OA21381A - Vessel For Desalinating Salt Water, Converting Same Into Drinking Water And Generating Electrical Energy. - Google Patents
Vessel For Desalinating Salt Water, Converting Same Into Drinking Water And Generating Electrical Energy. Download PDFInfo
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- OA21381A OA21381A OA1202100354 OA21381A OA 21381 A OA21381 A OA 21381A OA 1202100354 OA1202100354 OA 1202100354 OA 21381 A OA21381 A OA 21381A
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- water
- drinking
- vessel
- fuel cells
- plant
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- 239000003651 drinking water Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 59
- 235000020188 drinking water Nutrition 0.000 title claims abstract description 59
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims description 47
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 title description 4
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 67
- 238000010612 desalination reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 28
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 27
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 20
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 20
- 238000001223 reverse osmosis Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 239000012267 brine Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- HPALAKNZSZLMCH-UHFFFAOYSA-M sodium;chloride;hydrate Chemical compound O.[Na+].[Cl-] HPALAKNZSZLMCH-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 238000007667 floating Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 239000013535 sea water Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen Chemical compound [H][H] UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 16
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- NBIIXXVUZAFLBC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Phosphoric acid Chemical compound OP(O)(O)=O NBIIXXVUZAFLBC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000004821 distillation Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910000147 aluminium phosphate Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920000515 polycarbonate Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004417 polycarbonate Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000002828 fuel tank Substances 0.000 claims 1
- VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical compound C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 abstract description 53
- 239000003345 natural gas Substances 0.000 abstract description 21
- 125000004435 hydrogen atom Chemical class [H]* 0.000 abstract description 2
- 238000010248 power generation Methods 0.000 abstract 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 11
- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical compound O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 10
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 9
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 7
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 7
- 229910002092 carbon dioxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- 239000003153 chemical reaction reagent Substances 0.000 description 5
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 150000002431 hydrogen Chemical class 0.000 description 4
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000002803 fossil fuel Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 3
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000004458 analytical method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000003197 catalytic effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000013505 freshwater Substances 0.000 description 2
- 150000004678 hydrides Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000010759 marine diesel oil Substances 0.000 description 2
- 244000005700 microbiome Species 0.000 description 2
- NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfur Chemical compound [S] NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000005864 Sulphur Substances 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-PWCQTSIFSA-N Tritiated water Chemical compound [3H]O[3H] XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-PWCQTSIFSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000004873 anchoring Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000001569 carbon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003054 catalyst Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007795 chemical reaction product Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012141 concentrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002322 conducting polymer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001940 conductive polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002283 diesel fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009792 diffusion process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010790 dilution Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012895 dilution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005868 electrolysis reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003792 electrolyte Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005538 encapsulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004146 energy storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003344 environmental pollutant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003912 environmental pollution Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000706 filtrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000036541 health Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007774 longterm Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007257 malfunction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008520 organization Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 231100000719 pollutant Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 239000005518 polymer electrolyte Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920005597 polymer membrane Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000011045 prefiltration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004064 recycling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920002994 synthetic fiber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000009466 transformation Effects 0.000 description 1
Abstract
The invention relates to a vessel (15) for the desalination/drinking-water treatment, distribution, and transport of desalinated drinking water obtained from seawater collected by means of a telescopic tube (4), by a reverse osmosis plant (2) and a drinking-water treatment plant (5) on the same platform, which produces electrical energy by means of a power generation plant (1), using marine power plants driven by high-speed motors, gas turbines, and/or low- or medium-temperature fuel cells, powered by natural gas, hydrogen, and/or diesel. The vessel includes electric azipod propulsion units (9), electric bow thrusters (10) for manoeuvring, dynamic positioning system, and brine diffusers (8). The drinking water stored in the tanks (7) is transported to land by means of an underwater pipe (17), a floating pipe (14), towed floating tanks (16), and/or tanker vessels (23). Electrical energy is supplied to land by an underwater cable (21).
Description
DESCRIPTION
VESSEL FOR DESALINATING SALT WATER, CONVERTING SAME INTO DRINKING WATER AND GENERATING ELECTRICAL ENERGY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The présent patent is comprised in the technical sector for the production of water from seawater and the production of electrical energy on the same vessel by means of the use of marine power plants.
10..... '
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Drinking water is a scarce commodity in some areas and régions on Earth. 97% of the water existing on Earth is sait water, with only 3% being fresh water and 1 % of that 15 being found in liquid State, with the remaining 2% being in solid State in the form of ice in latitudes close to the pôles. .
