Optofluidic reactor for solar fuel synthesis

Abstract

The application discloses a photo-fluidic reactor for solar fuel synthesis, and relates to the technical field of photo-fluidic reactors, which comprises a reactor body, an inner heat preservation structure, an outer heat preservation structure, a gas inlet structure and a gas outlet structure, the inner heat preservation structure is arranged on the inner side of the reactor body and detachably connected with the reactor body, the outer heat preservation structure is arranged on the outer side of the reactor body, one end of the reactor body is provided with a window, the inner side of the reactor body forms a reaction cavity, the gas inlet structure and the gas outlet structure are both communicated with the reaction cavity, the gas inlet structure is provided with a gas inlet channel, and the gas outlet structure is provided with a gas outlet channel. The photo-fluidic reactor for solar fuel synthesis can change the volume of the reactor that can be reacted, and is suitable for different reaction requirements.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of photofluidic reactor technology, and in particular to a photofluidic reactor for solar fuel synthesis. Background Technology

[0002] A solar fuel synthesis system mainly consists of a solar collector, a reactor, and water-cooled equipment and a vacuum pump connected to the reactor via pipes or connectors. In a complete solar fuel synthesis system, the reactor operates on the principle of introducing feed gas into the reactor. Through the absorption and utilization of focused solar radiation and the catalytic action of a catalyst, the corresponding fuel can be synthesized.

[0003] Existing reactors are often only suitable for reactions of a specific scale. When the amount of reaction materials and catalysts increases, the reactor capacity becomes limited, which prevents the reaction from continuing. This is a major factor that makes it difficult to commercialize thermochemical energy storage technology. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a photofluidic reactor for solar fuel synthesis, which can change the volume of the reactor in which the reaction can take place to adapt to different reaction needs.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following solution:

[0006] This invention provides a photofluidic reactor for solar fuel synthesis, comprising a reactor body, an inner insulation structure, an outer insulation structure, an air inlet structure, and an air outlet structure. The inner insulation structure is disposed inside the reactor body and detachably connected to the reactor body, while the outer insulation structure is disposed outside the reactor body. A viewing window is provided at one end of the reactor body, and a reaction chamber is formed inside the reactor body. Both the air inlet structure and the air outlet structure are connected to the reaction chamber. The air inlet structure has an air inlet channel, and the air outlet structure has an air outlet channel.

[0007] Preferably, the reactor body includes a cylindrical body and two flanges, which are respectively disposed at both ends of the cylindrical body. The viewing window is disposed on the front flange via a pressure ring, and the rear flange is provided with an end cap. The gas outlet structure is coaxially disposed with the cylindrical body, and the gas outlet channel extends to the inner wall of the end cap. The inner insulation structure is provided with a gas outlet hole corresponding to the gas outlet channel. Sealing rings are provided between the end cap and the flange, between the viewing window and the flange, and between the viewing window and the pressure ring.

[0008] Preferably, the flange at the front end has a first cavity inside, the pressure ring has a second cavity inside, the flange at the front end has a first water inlet and a first water outlet, both of which are connected to the first cavity, and the pressure ring has a second water inlet and a second water outlet, both of which are connected to the second cavity.

[0009] Preferably, it further includes a first thermocouple and a second thermocouple, the first thermocouple extending into the inner side of the inner insulation structure and used to measure the temperature in the reaction chamber, and the second thermocouple extending into the inner insulation structure and used to measure the temperature in the inner insulation structure.

[0010] Preferably, the internal insulation structure is provided with a throat structure, and the throat structure is located close to the viewing window.

[0011] Preferably, the air intake structure is located in front of the throat structure, and the inner insulation structure is provided with an air intake hole, the air intake hole corresponding to the position of the air intake structure.

[0012] Preferably, the reactor body is further provided with a reserved channel structure, the reserved channel structure having a reserved channel that extends to the inner wall of the reactor body.

[0013] Preferably, the reserved channel structure includes a first reserved channel structure and a second reserved channel structure, and the air intake structure, the first reserved channel structure and the second reserved channel structure are arranged sequentially from front to back.

[0014] Preferably, the reactor body is further provided with a resistance wire channel structure and an electrode channel structure. The resistance wire channel structure is provided with a resistance wire channel that extends to the inner wall of the reactor body and is used to place a resistance wire. The electrode channel structure is provided with an electrode channel that extends to the inner wall of the reactor body. The internal insulation structure is provided with an electrode through hole that corresponds to the position of the electrode channel and is used to place an electrode.

