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DE-102024132735-A1 - Device and method for supplying energy to a field device of a process plant

DE102024132735A1DE 102024132735 A1DE102024132735 A1DE 102024132735A1DE-102024132735-A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1, 51, 101, 151, 201, 251) for supplying energy to at least one field device (15, 22, 59, 111, 209) of a process plant (3, 53, 103, 153, 203, 253), comprising a process plant (3, 53, 103, 153, 203, 253) through which a main flow (7) of a process medium (9) can flow, with at least one field device (15, 22, 59, 111, 209), and a fuel cell (21) for generating electrical energy from at least one partial flow (17) of the process medium (9), wherein the at least one field device (15, 22, 59, 111, 209) is used for controlling and/or regulating the main flow (7) and/or of at least one partial flow (17) of the process medium (9). The fuel cell (21) is coupled to the at least one field device (15, 22, 59, 111, 209) in such a way that the generated electrical energy can be used at least partially to supply energy to at least one component of the at least one field device (15, 22, 59, 111, 209).

Inventors

  • Christian Fiebiger
  • Andreas Fiebiger
  • Eugen Fritz

Assignees

  • SAMSON AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20241108

Claims (20)

  1. Device (1, 51, 101, 151, 201, 251) for supplying energy to at least one field device (15, 29, 59, 111, 209) of a process plant (3, 53, 103, 153, 203, 253), comprising a process plant (3, 53, 103, 153, 203, 253) through which a main flow (7) of a process medium (9) can flow, with at least one field device (15, 22, 59, 111, 209), and a fuel cell (21) for generating electrical energy from at least one partial flow (17) of the process medium (9), wherein the at least one field device (15, 22, 59, 111, 209) is used for controlling and/or regulating the main flow (7) and/or the at least one partial flow (17) of the process medium (9) is characterized in that the fuel cell (21) is coupled to the at least one field device (15, 22, 59, 111, 209) in such a way that the generated electrical energy can be used at least partially to supply energy to at least one component of the at least one field device (15, 22, 59, 111, 209).
  2. Device (1, 51, 101, 151, 201, 251) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the fuel cell (21) is coupled to an energy management module (28) for the demand-oriented energy supply of at least one subcomponent of at least one field device (15, 22, 59, 111, 209).
  3. Device (1, 51, 101, 151, 201, 251) according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that it includes a supply line (5) for supplying the process medium (9) to the process plant (3, 53, 103, 153, 203, 253).
  4. Device (1, 51, 101, 151, 201, 251) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a discharge line (31) for the discharge of the process medium (9) from the process plant (3, 53, 103, 153, 203, 253).
  5. Device (1, 51, 101, 151, 201, 251) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one extraction line (19, 107, 205) for at least one partial flow (17) of the process medium (9), which is fluidically connected to the fuel cell (21).
  6. Device (1, 51, 101, 151, 201, 251) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein characterized in that it includes a storage device (49) for the process medium (9) upstream of the fuel cell (21).
  7. Device (1, 51, 101, 151, 201, 251) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fuel cell (21) is electrically coupled to at least one drive device (23) of the at least one field device (15, 22, 59, 111, 209).
  8. Device (1, 51, 101, 151, 201, 251) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one field device (15, 22, 59, 111, 209) is designed as a control valve (13, 57).
  9. Device (1, 51, 101, 151, 201, 251) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the process medium (9) is hydrogen.
  10. Device (1, 51, 101, 151, 201, 251) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one throttle element (35) for controlling and/or regulating the pressure and/or speed of the at least one partial flow (17).
  11. Device (1, 51, 101, 151, 201, 251) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one temperature control element (39) for controlling and/or regulating the temperature of at least one partial flow (17).
  12. Device (1, 51, 101, 151, 201, 251) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a shut-off valve (46) for interrupting the supply of the process medium (9) to the fuel cell (21).
  13. Device (1, 51, 101, 151, 201, 251) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fuel cell (21) is electrically coupled to an energy storage device (41).
  14. Device (1, 51, 101, 151, 201, 251) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fuel cell (21) is electrically coupled to at least one field device (15, 22, 59, 111, 209) designed as a sensor (27, 109, 207).
  15. Device (1, 51, 101, 151, 201, 251) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fuel cell (21) is electrically coupled to at least one control and/or regulating unit (25, 48).
  16. Device (1, 51, 101, 151, 201, 251) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fuel cell (21) comprises at least one exhaust line (45, 47) for the removal of by-products.
  17. Method for supplying energy to at least one field device (15, 22, 59, 111, 209) of a process plant (3, 53, 103, 153, 203, 253), which is equipped with a device (1, 51, 101, 151, 201, 251) according to one of the Claims 1 until 16 is carried out.
  18. Procedure according to Claim 17 , wherein a main stream (7) of a process medium is supplied to the process plant (3, 53, 103, 153, 203, 253), wherein in at least one process step at least a partial stream (17) is extracted from the main stream (7) of the process medium and supplied to a fuel cell (21), and wherein in the fuel cell (21) electrical energy is generated in at least one process step from the at least one separated partial stream (17) of the process medium (9), characterized in that in at least one process step the electrical energy generated in the fuel cell (21) is used at least partially to supply energy to at least one component of the at least one field device (15, 22, 59, 111, 209) of the process plant (3, 53, 103, 153, 203, 253), which is used for controlling and/or regulating the main stream (7) and/or the at least one partial stream (17) of the process medium (9) is formed, is used.
  19. Procedure according to Claim 17 or 18 , characterized in that the control and/or regulation of the demand-based energy supply of the at least one subcomponent of the at least one field device (15, 22, 59, 111, 209) is carried out by means of an energy management module (28) coupled to the fuel cell (21).
  20. Procedure according to one of the Claims 17 until 19 , characterized in that the main current (7) of the process medium (9) is guided through the at least one field device (15, 22, 59, 111, 209), wherein the main current (7) is controlled in at least one process step by means of the at least one field device (15, 22, 59, 111, 209) operated by the electrical energy obtained in the fuel cell (21).

