Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Status of Claims
Claims 1-5 are currently pending in this application.
Priority
Acknowledgment is made of applicant's claim for foreign priority based on an application filed in China on May 26, 2023. It is noted, however, that applicant has not filed a certified copy of the CN202310606106.5 foreign application as required by 37 CFR 1.55.
Claim Interpretation
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
(f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The claims in this application are given their broadest reasonable interpretation using the plain meaning of the claim language in light of the specification as it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The broadest reasonable interpretation of a claim element (also commonly referred to as a claim limitation) is limited by the description in the specification when 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is invoked.
This application includes one or more claim limitations that do not use the word “means,” but are nonetheless being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, because the claim limitation(s) uses a generic placeholder that is coupled with functional language without reciting sufficient structure to perform the recited function and the generic placeholder is not preceded by a structural modifier. Such claim limitation(s) is/are: a renewable energy resource module; a hydrogen energy storage module; a heat storage module; a gas fired-boiler module; a methane reactor module; a carbon capture and storage (CCS) module; an electrolyzer unit; a hydrogen storage unit; and a fuel cell unit.
Because this/these claim limitation(s) is/are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, it/they is/are being interpreted to cover the corresponding structure described in the specification as performing the claimed function, and equivalents thereof.
If applicant does not intend to have this/these limitation(s) interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, applicant may: (1) amend the claim limitation(s) to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph (e.g., by reciting sufficient structure to perform the claimed function); or (2) present a sufficient showing that the claim limitation(s) recite(s) sufficient structure to perform the claimed function so as to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
Specification Objections
The disclosure is objected to because of the following informalities: Page 3, line 16 for [0008] has the word reactor misspelled as “rector”, and Page 9, line 5 for [0033] also has the word reactor misspelled as “rector”.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Objections
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: The word reactor is misspelled as “rector”. See line 24.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1-5 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor, or for pre-AIA the applicant regards as the invention.
Claims 1-5 recites the following elements that have been interpreted to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph (See claim interpretation above):
renewable energy resource module; a hydrogen energy storage module; a heat storage module; a gas fired-boiler module; a methane reactor module; a carbon capture and storage (CCS) module; an electrolyzer unit; a hydrogen storage unit; and a fuel cell unit.
However, the written description fails to disclose the corresponding structure, material, or acts for the claimed function. Written description fails to clearly link or associate the disclosed structure, material or acts to the claimed function such that one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize what structure, material or acts perform the claimed function.
A review of the specification appears to repeat each of these modules and/or units performing its functions, but fails to clearly define the structures for each of the modules and/or units. See fig.1 and [0008-0010], [0031-0052].
Applicant may:
(a) Amend the claim so that the claim limitation will no longer be interpreted as a limitation under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph; or
(b) Amend the written description of the specification such that it expressly recites what structure, material, or acts perform the claimed function, without introducing any new matter (35 U.S.C. 132(a)).
If applicant is of the opinion that the written description of the specification already implicitly or inherently discloses the corresponding structure, material, or acts so that one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize what structure, material, or acts perform the claimed function applicant should clarify the record by either:
(a) Amending the written description of the specification such that it expressly recites the corresponding structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function and clearly links or associates the structure, material, or acts to the claimed function, without introducing any new matter (35 U.S.C. 132(a)); or
(b) Stating on the record what the corresponding structure, material, or acts, which are implicitly or inherently set forth in the written description of the specification, perform the claimed function. For more information, see 37 CFR 1.75(d) and MPEP §§ 608.01(0) and 2181.
Claims 1-5 recite various features that fail to have sufficient antecedent basis and Examiner suggests Applicant to amend the claims to resolve the insufficient antecedent basis as well as the 112f means plus functions as follows:
1. A multistage energy utilization system based on electricity-heat-hydrogen-methane coupling, comprising:
a renewable energy resource;
a hydrogen energy storage;
a heat storage;
a gas fired-boiler;
a methane reactor; and
a carbon capture and storage (CCS);
wherein the multistage energy utilization system connects with a power grid, a heat supply network and a gas supply network;
the renewable energy resource connects with the power grid and the hydrogen energy storage; the renewable energy resourceconverts a renewable energy into electric energy to supply electricity to the power grid; and
the hydrogen energy storage converts excess electric energy into hydrogen energy and heat energy in the case of meeting a load demand of the power grid, and store the hydrogen energy;
the heat energy is input to the heat supply network; the hydrogen energy storage connects with the power grid, the heat supply network and the methane reactor;
the hydrogen energy stored in the hydrogen energy storage is converted back into the electric energy and the heat energy to input to the power grid and the heat supply network, respectively, when required by the multistage energy utilization system, and the electric energy and the heat energy are also input to the methane reactor for synthesis of methane;
the methane reactor connects with the hydrogen energy storage, the CCS and the gas supply network;
the CCS captures and store carbon dioxide emitted from the gas fired-boiler;
the carbon dioxide stored in the CCS and the hydrogen energy stored in the hydrogen energy storage are input to the methane reactor to produce the methane when the multistage energy utilization system needs, and the methane produced in the methane reactor is input to the gas supply network;
the gas fired-boiler connects with the gas supply network, the heat supply network and the CCS; the gas fired-boiler burns the methane supplied from the gas supply network, and output heat energy to the heat supply network and emit carbon dioxide to the CCS; and
the heat storage connects with the heat supply network to store excess heat energy in the multistage energy utilization system, and output the excess heat energy according to a load demand of the heat supply network.