[0015] Preferably, the reactor body is made of stainless steel, the internal insulation structure and the external insulation structure are both made of polycrystalline mullite fiber, and the viewing window is made of quartz.

[0016] The present invention achieves the following technical effects compared to the prior art:

[0017] The detachable insulation sleeve structure with inner and outer layers of this invention is highly flexible in application: when a large-scale reaction is required, the inner insulation structure inside the reactor body can be removed, and the device can be insulated by the outer insulation structure. The empty cavity can then be used for solar fuel synthesis reaction, thereby increasing the volume of the reactor that can carry out the reaction and matching the reactor volume to the reaction to be carried out. When carrying out a normal-scale reaction, the heat loss during the reaction process can be reduced by relying on the double insulation of the inner and outer insulation structures. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 This is an isometric view of the photofluidic reactor for solar fuel synthesis according to the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the photofluidic reactor for solar fuel synthesis according to the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a front view of the photofluidic reactor for solar fuel synthesis according to the present invention (without external insulation structure);

[0022] Figure 4 This is a rear view of the photofluidic reactor for solar fuel synthesis according to the present invention (without external insulation structure);

[0023] Figure 5 This is a side view of the photofluidic reactor for solar fuel synthesis according to the present invention (without external insulation structure);

[0024] Wherein: 100-Photofluidic reactor for solar fuel synthesis, 1-Reactor body, 2-Internal insulation structure, 3-External insulation structure, 4-Inlet structure, 5-Outlet structure, 6-Flange, 7-End cap, 8-Pressure ring, 9-Viewing window, 10-Sealing ring, 11-First water inlet, 12-First drain outlet, 13-Second water inlet, 14-Second drain outlet, 15-First thermocouple, 16-Second thermocouple, 17-Inlet hole, 18-Reserved channel structure, 19-Resistance wire channel structure, 20-Electrode channel structure, 21-Bracket, 22-Throat structure. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] The purpose of this invention is to provide a photofluidic reactor for solar fuel synthesis, which can change the volume of the reactor in which the reaction can take place to adapt to different reaction needs.

[0027] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0028] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown: This embodiment provides a photofluidic reactor 100 for solar fuel synthesis, applied in the fields of photochemistry, thermochemistry, and photothermal chemistry research. It includes a reactor body 1, an inner insulation structure 2, an outer insulation structure 3, an air inlet structure 4, and an air outlet structure 5. The reactor body 1 is made of 316L stainless steel. The inner insulation structure 2 and the outer insulation structure 3 are both made of polycrystalline mullite fiber. The inner insulation structure 2 is located inside the reactor body 1 and is detachably connected to the reactor body 1. The outer insulation structure 3 is located outside the reactor body 1. A viewing window 9 is provided at one end of the reactor body 1. The viewing window 9 is made of JGS1 quartz. A reaction chamber is formed inside the reactor body 1. The air inlet structure 4 and the air outlet structure 5 are both connected to the reaction chamber. An air inlet channel is provided in the air inlet structure 4, and an air outlet channel is provided in the air outlet structure 5. The porous medium is used to attach the reaction material and catalyst. The porous medium is a cylindrical porous material block. Before the experiment begins, the catalyst and solid reaction material are coated on the surface of the porous medium. When the inner insulation structure 2 is located in the reactor body 1, the porous medium is placed in the inner insulation structure 2. When the inner insulation structure 2 is removed from the reactor body 1, the porous medium is placed in the reactor body 1, and the raw material gas is introduced into the reaction chamber through the air inlet structure 4.

[0029] Specifically, in this embodiment, the reactor body 1 is mounted on the bracket 21. The total weight of the photofluidic reactor 100 for solar fuel synthesis in this embodiment is 63 kg, and it can operate under conditions of pressure of -0.1 to 0.04 MPa, gas flow rate of 700 sccm, and temperature not exceeding 1600°C.

[0030] In this embodiment, the reactor body 1 includes a cylindrical body and two flanges 6. The air inlet structure 4 is located on the cylindrical body, and the two flanges 6 are respectively set at both ends of the cylindrical body. The viewing window 9 is set on the front flange 6 by a pressure ring 8. The pressure ring 8 and the flange 6 are fixed by 12 M8*40 cylindrical head hexagonal screws. The rear flange 6 is provided with an end cap 7, which is fixed to the flange 6 by 12 M8*40 cylindrical head hexagonal screws. The air outlet structure 5 is coaxially arranged with the cylindrical body, and the air outlet channel extends to the inner wall of the end cap 7. The inner insulation structure 2 is provided with an air outlet hole corresponding to the air outlet channel. Fluororubber sealing rings 10 are provided between the end cap 7 and the flange 6, between the viewing window 9 and the flange 6, and between the viewing window 9 and the pressure ring 8. The operating temperature of the sealing ring 10 is 280℃.