At présent, drinking water is produced from seawater in land-based desalination plants, . generally by reverse osmosis, the Systems of which are supplied with electricity coming 20 from either the power grid or else from electrical power supplies installée! in the same plant, with or without the input of heat energy produced with fossil fuels, with the problème inhérent to same.
The production of electrical energy entails difficulties in certain areas of the planet, 25 combined with the environmental pollution resulting from exhaust gases and residual
Products ejected by electricity generating units, virtually ail of which are driven by lowspeed diesel motors (N < 400 rpm)
Basically, electrical energy is usually produced in land-based plants or on moored off30 shore platforms with anchorings at a fixed point of the sea bed. These plants are supplied with fossil fuels, with gas, by means of waterfalls, or with non-conventional alternative means such as wind or photovoltaic energy.
There are land-based or stationary off-shore génération plants with high electrical 35 energy production yields which, however, given the very nature of their installation in a fixed point, both on land and at sea, prevent the transfer from said power plants to other points with electrical energy needs.
Moreover, high construction and operating costs of the infrastructures needed in 5 stationary land-based or off-shore plants, both for desalination/drinking-water treatment and for power génération, must be considered.
Ail the vessels hâve installée! therein a distillation/drinking-water treatment plant and a power plant for providing fresh water and electricity to both their equipment and to the 10 various services on the vessel.
Reverse osmosis plants, which date back to the 19th century, hâve achieved a high degree of perfection, and the same can be said of alternators, which also date back to the 19th century and currently reach electrical energy génération yields of over 96%.
Based on the foregoing, this patent relating to a vessel for desalination/drinking-water treatment intends to meet the two basic needs for life, that is, the need for drinking water and for electrical energy, by combining the production and the transport of both.
Additionally, the Systems needed for powering the osmosis plants and propelling the vessel are made up of marine power plants driven by internai combustion machines which hâve a number of advantages, inhérent to virtually ail propulsion and auxiliary motors installed in vessels since the IMO Tier III standard became effective, and they are also driven by PEMFC and MCFC type (used in military and in other civilian applications) fuel cells (or Brennstoffzelleri), and even a combination of these éléments.
I . ...... -.-—Il ·
Due to their size and their high rotational speed, high-speed génération units (n > 1,000 rpm) hâve the advantage of having very low émissions levels, particularly when 30 the exhaust gases are subsequently treated. Moreover, airborne and structural noise levels are also very low given the spécial mounting on elastic éléments. Lastly, they hâve the additional advantage of having a plurality of units on board, favouring redundancy and, therefore, safety. .
High-speed gas motors, which hâve been known since the time the ignition motor was ' 3 invented, are living a new era. Gas propulsion motors, with a speed exceeding 1,000 rpm, hâve the advantage of a drastic réduction in émissions levels, the use of gas which hâve various methane numbers, and very low airborne and structural noise levels.
Hydrogen motors hâve been used in trucks and buses for over 20 years, particularly those produced by the company MAN Nutzfahrzeuge, with optimal results with respect to levels of pollutants and airborne and structural noises. The only problem lies in the storage of hydrogen which, for now, is performed by means of double-shell tanks, with 10 nitrogen between both shells, or by means of métal hydride tanks, with problems consisting of, on one hand, their high price and on the other hand, their small volume for storing inert hydrogen (only 2% of the volume of the tank). Despite the foregoing, hydrogen motors of up to 5,000 kW are being developed and will soon be launched. At présent, several automobile companies are experimenting with métal tanks coated with 15 an anti-porous synthetic material that prevents hydrogen leakages and allow storing > . .... .. | . | .
hydrogen at pressures of up to 600 bar.
Medium- or high-speed dual-fuel motors (n > 500 rpm) currently hâve the advantage that the pilot fuel used for igniting the gas is very pure diesel, which éliminâtes sulphur 20 émissions, and with the post-treatment of exhaust gases extremely low émissions levels are achieved.
Gas turbines, which are widely used in the military naval sector, hâve always had the drawback of their high émissions levels, particularly high in NOX, SOX, and their high 25 airborne ahd Structural noise levels. Nevertheless, very positive results are currently being achieved by means of water injection, sélective catalytic réduction (SCR), and flame température control. The use of sulphur-free fuels, such as JP 5, JP 7, or natural gas éliminâtes the risk of SOX émissions formation, and the Systems indicated above drastically reduce NOX émissions. In turn, the acoustic encapsulation of these 30 machines and the simple or double elastic support reduce airborne and structural noise levels to minimum levels.
