WO2024014964A1 - Offshore gas storage - Google Patents

Offshore gas storage Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024014964A1
WO2024014964A1 PCT/NO2023/060019 NO2023060019W WO2024014964A1 WO 2024014964 A1 WO2024014964 A1 WO 2024014964A1 NO 2023060019 W NO2023060019 W NO 2023060019W WO 2024014964 A1 WO2024014964 A1 WO 2024014964A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
gas
pipe
gas storage
electric power
rigid housing
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NO2023/060019
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Gerd Petra HAUGOM
Håkon EIDSVIK
Geir Olav Berg
Original Assignee
Aker Offshore Wind Operating Company 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 Aker Offshore Wind Operating Company As filed Critical Aker Offshore Wind Operating Company As
Publication of WO2024014964A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024014964A1/en

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Classifications

    • 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
    • F17C1/00—Pressure vessels, e.g. gas cylinder, gas tank, replaceable cartridge
    • F17C1/007—Underground or underwater storage
    • 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
    • F17C1/00—Pressure vessels, e.g. gas cylinder, gas tank, replaceable cartridge
    • 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
    • F17C1/00—Pressure vessels, e.g. gas cylinder, gas tank, replaceable cartridge
    • F17C1/16—Pressure vessels, e.g. gas cylinder, gas tank, replaceable cartridge constructed of plastics materials
    • 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
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/01—Shape
    • F17C2201/0138—Shape tubular
    • 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
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/05—Size
    • F17C2201/052—Size large (>1000 m3)
    • 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
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/05—Size
    • F17C2201/054—Size medium (>1 m3)
    • 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
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0634—Materials for walls or layers thereof
    • F17C2203/0658—Synthetics
    • F17C2203/066—Plastics
    • 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
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0634—Materials for walls or layers thereof
    • F17C2203/0658—Synthetics
    • F17C2203/0663—Synthetics in form of fibers or filaments
    • 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
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0634—Materials for walls or layers thereof
    • F17C2203/0658—Synthetics
    • F17C2203/0663—Synthetics in form of fibers or filaments
    • F17C2203/0673—Polymers
    • 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
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0634—Materials for walls or layers thereof
    • F17C2203/0678—Concrete
    • 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
    • F17C2221/012—Hydrogen
    • 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
    • F17C2223/0107—Single phase
    • F17C2223/0123—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
    • 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
    • F17C2223/035—High pressure (>10 bar)
    • 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
    • F17C2223/036—Very high pressure (>80 bar)
    • 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
    • F17C2227/0157—Compressors
    • 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
    • F17C2270/0118—Offshore
    • 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
    • F17C2270/07—Applications for household use
    • F17C2270/0763—Fuel cells

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to storage of gas, and particularly to storage of hydrogen or a hydrogen-containing gas offshore, for example in conjunction with offshore power plants.
  • Temporary storage of gas is required in various applications, and is becoming more relevant through the increasing R&D efforts and investments into renewable energy generation.
  • One such application is storage of hydrogen or hydrogen-containing gases, which can be generated from renewable energy sources (e.g., wind power generators) and temporarily stored for later use in generating electric power or until there is a direct offtake demand for hydrogen or hydrogen-containing gases. In this manner, challenges associated with the intermittent nature of for example wind power can be mitigated.
  • a gas storage comprising a coiled elongate pipe configured for holding gas therein, wherein the coiled elongate pipe is arranged inside a rigid housing arranged on a sea floor, and the pipe is a polymer or a fibre- reinforced polymer pipe.
  • a method for establishing a gas storage comprising: providing a pre-fabricated, bundled coil of elongate pipe, the pipe being a polymer or a fibre-reinforced polymer pipe, installing the pre-fabricated coil of elongate pipe at a sea floor and inside a rigid housing.
  • an offshore plant comprising: a plurality of electric power generator plants, a hydrogen production unit operatively connected to receive electric power from the plurality of electric power generator plants for generation of hydrogen gas; and a gas storage operatively connected to the hydrogen production unit and configured to store hydrogen gas produced by the hydrogen production unit; wherein the gas storage is arranged on a sea floor and comprises a coiled elongate pipe configured for holding gas therein.
  • Fig. 1 is an illustration of a gas storage comprising a coiled elongate pipe.
  • Figs 2 and 3 are horizontal cross-sectional views of a gas storage.
  • Fig. 4 illustrates a vertical cross-section of a gas storage.
  • Fig. 5 illustrates an assembly of two gas storages with a manifold.
  • Fig. 6 illustrates an example of a gas storage.
  • Figs 7 and 8 illustrate steps in the establishment of a subsea gas storage.
  • Figs 9 and 10 illustrate an offshore power plant according to an example.
  • Figure 1 illustrates an example of a gas storage 100 comprising a coiled elongate pipe 1 arranged therein.
  • the pipe 1 is arranged in a series of substantially circular loops, horizontally and vertically stacked, i.e. one loop inside and/or above the other.
  • the pipe 1 acts as the storage volume for gas, i.e. gas to be stored is provided into the pipe 1 and the interior volume of the pipe 1 holds the gas.
  • the pipe 1 may hold the gas under pressure, for example at more than 50 bara, or more than 100 bara, or may in some examples allow pressures up to or above 300 bara. Designing the gas storage 100 for high pressures can increase the storage capacity of the gas storage 100.
  • the gas storage 100 comprises a rigid housing 2 in which the coiled elongate pipe 1 is arranged.
  • the rigid housing 2 preferably has a circular or substantially circular horizontal cross-section.
  • Fig. 2 illustrates a horizontal cross-section of the gas storage 100 in the plane indicated at A-A in Fig. 1.
  • the rigid housing 2 thus in this example provides a protective casing for the pipe 1 .
  • At least one end 1b of the pipe 1 extends out of the rigid housing 2 or (as illustrated in Figs 1 and 2) is connected to an extension pipe 4 which extends out of the rigid housing 2. Access to the pipe 1 can therefore be obtained from an outside of the storage 100, for adding or removing gas to or from the pipe 1.
  • the other end 1a of the pipe 1 is closed, such as plugged or blocked, and arranged inside the rigid housing 2.
  • both the end 1a and the end 1b extend out of the rigid housing 2 or is connected to respective extension pipes 4a, b which extend out of the rigid housing 2.
  • gas can be added or removed from the pipe 1 via either the end 1a, the end 1b, or both ends 1a and 1 b, as required or desired.
  • the pipe 1 may in this example be arranged such that gas is always added at one end (e.g. end 1a) and removed from the other end (1b), and may for this purpose comprise valves (such as one-way or actively actuated valves), or the pipe 1 may be arranged such that gas can be both added and removed from one or both ends 1a, b.
  • the rigid housing 2 in this example is a concrete housing.
