Systems and methods for producing, shipping, distributing, and storing hydrogen

Abstract

These inventions related to systems and methods for producing, shipping, distributing, and storing hydrogen. In one embodiment, a hydrogen production and storage system includes a plurality of wind turbines for generating electrical power; a power distribution control system for distributing, and converting the electrical power from the wind turbines, a water desalination and/or purification unit which receives and purifies seawater, and an electrolyzer unit that receive electrical power from the power distribution system and purified water from the desalination units and thereby converts the water into hydrogen and oxygen. After its production, hydrogen is stored, transported, and distributed in accordance with various embodiments.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A system for producing hydrogen comprising: a plurality of 0.1 to 20 MW wind turbines, the plurality of wind turbines having a total capacity of between about 1 to about 100000 MW output, wherein each of the plurality of wind turbines comprises a generator that produces electricity; a power distribution system operatively connected to the plurality of wind turbines, the power distribution system capable of receiving electricity generated by the plurality of wind turbines and one or more desalination units capable of receiving salt water and converting the salt water to a purified water having less than 1000 ppm of total dissolved solids; the one or more desalination units operating on the electricity produced by the wind turbines and processed in the power distribution system. A plurality of electrolytic cells for using the electricity to generate hydrogen; wherein each of the plurality of electrolytic cells generates between about 2 to about 2000 Nm 3 /hour of hydrogen; each electrolytic cell utilizing an amount of energy between about 2 to about 7 kWh of energy to produce 1 Nm 3  of hydrogen; a hydrogen purification, storage and pressurization system for receiving hydrogen from the electrolyzer unit, purifying it and storing the hydrogen under pressure at normal, reduced and/or cryogenic temperatures. 
     
     
         19 . A system for producing hydrogen comprising: a plurality of 0.1 to 20 MW wind turbines, the plurality of wind turbines are independent from the electrical grid, the plurality of wind turbines having a total capacity of between about 1 to about 100000 MW output, wherein each of the plurality of wind turbines comprises a generator that produces electricity; a power distribution system operatively connected to the plurality of wind turbines, the power distribution system capable of receiving electricity generated by the plurality of wind turbines and one or more desalination units capable of receiving salt water and converting the salt water to a purified water having less than 1000 ppm of total dissolved solids; the one or more desalination units operating on the electricity produced by the wind turbines and processed in the power distribution system. A plurality of electrolytic cells for using the electricity to generate hydrogen; wherein each of the plurality of electrolytic cells generates between about 2 to about 2000 Nm 3 /hour of hydrogen; each electrolytic cell utilizing an amount of energy between about 2 to about 7 kWh of energy to produce 1 Nm 3  of hydrogen; a hydrogen purification, storage and pressurization system for receiving hydrogen from the electrolyzer unit, purifying it and storing the hydrogen under pressure at normal, reduced and/or cryogenic temperatures. 
     
     
         20 . A system for producing hydrogen comprising: a plurality of 0.1 to 20 MW wind turbines, the plurality of wind turbines having a total capacity of between about 1 to about 100000 MW output, wherein each of the plurality of wind turbines comprises a generator that produces electricity; a power distribution system operatively connected to the plurality of wind turbines, the power distribution system capable of receiving electricity generated by the plurality of wind turbines. A plurality of electrolytic cells for using the electricity to generate hydrogen; wherein each of the plurality of electrolytic cells generates between about 2 to about 2000 Nm 3 /hour of hydrogen; each electrolytic cell utilizing an amount of energy between about 2 to about 7 kWh of energy to produce 1 Nm 3  of hydrogen; a hydrogen purification, storage and pressurization system for receiving hydrogen from the electrolyzer unit, purifying it and storing the hydrogen under pressure at normal, reduced and/or cryogenic temperatures. 
     
     
         21 . A system for producing hydrogen comprising: a plurality of 0.1 to 20 MW wind turbines, the plurality of wind turbines is independent from the electrical grid, the plurality of wind turbines having a total capacity of between about 1 to about 100000 MW output, wherein each of the plurality of wind turbines comprises a generator that produces electricity; a power distribution system operatively connected to the plurality of wind turbines, the power distribution system capable of receiving electricity generated by the plurality of wind turbines. A plurality of electrolytic cells for using the electricity to generate hydrogen; wherein each of the plurality of electrolytic cells generates between about 2 to about 2000 Nm 3 /hour of hydrogen; each electrolytic cell utilizing an amount of energy between about 3 to about 7 kWh of energy to produce 1 Nm 3  of hydrogen; a hydrogen purification, storage and pressurization system for receiving hydrogen from the electrolyzer unit, purifying it and storing the hydrogen under pressure at normal, reduced and/or cryogenic temperatures. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising a converted generator system that is configured to operate on the hydrogen produced by the system and capable of producing electrical energy in a manner such that the system is self-sustaining when wind is not sufficient to generate enough electricity to sustain all elements of the system 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising a converted generator system that is configured to operate on the hydrogen produced by the system and capable of producing electrical energy in a manner such that the system is self-sustaining when wind is not sufficient to generate enough electricity to sustain all elements of the system. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 20 , further comprising a converted generator system that is configured to operate on the hydrogen produced by the system and capable of producing electrical energy in a manner such that the system is self-sustaining when wind is not sufficient to generate enough electricity to sustain all elements of the system. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising a converted generator system that is configured to operate on the hydrogen produced by the system and capable of producing electrical energy in a manner such that the system is self-sustaining when wind is not sufficient to generate enough electricity to sustain all elements of the system.