Finally, two-stroke motors operating with natural gas (NG) entirely eliminate the risk of SQX émissions formation, insofar as the post-treatment of exhaust gases favours 35 émissions levels which comply with the IMO Tier III standard, with a high power being obtained.
Fuel cells présent, first, the advantage of being completely soundless and devoid of . vibration, during operation, so noise pollution is nil. Moreover, fuel cells are 5 electrochemical energy converters which extract the energy stored in a carrier element (hydrogen) obtained from various types of Chemical substances and fossil fuels and synthetic fuels, and upon combining this energy carrying element with oxygen from the air, they give rise to the reaction opposite to electrolysis, producing electrical energy in the form of direct current.
’
Up until now, fuel cells, which were invented in 1839-1842 by Sir William Grave, and developed for the space race under the US project called Gemini, hâve never been used in surface vessels for propelling same or for obtaining drinking water from seawater.
Taking the described background and current State of the art into account, a System for producing drinking water in which energy can be produced from clean sources, with CO/CO2 émission levels in the range comprised between 5% and 10% of traditional levels and prevents polluting water, eliminating any risk for flora and fauna, particularly 20 on the coasts, which would resuit in a cleaning of the marine environment in Coastal areas having a high natural value, is highly désirable.
This patent proposes the construction of a vessel for desalination/drinking-water treatment, comprising a System for collecting seawater, a System of reverse osmosis 25 for desalination, a System for unloading the concentrate, transferring the filtrate, a source for producing energy, and a System for contrai. As a source for producing energy, marine génération units powered with natural gas, in the different modalities thereof, fuel cells (FCs) operating with natural gas in the different alternatives thereof, alone or in combined installations, are contemplated.
.
Utility model U200201740 can be considered the prior art, with the exceptions that said utility model relates to a stationary plant, uses only diesel motors for the génération units, and is a land-based plant.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION . - ····.. · I - I ·
The présent invention relates to a mobile, floating, and self-driven plant in which the génération plants can be different from diesel motors and in which, given that it is a 5 floating plant, sait water can be collected from very deep levels, thereby providing a solution to the collection of marine microorganisms and matter that reduce the efficiency of desalination membranes.
It consists of a vessel for desalination/drinking-water treatment having a variable 10 length, 20 s L s 400 meters (15), depending on the amount of water and electrical energy required, travelling across ail the océans, with sufficient capacity to provide drinking water and electricity to areas déficient in and lacking these commodities, or to populations of a certain size, with a large cost réduction with respect to land-based or stationary off-shore plants, and preventing pollution due to brine in Coastal areas as a 15 resuit of being dumped and having an effect on sea currents, which can reduce and even decimate flora and fauna.
The vessel (15) has on-board laboratories for performing physicochemical analyses of both the incoming sait water and of the outgoing product water and reject water (brine) 20 for the purpose of performing drinking-water treatment on the product water at the same time. directly on the platform, taking into account World Health Organization guidelines.
As for the génération of electrical energy and its transport to land, a single 25 configuration is adopted in the vessel. The electrical energy produced on board is transported to the land-based power grid (22) by means of underwater cables (21).
The use of wind-powered generators on vessels or off-shore platforms (Figure 18 and Figure 19) présents stability difficulties due to the high location of the centre of gravity 30 of the generators, which has given rise to farms with wind generators anchored to the sea bed.
The présent invention relates to a System for desalination/drinking-water treatment of sait water in a vessel (15) using as the energy source for reverse osmosis plants (2) 35 the energy produced by marine power plants, at 400 V -11 kV/50Hz or 440V -11 kV/60
Hz, driven according to the following alternatives:
- high-speed diesel motors (n > 1000 rpm)
- high-speed gas motors (n >1,000 rpm) (LNG, NG, LPG, GLP, CH4)
- high-speed motors (n > 1,500 rpm) powered by hydrogen (H2)
- medium- or high-speed dual-fuel motors (n > 500 rpm) powered with LNG, NG, LPG, GLP, CH4 '
- gas turbines powered with LNG, NG, LPG, GLP, CH4 - two-stroke gas motors (NG).