  • the rigid housing 2 may be, for example, a metallic housing.
  • the rigid housing 2 may be part of a larger offshore structure; the rigid housing 2 may for example be arranged inside an offshore platform structure. This may allow for retrofitting a gas storage 100 into existing offshore infrastructure.
  • the rigid housing 2 is arranged resting on a sea floor 3 via a base 7.
  • the gas storage 100 can thus be arranged completely submerged.
  • the rigid housing 2 may be arranged directly onto the sea floor 3.
  • the rigid housing 2 may be configured to be water-filled when arranged on the sea floor 3.
  • the rigid housing 2 may have one or more openings 6a, b whereby a pressure inside and outside the rigid housing 2 is equalised and whereby water can enter the interior of the rigid housing 2.
  • Fig. 4 illustrates a vertical cross-section of a pipe 1 when arranged in loops so as to form a coil of pipe 1.
  • the pipe 1 is arranged with 32 loops, stacked in both the vertical and horizontal plane.
  • the stack of pipe 1 has a height h and diameter d, as illustrated.
  • the diameter d and height h will be chosen to match the interior space of a rigid housing 2, or the dimensions of the rigid housing 2 can be chosen so as to match the height h and diameter d.
  • a central volume 8 is arranged in the centre of the stack.
  • the central volume 8 is substantially cylindrical, with a width i, as indicated.
  • the width i may be chosen according to the particular properties of the pipe 1, for example the width i may be a value which corresponds to twice the minimum bending radius of the pipe 1. The specific value may depend on the characteristics and tolerances of the pipe 1 , such as its materials properties.
  • the pipe 1 is a polymer pipe, for example a composite pipe made up of a polymer reinforced with fibre components.
  • the fibre components may be fibre parts in the polymer and/or a fibre layer arranged around or in the polymer.
  • the fibre parts or layer may be for example glass or carbon fibre.
  • arranging the pipe 1 as a polymer pipe or composite pipe can provide enhanced chemical and corrosion resistance, while the rigid housing 2 allows the use of a polymer or composite pipe selected for the specific application, for example optimised for hydrogen gas storage. If using a rigid housing 2, the requirements for mechanical robustness of the pipe 1 may in some cases be relaxed, thus allowing the use of a pipe best suited for the purpose.
  • the gas storage 100 may be arranged with two or more coils of coiled elongate pipes 1, in the shown example having two coils arranged in respective rigid housings 2a, b, each one arranged equivalently as that illustrated in Fig. 2 or 3.
  • the coils may be fluidly connected to a manifold 11 , in this example via extension pipes 4a, b.
  • the manifold 11 can be arranged on the sea floor 3.
  • the manifold 11 may have a gas inlet 12 and a gas outlet 13, and may comprise internal valves to control the flow of gas to and from each of the coils of pipe 1.
  • the gas inlet 12 and gas outlet 13 may fluidly connect the manifold to gas (such as hydrogen) production units and/or to gas (such as hydrogen) consumers, for example via pipes 24,29 as described in relation to Fig. 10 below.
  • gas such as hydrogen
  • the inlet and outlet 12,13 can permit both supply and withdrawal of gas, i.e. permit flow in both directions.
  • the gas storage 100 may be installed with a multi-slot manifold 11 , i.e. a manifold prepared for connection to multiple coils of pipe 1, and where the coils of pipe 1 can be installed successively.
  • a multi-slot manifold 11 i.e. a manifold prepared for connection to multiple coils of pipe 1, and where the coils of pipe 1 can be installed successively. This can be used to allow a gradual buildout in response to e.g. increasing demand.
  • Fig. 6 illustrates another example, in which the coiled elongate pipe 1 comprises two parts, and wherein a first part T has a smaller pipe diameter than a second part 1”, and wherein the first part T is arranged radially inwardly of the second part 1” in the coil.
  • the central volume 8 and width i can be reduced, in that the minimum bending radius of the first part T may be lower than that of the second part 1”.
  • the two or more coiled elongate pipes in the arrangement as illustrated in Fig. 5 may also be arranged similarly as illustrated in Fig. 6.
  • the rigid housing 2 may be omitted, for example in application where the risk of external damage to the pipe 1 is low.
  • the method may comprise providing a pre-fabricated coil of elongate pipe 1.
  • the prefabricated coil can be arranged in a bundle and supported, for example by means of straps, frame elements or other components which can assist holding the pipe 1 bundled in a coil.
  • the pre-fabrication can be done in a factory such that the coil is bundled and prepared for installation as an integrated part, to reduce the installation time.
  • the coil of pipe 1 is then installed on the sea floor 3.
  • the installation can be directly on the sea floor 3 (e.g. on a prepared area of the sea floor 3 making up a suitable foundation) if the sea floor conditions so permit, or it may be onto a prepared base 7.
  • the base 7 can, for example, be a concrete base established on the sea floor 3 for this purpose.
  • Fig. 7 illustrates an example in which a base 7 is first established on the sea floor (illustrated as step (a) in Fig. 7), a coil of pipe 1 is lowered onto the base 7 (step (b)), and a rigid housing 2 is lowered and positioned so as to cover the coil of pipe 1 (step (c)).
  • the rigid housing 2 can have a top cover 2’ (see also Fig. 6) so as to fully or partially enclose the coil of pipe 1 also from above.
  • Fig. 8 illustrates another example, in which a base 7 is established (step (a)), a rigid housing 2 is arranged on the base 7 (step (b)), and a coil of pipe 1 is lowered into the pre-established rigid housing 2 (step (c)).
  • the rigid housing 2 may in this example be an annular (substantially circular) wall which is positioned on the base 7.
  • a top cover 2’ may or may not be installed onto the base 2 subsequent to step (c) of Fig. 8, depending on whether such a top cover 2’ is necessary or desirable to use in the specific application.
  • a rigid housing 2 is not required, for example if the risk of external damage to the coil of pipe 1 is low, then the installation can be done by carrying out only steps (a) and (b) as illustrated in Fig. 7.
  • the steps illustrated in relation to Figs 7 and 8 may be carried out without first establishing a base 7, so that the coil of pipe 1 and/or the rigid housing 2 rests directly on the sea floor 3.
  • the installation of the base 7, the coil of pipe 1 and the rigid housing 2 can be carried out from/by a suitable offshore service vehicle, or from/by different vessels, as appropriate. There may, for example, be one vessel carrying out the steps of preparing the sea floor 3 and/or installing the base 7, and a separate vessel doing the installation of the coil of pipe 1 and the rigid housing 2.
  • the gas storage 100 can be connected up to a gas consumer (e.g. an energy converter as described below in relation to Figs 9 and 10), a gas production unit (e.g. a hydrogen production unit arranged on a bottom-fixed or floating wind turbine generator as described below in relation to Figs 9 and 10), or both a gas consumer and a gas production unit.