Description

In process engineering plants, such as those used in the chemical, pharmaceutical and food industries or the oil and gas industry, a wide variety of field devices are used, which are necessary for the precise regulation and control of process media such as gases and liquids. Various methods for supplying energy to field devices are known in the prior art. Field devices, which include valves, pumps, and sensors, are often powered by centralized energy sources or batteries. However, centralized energy supply systems typically require extensive cabling and are susceptible to malfunctions, especially in large or complex systems. Decentralized energy sources such as batteries, on the other hand, require regular replacement or maintenance, which can sometimes lead to costly downtime in process plants. An alternative solution to this problem is the use of fuel cells. Various types, such as the methanol fuel cell (DMFC) or the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), offer diverse possibilities for energy generation, as they utilize different fuels and can be flexibly deployed in areas such as mobility, stationary energy supply, or industrial processes. With environmental considerations in mind, hydrogen fuel cells are increasingly being used to generate electrical power. Fuel cells offer high energy efficiency and produce only water as a byproduct, making them emission-free. This makes them ideal for use in industries that must meet strict regulatory requirements regarding the reduction of CO₂ emissions and pollution. Because hydrogen can be produced from renewable sources, hydrogen fuel cells are used in a wide variety of mobile and stationary systems, such as industrial process plants. They can be used on a small scale to power individual field devices as well as on a large scale to power entire plant sections. This allows them to be deployed in different areas of process plants, depending on the requirements. Fuel cells can be particularly advantageous in remote or difficult-to-access areas where powering field devices is challenging, for example, due to the lack of a grid connection. In these situations, fuel cells offer a reliable and low-maintenance alternative to conventional power supply systems. A practical example of fuel cell applications is the hydrogen campus in Salzgitter, where SOFC fuel cell systems are developed, tested, and optimized. Currently operating on natural gas, the long-term goal is to power the fuel cells with hydrogen to provide the Bosch plant in Salzgitter with a climate-neutral and more self-sufficient energy supply. Converted back into electricity in SOFC fuel cells, hydrogen is suitable for stationary, decentralized energy supply for industrial plants, data centers, residential areas, and commercial buildings. Here, the fuel cells function as independent energy units, generating energy independently of the operational requirements and processes of the respective process plant. However, the use of fuel cells also presents various challenges. In particular, efficient integration into process plants requires careful coordination of the fuel cells with the energy demands of the various field devices. Field devices can have different voltage and current requirements, necessitating a flexible and adaptable power distribution system. Furthermore, a continuous supply of hydrogen to the fuel cells must be ensured, which can pose an additional logistical challenge in remote or difficult-to-access facilities. There is therefore a need for improved solutions that enable a reliable and efficient power supply for field devices in process plants, especially in environments where central power sources or conventional battery systems are not practical. The object of the invention is to provide a means for the efficient, low-maintenance and emission-free energy supply of field devices in process engineering plants. This problem is solved according to the invention by the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims and the following description. According to the invention, the device for supplying energy to at least one field device of a process plant comprises a process plant through which a main flow of a process medium can pass, with at least one field device, and a fuel cell for generating Electrical energy is derived from at least a partial flow of the process medium, wherein the at least one field device is configured for controlling and/or regulating the main flow and/or the at least one partial flow of the process medium. The fuel cell is coupled to the at least one field device in such a way that the generated electrical energy can be used, at least partially, to power at least one component of the at least one field device. The decisive advantage of the present invention lies in the fact that the process medium flowing through the process plant is simultaneously used for energy generation. This means that no additional fu