10......|ow-temperature fuel cells (PEMFC, AFC, PAFC) powered with natural gas in the different variants thereof (LNG, NG, LPG, GLP, CH4) ’
- medium- and high-temperature fuel cells (MCFC and SOFC) powered by natural gas in the different variants thereof (LNG, NG, LPG, GLP, CH4)
- Low-temperature fuel cells (PEMFC, AFC, PAFC) and mediumtemperature fuel cells (MCFC) powered by hydrogen (H2) .
In general, the vessel (15) for producing drinking water can hâve two configurations for transferring water to port or to a destination point. A first configuration for producing 20 drinking water with on-board storage (7) and an electrically driven pumping station driving the water by direct transfer to the destination point, and a second configuration for producing drinking water where said water is transported by means of a tanker vessel or shuttle (23), by means of floating tanks and towed from land by a System of windlasses, or by direct transfer by means of floating pipe (14) or pipe on the sea bed 25 (17), and, moreover, as an electricity generating plant it can transfer to land, with the on-board means described, the electrical production remaining from the electricity needed for the desalination/drinking-water treatment and operation of ail the units and services of the platform/vessel. > .....··.·-! · 1 ·
The on-board System for generating electrical energy is established in the vessel Project according to the shipbuilder and according to the considération of the ease of purchase and use of the fuels existing in the operating area of the platform or of the vessel and the costs thereof.
This System provides the following advantages:
- Considérable réduction of costs with respect to the costs of the infrastructures needed for desalination/drinking-water treatment facilities and land-based or stationary (off-shore) electrical energy production facilities.
-.The possibility of collecting sait water at a variable température and depth where there is no light, thereby eliminating the collection of .marine ....... ~ microorganisms and matter that may reduce the efficiency of desalination membranes.
- Since the facilities of the vessel are modular, a possible malfunction or the time it takes for performing maintenance on of one of the modules, does not detract from the operation where drinking water and electrical energy are continuously being produced.
- Minimum pollution by airborne and structural noise.
- Since the System is modular and scalable, it can be installed in vessels having lengths comprised between 20 and 400 meters and can thereby meet the 20 different needs of possible shipbuilders, or of populations having a varying number of inhabitants.
- Since it is a vessel, auxiliary boats or vessels for transporting from the off-shore platform to the desired location and the operating costs thereof are eliminated. 25
-.In the event that it is necessary to use vessels of a certain size and long length, ............ thé transformation and recycling of oil tankers that do not comply with MARPOL maritime requirements and with the IMO for double hulls,’ which involves cleaning and decontaminating tanks, installing the missing necessary 30 units, fuel cells, and reverse osmosis plants, saving in costs of building a new vessel and having a shorter delivery time.
- Possibility of producing 145 MW of electrical power and a volume of more than 1 million m3of drinking water a day .
Marine génération units (1) operating with MDO (marine diesel oil) at a high speed comply with IMO Tier III, US EPA Tier 4, CCNR II, IMO II, and IMO III standards with respect to the strictest requirements concerning NOX and CO2 émissions.
Marine génération units with motors using LNG, with NOX émissions équivalent to 10% of normal émissions in low-speed diesel motors; CO2 émissions that are 75% of the normal émissions also in these low-speed diesel motors; zéro SOX émissions; and only 2% of the particle émissions in these same diesel motors will soon be available as well. The fuel cell (FC) émissions can be considered negligible.
The heat dissipated in the exhaust gases of these units and fuel cells (FC) themselves is utilised by means of an auxiliary drinking-water treatment plant (5) and distillation plant (6), and part of the generated electricity is taken to the transformers and distribution panels of the platform so that it can be distributed to ail the Systems, units, 15 and services of the platform.
· ..... ·..«·! · 1 ·
Given that high-temperature fuel cells (SOFC) require a long pre-heating period and the dissipated heat is excessive, the présent model is focused on low-temperature fuel cells (PEMFC), alkaline fuel cells (AFC), phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFC), and 20 medium-temperature fuel cells (MCFC), though without ruling out the former.
An operating diagram of one of the fuel cells that can be used in the présent invention is attached (Figure 4). In general, a fuel cell is an electrochemical energy conversion device similar to a battery but differing from same in that it is designed to allow the 25 continuous replenishment of the reagents consumed; Le., it produces electricity from an external fuel and oxygen source in contrast with the limited energy storage capacity of a battery. Furthermore, the électrodes in a battery react and change according to whether it is charged or uncharged; in contrast, in a fuel cell the électrodes are catalytic and relatively stable.