  • a gas consumer e.g. an energy converter as described below in relation to Figs 9 and 10
  • a gas production unit e.g. a hydrogen production unit arranged on a bottom-fixed or floating wind turbine generator as described below in relation to Figs 9 and 10
  • a gas consumer e.g
  • the method may comprise connecting the gas storage 100 to an offshore consumer 22 via a pipe 24 (described in further detail below) such that the offshore consumer 22 can receive gas from the gas storage 100, and wherein the offshore consumer 22 comprises an energy converter 25 operable to generate heat, mechanical power and/or electric power from gas received via the pipe 24.
  • the offshore consumer 22 may be a bottom-fixed or floating petroleum production facility.
  • the method may comprise connecting the gas storage 100 to a gas production unit 21a,b arranged on an electric power generator 20a-e, for example a wind power generator, via a pipe 29 such that the gas storage 100 can receive hydrogen gas from the gas production unit 21a,b.
  • a gas production unit 21a,b arranged on an electric power generator 20a-e, for example a wind power generator
  • the method comprises connecting the gas storage 100 to a bottom- fixed or floating wind power generator via a pipe 29 such that the gas storage 100 can supply hydrogen gas to an energy converter on the wind power generator such as to produce electric power from the supplied hydrogen gas on the wind power generator and supply the produced electric power to an electric power cable 23,27 for transport from the wind power generator.
  • a gas storage according to examples described herein permits extensive prefabrication of components on land, which can reduce the required offshore installation time, thereby reducing costs.
  • FIGs 9 and 10 illustrate an offshore plant 200 comprising a plurality of electric power generator plants 20a-e, in this example wind turbine generators, which may be bottom-fixed or floating wind turbine generators.
  • the wind turbine generators are floating wind turbine generators, which are moored to the sea floor via moorings 26 (indicated in relation to electric power generator plant 20a in Fig. 10).
  • a general example of floating wind turbine generators of this type can be found in GB 2583633 B.
  • At least one of the electric power generator plants 20a-e comprises a hydrogen production unit 21a, b.
  • two of the five wind turbine generator plants each have a hydrogen production unit 21a, b.
  • the hydrogen production unit(s) 21a,b may be arranged on a separate structure, such as a bottom-fixed or floating substation or another structure suitable for the purpose of supporting the hydrogen production unit(s) 21 a, b at the offshore location.
  • the hydrogen production units 21 a, b are operatively connected to receive electric power from the electric power generator plants 20a-e for generation of hydrogen.
  • the electric power generator plants 20a-e can be interconnected with an electric power cable 27 for this purpose.
  • the electric power cable 27 is arranged in a ring configuration, but other arrangements and interconnections may equally well be suitable.
  • a gas storage 100 is operatively connected to the hydrogen production units 21a,b via a gas pipe 29, and configured to store hydrogen gas produced by the hydrogen production units 21a,b.
  • the gas storage 100 may be a gas storage in accordance with one of the examples described above in relation to Figs 1-8. Alternatively, the gas storage 100 may be a gas storage of a different type. In the illustrated example, the gas storage 100 is arranged on the sea floor 3.
  • the plant 200 further comprises an offshore consumer 22 in the form of a floating or fixed platform or vessel.
  • the offshore consumer 22 is an oil & gas asset, for example a production or processing unit for petroleum products.
  • the offshore consumer 22 is operatively connected to the plurality of electric power generator plants 20a-e via an electric cable 23 such as to receive electric power from the plurality of electric power generator plants 20a-e. In this manner, an electric power demand of the offshore consumer 22 can be met (partially or fully) by electric power produced by the electric power generator plants 20a-e.
  • the offshore consumer 22 is further operatively connected to the gas storage 100 via a pipe 24 such as to receive gas from the gas storage 100.
  • the offshore consumer 22 can have an energy converter 25 operable to generate mechanical power, heat, and/or electric power from gas received via the pipe 24. In this manner, an electric power demand of the offshore consumer 22 can be met (partially or fully) by electric power produced by the energy converter 25 from gas received from the storage 100.
  • the energy converter 25 may be provided on one or more of the electric power generator plants 20a-e, or on a distribution platform arranged in conjunction with the plants 20a-e.
  • a distribution platform may include an electric substation for further distributing electricity produced by the electric power generator plants 20a-e, for example to a shore-based grid or to other consumers.
  • the energy converter 25 may be operable to generate electricity from stored gas from the gas storage 100 and distribute this electricity to the shore-based grid or the other consumers.
  • Such an electric distribution platform may be arranged similarly as the offshore consumer 22 as illustrated in Figs 9 and 10, i.e. in place of the offshore consumer 22 and with an additional export cable 28 (illustrated in Fig. 10) extending from the distribution platform to shore, or the distribution platform may be arranged in addition to the offshore consumer 22.
  • the energy converter 25 may be a combustion engine arranged on the offshore consumer 22, particularly a gas turbine or piston engine arranged to operate on a hydrocarbon fuel, and wherein gas from the gas storage 100 is configured to be fed into the energy converter 25.
  • gas from the gas storage 100 may thus be used on the offshore consumer 22 to generate heat or power for local users on the offshore consumer 22.
  • Such users may include various processes on the offshore consumer 22 which require heat, electricity and/or mechanical power, for example processing equipment requiring heat or direct-driven mechanical equipment such as pumps or compressors requiring e.g. a rotating, mechanical power output. Electric power may be produced via e.g. a gas turbine or piston engine coupled to a generator, to supplement electric power provided via the electric cable 23.
  • the offshore plant 200 may be configured such that at least one of the electric power generator plants 20a-e, the offshore consumer 22 and/or a distribution platform comprises an energy converter operable to receive hydrogen gas from the gas storage 100 and generate electric power.
  • at least one of the electric power generator plants 20a-e may comprise an energy converter operable to receive hydrogen gas from the gas storage 100 and generate electric power, and supply the generated electric power to the offshore consumer 22, to other consumers, and/or to a shore-based grid via the electric cable 23 (and, if applicable, the export cable 28).
  • the energy converter may for this purpose for example be a combustion engine or a fuel cell.
  • the plant 200 may be arranged to allow generation of electric power offshore via the power generator plants 20a-e, conversion and temporary storage of energy in the gas storage 100, and generation and supply of electric power to a shore-based grid at a suitable later time.
  • the plant 200 may advantageously be suitable for retrofitting in connection with existing offshore consumers 22, to provide renewable energy to supplement or replace existing hydrocarbon-based energy production on the offshore consumer 22.
  • retrofitting can be done in a more cost-effective way, particularly in view of such offshore consumers 22 often having very restricted space availability, and thus limited opportunities for installation of further equipment on the offshore consumer 22 itself.