[0031] In this embodiment, the fixed positions of the reactor body 1 and the bracket 21 are independent of the end cap 7 and the pressure ring 8, and the entire reactor does not need to be disassembled when replacing the viewing window 9 or the catalyst and reaction materials.

[0032] In this embodiment, the thickness of the viewing window 9 is calculated to be 3 cm according to the Japanese JIS calculation formula, which can effectively prevent breakage during the vacuuming process of the reactor. The Japanese JIS calculation formula is as follows:

[0033]

[0034] Where t is the minimum thickness of window 9; 5 is a safety factor of 5; P is the pressure in bar; D is the diameter of window 9; x is a constant coefficient with a value of 0.1; and δ is the bending strength of the material.

[0035] In this embodiment, the front flange 6 has a first cavity inside, and the pressure ring 8 has a second cavity inside. The front flange 6 has a first water inlet 11 and a first drain outlet 12, both of which are connected to the first cavity. The pressure ring 8 has a second water inlet 13 and a second drain outlet 14, both of which are connected to the second cavity. The first water inlet 11, the first drain outlet 12, the second water inlet 13, and the second drain outlet 14 are all used to connect a hose with an outer diameter of 12mm. The distance between the air inlet channel and the first water inlet 11 is 20mm.

[0036] This embodiment also includes two first thermocouples 15 and two second thermocouples 16. Both the first thermocouples 15 and the second thermocouples 16 are 8mm diameter S-type platinum-rhodium thermocouples with a temperature measurement range of ≤1600℃. The two first thermocouples 15 are arranged one after the other with a spacing of 85mm, and the two second thermocouples 16 are also arranged one after the other with a spacing of 85mm. The first thermocouples 15 and the second thermocouples 16 are symmetrical about the axis of the reactor, and the included angle between the first thermocouples 15 and the second thermocouples 16 is 60°. The first thermocouples 15 extend into the inner side of the inner insulation structure 2 and are used to measure the temperature in the reaction chamber. The second thermocouples 16 extend into the inner insulation structure 2 and are used to measure the temperature in the inner insulation structure 2.

[0037] In this embodiment, the inner insulation structure 2 is provided with a throat structure 22, which is located near the viewing window 9. The size of the throat structure 22 is smaller than the size of the inlet of the inner insulation structure 2 and the size of the area in the inner insulation structure 2 used to hold the porous medium. Light enters the inner insulation structure 2 through the viewing window 9. Because the throat structure 22 is provided in the inner insulation structure 2, it can concentrate the light and reduce the leakage of light inside the inner insulation structure 2, thereby reducing the loss of internal heat rays. The size of the throat structure 22 must ensure that external light can enter the inner insulation structure 2 while minimizing the leakage of light inside the inner insulation structure 2.

[0038] In this embodiment, the air intake structure 4 is located in front of the throat structure 22, and the inner insulation structure 2 is provided with an air intake hole 17, which corresponds to the position of the air intake structure 4.

[0039] In this embodiment, a reserved channel structure 18 is also provided on the reactor body 1. The reserved channel structure 18 is located on the cylinder and has a reserved channel that extends to the inner wall of the reactor body 1. The reserved channel structure 18 includes a first reserved channel structure and a second reserved channel structure. The size of the reserved channel of the first reserved channel structure and the second reserved channel structure is 83.5 mm. The air inlet structure 4, the first reserved channel structure and the second reserved channel structure are arranged sequentially from front to back. The distance between the first reserved channel structure and the second reserved channel structure is 160 mm. The working medium can be supplemented through the first reserved channel structure and the second reserved channel structure during part of the reaction process. A 6 mm compression fitting is used to connect with the first reserved channel structure and the second reserved channel structure.

[0040] In this embodiment, two resistance wire channel structures 19 and two electrode channel structures 20 are welded onto the reactor body 1. The resistance wire channel structures 19 and electrode channel structures 20 are located at the rear end of the reactor body 1 and are connected to it using 6mm compression fittings. The center distance between the two resistance wire channel structures 19 is 100mm and 120mm. The resistance wire channel structure 19 is provided with a resistance wire channel that extends to the inner wall of the reactor body 1. The resistance wire channel is used to place the resistance wire and heat the reaction chamber in part of the reaction. The electrode channel structure 20 is provided with an electrode channel that extends to the inner wall of the reactor body 1. The inner insulation structure 2 is provided with an electrode through hole that corresponds to the position of the electrode channel. The electrode channel is used to place the electrode and to pass electricity to the reactants.