The typical reagents used in a fuel cell are hydrogen on the anode side and oxygen in the cathode side (if it is a hydrogen cell). Moreover, conventional batteries consume solid reagents, and once these reagents are depleted, they must be removed or recharged with electricity. Generally, the reagents “flow in” and the reaction products 35 “flow out”. Virtually continuous long-term operation is feasible as long as these flows are maintained.
Another attached figure shows a diagram of a typical example of a fuel cell (Figure 6) of the Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) (or polymer electrolyte) type, 5 which is a proton-conducting polymer (the electrolyte) that séparâtes the anode side from the cathode side.
On the anode side, the hydrogen reaching the catalysing anode dissociâtes into protons and électrons. The protons are conducted through the membrane to the 10 cathode, but the électrons are forced to travel through an external circuit (producing energy) since the membrane is electrically insulated. In the cathode catalyst, oxygen molécules react with the électrons (conducted through the external circuit) and protons to form water. ' ’ .....' .......
In this example, the only waste is water vapour or liquid water. It should be mentioned that for the protons to be able to go through the membrane, the membrane must be duly moistened given that proton conductivity of polymer membranes used in cells of this type dépends on membrane moisture. Therefore, it is common to humidify the gases as they enter the fuel cell.
In addition to pure hydrogen, there is also the hydrogen contained in other fuel molécules including natural gas in the different variants thereof (LNG, NG, LPG, GLP, . CH4),-hydrogen itself, duly stored and inertised, and Chemical hydrides, the waste produced by fuels of this type; in addition to water, there is a minimum amount of 25 carbon dioxide that is much lower than that produced by an automobile. Compared with a traditional System, fuel cells reduce harmful NOX émissions by 180 tonnes (an amount équivalent to the yearly émissions of 22,000 automobiles).
Fuel cells exhibit CO2 émissions of up to 50% lower than those of diesel and Otto cycle 30 motors, and an optimal energy output (up to 60%) compared with traditional and conventional power génération plants.
BR1EF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
| 5 10 | Figure 1 : | Elevational plan view of a vessel for desalination/drinking-water treatment and for producing electrical energy. (1) Electrical energy production plant with marine génération units, fuel cells, or a combination of both. (2) Reverse osmosis desalinating plant. (3) Electric azipod propulsion units. (4) Telescopic tube for collecting sait water. (5) Drinking-water treatment plant. (6) Distillation plant. (7) Desalinated and treated drinking water tanks. (8) Brine diffusers in the sea. (9) Bow thrusters. | |
| 15 | Figure 2: ' | Section view of the bow of the vessel for desalination/drinking-water treatment and for producing electrical energy. (3) Propellers - of the azipod propulsion System. (9) Bow thrusters. (10) Lars for outlet of the drinking water to land. (11) Drinking water outlet pipe. | |
| Figure 3: | First fuel cell by Sir William Groove (1842). - | ||
| 20 | Figure 4: Figure 5: , | Normal operation of a fuel cell, regardless the type of cell used. Comparison of the operation of an internai combustion machine and a fuel cell with regard to émissions. | |
| 25 | Figure 6: Figure 7: | Types of fuel cells and operation thereof. Types of fuel cells with outputs, reformers, and operating température. | |
| Figure 8: | General operation of a fuel cell. Need for reformer. | ||
| 30 | Figure 9: | Operation of a medium-temperature fuel cell (MCFC). | |
| Figure 10: | Types of fuel cells, with températures, outputs, anodes, cathodes, and applications. | ||
| • | 35 | Figure 11: | Exhaust gas émissions levels of different types of internai combustion |
| 6 | machines. Figure 12: Vessel for desalination. (7) Treated drinking water tanks. |
| 5 | Figure 13: Main deck of the vessel for desalination/drinking-water treatment and for producing electrical energy. (1) Electrical energy production plant. (2) System for sait water filtration and pre-filtration. (7) Drinking water tanks. Figure 14: System for directly transferring drinking water to land from the vessel. (13) |
| ..... 10 | ..... ···-' 1 Land-based storage tanks. (14) Drinking water feed pipe. (15) Vessel. Figure 15: System for transferring by means of inflatable flexible tanks. (16) Flexible tanks. (15) Vessel. |
| 15 | Figure 16: System for transferring treated drinking water to land by means of an underwater pipe. (17) Underwater fixed pipe. |
| • | Figure 17: System for transferring treated drinking water to land by means of tanker |
| * 20 | vessels or shuttles. (15) Vessel for desalination/drinking-water treatment (23) Shuttles or tanker vessels Figure 18: Elevational view of an off-shore platform for producing electrical energy. Figure 19: Plan view of an off-shore platform for producing electrical energy: (1) |
| 25 | Power generating plant. (19) Fitting out. (20) Electrical energy control and distribution Systems. ' Figure 20: Electrical power System from the vessel to the land-based grid: (15) |
| ....... · · | Vessel. (22) Land-based power grid or distribution centre. (21) Power |
| 30 | cables from the vessel to land. |
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
The preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a vessel (15), having an approximate length of 50 meters and a drinking water production of 3,000 m3/day by 5 means of two reverse osmosis plants (2), each having a capacity of 1,500 m3/day, with on-board storage and transport to port or destination point, driven by means of electrical motor pump units.