  • a plant 200 according to examples here can provide a high degree of operational flexibility, in that renewable energy can be used to displace and reduce the carbon footprint of existing generation of heat, mechanical power and/or electric power.
  • a gas storage (100) comprising a coiled elongate pipe (1) configured for holding gas therein.
  • each of the plurality of coiled elongate pipes (1) is arranged in a rigid housing (2).
  • An offshore plant (200) comprising: a plurality of electric power generator plants (20a-e) and, optionally, an associated platform (22), such as a floating or fixed platform, forming part of the offshore plant (200), a hydrogen production unit (21 a, b) arranged on at least one of the electric power generator plants (20a-e) and/or on the associated platform (22), and where the hydrogen production unit (21a, b) is operatively connected to receive electric power from the plurality of electric power generator plants (20a-e) for generation of hydrogen gas; a gas storage (100) operatively connected to the hydrogen production unit (21 a, b) and configured to store hydrogen gas produced by the hydrogen production unit (21a, b).
  • the offshore plant (200) of any preceding clause wherein the gas storage (100) is arranged at a sea floor (3).
  • the offshore plant (200) of any preceding clause comprising: an offshore consumer (22) in the form of a floating or fixed platform or vessel, the offshore consumer (22) being operatively connected to the plurality of electric power generator plants (20a-e) via an electric cable (23) such as to receive electric power from the plurality of electric power generator plants (20a-e), and wherein the offshore consumer (22) is operatively connected to the gas storage (100) via a pipe (24) such as to receive gas from the gas storage (100).
  • the offshore consumer (22) comprises an energy converter (25) operable to generate heat, mechanical power and/or electric power from gas received via the pipe (24).

Abstract

A gas storage (100) comprising a coiled elongate pipe (1) configured for holding gas therein, wherein the coiled elongate pipe (1) is arranged inside a rigid housing (2) arranged on a sea floor (3), and the pipe (1) is a polymer or a fibre-reinforced polymer pipe. There is also provided a method for establishing a gas storage (100) and an offshore plant (200).

Description

OFFSHORE GAS STORAGE
The present disclosure relates to storage of gas, and particularly to storage of hydrogen or a hydrogen-containing gas offshore, for example in conjunction with offshore power plants.
BACKGROUND
Temporary storage of gas is required in various applications, and is becoming more relevant through the increasing R&D efforts and investments into renewable energy generation. One such application is storage of hydrogen or hydrogen-containing gases, which can be generated from renewable energy sources (e.g., wind power generators) and temporarily stored for later use in generating electric power or until there is a direct offtake demand for hydrogen or hydrogen-containing gases. In this manner, challenges associated with the intermittent nature of for example wind power can be mitigated.
Various other applications may have similar requirements for temporary storage of different types of gases. Large scale gas storage options currently being explored include geological storage, e.g. in underground salt caverns, aquifers and depleted petroleum fields. One challenge associated with such solutions is that suitable storage sites may be remote to the production and/or consumption of gas.
Common to most such gas storage applications are general requirements that the gas storage arrangements be safe, compact, cost efficient, and have a long service life. This may apply particularly in offshore applications, where space requirements are very stringent and where access to the system for maintenance or repairs can be more limited than in land-based applications.
There is a need for improved technology for gas storage and associated systems, for example to allow further development of renewable energy generation capacity offshore. The present disclosure has the objective to provide such improved technology, or at least useful alternatives to the state of the art. SUMMARY
In an embodiment, there is provided a gas storage comprising a coiled elongate pipe configured for holding gas therein, wherein the coiled elongate pipe is arranged inside a rigid housing arranged on a sea floor, and the pipe is a polymer or a fibre- reinforced polymer pipe.
In an embodiment, there is provided a method for establishing a gas storage, the method comprising: providing a pre-fabricated, bundled coil of elongate pipe, the pipe being a polymer or a fibre-reinforced polymer pipe, installing the pre-fabricated coil of elongate pipe at a sea floor and inside a rigid housing.
In an embodiment, there is provided an offshore plant comprising: a plurality of electric power generator plants, a hydrogen production unit operatively connected to receive electric power from the plurality of electric power generator plants for generation of hydrogen gas; and a gas storage operatively connected to the hydrogen production unit and configured to store hydrogen gas produced by the hydrogen production unit; wherein the gas storage is arranged on a sea floor and comprises a coiled elongate pipe configured for holding gas therein.
The detailed description and appended claims outline further inventive examples and embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other characteristics will become clear from the following description of illustrative, non-restrictive examples, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is an illustration of a gas storage comprising a coiled elongate pipe.
Figs 2 and 3 are horizontal cross-sectional views of a gas storage.
Fig. 4 illustrates a vertical cross-section of a gas storage.
Fig. 5 illustrates an assembly of two gas storages with a manifold.
Fig. 6 illustrates an example of a gas storage. Figs 7 and 8 illustrate steps in the establishment of a subsea gas storage.
Figs 9 and 10 illustrate an offshore power plant according to an example.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Figure 1 illustrates an example of a gas storage 100 comprising a coiled elongate pipe 1 arranged therein. The pipe 1 is arranged in a series of substantially circular loops, horizontally and vertically stacked, i.e. one loop inside and/or above the other. The pipe 1 acts as the storage volume for gas, i.e. gas to be stored is provided into the pipe 1 and the interior volume of the pipe 1 holds the gas. The pipe 1 may hold the gas under pressure, for example at more than 50 bara, or more than 100 bara, or may in some examples allow pressures up to or above 300 bara. Designing the gas storage 100 for high pressures can increase the storage capacity of the gas storage 100.
The gas storage 100 comprises a rigid housing 2 in which the coiled elongate pipe 1 is arranged. The rigid housing 2 preferably has a circular or substantially circular horizontal cross-section. Fig. 2 illustrates a horizontal cross-section of the gas storage 100 in the plane indicated at A-A in Fig. 1. The rigid housing 2 thus in this example provides a protective casing for the pipe 1 .
At least one end 1b of the pipe 1 extends out of the rigid housing 2 or (as illustrated in Figs 1 and 2) is connected to an extension pipe 4 which extends out of the rigid housing 2. Access to the pipe 1 can therefore be obtained from an outside of the storage 100, for adding or removing gas to or from the pipe 1.
In the illustrated example of Fig. 2, the other end 1a of the pipe 1 is closed, such as plugged or blocked, and arranged inside the rigid housing 2.
In an alternative example, illustrated in Fig. 3, both the end 1a and the end 1b extend out of the rigid housing 2 or is connected to respective extension pipes 4a, b which extend out of the rigid housing 2. In this manner, gas can be added or removed from the pipe 1 via either the end 1a, the end 1b, or both ends 1a and 1 b, as required or desired. The pipe 1 may in this example be arranged such that gas is always added at one end (e.g. end 1a) and removed from the other end (1b), and may for this purpose comprise valves (such as one-way or actively actuated valves), or the pipe 1 may be arranged such that gas can be both added and removed from one or both ends 1a, b.
