LOHC research project – liquid organic hydrogen carriers

It is often the case that more electricity is gener-ated than is needed; especially when the wind is blowing strong and the sun is shining. But the reverse case also occurs: the demand for electricity can exceed supply. AREVA therefore offers intelligent solutions for energy manage-ment and electricity storage.

The technology behind it: electrolysis and the fuel cell. There are various possible application sce-narios: grid stabilisation, backup power, decentral-ised electricity supplies for isolated locations and seasonal storage in combination with electricity produced from sun and wind.

Together with partners, the use of liquid organic hy-drogen carriers is being studied within the scope of a network project. These liquids – which are similar to diesel – are enriched with hydrogen (hydrogena-tion), which is then stored under normal conditions in a safe manner. As required, the hydrogen is then yielded from the carrier fluid (dehydrogenation). The hydrogen can then either be reused as a gas or converted back, for example by means of a fuel cell.

Both hydrogenation and dehydrogenation are cata-lytic reactions which take place under increased temperature. The advantages of using LOHC are easy transport and storage (liquid at ambient tem-perature and pressure). Furthermore, there are no diffusion losses because of the physical condition

Container with test facility

involved, and the long-term storage of hydrogen with a small footprint is also possible.

In mid-October 2013, the mechanical construction (i.e. the installation of the components) was com-pleted. The hydrogenation unit was approved by TÜV. More than 120 signals are ready for data collection. The electrical and hydraulic commission-ing are completed. The system was first put into operation in early December (hydrogenation and dehydrogenation of LOHC).

Parameter tests, cycle tests and studies are planned for 2014. As from mid-2014, the energy storage unit will be used within the “Modular hydrogen power plant” network project (a publicly funded R&D project). Close collaboration amongst the network partners is expected in this respect.

A field test is planned for the “ZAE SGS project” for 2015 and 2016; it will then be completed using an electrolyser and a fuel cell as an LOHC-based “Greenergy Box”.

This solution will enrich AREVA’s portfolio in terms of energy storage and represents an important milestone for the use of renewable energies.

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Energy storage for electricity on demand

AREVA GmbHYour contact: Bertram.Schroedl@areva.com

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Objectives of the research project • Validation and testing of technology for applicability and feasibility under industrial conditions

• Determinationofthetechnicalboundaryconditions(dynamicbehaviour,cyclecapacity, long-termbehaviour,stability)

• Determinationofinvestmentandoperatingcostsforvariousapplications

• Simulationofcustomer-specificscenarios

Schematic diagram of an LOHC system

Dehydrogenation, 1st stage of development

Hydrogenation

Hydrogenation reactor

Pmax. = 120 barTmax. = 300°C

Vmax. = 12l/h (LOHC)

InstrumentationPressure and temperature sensors

distributed over 10 levels

Collection tank

Separator

Condensor

Dehydrogenationreactor

HP-Preheating

Cooling

Hydrogenation: charging of LOHC

Dehydrogenation:discharging of LOHC

Storageunit

Energy input

Energy output

Storage Tank 2

Storage Tank 1

Hydration

De-Hydration

H2O

Heating Device

Check Valve

Oxygen

Preheater

Preheater

Heat accumulator

Hydrogen

70 bar /150°C

Cooling

Purifying + Condensation

Cooling

Fuel cell

V-4

V-5 V-7

V-8

V-9 V-10

V-11

V-12V-13

V-14