2. The multistage energy utilization system of claim 1, wherein the renewable energy resource comprises a wind power generation and a photovoltaic power generation; the wind power generation converts wind energy into electric energy and transmit the electric energy to the power grid; and the photovoltaic power generation converts solar energy into electric energy and transmit the electric energy to the power grid.
3. The multistage energy utilization system of claim 1, wherein the hydrogen energy storage comprises an electrolyzer, a hydrogen storage and a fuel cell;
the electrolyzer consumes excess electric energy by converting the excess electric energy into hydrogen energy and heat energy on the premise that the multistage energy utilization system meets the load demand of the power grid;
the hydrogen storage stores the hydrogen energy generated by the electrolyzer; and a multi-state operation mode of the hydrogen storage satisfies the following constraint:
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33
400
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78
548
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wherein
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23
26
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represents a hydrogen storage capacity of the hydrogen storage at time t;
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14
40
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represents a rated hydrogen storage capacity of the hydrogen storage;
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21
340
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represents an operation state of the electrolyzer,
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25
26
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represents an operation state of the fuel cell and
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21
28
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represents an operation state of the methane reactor; 1 indicates a running state and 0 indicates a non-running state;
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21
95
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respectively represents a hydrogen storage percentage of the hydrogen storage; when the hydrogen storage capacity of the hydrogen storage is within a range of
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20
54
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, the electrolyzer needs to work to ensure that there is a predetermined amount of hydrogen energy stored in the hydrogen storage, and the fuel cell and the methane reactor are out of operation to ensure an operation margin of the hydrogen energy storage; when the hydrogen storage capacity of the hydrogen storage is within a range of
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23
73
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, whether the electrolyzer and the fuel cell need to work is determined according to actual requirement of the multistage energy utilization system, and the methane reactor does not work; when the hydrogen storage capacity of the hydrogen storage is within a range of
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23
54
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, whether the methane reactor needs to work is determined according to the actual requirement of the multistage energy utilization system; and
the fuel cell converts the hydrogen energy in the hydrogen storage into electric energy and heat energy and transmit the electric energy and heat energy to the power grid and the heat supply network, respectively, according to a load demand of the multistage energy utilization system; and on the basis of meeting the load demand of the multistage energy utilization system, the fuel cell transmits additional electric energy to the power grid to obtain on-line profit.
4. The multistage energy utilization system of claim 1, wherein an operation state of the methane reactor comprises a cold standby state, a hot standby state and a preparation state; the methane reactor performs methane preparation in the preparation state, and undergoes the cold standby state and the hot standby state before reaching the preparation state;
a multi-operation state model of the methane reactor is represented as follows:
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393
530
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wherein i represents the cold standby state, 2 represents the hot standby state, and 3 represents the preparation state;
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26
49
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represents a minimum duration of individual states of the methane reactor;
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25
33
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represents an operation state variable of the methane reactor, wherein 1 represents the methane reactor is in state i at time t, and 0 represents the methane reactor is not in the state i at time t;
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25
21
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and
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21
28
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are operation state switching variables of the methane reactor; if
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25
21
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is 1, it indicates that the methane reactor enters the state i at time t, and if
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25
21
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is 0, it indicates that the methane reactor does not enter the state i at time t; if
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21
28
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is 1, it indicates that the methane reactor leaves the state i at time t, and if
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21
28
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is 0, it indicates that the methane reactor does not leave the state i at time t;
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19
36
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represents a minimum methane output power of the methane reactor, and
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19
37
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represents a maximum methane output power of the methane reactor; and T represents a total cycle time of the methane reactor; t and u represent operation sub-times of the methane reactor.