The rigid housing 2 in this example is a concrete housing. Alternatively, in some examples the rigid housing 2 may be, for example, a metallic housing. In some examples, the rigid housing 2 may be part of a larger offshore structure; the rigid housing 2 may for example be arranged inside an offshore platform structure. This may allow for retrofitting a gas storage 100 into existing offshore infrastructure.
The rigid housing 2 is arranged resting on a sea floor 3 via a base 7. The gas storage 100 can thus be arranged completely submerged. Optionally, the rigid housing 2 may be arranged directly onto the sea floor 3.
The rigid housing 2 may be configured to be water-filled when arranged on the sea floor 3. For this purpose, the rigid housing 2 may have one or more openings 6a, b whereby a pressure inside and outside the rigid housing 2 is equalised and whereby water can enter the interior of the rigid housing 2.
Fig. 4 illustrates a vertical cross-section of a pipe 1 when arranged in loops so as to form a coil of pipe 1. In this example, the pipe 1 is arranged with 32 loops, stacked in both the vertical and horizontal plane. The stack of pipe 1 has a height h and diameter d, as illustrated. The diameter d and height h will be chosen to match the interior space of a rigid housing 2, or the dimensions of the rigid housing 2 can be chosen so as to match the height h and diameter d.
A central volume 8 is arranged in the centre of the stack. The central volume 8 is substantially cylindrical, with a width i, as indicated. The width i may be chosen according to the particular properties of the pipe 1, for example the width i may be a value which corresponds to twice the minimum bending radius of the pipe 1. The specific value may depend on the characteristics and tolerances of the pipe 1 , such as its materials properties.
In one example, the pipe 1 is a polymer pipe, for example a composite pipe made up of a polymer reinforced with fibre components. The fibre components may be fibre parts in the polymer and/or a fibre layer arranged around or in the polymer. The fibre parts or layer may be for example glass or carbon fibre. Advantageously, arranging the pipe 1 as a polymer pipe or composite pipe can provide enhanced chemical and corrosion resistance, while the rigid housing 2 allows the use of a polymer or composite pipe selected for the specific application, for example optimised for hydrogen gas storage. If using a rigid housing 2, the requirements for mechanical robustness of the pipe 1 may in some cases be relaxed, thus allowing the use of a pipe best suited for the purpose.
Illustrated in Fig. 5, the gas storage 100 may be arranged with two or more coils of coiled elongate pipes 1, in the shown example having two coils arranged in respective rigid housings 2a, b, each one arranged equivalently as that illustrated in Fig. 2 or 3. The coils may be fluidly connected to a manifold 11 , in this example via extension pipes 4a, b. The manifold 11 can be arranged on the sea floor 3. The manifold 11 may have a gas inlet 12 and a gas outlet 13, and may comprise internal valves to control the flow of gas to and from each of the coils of pipe 1. The gas inlet 12 and gas outlet 13 may fluidly connect the manifold to gas (such as hydrogen) production units and/or to gas (such as hydrogen) consumers, for example via pipes 24,29 as described in relation to Fig. 10 below. Optionally, the inlet and outlet 12,13 can permit both supply and withdrawal of gas, i.e. permit flow in both directions.
Advantageously, in some examples the gas storage 100 may be installed with a multi-slot manifold 11 , i.e. a manifold prepared for connection to multiple coils of pipe 1, and where the coils of pipe 1 can be installed successively. This can be used to allow a gradual buildout in response to e.g. increasing demand.
Fig. 6 illustrates another example, in which the coiled elongate pipe 1 comprises two parts, and wherein a first part T has a smaller pipe diameter than a second part 1”, and wherein the first part T is arranged radially inwardly of the second part 1” in the coil. In this manner, the central volume 8 and width i (see Fig. 4) can be reduced, in that the minimum bending radius of the first part T may be lower than that of the second part 1”.
The two or more coiled elongate pipes in the arrangement as illustrated in Fig. 5 may also be arranged similarly as illustrated in Fig. 6.
In any of the examples described herein, the rigid housing 2 may be omitted, for example in application where the risk of external damage to the pipe 1 is low.
Illustrated in Figs 7 and 8 are methods for establishing a gas storage 100. The method may comprise providing a pre-fabricated coil of elongate pipe 1. The prefabricated coil can be arranged in a bundle and supported, for example by means of straps, frame elements or other components which can assist holding the pipe 1 bundled in a coil. Advantageously, the pre-fabrication can be done in a factory such that the coil is bundled and prepared for installation as an integrated part, to reduce the installation time.
The coil of pipe 1 is then installed on the sea floor 3. The installation can be directly on the sea floor 3 (e.g. on a prepared area of the sea floor 3 making up a suitable foundation) if the sea floor conditions so permit, or it may be onto a prepared base 7. The base 7 can, for example, be a concrete base established on the sea floor 3 for this purpose.
Fig. 7 illustrates an example in which a base 7 is first established on the sea floor (illustrated as step (a) in Fig. 7), a coil of pipe 1 is lowered onto the base 7 (step (b)), and a rigid housing 2 is lowered and positioned so as to cover the coil of pipe 1 (step (c)). The rigid housing 2 can have a top cover 2’ (see also Fig. 6) so as to fully or partially enclose the coil of pipe 1 also from above.
Fig. 8 illustrates another example, in which a base 7 is established (step (a)), a rigid housing 2 is arranged on the base 7 (step (b)), and a coil of pipe 1 is lowered into the pre-established rigid housing 2 (step (c)). The rigid housing 2 may in this example be an annular (substantially circular) wall which is positioned on the base 7. A top cover 2’ may or may not be installed onto the base 2 subsequent to step (c) of Fig. 8, depending on whether such a top cover 2’ is necessary or desirable to use in the specific application.
If a rigid housing 2 is not required, for example if the risk of external damage to the coil of pipe 1 is low, then the installation can be done by carrying out only steps (a) and (b) as illustrated in Fig. 7.
Optionally, the steps illustrated in relation to Figs 7 and 8 may be carried out without first establishing a base 7, so that the coil of pipe 1 and/or the rigid housing 2 rests directly on the sea floor 3.
The installation of the base 7, the coil of pipe 1 and the rigid housing 2 can be carried out from/by a suitable offshore service vehicle, or from/by different vessels, as appropriate. There may, for example, be one vessel carrying out the steps of preparing the sea floor 3 and/or installing the base 7, and a separate vessel doing the installation of the coil of pipe 1 and the rigid housing 2. After installation, the gas storage 100 can be connected up to a gas consumer (e.g. an energy converter as described below in relation to Figs 9 and 10), a gas production unit (e.g. a hydrogen production unit arranged on a bottom-fixed or floating wind turbine generator as described below in relation to Figs 9 and 10), or both a gas consumer and a gas production unit. Such a connection can optionally be done via a subsea manifold 11, as described in relation to Fig. 5 above.
