Thermal reactor with waste recovery system

Abstract

A thermal reactor is described comprising a combustion chamber configured as a tubular cavity defined by coaxial cylindrical surfaces electrically connected, further comprising a plurality of evacuation conduits fluidically connected at the top to the combustion chamber.

Description

[0001] Thermal reactor with waste recovery system

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention lies, generally, in the sector of combustion thermal reactors; in particular, the invention refers to a hydrogen-metal thermal reactor.

[0004] Prior Art

[0005] Traditional hydrogen combustion systems are based on the controlled oxidation of hydrogen in the presence of oxygen to release energy.

[0006] These systems are generally designed to minimize emissions, with water as the main byproduct.

[0007] Known technologies in this sector include hydrogen burners and turbines, developed for applications in stationary power generation and propulsion systems.

[0008] However, these systems often encounter difficulties in managing high combustion temperatures, optimizing thermal efficiency, and mitigating the formation of nitrogen oxides (NOx) under extreme operating conditions.

[0009] Hydrogen-metal energy devices represent a multidisciplinary innovation combining hydrogen energy systems, electrochemical processes, and thermal management technologies.

[0010] The use of hydrogen as a clean and sustainable energy carrier has been widely studied and implemented in various forms, including fuel cells, combustion systems, and hybrid devices.

[0011] The integration of metal electrodes subjected to a potential differential to catalyze hydrogen combustion and exploit the resulting thermal energy remains a relatively innovative approach that allows precise control of combustion processes. Hydrogen-metal devices are known which comprise a pair of metal alloy electrodes inside a combustion chamber into which synthesis gas mixtures comprising fuel and oxidizer are introduced.

[0012] By applying a high-voltage pulse to the electrodes, an electric field is generated between the electrodes, which accelerates the free electrons present in the synthesis gas, ionizing the gas itself. This ionization process generates a plasma discharge and consequently thermal energy.

[0013] Summary of the Invention

[0014] The aim of the present invention is to realize a thermal reactor, in particular a thermal reactor whose geometry can efficiently exploit the heat developed for the generation of steam to supply microturbines.

[0015] The aforesaid and other aims and advantages are achieved, according to the present invention, by a thermal reactor having the characteristics defined in the attached claim 1.

[0016] Particular embodiments form the subject of the dependent claims, the content of which is to be intended as an integral part of the present description.

[0017] In summary, the thermal reactor comprises a combustion chamber configured as a tubular cavity defined by coaxial cylindrical surfaces electrically connected to form a first surface of a first electrode and a plurality of evacuation conduits fluidically connected at the top to the combustion chamber.

[0018] Advantageously, this geometry allows optimizing the use of residues from the thermal reaction produced in the reactor.

[0019] Brief Description of the Drawings The functional and structural characteristics of some embodiments of a thermal reactor according to the invention will now be described. Reference is made to the attached drawings, wherein:

[0020] Figure l is a side view of an inj ector of a thermal reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 shows a top view of components of the thermal reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 shows a view of the fluid domain in a thermal reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 shows an internal section of a thermal reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 shows a side view of external elements of a combustion chamber of a thermal reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6 shows a side view of a first external element of a thermal reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 7 shows a side view of an inner element of a thermal reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Detailed Description

[0028] Before explaining in detail a plurality of embodiments of the invention, it should be clarified that the invention is not limited in its application to the construction details and the configuration of the components presented in the following description or illustrated in the drawings.

[0029] The invention is capable of assuming other embodiments and of being implemented or realized practically in different ways. The use of “include” and “comprise” and their variations are to be intended as encompassing the elements stated thereafter and their equivalents.

[0030] A thermal reactor 2 according to the present invention comprises a combustion chamber 30 into which the surfaces 41 , 51 of a first electrode 40 and a second electrode 50 face, to which a potential difference is applicable.

[0031] The potential difference is applicable, for example, by means of electrical generators of predetermined pulses or pulses of a type modulated in amplitude and / or duration.

[0032] Oxidizer and fuel gases are supplied into the combustion chamber 30, generating a synthesis gas mixture.

[0033] The thermal reactor 2 forming the subject of the present invention is arranged to receive hydrogen H2 and oxygen O2 in the combustion chamber 30.

[0034] However, such a combination of fuel and oxidizer gas is not to be considered limiting.

[0035] When the high-voltage pulse is applied, an electric field is generated between the two surfaces 41, 51 which accelerates the free electrons present in the synthesis gas, causing them to collide with the hydrogen atoms and ionizing the gas itself.

[0036] This ionization process generates a plasma discharge of the hydrogen synthesis gas.

[0037] When the gaseous hydrogen is ionized and forms a plasma, collisions occur between ions and electrons, developing thermal energy which will be transmitted to the outer wall 70 of the thermal reactor 2.

[0038] By targeting the outer wall 70 of the combustion chamber 30 with waterjets controlled by a solenoid valve, a high concentration of steam will be obtained which can be conducted outside the thermal reactor towards a microturbine for the production of electrical energy.

[0039] Alternatively, the outer wall 70 may be partially or totally immersed in water to be vaporized.

