US 12,297,965 B2
Systems and methods for mixing hydrogen with natural gas
Zachary D. Thobe, Findlay, OH (US); Stephen D. Ernst, Findlay, OH (US); and Jason S. Dalton, Findlay, OH (US)
Assigned to Marathon Petroleum Company LP, Findlay, OH (US)
Filed by MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY LP, Findlay, OH (US)
Filed on Jul. 30, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/788,992.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/518,417, filed on Aug. 9, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2025/0052379 A1, Feb. 13, 2025
Int. Cl. F17D 3/12 (2006.01); B01F 23/10 (2022.01); B01F 35/21 (2022.01); B01F 35/83 (2022.01); B01F 101/00 (2022.01); F17D 1/02 (2006.01)
CPC F17D 3/12 (2013.01) [B01F 23/10 (2022.01); B01F 35/2132 (2022.01); B01F 35/833 (2022.01); F17D 1/02 (2013.01); B01F 2101/503 (2022.01); Y02E 20/32 (2013.01)] 25 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of injecting hydrogen into a natural gas pipeline, the method comprising:
(a) receiving a targeted minimum energy output of a fuel specification for an end-use location when connected to the natural gas pipeline;
(b) determining a blend ratio for a blended fuel comprising hydrogen and natural gas so that the blended fuel (i) has a lower carbon intensity (CI) than a natural gas stream when flowing in the natural gas pipeline, and (ii) provides at least the targeted minimum energy output when combusted at the end-use location;
(c) adjusting a position of a control valve of a hydrogen injection assembly connected to the natural gas pipeline upstream of the end-use location based at least in part on the blend ratio, thereby to mix hydrogen injected from the hydrogen injection assembly into the natural gas pipeline and produce the blended fuel to meet or exceed the targeted minimum energy output of the fuel specification;
(d) determining a composition of the blended fuel in the natural gas pipeline downstream of the hydrogen injection assembly;
(e) determining that a hydrogen content of the blended fuel is above a target based on the composition of the blended fuel; and
(f) bypassing a portion of the natural gas stream around the hydrogen injection assembly to dilute the hydrogen content in the blended fuel based on (d) and (e).