The method may comprise connecting the gas storage 100 to an offshore consumer 22 via a pipe 24 (described in further detail below) such that the offshore consumer 22 can receive gas from the gas storage 100, and wherein the offshore consumer 22 comprises an energy converter 25 operable to generate heat, mechanical power and/or electric power from gas received via the pipe 24. The offshore consumer 22 may be a bottom-fixed or floating petroleum production facility.
Alternatively, or additionally, the method may comprise connecting the gas storage 100 to a gas production unit 21a,b arranged on an electric power generator 20a-e, for example a wind power generator, via a pipe 29 such that the gas storage 100 can receive hydrogen gas from the gas production unit 21a,b.
Advantageously, the method comprises connecting the gas storage 100 to a bottom- fixed or floating wind power generator via a pipe 29 such that the gas storage 100 can supply hydrogen gas to an energy converter on the wind power generator such as to produce electric power from the supplied hydrogen gas on the wind power generator and supply the produced electric power to an electric power cable 23,27 for transport from the wind power generator.
A gas storage according to examples described herein permits extensive prefabrication of components on land, which can reduce the required offshore installation time, thereby reducing costs.
Figures 9 and 10 illustrate an offshore plant 200 comprising a plurality of electric power generator plants 20a-e, in this example wind turbine generators, which may be bottom-fixed or floating wind turbine generators. In the shown example, the wind turbine generators are floating wind turbine generators, which are moored to the sea floor via moorings 26 (indicated in relation to electric power generator plant 20a in Fig. 10). A general example of floating wind turbine generators of this type can be found in GB 2583633 B. At least one of the electric power generator plants 20a-e comprises a hydrogen production unit 21a, b. In the shown example, two of the five wind turbine generator plants each have a hydrogen production unit 21a, b. In alternative arrangements, the hydrogen production unit(s) 21a,b may be arranged on a separate structure, such as a bottom-fixed or floating substation or another structure suitable for the purpose of supporting the hydrogen production unit(s) 21 a, b at the offshore location.
The hydrogen production units 21 a, b, for example electrolysers, are operatively connected to receive electric power from the electric power generator plants 20a-e for generation of hydrogen. The electric power generator plants 20a-e can be interconnected with an electric power cable 27 for this purpose. In the shown example, the electric power cable 27 is arranged in a ring configuration, but other arrangements and interconnections may equally well be suitable.
A gas storage 100 is operatively connected to the hydrogen production units 21a,b via a gas pipe 29, and configured to store hydrogen gas produced by the hydrogen production units 21a,b. The gas storage 100 may be a gas storage in accordance with one of the examples described above in relation to Figs 1-8. Alternatively, the gas storage 100 may be a gas storage of a different type. In the illustrated example, the gas storage 100 is arranged on the sea floor 3.
In the shown example, the plant 200 further comprises an offshore consumer 22 in the form of a floating or fixed platform or vessel. In this example, the offshore consumer 22 is an oil & gas asset, for example a production or processing unit for petroleum products.
The offshore consumer 22 is operatively connected to the plurality of electric power generator plants 20a-e via an electric cable 23 such as to receive electric power from the plurality of electric power generator plants 20a-e. In this manner, an electric power demand of the offshore consumer 22 can be met (partially or fully) by electric power produced by the electric power generator plants 20a-e.
The offshore consumer 22 is further operatively connected to the gas storage 100 via a pipe 24 such as to receive gas from the gas storage 100. The offshore consumer 22 can have an energy converter 25 operable to generate mechanical power, heat, and/or electric power from gas received via the pipe 24. In this manner, an electric power demand of the offshore consumer 22 can be met (partially or fully) by electric power produced by the energy converter 25 from gas received from the storage 100.
In other examples, the energy converter 25 may be provided on one or more of the electric power generator plants 20a-e, or on a distribution platform arranged in conjunction with the plants 20a-e. A distribution platform may include an electric substation for further distributing electricity produced by the electric power generator plants 20a-e, for example to a shore-based grid or to other consumers. The energy converter 25 may be operable to generate electricity from stored gas from the gas storage 100 and distribute this electricity to the shore-based grid or the other consumers. Such an electric distribution platform may be arranged similarly as the offshore consumer 22 as illustrated in Figs 9 and 10, i.e. in place of the offshore consumer 22 and with an additional export cable 28 (illustrated in Fig. 10) extending from the distribution platform to shore, or the distribution platform may be arranged in addition to the offshore consumer 22.
The energy converter 25 may be a combustion engine arranged on the offshore consumer 22, particularly a gas turbine or piston engine arranged to operate on a hydrocarbon fuel, and wherein gas from the gas storage 100 is configured to be fed into the energy converter 25. In this manner, hydrogen gas can be added to a hydrocarbon fuel (such as natural gas fuel) as a supplement, or the energy converter 25 can selectively be operated on hydrogen or hydrogen-containing gas alone for periods to time. Gas from the gas storage 100 may thus be used on the offshore consumer 22 to generate heat or power for local users on the offshore consumer 22. Such users may include various processes on the offshore consumer 22 which require heat, electricity and/or mechanical power, for example processing equipment requiring heat or direct-driven mechanical equipment such as pumps or compressors requiring e.g. a rotating, mechanical power output. Electric power may be produced via e.g. a gas turbine or piston engine coupled to a generator, to supplement electric power provided via the electric cable 23.
The offshore plant 200 may be configured such that at least one of the electric power generator plants 20a-e, the offshore consumer 22 and/or a distribution platform comprises an energy converter operable to receive hydrogen gas from the gas storage 100 and generate electric power. For example, at least one of the electric power generator plants 20a-e may comprise an energy converter operable to receive hydrogen gas from the gas storage 100 and generate electric power, and supply the generated electric power to the offshore consumer 22, to other consumers, and/or to a shore-based grid via the electric cable 23 (and, if applicable, the export cable 28). The energy converter may for this purpose for example be a combustion engine or a fuel cell.
In this manner, the plant 200 may be arranged to allow generation of electric power offshore via the power generator plants 20a-e, conversion and temporary storage of energy in the gas storage 100, and generation and supply of electric power to a shore-based grid at a suitable later time.
Additionally, or alternatively, the plant 200 may advantageously be suitable for retrofitting in connection with existing offshore consumers 22, to provide renewable energy to supplement or replace existing hydrocarbon-based energy production on the offshore consumer 22. According to the examples described above, such retrofitting can be done in a more cost-effective way, particularly in view of such offshore consumers 22 often having very restricted space availability, and thus limited opportunities for installation of further equipment on the offshore consumer 22 itself. A plant 200 according to examples here can provide a high degree of operational flexibility, in that renewable energy can be used to displace and reduce the carbon footprint of existing generation of heat, mechanical power and/or electric power.