[0041] In this embodiment, openings are provided at corresponding positions of the external insulation structure 3, the air inlet structure 4, the air outlet structure 5, the window 9, the first water inlet 11, the first drain outlet 12, the second water inlet 13, the second drain outlet 14, the first thermocouple 15, the second thermocouple 16, the reserved channel structure 18, the resistance wire channel structure 19, and the electrode channel structure 20.

[0042] The steps for using the photofluidic reactor 100 for solar fuel synthesis in this embodiment are as follows:

[0043] Step 1: Place the porous medium containing the reaction materials and catalyst into the reactor and complete the reactor installation;

[0044] Step 2: The first inlet 11 and the second inlet 13 are connected to the cooling water source respectively, so that the reactor is pre-cooled.

[0045] Step 3: Evacuate the air inside the reactor and introduce argon gas through the air inlet structure 4;

[0046] Step 4: Introduce raw material gas through the air intake structure 4, allowing focused solar radiation to enter the reaction chamber through the viewing window 9 and irradiate the porous medium surface, converting it into heat energy to drive the raw material gas and reaction materials to carry out oxidation-reduction reaction. The reaction materials are generally metal oxides, which combine with oxygen in the raw material gas (such as CO2) under the action of a catalyst to generate another oxide of the same metal and fuel gas (such as CO).

[0047] Step 5: The gas produced by the reaction flows out through the gas outlet structure 5.

[0048] The detachable insulation structure with two layers in this embodiment is highly flexible in application: when a large-scale reaction is required, the inner insulation structure 2 inside the reactor body 1 can be removed, and the device can be insulated by the outer insulation structure 3. The freed-up cavity can then be used for solar fuel synthesis reactions, thereby increasing the volume of the reactor that can be used for the reaction and matching the reactor volume to the reaction to be carried out. When conducting reactions of ordinary scale, the double insulation of the inner insulation structure 2 and the outer insulation structure 3 can reduce heat loss during the reaction process. The reserved channel structure 18 on the side of the reactor body 1 can be connected to the external working fluid transport pipeline, and the working fluid can be added to the reactor through the reserved channel structure 18. Compared with the method of purging with argon gas, evacuating the reactor to a vacuum and then introducing argon gas can make the reactor form an argon-filled environment more quickly. However, the large pressure difference during vacuuming will also increase the risk of the window 9 breaking. In addition, considering that the refractive index of the window 9 is relatively large, an excessively thick window 9 is not conducive to light reception during the experiment. This embodiment calculates the minimum safe thickness of the viewing window 9 using a circular viewing mirror pressure resistance formula. This ensures that the viewing window 9 does not shatter during reactor vacuuming and does not affect the concentration of solar radiation onto the porous medium surface during light exposure. The advantages of this embodiment are that it allows for flexible modification of the reactor's application space and accelerates the formation rate of the argon atmosphere while maintaining the stability and integrity of the viewing window 9, demonstrating its feasibility. This embodiment improves overall performance through parameter and structural optimization, allowing for flexible adjustment of the reactor's internal volume and reducing heat loss.

[0049] This embodiment not only expands the applicable reaction scale of the reactor, but also minimizes heat loss due to heat conduction; it not only ensures rapid evacuation of the reactor to form an argon atmosphere, but also ensures that the quartz window 9 remains intact during this process, thereby reducing the negative impact on the solar fuel conversion process and ensuring the smooth progress of the experiment. It is targeted and feasible.

[0050] The reactor in this embodiment adopts a relatively simple and widely used cavity structure. For similar reactors, during the reaction process, a porous medium with attached reactant materials and catalyst is placed in the reaction cavity. The feed gas is introduced into the reaction cavity through the inlet structure 4 and comes into contact with the reactant materials and catalyst. Focused solar radiation shines on the surface of the porous medium through the quartz viewing window 9. Photocarriers are converted into heat flow to drive the reactant materials and catalyst to carry out the redox reaction for solar fuel synthesis. During the reaction, some or all of the oxygen atoms in the feed gas molecules combine with metal oxide molecules, and the generated fuel gas flows out through the outlet structure 5.

