Hydrogen generation at gas distribution stations

Research output: ThesisMaster's Thesis

Abstract

Currently, the world has taken a trend towards decarbonization and hydrogen energy is considered as one of the main ways to achieve carbon neutrality. According to some estimates, by 2050 hydrogen share in the energy balance could increase significantly. As interest in hydrogen energy has arisen relatively recently, there are no ready made solutions for the hydrogen production at gas distribution stations. In nature, hydrogen practically does not occur in its pure form and is extracted from other compounds using chemical reactions. Therefore, for the hydrogen production on an industrial scale, it is necessary to search for additional energy capacities. One of these sources is the energy of gas lost during reduction at gas distribution stations. Long-distance gas transfer requires high pressure, which has to be reduced before the gas is conveyed to the customers. This pressure reduction takes place at natural gas pressure reduction stations, where gas pressure is decreased by using gas flow energy for overcoming local resistance, represented by a throttling valve. This pressure energy can be reused, but it is difficult to implement it at small pressure reduction stations, as the values of unsteadiness significantly increase when the gas approaches consumers, whereas gas flow rate and pressure decrease. This work suggests installation of expander-generator units, based on volumetric expanders, at small pressure reduction stations. An experiment was conducted to study gas-dynamic processes, which take place in expander-generator units. The system showed stable operation in non-stationary conditions and the feasibility of using an expander-generator regulator as a primary one for a small natural gas pressure reduction station was confirmed. Purpose of the work ¿ development of a concept for the production of "green" hydrogen on the basis of a gas distribution station using the energy of gas pressure.

Details

Translated title of the contributionWasserstofferzeugung an Gasverteilstationen
Original languageEnglish
QualificationMSc
Awarding Institution
Supervisors/Advisors
Award date20 Oct 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023