invention wherein the ammonia conversion facility 130 comprises a power generation facility 135, and Fig. 4 shows a similar flow diagram of an embodiment of the invention wherein the ammonia conversion facility comprises both a power generation facility and a cracking facility. The power generation facility 135 is configured to produce electricity 40, which may be the additional energy carrier, from liquid or gaseous ammonia 10L, 10G and/or from hydrogen 20G. For this purpose, the power generation facility 135 may be fluidly connected to an outlet of the storage tank 110 for receiving liquid ammonia 10L and/or to an outlet of the regasification facility 120 for receiving gaseous ammonia 10G. If the vessel 100 also comprises a cracking facility 131 (as in Fig. 4), the power generation facility 120 may be connected to an outlet of the cracking facility 131 for receival of gaseous hydrogen 20G (separated from the nitrogen 30G).
Fig. 5 shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers in an embodiment of the invention wherein the ammonia conversion facility 130 comprises a cracking facility 131 and wherein the vessel 100 further comprises a liquefaction facility 140 that is configured to process gaseous hydrogen 20G into liquid hydrogen 20L. For this purpose, the liquefaction facility 140 is fluidly connected to an outlet of the cracking facility 131 for receival of gaseous hydrogen 20G (separated from the nitrogen 30G). The liquid hydrogen 20L produced by the liquefaction facility 140, may be exported via a conduit 200e, such as a pipeline, to a receiver 300 at a location remote from the vessel 100, such as to shore or to another marine vessel or installation.
The liquefaction process requires cooling of the gaseous hydrogen 20G, while the regasification process requires heating of the liquid ammonia 10L. Because the liquid ammonia 10L is typically stored at -33 °C or colder, this cold energy can be utilized to cool the gaseous hydrogen 20G. Also, the gas exiting the cracking facility 131, hydrogen 20G and nitrogen 30G, has a very high temperature compared to the liquid ammonia 10L entering the regasification facility 120. A heat exchange system 162 may thus be used to transfer heat from the hot gas (20G, 30G) exiting the cracking facility 131, to the liquid ammonia 10L that is to be converted to gas in the regasification facility 120. The cooling of the hydrogen 20G will contribute to lower the temperature of the hydrogen 20G as part of the liquefaction process, and thus reduce the need for additional cooling. In addition, this heat transfer contributes to heating the liquid ammonia for converting it into gas in the regasification facility 120. In fig. 5, the dashed lines 50 illustrate the flow of heat from the hydrogen 20G to be liquified in the liquefaction facility 140, to the liquid ammonia 10L to be regasified in the regasification facility 120, via the heat exchanger system 162.
Fig. 6 shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers and heat flow in an embodiment of the invention comprising a cracking facility 131. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment of Fig. 2, however, it discloses a first heat recovery assembly 150 connected to an outlet of the cracking facility 131 for receival of the produced hydrogen 20G and/or nitrogen 30G, and which recovery assembly 150 is configured to recover heat from the hydrogen 20G and/or nitrogen 30G. The first heat recovery assembly 150 comprises a heat exchange system 160 which is configured to transfer heat to the regasification facility 120 for heating the liquid ammonia 10L that is to be converted to gaseous ammonia 10G. The heat exchange system 160 may thus comprise one or more heat exchangers known in the art for transferring heat between two or more fluids, and which is configured to allow separate flow of the hot hydrogen 20G and/or nitrogen 30G and the liquid ammonia 10L. An intermediate heating medium may be used to transfer the heat from the heat source to the liquid ammonia 10L. In Fig. 6, the heat flow 50 from the cracking facility 131, via the heat recovery assembly 150 with the heat exchange system 160 and further to the regasification facility 120, is illustrated by dashed lines 50.