[0040] Referring now to Figure 3, a view of the fluid domain is shown which allows observing a system for the collection and discharge of reaction residues. The thermal reactor comprises a plurality of evacuation conduits 62 fluidically connected at the top to the combustion chamber 30.

[0041] In a further embodiment, each of the evacuation conduits 61 is fluidically connected at the bottom to a collection manifold 63 for the fluid coming from the combustion chamber 30.

[0042] The manifold can have a ring shape as shown in Figure 3; in such configuration, the evacuation conduits 61 can comprise a fitting section 64 inclined with respect to the central axis Y connecting a vertical section of the evacuation conduit 61 to the collection manifold 63.

[0043] In a further embodiment, inlet ports of the fitting sections 64 to the collection manifold 63 are circumferentially equidistant along the ring shape.

[0044] The manifold 63 can be further fluidically connected to a discharge channel 62 for the outflow of fluids.

[0045] In a preferable embodiment, the discharge channel 62 is connected to the manifold to avoid being positioned in correspondence with each of said inlet ports from the fitting sections 64. Advantageously, this allows for a better balance of flows and greater homogeneity of temperatures and chemical species in the combustion chamber.

[0046] Referring now to Figure 5, a side view of external components of a thermal reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0047] The thermal reactor 2 forming the subject of the present invention comprises, in a further embodiment, an outer wall 70 presenting a plurality of angularly spaced surfaces 71 around a predetermined central axis Y and each comprising a central region 73 closer to said central axis Y and hotter in use of the thermal reactor, said central regions 73 being suitable to be the target of respective centrally directed radial sprays of water to be vaporized or to be totally or partially immersed in water to be vaporized. The central regions 73 reach higher temperatures during use of the thermal reactor 2 as a function of the shorter distance from the combustion chamber 30 of the thermal reactor 2.

[0048] In a particular embodiment, the angularly spaced surfaces 71 comprise concave surfaces facing outwards.

[0049] The angularly spaced surfaces 71 can be three as shown in Figure 5; such number is not to be considered limiting.

[0050] The thermal reaction mentioned above, when involving hydrogen H2 and oxygen O2, generates steam FbO ) and will consequently have as exhaust residue the steam FbO ) and the hydrogen H2 not consumed during the reaction.

[0051] An internal section of a thermal reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 4.

[0052] In an embodiment exemplified by Figure 4, the first electrode 40 comprises lateral surfaces 42 of the combustion chamber and a vertically developing core 43 inside the combustion chamber.

[0053] The combustion chamber 30 is configured as a tubular cavity defined by coaxial cylindrical surfaces electrically connected to form the first surface 41 of the first electrode 40.

[0054] The first electrode 40 may be made, for example, of steel, steel alloys, titanium, or tungsten.

[0055] The second surface 51 of the second electrode 50 is defined by a metal alloy coil housed in the tubular cavity defined by the coaxial cylindrical surfaces electrically connected to form the first surface 41.

[0056] The coil shape shown in Figure 4 is not to be considered limiting, as the second surface 51 of the second electrode may be defined, for example, by a cage structure with crossed, toroidal meshes, or with round or square holes. The density of the mesh, the coil turns, and the distance of the second surface 51 from the first surface 41 may vary depending on the required operating parameters of the thermal reactor 1.

[0057] The second electrode may be made, for example, of nickel-copper (Ni-Cu), iridium-rhodium (Ir-Rh), or nickel-chromium (Ni-Cr) alloy.

[0058] Without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the embodiments and the construction details may be widely varied with respect to what has been described and illustrated purely by way of non-limiting example, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the invention defined by the attached claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Thermal reactor (2) comprising: a combustion chamber (30) into which a first surface (41) of a first electrode (40) and a second surface (51) of a second electrode (50) face, to which electrodes (40, 50) a potential difference is applicable; wherein said combustion chamber (30) is configured as a tubular cavity defined by coaxial cylindrical surfaces electrically connected to form said first surface (41) of the first electrode (40); and further comprising a plurality of evacuation conduits (62) fluidically connected at the top to said combustion chamber (30).

2. Thermal reactor according to claim 1, wherein each of said evacuation conduits (61) is fluidically connected at the bottom to a collection manifold (63) for the fluid coming from the combustion chamber (30).

3. Thermal reactor according to claim 2, wherein each of said evacuation conduits (61) is fluidically connected at the bottom to said collection manifold (63) via a fitting section (64) of said evacuation conduits (61).

4. Thermal reactor according to claims 2-3, wherein said collection manifold (63) has a ring shape.

5. Thermal reactor according to claim 4, as dependent on claim 3, wherein inlet ports of said fitting sections (64) to said collection manifold (63) are circumferentially equidistant along said ring shape.

6. Thermal reactor according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein said collection manifold (63) for the fluid produced by the combustion chamber (30) is fluidically connected to at least one discharge channel (62) for the outflow of fluids from said collection manifold (63).

7. Thermal reactor according to claim 6, as dependent on claim 5, wherein the discharge channel (62) is connected to the manifold to avoid being positioned in correspondence with each of said inlet ports from said fitting sections (64).

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