The propulsion of the vessel is electrical, providing on board to that end an ecological 10 source for producing electrical energy with multiple plants (1), because in the event of one of the power production units failing, navigation and sait water desalination with dynamic positioning can continue.
This vessel comprises: 15
Systems for producing power or means for generating power (1), consisting of a sériés of high-speed diesel marine génération units; or gas génération units (LNG, NG, LPG, GLP, CH4); hydrogen génération units (H2); dual fuel motors; gas turbines; or twostroke gas motors (NG), including ail the current possible Systems for producing power; 20 or low- or medium-temperature fuel cells (FC) powered with gas (LNG, NG, LPG, GLP,
CH4); hydrogen (H2), including ail the current possible Systems for producing power and configured for supplying power both to the floating platform and to the desalination means and supplying the land-based grid.
Units for water desalination made up of a sait water suction and pumping unit (4) configured for suctioning seawater at a variable depth depending on the characteristics of said water and driving it to the reverse osmosis desalination plant (2) and then to the on-board drinking-water treatment plant.
Pumping units for pumping to the drinking water storage tanks (7); a service for discharging waste brine comprising a brine outlet conduit of variable length for diffusion at a variable depth or configured with diffusera (8) installed on deck and arranged such that they diffuse the brine in a large area, generally with currents; this gives rise to zéro concentration of salts compared to those of land-based facilities, which may pollute 35 extremely large areas with sait.
.......··''·· 13
The electrical propulsion and control unit of the vessel is formed by main azipod propulsion units (3) which also perform rudder functions, the bow thruster (9) for manoeuvring and dynamic positioning of the platform powered by the power génération 5 plant.
In working manoeuvres, as a vessel (15) for desalination and drinking-water treatment, the vessel deploys the sait water suction hose or tube (4) of variable length. Seawater can thus be drawn up from a likewise variable depth, depending on physical, Chemical, and biological characteristics. Since this water intake is filled with sait water as soon as it is submerged, the suction height of the water is, through the effect of communicating vessels, only from the surface of the sea, Le., the freeboard of the vessel, requiring less electrical energy for suction coming from the generating means.
It is known that as the depth at sea increases, the water température decreases, more or less' coriditioned by selected geographical area and the time of year during which work is being conducted. Therefore, a first step involves probing which area is the most suitable for obtaining high-quality desalinated water with minimal electrical energy. For this purpose, the vessel has the instrumentation required for analysing the different water samples water obtained, depending on the area in which it is operating.
Once the operating area is selected and with the propulsion machinery of the vessel in operation, a second step consists of positioning the vessel (15) at the required point by means of the dynamic positioning System; starting up the set of pumps making up the
System: the pump for suctioning water at the desired depth; and the pressure pump for driving it to the reverse osmosis plant (2) for desalination; the pump for driving it to the product water storage, as well as the pumps for the brine diffuser conduits for brine with a high sait content, while at the same time performing the necessary analyses of the product water to corroborate the results of the probe phase.
The brine is dumped into the sea at a variable depth or by the deck diffusera (8), such that maximum dilution of salts in the sea is obtained, which involves zéro pollution of the sea given the proportion between the amount of brine dumped and the expanse of the sea in the chosen area.
.