Fig. 7 shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers and heat flow in an embodiment of the invention comprising a power generation facility. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment of Fig. 3, however, it discloses a second heat recovery assembly 151 connected to the power generation facility 135 and configured to recover excess heat from the power generation process. The second heat recovery assembly 151 comprises a heat exchange system 161 which is configured to transfer heat to the regasification facility 120 for heating the liquid ammonia 10L that is to be converted to gaseous ammonia 10G. The heat exchange system 161 may thus comprise one or more heat exchangers known in the art. The heat exchanger may be configured for transferring heat between two or more fluids, and allow separate flow of the heat source and the liquid ammonia 10L. An intermediate heating medium may be used to transfer the heat from the heat source to the liquid ammonia 10L. In Fig. 7, the heat flow 50 from the power generation facility 135, via the heat recovery assembly 151 with the heat exchange system 161 and further to the regasification facility 120, is illustrated by dashed lines 50.
Fig. 8 shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers in an embodiment of the invention comprising a cracking facility and a power generation facility, and further illustrates various power generation options and how these may be connected to the storage tank 110, the regasification facility 120, and the cracking facility 131. The figure is intended to show possible combinations of facilities and power generation options; however, the vessel 100 may have only some of these facilities and power generation options, and it does not exclude further possibilities of power generation options.
The power generation facility 135 may comprise a piston engine 137. The piston engine 137 may be configured for utilizing liquid ammonia 10L as fuel. Thus, the piston engine 137 may be connected to an outlet of the storage tank 110 for receival of the liquid ammonia 10L.
The power generation facility 135 may, instead of or in addition to the piston engine 137, comprise a gas turbine 136. The gas turbine 136 may be configured for utilizing gaseous ammonia 10G as fuel. Thus, the gas turbine 136 may be connected to an outlet of the regasification facility 120 for receival of the gaseous ammonia 10G.
The power generation facility 135 may, instead of or in addition to the piston engine 137 and/or the gas turbine 136, comprise a fuel cell 139. The fuel cell 139 may be configured for utilizing either gaseous or liquid ammonia 10G, 10L or hydrogen 20G as fuel. Thus, the fuel cell 139 may be connected to:
- an outlet of the storage tank 110 for receival of the liquid ammonia 10L, or
- to an outlet of the regasification facility 120 for receival of the gaseous ammonia 10G, or
- to an outlet of the cracking facility 131 for receival of the gaseous hydrogen 20G.
The power generation facility 135 may thus comprise any combination of a piston engine 137, a gas turbine 136, and a fuel cell 139 which may be configured and connected as described above in relation to Fig. 8.
The produced electricity 40 may be exported via a conduit 200d, such as a cable, to a receiver 300 at a location remote from the vessel 100, such as to shore or to another marine vessel or installation, and/or may be directed to other onboard facilities on the vessel 100 for using the electricity 40 in onboard processes (the latter not illustrated in Fig. 8).
Although not disclosed in Fig.8, the produced hydrogen gas 20G from the cracking facility 131, and/or the liquid ammonia 10L in the storage tank 110, and/or the produced gaseous ammonia 10G from the regasification facility 120 may be exported via a conduit 200a, 200b, 200c, such as a pipeline, to a receiver 300 at a location remote from the vessel 100, such as to shore or to another marine vessel or installation. The receiver 300 may be the same receiver for all exported energy carriers or may be different receivers 300.
Fig. 9 shows a flow diagram illustrating the flow of energy carriers in an embodiment of the invention wherein the ammonia conversion facility 130 comprises a cracking facility 131 and a power generation facility 135, and wherein the vessel 100 further comprises a liquefaction facility 140. The vessel 100 then enables conversion of liquid ammonia 10L into four different energy carriers: gaseous ammonia 10G, electricity 40, gaseous hydrogen 20G and liquid hydrogen 20L, which may be exported to a remote receiver 300 or directed to an onboard receiver. Additionally, the vessel may export the liquid ammonia 10L. The remote receiver 300 may be the same receiver for all exported energy carriers or may be different receivers 300. Although not illustrated in fig. 9, at least part of the produced electricity 40 may be utilized in the cracking facility 131, liquefaction facility 140, and/or regasification facility 120, as well as for other systems and facilities onboard requiring electric power.
REFERENCE NUMBERS IN FIGURES
Figure imgf000021_0001