The following numbered clauses outline further inventive examples and embodiments:
1. A gas storage (100) comprising a coiled elongate pipe (1) configured for holding gas therein.
2. The gas storage (100) of clause 1, wherein the coiled elongate pipe (1) is arranged inside a rigid housing (2).
3. The gas storage (100) of any preceding clause, wherein the coiled elongate pipe (1) is fixed in a bundle.
4. The gas storage (100) of any preceding clause, wherein the rigid housing (2) is a concrete housing (2).
5. The gas storage (100) of any preceding clause, wherein the rigid housing (2) has a circular or substantially circular cross-section in the horizontal plane.
6. The gas storage (100) of any preceding clause, wherein the rigid housing (2) is arranged on a sea floor (3). 7. The gas storage (100) of any preceding clause, wherein the rigid housing (2) is arranged on the sea floor (3) via a base (7).
8. The gas storage (100) of any preceding clause, wherein the pipe (1) comprises a first end (1a) which is closed, such as plugged or blocked.
9. The gas storage (100) of any preceding clause, wherein the first end (1a) is arranged inside the rigid housing (2).
10. The gas storage (100) of any preceding clause, wherein the pipe (1) comprises a second end (1b) which extends out of the rigid housing (2) or is connected to an extension pipe (4,4a) which extends out of the rigid housing (2).
11. The gas storage (100) of any preceding clause, wherein the first end (1a) extends out of the rigid housing (2) or is connected to an extension pipe (4b) which extends out of the rigid housing (2).
12. The gas storage (100) of any preceding clause, wherein the rigid housing (2) is or is configured to be water-filled.
13. The gas storage (100) of any preceding clause, wherein the rigid housing (2) comprises at least one opening (6a, b) whereby a pressure inside and outside the rigid housing (2) is equalised.
14. The gas storage (100) of any preceding clause, wherein the pipe (1) is a polymer pipe, for example wherein the pipe (1) is a composite pipe made up of a polymer reinforced with fibre components.
15. The gas storage (100) of any preceding clause, comprising a plurality of coiled elongate pipes (1), each of the plurality of coiled elongate pipes (1) fluidly connected to a manifold (11).
16. The gas storage (100) of any preceding clause, wherein each of the plurality of coiled elongate pipes (1) is arranged in a rigid housing (2).
17. The gas storage (100) of any preceding clause, wherein the coiled elongate pipe (1) comprises two parts, and wherein a first part (T) has a smaller pipe diameter than a second part (1”), and wherein the first part (T) is arranged radially inwardly of the second part (1”).
18. A method for establishing a gas storage (100), the method comprising: providing a pre-fabricated, bundled coil of elongate pipe (1); installing the pre-fabricated coil of elongate pipe (1) at a sea floor (3).
19. The method of any preceding clause, further comprising: establishing a base (7) at the sea floor (3) and installing the pre-fabricated coil of elongate pipe (1) on the base (7).
20. The method of any preceding clause, further comprising: prior to the step of installing the pre-fabricated coil of elongate pipe (1) at the sea floor (3), establishing a rigid housing (2) on the sea floor (3) or on the base (7), and installing the pre-fabricated coil of elongate pipe (1) into the rigid housing (2).
21. The method of any preceding clause, further comprising: installing a rigid housing (2) having a top cover (2’) above the coil of elongate Pipe (1).
22. The method of any preceding clause, further comprising connecting the gas storage (100) to at least one of (i) a gas consumer (20d-e,25), (ii) a gas production unit (21 a, b), or (iii) an electric distribution platform.
23. The method of any preceding clause, comprising connecting the gas storage (100) to at least one of (i) a gas consumer (20d-e,25), (ii) a gas production unit (21a, b) or (iii) an electric distribution platform via a subsea manifold (11).
24. The method of any preceding clause, comprising connecting the gas production unit (21 a, b) to a plurality of electric power generator plants (20a- e), for example floating wind power generators.
25. The method of any preceding clause, comprising connecting the gas storage (100) to an offshore consumer (22) via a pipe (24) such that the offshore consumer (22) can receive gas from the gas storage (100), and wherein the offshore consumer (22) comprises an energy converter (25) operable to generate heat, mechanical power and/or electric power from gas received via the pipe (24).
26. The method of any preceding clause, comprising connecting the gas storage (100) to an offshore electric distribution platform via a pipe (24) such that the distribution platform can receive gas from the gas storage (100), and wherein the distribution platform comprises an energy converter (25) operable to generate electric power from gas received via the pipe (24) and supply the generated electric power to a land-based grid and/or to an offshore consumer.
27. The method of any preceding clause, comprising connecting the gas storage (100) to a gas production unit (21a, b) arranged on an electric power generator plant (20a-e), for example a floating wind power generator, via a pipe (29) such that the gas storage (100) can receive hydrogen gas from the gas production unit (21a,b). The method of any preceding clause, comprising connecting the gas storage (100) to an energy converter (25) via a pipe (24,29) such that the gas storage (100) can supply hydrogen gas to the energy converter to produce electric power from the supplied hydrogen gas and supply the produced electric power to a consumer or a grid via an electric power cable (23,27,28). The method of any preceding clause, wherein the gas storage (100) is a gas storage (100) according to any preceding clause. An offshore plant (200) comprising: a plurality of electric power generator plants (20a-e) and, optionally, an associated platform (22), such as a floating or fixed platform, forming part of the offshore plant (200), a hydrogen production unit (21 a, b) arranged on at least one of the electric power generator plants (20a-e) and/or on the associated platform (22), and where the hydrogen production unit (21a, b) is operatively connected to receive electric power from the plurality of electric power generator plants (20a-e) for generation of hydrogen gas; a gas storage (100) operatively connected to the hydrogen production unit (21 a, b) and configured to store hydrogen gas produced by the hydrogen production unit (21a, b). The offshore plant (200) of any preceding clause, wherein the gas storage (100) is arranged at a sea floor (3). The offshore plant (200) of any preceding clause, wherein the gas storage (100) is a gas storage (100) according to any one of the preceding clauses. The offshore plant (200) of any preceding clause, comprising: an offshore consumer (22) in the form of a floating or fixed platform or vessel, the offshore consumer (22) being operatively connected to the plurality of electric power generator plants (20a-e) via an electric cable (23) such as to receive electric power from the plurality of electric power generator plants (20a-e), and wherein the offshore consumer (22) is operatively connected to the gas storage (100) via a pipe (24) such as to receive gas from the gas storage (100).