As a power generator (1), this model of vessel (15) requires the use of a power source installée! on board, which can consist of any of the following génération Systems according to the fuel that is used:
/.............! '
- high-speed marine génération units with diesel fuel;
- marine génération units with gas (LNG, NG, LPG, GLP, CH4);
- marine génération units with hydrogen (H2); ·
- marine génération units with dual-fuel motors;
- marine génération units with gas turbines;
- marine génération units with two-stroke gas motors (NG);
- low-temperature fuel cells, such as proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), alkaline fuel cells (AFC), and phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFC);
-.medium-/high-temperature fuel cells, such as molten-polycarbonate fuel cells ................. (MCFC);
- high-temperature fuel cells, such as solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). .
The on-board génération of electrical energy is sufficient for the manoeuvring of the vessel and the supply to ail the units and services needed for same. The remaining energy from among that produced and that consumed by the vessel itself is transported 20 to the land-based grid (22) by means of underwater cables (21).
The operating capacity of the vessel varies greatly: it can produce drinking water and . electrical energy at the same time, according to the requirement of both products on land in the possible case of natural disasters; it can produce just drinking water as the 25 only product required on land; or it can produce just the electrical energy required for transporting same to land and supplying the power grid or a distribution substation.
This patent has a very important industrial application given that the objectives of producing drinking water suitable for human consumption and generating electrical 30 energy for supplying the land-based grid can be covered with a single vessel.
Claims (4)
1. A vessel (15) for the desalination/drinking-watertreatment, distribution, and transport of desalinated drinking water obtained from seawater collected by a telescopic tube (4),
5 by means of a reverse osmosis plant (2) and drinking-water treatment plant (5) on the same platform, while at the same time producing electrical energy by means of a power génération plant (1), which supplies said electrical energy to ail the units and services on the vessel and to land by means of underwater cable (21), characterised by the attachment of modular éléments for supplying drinking water and power and by
10 comprising:
- vessel (15);
- sait water aspiration and pumping units (4);
- units of réfrigération of the thruster plant;
15 - reverse osmosis plants (2) for desalination;
- drinking-water treatment plants (5);’
- product water (desalinated water) pumping units at the outlet of the reverse osmosis plants to pump said water to the drinking-water treatment plants;
- brine (reject water) pumping units at the outlet of the reverse osmosis plants;
20 - pipes and brine diffusera (8) in a large sea area;’
- desalinated water distillation plant (6);
1 . - - ·-- - I · !·
- storage tanks for the treated drinking water suitable for human consumption (7);
- treated drinking water pumping units for transferring same to land;
- power generating plant, with marine generating plants, fuel cells,· or a
25 combination of both Systems (1);
- power transformer substations;
- AC inverters; and
- fuel tanks for the power generating plant. -
2. The vessel· for the desalination/drinking-water treatment of sait water according to claim 1, characterised by 400 V - 11 kV/50 Hz or 440V - 11 kV/60 Hz marine power plants of the vessel driven by:
35 - high-speed diesel motors (n > 1,000 rpm);
16 ’
.......high-speed gas motors (n 1,000 rpm) (LNG, NG, LPG, GLP, CH4);
- high-speed motors (n > 1,500 rpm) powered by hydrogen (H2);
- medium- or high-speed dual-fuel motors (n> 500 rpm);
- gas turbines;
5 - two-stroke gas motors (NG);
- low-temperature fuel cells, such as proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), alkaline fuel cells (AFC), and phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFC);
- medium-/high-temperature fuel cells, such as molten-polycarbonate fuel cells (MCFC); and
..-10..........,- high-temperature fuel cells, such as solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC);
- including electric azipod control and propulsion units (3), electric bow thrusters (9) for manoeuvring, and dynamic positioning System.
15
3. The vessel for the desalination/drinking-water treatment of sait water according to the preceding daims, characterised in that the drinking water is transported from the vessel to land by:
- direct transfer by means of an underwater pipe (17);
- direct transfer by a floating pipe (14);
20 - towed floating tanks (16); and
- tanker vessels (23).
4. The vessel for the desalination/drinking-water treatment of sait water according to the preceding daims, characterised in that electrical energy is supplied from the vessel
25 (15) to land by an underwater cable (21).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESU201900093 | 2019-01-29 | ||
| ESU201900494 | 2019-10-16 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| OA21381A true OA21381A (en) | 2024-06-05 |
Family
ID=
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