Claims

1. A floating vessel (100) comprising: a storage tank (110) for storing liquid ammonia (10L), a regasification facility (120) in fluid communication with the storage tank (110) for receival of liquid ammonia (10L), the regasification facility (120) being configured to process the liquid ammonia (10L) into a first energy carrier in the form of gaseous ammonia (10G), and an ammonia conversion facility (130) configured to process liquid and/or gaseous ammonia (10L, 10G) into an additional energy carrier (20G, 20L, 40) different from the first energy carrier.
2. The floating vessel (100) according to claim 1, wherein the ammonia conversion facility (130) comprises a cracking facility (131) configured to process gaseous and/or liquid ammonia (10L, 10G) into the additional energy carrier in the form of hydrogen (20G).
3. The floating vessel (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ammonia conversion facility (130) comprises a power generation facility (135) configured to produce electricity (40) from gaseous and/or liquid ammonia (10L, 10G) and/or hydrogen (20G).
4. The floating vessel (100) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the cracking facility (131) is in fluid communication with an outlet of the storage tank (110) for receival of liquid ammonia (10L).
5. The floating vessel (100) according to any of the claims 2-4, wherein the cracking facility (131) is in fluid communication with an outlet of the regasification facility (120) for receival of gaseous ammonia (10G).
6. The floating vessel (100) according to any of the claims 2-5, comprising a liquefaction facility (140) connected to an outlet of the cracking facility (131) for receival of gaseous hydrogen (20G), and wherein the liquefaction facility (140) is configured to process the gaseous hydrogen (20G) into liquid hydrogen (20L).
7. The floating vessel (100) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising one or more export conduits (200a, 200b, 200c, 200d) connected to an outlet of the storage tank (110) for export of liquid ammonia (10L) and/or the regasification facility (120) for export of gaseous ammonia (10G), and/or connected to an outlet of the ammonia conversion facility (130) for export of the additional energy carrier (20G, 20L, 40) to a receiver (300) located remote from the floating vessel (100).
8. The floating vessel (100) according to any of the claims 3-7, wherein the power generation facility (135) comprises a gas turbine (136), a piston engine (137) and/or a fuel cell (139).
9. The floating vessel (100) according to claim 8, wherein the gas turbine (136) is connected to an outlet of the regasification facility (120) for receival of gaseous ammonia (10G) to be used as fuel.
10. The floating vessel (100) according to claim 8, wherein the piston engine (137) is connected to an outlet of the storage tank (110) for receival of liquid ammonia (10L) to be used as fuel.
11. The floating vessel (100) according to claim 8, wherein the fuel cell (139) is connected to:
- an outlet of the storage tank (110) for receival of liquid ammonia (10L) to be used as fuel, or
- to an outlet of the regasification facility (120) for receival of gaseous ammonia (10G) to be used as fuel, or
- to an outlet of the cracking facility (131) for receival of gaseous hydrogen (20G) to be used as fuel.
12. The floating vessel (100) according to any of the claims 2-11, comprising a first heat recovery assembly (150) connected to an outlet of the cracking facility (131) for receival of the produced hydrogen (20G) and/or nitrogen (30G), and wherein the heat recovery assembly (150) is configured to recover heat from the hydrogen (20G) and/or the nitrogen (30).
13. The floating vessel (100) according to any of the claims 3-12, comprising a second heat recovery assembly (151) connected to the power generation facility (135) and configured to recover excess heat from power generation.
14. The floating vessel (100) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the first and/or the second heat recovery assembly (150, 151) comprises a heat exchange system (160, 161) configured to transfer heat to the regasification facility (120) for heating the liquid ammonia (10L) to be converted to gaseous ammonia (10G).
15. Method for using a floating vessel (100) according to any of the preceding claims comprising the steps of: converting liquid ammonia (10L) into a first energy carrier in the form of gaseous ammonia (10G) and converting liquid or gaseous ammonia (10G,10L) into an additional energy carrier (20G, 20L, 40) different from the first energy carrier.
16. Method according to claim 15, further comprising the steps of:
- storing liquid ammonia (10L) in the storage tank (110),
- transporting liquid ammonia (10L) from the storage tank (110) to the regasification facility (120),
- processing the liquid ammonia (10L) into gaseous ammonia (10G) in the regasification facility (120),
- transporting liquid ammonia (10L) from the storage tank (110) and/or gaseous ammonia (10G) from the regasification facility (120) to the conversion facility (130), and
- converting the liquid or gaseous ammonia (10G, 10L) into the additional energy carrier (20G, 20L, 40) in the conversion facility (130).
PCT/EP2022/080079 2021-10-27 2022-10-27 Floating vessel comprising a regasification facility and an ammonia conversion facility and method of use thereof WO2023073101A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO20211284 2021-10-27
NO20211284 2021-10-27