34. The offshore plant (200) of any preceding clause, wherein the offshore consumer (22) comprises an energy converter (25) operable to generate heat, mechanical power and/or electric power from gas received via the pipe (24).
35. The offshore plant (200) of any preceding clause, wherein at least one of the electric power generator plants (20a-e), the associated platform (22), or the offshore consumer (22) comprises an energy converter (25) operable to receive hydrogen gas from the gas storage (100) and generate electric power from the hydrogen gas.
36. The offshore plant (200) of any preceding clause, wherein at least one of the electric power generator plants (20a-e) or the associated platform (22) comprises an energy converter (25) operable to receive hydrogen gas from the gas storage (100) and generate electric power from the hydrogen gas, and supply the generated electric power to the offshore consumer (22) via the electric cable (23) or to a shore-based grid via an export cable (28).
37. The offshore plant (200) of any preceding clause, wherein the energy converter (25) is operatively connected to an export cable (28) for export of electric power to a shore-based grid.
The invention is not limited by the embodiments described above; reference should be had to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A gas storage (100) comprising a coiled elongate pipe (1) configured for holding gas therein, wherein the coiled elongate pipe (1) is arranged inside a rigid housing (2) arranged on a sea floor (3), and the pipe (1) is a polymer or a fibre-reinforced polymer pipe.
2. The gas storage (100) of any preceding claim, wherein the rigid housing (2) is a concrete housing (2).
3. The gas storage (100) of any preceding claim, wherein the rigid housing (2) has a circular or substantially circular cross-section in the horizontal plane.
4. The gas storage (100) of any preceding claim, wherein the rigid housing (2) is arranged on the sea floor (3) via a base (7).
5. The gas storage (100) of any preceding claim, wherein the pipe (1) comprises a first end (1a) which is closed and arranged inside the rigid housing (2).
6. The gas storage (100) of any of claims 1-4, wherein the pipe (1) comprises: a first end (1a) which extends out of the rigid housing (2) or is connected to an extension pipe (4b) which extends out of the rigid housing (2), and a second end (1b) which extends out of the rigid housing (2) or is connected to an extension pipe (4,4a) which extends out of the rigid housing (2).
7. The gas storage (100) of any preceding claim, wherein the rigid housing (2) is or is configured to be water-filled, and the rigid housing (2) comprises at least one opening (6a, b) whereby a pressure inside and outside the rigid housing (2) is equalised.
8. The gas storage (100) of any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of coiled elongate pipes (1), each of the plurality of coiled elongate pipes (1) arranged in a rigid housing (2) and each of the plurality of coiled elongate pipes (1) fluidly connected to a manifold (11) arranged at the sea floor (3).
9. The gas storage (100) of any preceding claim, wherein the coiled elongate pipe (1) comprises two parts, and wherein a first part (T) has a smaller pipe diameter than a second part (1”), and wherein the first part (T) is arranged radially inwardly of the second part (1”).
10. A method for establishing a gas storage (100), the method comprising: providing a pre-fabricated, bundled coil of elongate pipe (1), the pipe (1) being a polymer or a fibre-reinforced polymer pipe, installing the pre-fabricated coil of elongate pipe (1) at a sea floor (3) and inside a rigid housing (2).
11 . The method of claim 10, further comprising: establishing a base (7) at the sea floor (3) and installing the pre-fabricated coil of elongate pipe (1) on the base (7).
12. The method of any of claims 10 or 11 , further comprising: prior to the step of installing the pre-fabricated coil of elongate pipe (1) at the sea floor (3), establishing a rigid housing (2) on the sea floor (3) or on the base (7), and installing the pre-fabricated coil of elongate pipe (1) into the rigid housing (2).
13. The method of any of claims 10-12, further comprising: installing a rigid housing (2) having a top cover (2’) above the coil of elongate Pipe (1).
14. The method of any of claims 10-13, further comprising connecting the gas storage (100) to at least one of (i) a gas consumer (20d-e,25), and (ii) a gas production unit (21a, b).
15. The method of claim 14, comprising connecting the gas storage (100) to the at least one of (i) a gas consumer (20d-e,25), and (ii) a gas production unit (21a, b) via a subsea manifold (11). The method of any of claims 10-15, comprising connecting the gas storage (100) to an offshore consumer (22) via a pipe (24) such that the offshore consumer (22) can receive gas from the gas storage (100), and wherein the offshore consumer (22) comprises an energy converter (25) operable to generate heat, mechanical power and/or electric power from gas received via the pipe (24). The method of any of claims 10-16, comprising connecting the gas storage (100) to a gas production unit (21a, b) arranged on an electric power generator plants (20a-e), for example a bottom-fixed or floating wind power generator, via a pipe (29) such that the gas storage (100) can receive hydrogen gas from the gas production unit (21 a, b). The method of any of claims 10-17, comprising connecting the gas storage (100) to a bottom-fixed or floating wind power generator via a pipe (29) such that the gas storage (100) can supply hydrogen gas to an energy converter on the wind power generator such as to produce electric power from the supplied hydrogen gas on the wind power generator and supply the produced electric power to an electric power cable (23,27) for transport from the wind power generator. An offshore plant (200) comprising: a plurality of electric power generator plants (20a-e), a hydrogen production unit (21 a, b) operatively connected to receive electric power from the plurality of electric power generator plants (20a-e) for generation of hydrogen gas; and a gas storage (100) operatively connected to the hydrogen production unit (21 a, b) and configured to store hydrogen gas produced by the hydrogen production unit (21a, b); wherein the gas storage is arranged on a sea floor (3) and comprises a coiled elongate pipe (1) configured for holding gas therein. The offshore plant (200) of claim 19, further comprising: an offshore consumer (22) in the form of a floating or fixed platform or vessel, the offshore consumer (22) being operatively connected to the plurality of electric power generator plants (20a-e) via an electric cable (23) such as to receive electric power from the plurality of electric power generator plants (20a-e), and wherein the offshore consumer (22) is operatively connected to the gas storage (100) via a pipe (24) such as to receive gas from the gas storage (100). The offshore plant (200) of claim 20, wherein the offshore consumer (22) comprises an energy converter (25) operable to generate heat, mechanical power and/or electric power from gas received via the pipe (24). The offshore plant (200) of claim 20 or 21, wherein the offshore consumer (22) comprises an energy converter operable to receive hydrogen gas from the gas storage (100) and generate electric power. The offshore plant (200) of any of claims 19-22, comprising an energy converter (25) operable to receive hydrogen gas from the gas storage (100) and generate electric power from the hydrogen gas. The offshore plant (200) of claim 23, wherein the energy converter (25) is operatively connected to an export cable (28) for export of electric power to a shore-based grid.
PCT/NO2023/060019 2022-07-13 2023-07-11 Offshore gas storage WO2024014964A1 (en)

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