5. The multistage energy utilization system of claim 1, wherein the CCS comprises a carbon capture submodule and a carbon storage submodule; the carbon capture submodule is arranged on a gas outlet of the gas fired-boilerto capture part of the carbon dioxide emitted from the gas fired-boiler; and the carbon storage submodule stores the captured carbon dioxide.
Pertinent Art Cited
The following US Patent Applications and/or NPL references reveal the current state of the art:
Chen et al. (“Flexibility improvement evaluation of hydrogen storage based on electricity-hydrogen coupled energy model”, ScienceDirect, 2021, p.371-383) teaches a multistage energy utilization system based on electricity-heat-hydrogen-methane coupling (energy products involve electricity, hydrogen produced by the electricity through the electrolyzer, and methane synthesized from hydrogen, fig.3; hydrogen storage based on electricity–hydrogen coupled energy, title and abstract), comprising:
a renewable energy resource module (wind and solar energy, fig.3 and col.1 of p.372); a hydrogen energy storage module (P2H as disclosed in fig.3 is an energy technology that converts surplus electricity from renewable sources like wind or solar into thermal energy as disclosed in fig.3, Table 1 of p.378, and col.1 of p.374); a heat storage module (electricity storage, fig.3; VRE and CSP storage, Table 1 of p.378); and a methane reactor module (methanation, fig.3);
wherein the multistage energy utilization system is connected with a power grid (electricity transmission grid as disclosed in fig.3), and a gas supply network (H2 transmission pipeline as disclosed in fig.3); the renewable energy resource module is connected with the power grid and the hydrogen energy storage module (wind and solar energy are connected to the electricity transmission grid and P2H as disclosed in fig.3); the renewable energy resource module is configured to convert a renewable energy resource into electric energy to supply electricity to the power grid (wind and solar energy are converted into electricity to supply to the electricity transmission grid as disclosed in fig.3); and the hydrogen energy storage module is configured to convert excess electric energy into hydrogen energy and heat energy in the case of meeting a load demand of the power grid, and store the hydrogen energy (P2H as disclosed in fig.3 is an energy technology that converts surplus electricity from renewable sources like wind or solar into thermal energy and store the H2 energy into H2 storage as disclosed in fig.3); the hydrogen energy storage module is connected with the power grid and the methane reactor module (P2H is connected to the electricity transmission grid and the methanation as disclosed in fig.3); the hydrogen energy stored in the hydrogen energy storage module is configured to be converted into electric energy to be input to the power grid (fuel cell converts H2 in storage into electric energy to be input to the electricity transmission grid as disclosed in fig.3) and also input to the methane reactor module for synthesis of methane (hydrogen is used to synthesize methane, fig.3 and col.1 of page 376); the methane reactor module is connected with the hydrogen energy storage module and the gas supply network (the methanation is connected to the P2H and the H2 transmission pipeline as disclosed in fig.3).
Chen fails to teach a gas fired-boiler module; a carbon capture and storage (CCS) module; a heat supply network; the heat energy is configured to be input to the heat supply network; the hydrogen energy storage module is connected to the heat supply network; the methane reactor module is connected to the CCS module; the CCS module is configured to capture and store carbon dioxide emitted from the gas fired-boiler module; the carbon dioxide stored in the CCS module and the hydrogen energy stored in the hydrogen energy storage module are configured to be input to the methane reactor module to react to produce the methane when the multistage energy utilization system needs, and the methane produced in the methane reactor module is configured to be input to the gas supply network; the gas fired-boiler module is connected with the gas supply network, the heat supply network and the CCS module; the gas fired-boiler module is configured to burn the methane supplied from the gas supply network, and output heat energy to the heat supply network and emit carbon dioxide to the CCS module; and the heat storage module is connected with the heat supply network, and is configured to store excess heat energy in the multistage energy utilization system, and output the heat energy according to a load demand of the heat supply network.