[0051] This embodiment describes a gas-solid reactor used in the CEL-HPR high-temperature solar thermal reaction system. It is mainly used for the solar fuel synthesis process using focused solar radiation. It can solve the problems of evaluating and screening reaction materials and catalysts in the solar fuel synthesis process, and help to study the characteristics of solar fuel synthesis process and materials in the reaction, explore the optimal working conditions of reaction materials in the solar fuel synthesis process, and thus save production costs and improve work efficiency.

[0052] When evaluating and screening reaction materials and catalysts, suitable catalyst materials are first pre-screened, and then the selected catalyst materials are reacted in the photofluidic reactor for solar fuel synthesis in this embodiment. By analyzing the composition and rate of the product gas, it is determined whether the reaction is successful and how efficient it is. The evaluation and screening are completed by comparing the reaction performance of various catalysts.

[0053] This specification uses specific examples to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present invention. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of the present invention. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that, based on the ideas of the present invention, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

Claims

1. A photofluidic reactor for solar fuel synthesis, characterized in that: The reactor includes a reactor body, an internal insulation structure, an external insulation structure, an air inlet structure, and an air outlet structure. The internal insulation structure is located inside the reactor body and is detachably connected to the reactor body. The external insulation structure is located outside the reactor body. A viewing window is provided at one end of the reactor body. A reaction chamber is formed inside the reactor body. The air inlet structure and the air outlet structure are both connected to the reaction chamber. An air inlet channel is provided in the air inlet structure, and an air outlet channel is provided in the air outlet structure. The reactor body includes a cylindrical body and two flanges. The two flanges are respectively disposed at both ends of the cylindrical body. The viewing window is disposed on the front flange through a pressure ring. The rear flange is provided with an end cap. Sealing rings are provided between the end cap and the flange, between the viewing window and the flange, and between the viewing window and the pressure ring. The flange at the front end has a first cavity inside, the pressure ring has a second cavity inside, the flange at the front end has a first water inlet and a first water outlet, both of which are connected to the first cavity, and the pressure ring has a second water inlet and a second water outlet, both of which are connected to the second cavity. The internal insulation structure is provided with a throat structure, which is located close to the viewing window; the air intake structure is located in front of the throat structure. The steps for using the photofluidic reactor for solar fuel synthesis are as follows: Step 1, place the porous medium loaded with reaction materials and catalyst into the reactor and complete the reactor installation; Step 2, connect the first and second water inlets to the cooling water source respectively, so that the reactor is pre-cooled; Step 3, evacuate the air inside the reactor and introduce argon gas through the air inlet structure; Step 4, introduce raw material gas through the air inlet structure, so that focused solar radiation enters the reaction chamber through the viewing window and irradiates the surface of the porous medium, converting it into heat energy to drive the raw material gas and reaction materials to carry out oxidation-reduction reaction; Step 5, the gas produced by the reaction flows out through the gas outlet structure.

2. The photofluidic reactor for solar fuel synthesis according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air outlet structure is coaxially arranged with the cylinder body, the air outlet channel extends to the inner wall of the end cap, and the inner insulation structure is provided with an air outlet hole corresponding to the air outlet channel.

3. The photofluidic reactor for solar fuel synthesis according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a first thermocouple and a second thermocouple. The first thermocouple extends into the inner side of the inner insulation structure and is used to measure the temperature in the reaction chamber. The second thermocouple extends into the inner insulation structure and is used to measure the temperature in the inner insulation structure.

4. The photofluidic reactor for solar fuel synthesis according to claim 1, characterized in that: The internal insulation structure is provided with an air inlet hole, and the air inlet hole corresponds to the position of the air inlet structure.

5. The photofluidic reactor for solar fuel synthesis according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reactor body is also provided with a reserved channel structure, which has a reserved channel that extends to the inner wall of the reactor body.

6. The photofluidic reactor for solar fuel synthesis according to claim 5, characterized in that: The reserved channel structure includes a first reserved channel structure and a second reserved channel structure, and the air intake structure, the first reserved channel structure and the second reserved channel structure are arranged sequentially from front to back.

7. The photofluidic reactor for solar fuel synthesis according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reactor body is also provided with a resistance wire channel structure and an electrode channel structure. The resistance wire channel structure is provided with a resistance wire channel that extends to the inner wall of the reactor body and is used to place the resistance wire. The electrode channel structure is provided with an electrode channel that extends to the inner wall of the reactor body. The internal insulation structure is provided with an electrode through hole that corresponds to the position of the electrode channel and is used to place the electrode.

8. The photofluidic reactor for solar fuel synthesis according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reactor body is made of stainless steel, the internal insulation structure and the external insulation structure are both made of polycrystalline mullite fiber, and the viewing window is made of quartz.

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