Hydrogen production system and method
A hydrogen production system comprises a hydrogen pyrolysis reactor which has a hydrocarbon input, an electrical input and at least one hydrogen output. The hydrogen production system also comprises a hydrogen-fuelled generator. Means are provided to route part of the hydrogen from one of the at least one hydrogen outputs to the hydrogen-fuelled generator. The hydrogen-fuelled generator then generates an electrical output, which is routed to the electrical input of the hydrocarbon pyrolysis reactor. A related method of operating a hydrogen production system is also described.
1 . A hydrogen production system comprising:
a hydrocarbon pyrolysis reactor comprising a plasma torch, the hydrocarbon pyrolysis reactor having a hydrocarbon input, an electrical input and at least one hydrogen output, wherein a hydrocarbon is admitted into the plasma torch for electrical decomposition into a plasma comprising hydrogen;
a hydrogen-fuelled generator, and means to provide part of the hydrogen from one of the at least one hydrogen outputs to the hydrogen-fuelled generator, wherein the hydrogen-fuelled generator is adapted to generate an electrical output; and
means to provide the electrical output of the hydrogen-fuelled generator to the electrical input of the hydrocarbon pyrolysis reactor.
2 . The hydrogen production system of claim 1 , wherein the hydrogen-fuelled generator comprises one of an engine, a gas turbine and a fuel cell.
3 . The hydrogen production system of claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon pyrolysis reactor has a first, high purity, hydrogen output and a second, lower purity, hydrogen output.
4 . The hydrogen production system of claim 3 , wherein the hydrocarbon pyrolysis reactor comprises a hydrogen purification stage to provide the first hydrogen output and the second hydrogen output.
5 . The hydrogen production system of claim 4 , wherein the hydrogen purification stage comprises a pressure swing adsorption stage.
6 . The hydrogen production system of claim 4 , wherein the hydrogen production system further comprises a heat exchanger, wherein hydrogen output by the hydrogen production system passes through the hydrogen purification stage after it passes through the heat exchanger.
7 . The hydrogen production system of claim 3 , wherein a part of the second hydrogen output is provided as fuel for the hydrogen-fuelled generator.
8 . The hydrogen production system of claim 3 , wherein a part of the second hydrogen output is provided as purge gas for the hydrocarbon pyrolysis reactor.
9 . The hydrogen production system of claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon pyrolysis reactor comprises a liquid metal system after the plasma torch for pyrolysis of hydrocarbons and separation of reaction products.
10 . The hydrogen production system of claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon pyrolysis reactor comprises a purge gas and separation system after the plasma torch for separation of reaction products.
11 . The hydrogen production system of claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon input is a methane input.
12 . The hydrogen production system of claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon input is adapted to receive flare gas.
13 . A method of operating a hydrogen production system, comprising:
activating a hydrocarbon pyrolysis reactor comprising a plasma torch using a hydrocarbon input and an electrical input, further comprising admitting a hydrocarbon into the plasma torch and decomposing it into a plasma comprising hydrogen;
providing at least one hydrogen output from the hydrogen production system, and providing hydrogen from one of the at least one hydrogen outputs to a hydrogen-fuelled generator;
generating electrical power at the hydrogen-fuelled generator; and
providing electrical power from the hydrogen-fuelled generator to the electrical input to the hydrocarbon pyrolysis reactor.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein providing at least one hydrogen output comprise providing a first, high purity, hydrogen output and a second, lower purity, hydrogen output.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the first hydrogen output and the second hydrogen output are provided by a pressure swing adsorption stage.
16 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising providing a part of the second hydrogen output is provided as fuel for the hydrogen-fuelled generator.
17 . The method of claim 13 , wherein providing electrical power from the hydrogen-fuelled generator comprises powering the plasma torch.
18 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the hydrocarbon input is a methane input.
19 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the hydrocarbon input is adapted to receive flare gas.