Heptonstall (WO-2017/060704-A1) teaches a multistage energy utilization system based on electricity-heat-hydrogen-methane coupling (fig.1, comprising:
a renewable energy resource module (renewable source 26 {wind, wave, solar, or tidal sources, page 4}, fig.1);
a hydrogen energy storage module (electrolysis 12, fig.1);
a heat storage module (biomass 1 processed via dried biomass 2, fig.1);
a gas fired-boiler module (furnace and boiler 4, fig.1);
a methane reactor module (methane production 22, fig.1); and
a carbon capture and storage (CCS) module (carbon capture 18, fig.1);
wherein the multistage energy utilization system (fig.1) is connected with a power grid (electricity generated 10 to also supply power to the electricity national grid, page 6), and a gas supply network (methane production 22 and methanol production 24, fig.1);
the renewable energy resource module is connected with the power grid and the hydrogen energy storage module (renewable source 26 {wind, wave, solar, or tidal sources, page 4} providing electricity generated 10 to supply the electricity national grid/customers and to power the electrolysis 12, pages 4 and 6); the renewable energy resource module is configured to convert a renewable energy resource into electric energy to supply electricity to the power grid (renewable source 26 {wind, wave, solar, or tidal sources, page 4} converts and provides electricity generated 10 to supply the electricity national grid/customers, pages 4 and 6); and the hydrogen energy storage module is configured to convert excess electric energy into hydrogen energy and heat energy in the case of meeting a load demand of the power grid, and store the hydrogen energy (electrolysis 12 as disclosed in fig.1, is a process that uses electricity to split water into oxygen and hydrogen to produce hydrogen, page 4; based on the increasing demand for electricity produced from sustainable or renewable sources of energy presents new challenges in terms of providing the capacity to maintain electricity supply under all load conditions, page 1); the hydrogen energy storage module is connected with the power grid and the methane reactor module (electrolysis 12 is connected to furnace and boiler 4 and to the methane production 22); the methane reactor module is connected with the hydrogen energy storage module, the CCS module and the gas supply network (methane production 22 is connected with the electrolysis 12, the carbon capture 18, and the methane produced are produced to supply to the users/customers, page 4); the CCS module is configured to capture and store carbon dioxide emitted from the gas fired-boiler module (carbon capture 18 to store carbon dioxide CO2 emitted from the furnace and boiler 4, fig.1 and page 6); the carbon dioxide stored in the CCS module (CO2 captured by carbon capture unit 18 stored in the facility, page 6) and the hydrogen energy stored in the hydrogen energy storage module (hydrogen H2 obtained from electrolysis unit 12, page 6) are configured to be input to the methane reactor module to react to produce the methane when the multistage energy utilization system needs (methane production 22 produced from CO2 captured by carbon capture unit 18 and hydrogen H2 obtained from electrolysis unit 12, fig.1 and page 6), and the methane produced in the methane reactor module is configured to be input to the gas supply network (methane production are supplied to customers, fig.1 and page 6); the gas fired-boiler module is connected with the gas supply network and the CCS module (the furnace and boiler 4 is connected to the methane production 22, connected to the carbon capture 18, and connected to the biomass 1-2, fig.1; methane production 22 is connected to the furnace and boiler 4 to capture the CO2 and to produce the methane to supply to customer, fig.1 and page 6).
Heptonstall fails to teach: the heat energy is configured to be input to the heat supply network; the hydrogen energy storage module is connected to the heat supply network; the hydrogen energy stored in the hydrogen energy storage module is configured to be converted into electric energy and heat energy to be input to the power grid and the heat supply network, respectively, when required by the multistage energy utilization system, and is also configured to be input to the methane rector module for synthesis of methane; the gas fired-boiler module is configured to burn the methane supplied from the gas supply network, and output heat energy to the heat supply network and emit carbon dioxide to the CCS module; and the heat storage module is connected with the heat supply network, and is configured to store excess heat energy in the multistage energy utilization system, and output the heat energy according to a load demand of the heat supply network.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-5 would be allowable if overcome the objections and 112 rejections as presented above.
The primary reason for the allowance of claim 1 is that the prior art of record, taken alone or in combination, fails to disclose or render obvious the subject matter of:
“the hydrogen energy stored in the hydrogen energy storage module is configured to be converted into electric energy and heat energy to be input to the power grid and the heat supply network, respectively, when required by the multistage energy utilization system, and is also configured to be input to the methane rector module for synthesis of methane; the gas fired-boiler module is configured to burn the methane supplied from the gas supply network, and output heat energy to the heat supply network and emit carbon dioxide to the CCS module”.
Claims 2-5 would also be allowable due to their dependency on claim 1.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion
The additional prior arts made of record and have not been relied upon are considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure as follows: KR_20240153440_A, KR_20230129072_A, CN_116988074_A, CN_216698443_U, CN_214380121_U, CN_113398716_A, CN_213425790_U, Fulde (US 2016/0226088-A1), O’Donnell et al. (US-20230296034-A1), Fafari et al. "Assessment and optimization of an integrated wind power system for hydrogen and methane production", ScienceDirect, 2018, p.693-703 and Nastasi et al. "Hydrogen to link heat and electricity in the transition towards future Smart Energy Systems", ScienceDirect, 2016, p.5-22.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to HIEN (CINDY) D KHUU whose telephone number is (571)272-8585. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday-Friday 9am-5:30pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Ken Lo can be reached on 571-272-9774. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/HIEN D KHUU/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2116 February 26, 2026