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2023073101A1 true WO2023073101A1 (en) 2023-05-04

Family

ID=84362527

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2022/080079 WO2023073101A1 (en) 2021-10-27 2022-10-27 Floating vessel comprising a regasification facility and an ammonia conversion facility and method of use thereof

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2023073101A1 (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007104078A1 (en) * 2006-03-15 2007-09-20 Woodside Energy Limited Onboard regasification of lng
WO2015048420A1 (en) * 2013-09-27 2015-04-02 Excelerate Energy Limited Partnership Apparatus, system and method for the capture, utilization and sendout of latent heat in boil off gas onboard a cryogenic storage vessel
WO2019204857A1 (en) * 2018-04-26 2019-10-31 Renam Properties Pty Ltd Offshore energy generation system

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007104078A1 (en) * 2006-03-15 2007-09-20 Woodside Energy Limited Onboard regasification of lng
WO2015048420A1 (en) * 2013-09-27 2015-04-02 Excelerate Energy Limited Partnership Apparatus, system and method for the capture, utilization and sendout of latent heat in boil off gas onboard a cryogenic storage vessel
WO2019204857A1 (en) * 2018-04-26 2019-10-31 Renam Properties Pty Ltd Offshore energy generation system

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA3006957C (en) Method of natural gas liquefaction on lng carriers storing liquid nitrogen
Li et al. Renewable energy carriers: Hydrogen or liquid air/nitrogen?
US6907735B2 (en) Hydrogen fueled electrical generator system and method thereof
JP7434334B2 (en) Processes and methods for liquid hydrocarbon and CO2 transport to produce hydrogen with CO2 capture
CN109386316B (en) LNG cold energy and BOG combustion energy combined utilization system and method
US20140116062A1 (en) Method and system for combusting boil-off gas and generating electricity at an offshore lng marine terminal
CN113701043B (en) Comprehensive system for preparing, storing and burning hydrogen on LNG ship
WO2009070379A1 (en) Integrated lng re-gasification apparatus
WO2018195182A2 (en) Thermal hydrogen
KR20220053060A (en) Hydrogen-floating production and treatment system
CN109026235A (en) A kind of cold energy generation system for liquefied natural gas floating storage regasification plant
KR20210122393A (en) Hydrogen liquefaction system
US20140260253A1 (en) Thermal energy conversion system for regasification of cryogenic liquids
CN204717340U (en) A kind of LNG Liquefied natural gas receiving station rock gas output system
WO2023073101A1 (en) Floating vessel comprising a regasification facility and an ammonia conversion facility and method of use thereof
KR20210117010A (en) Ammonia production facility
CN117167650A (en) LNG cold energy recycling system and method
KR102252653B1 (en) Hydrogen Fuel Cell Complex Power Plant Equipped with the Floating LNG Power Plant and Hydrogen Generation System and Method for Thereof
RU2431047C2 (en) Complex power plant
KR20220052382A (en) Hydrogen-floating production and treatment system
KR20220075960A (en) Eco-offshore Plant for Ammonia and Ammonia Supply Method
KR102379475B1 (en) Gas treatment system of liquid hydrogen carrier
CN218599453U (en) LNG cold energy comprehensive utilization system
KR102632394B1 (en) Fuel Supply System For Ship
KR20230175223A (en) Device for liquefying gaseous dihydrogen for marine or land structures

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 22812538

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1