A natural gas to hydrogen reformer and method of use thereof

Abstract

This invention discloses a natural gas hydrogen conversion furnace and its usage method, including a hydrogen production furnace. A feeding port is connected to one side of the top of the hydrogen production furnace, and an exhaust port is connected to the side of the hydrogen production furnace away from the feeding port. Several air inlets are arranged side-by-side in the middle of the bottom of the hydrogen production furnace, and a furnace cavity is formed inside the furnace. When the hydrogen production furnace needs to be rotated, the motor is started to control the overall rotation of the hydrogen production furnace. The first and second guide rollers at both ends of the hydrogen production furnace slide along the surfaces of four support rollers until the air inlets flip from the bottom to one side, maintaining an angle parallel to the platform. Then, workers can maintain and replace the air inlets on one side. The length of the heating pipe is greater than the height of the furnace cavity. Since the installation port of the heating pipe is higher than the liquid metal surface, it ensures that the air inlets can be maintained and replaced while the liquid metal is still liquid, making maintenance more convenient. The advantage is that the liquid metal has not solidified, which can significantly reduce energy consumption during maintenance and repair.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of natural gas hydrogen production, specifically to a natural gas hydrogen conversion furnace and its usage method. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the main mature methods for hydrogen production include hydrogen production from fossil fuels and hydrogen production from water electrolysis. The primary form of hydrogen production from fossil fuels is natural gas steam reforming, which catalyzes the production of hydrogen from hydrocarbon components such as methane in natural gas through a chemical reaction: CH4 + 0.5H2O → 0.5CO + 1.5H2, ΔH = 103 kJ / mol. The main problem with this method is that it generates a large amount of the greenhouse gas CO2 while producing hydrogen. Although subsequent pressure swing adsorption (PSA) CO2 capture can reduce the CO2 concentration in the products to some extent, the current CO2 capture cost is high and the efficiency is low, making it difficult to achieve low-carbon development. Hydrogen production from water electrolysis mainly uses electricity to dissociate water molecules in the electrolyte to produce hydrogen and oxygen, achieving truly carbon-free emissions.

[0003] However, the current water electrolysis technology is limited by the high cost and short lifespan of electrode materials and electrolyte membranes, as well as the high power consumption at the back end, making it difficult to form an effective large-scale application. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a natural gas hydrogen conversion furnace and its usage method to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a natural gas-to-hydrogen conversion furnace, comprising...

[0006] The hydrogen production furnace has a feeding port connected to one side of its top, an exhaust port connected to the side of the hydrogen production furnace away from the feeding port, and several air inlets arranged side by side in the middle of the bottom of the hydrogen production furnace. The hydrogen production furnace has a furnace cavity inside, and several heating tubes are arranged side by side on both sides of the furnace cavity.

[0007] The platform is located at the bottom of the hydrogen production furnace. The top four corners of the platform are fixedly installed with bases. The top of each of the four bases is provided with a support roller. The outer sides of both ends of the hydrogen production furnace are respectively equipped with a first guide roller and a second guide roller. The four support rollers are movably connected to the first guide roller and the second guide roller respectively.

[0008] A motor is fixed at the top center of one side of the platform. A gear ring is fixedly installed on the outside of the second guide roller to the left of the hydrogen production furnace. A second driven gear is engaged at the bottom end of the gear ring. A first driven gear is provided on one side of the second driven gear. A driving gear is provided on one side of the output shaft of the motor.

[0009] Furthermore, a first transmission shaft is fixedly installed on the output shaft end of the motor, and the other end of the first transmission shaft is fixedly connected to a drive gear. A shaft seat is provided on the left side of the platform near the drive gear, and a second transmission shaft is provided on the top of the shaft seat. The left and right sides of the middle part of the second transmission shaft are respectively connected to a first driven gear and a second driven gear, and the first driven gear meshes with the drive gear.

[0010] Furthermore, a shaft bracket is provided on the side of the platform near the first drive shaft, and the outer side of the middle part of the first drive shaft is movably connected to the shaft bracket via a bearing.

[0011] Furthermore, two supports are provided on one side of the middle of the platform, and a crossbeam is fixedly installed on the top of the two supports. Several damping shock absorbers are arranged side by side on the top of the crossbeam. Push rods are fixedly installed through the output shafts of the several damping shock absorbers. Stop plates are fixedly installed at the bottom ends of the several push rods. A positioning protrusion is provided on the outer wall of the bottom end of the hydrogen production furnace near the stop plate.

[0012] Furthermore, a mounting groove is provided on the lower surface of the bottom end of the stop baffle, and a pressure sensor is fixedly installed inside the mounting groove.

[0013] Furthermore, the pressure sensor is electrically connected to the motor controller.

[0014] Furthermore, an insulation layer is provided between the hydrogen production furnace and the furnace cavity.

[0015] Furthermore, the length of the heating tube is greater than the height of the furnace cavity.

[0016] Furthermore, the positioning protrusion is located on the side of several of the air inlets near the bracket.

[0017] A method for using a natural gas-to-hydrogen converter:

[0018] Step 1: During the initial feeding, the solid metal is melted in an induction heating furnace and then flows into the inner wall of the furnace cavity in the hydrogen production furnace from the feeding port. Subsequent replenishment of solid metal results in minimal loss during the process. At the same time, the heating tubes installed inside the furnace cavity are activated to directly feed small solid particles into the hydrogen production furnace. The particles are continuously heated and melted by the heating tubes inside the furnace cavity to replenish the lost liquid metal.

[0019] The second step is to desulfurize the natural gas feedstock from the outside through dry process, and then after gas-liquid separation, it is fed into the hydrogen production furnace through the gas inlet. This causes the carbon-hydrogen bonds in the methane to undergo catalytic cracking to produce hydrogen and solid carbon. No CO2 is produced during the reaction. The fixed carbon produced during hydrogen production is discharged through the exhaust port.

[0020] Step 3: When performing normal maintenance and repair of the gas inlet at the bottom of the hydrogen production furnace, the hydrogen production furnace needs to be rotated so that the gas inlet at the bottom of the hydrogen production furnace turns to one side and keeps it parallel to the platform. This ensures that the gas inlet can be maintained and replaced while it is in liquid state. After the gas inlet is repaired, simply control its rotation to reset.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0022] 1. When the hydrogen production furnace needs to be rotated, the motor is started to control the overall rotation of the hydrogen production furnace. The first and second guide rollers at both ends of the hydrogen production furnace slide and guide along the surface of the four support rollers until the gas inlet flips from the bottom to one side and maintains an angle parallel to the platform. Then, the worker can maintain and replace the gas inlet on one side. The length of the heating tube is greater than the height of the furnace cavity. Since the installation port of the heating tube is higher than the liquid metal surface, it can ensure that the gas inlet can be maintained and replaced while it is in liquid state, making maintenance more convenient. The advantage is that the liquid metal has not solidified, which can significantly reduce the energy consumption during maintenance and repair.

[0023] 2. The hydrogen production furnace of the present invention has a horizontal structure. Compared with the vertical furnace, the horizontal furnace can be about 20 meters in length and about 4 meters in diameter. These dimensions are far beyond the reach of the vertical furnace. In addition, one, two or three rows of air inlets can be arranged at the bottom of the hydrogen production furnace, and many can be arranged along the length direction, which is more suitable for large-scale hydrogen production and can meet the explosive growth demand of hydrogen energy in the future.

[0024] 3. The entire hydrogen production process of this invention does not involve oxygen-containing raw materials, so no carbon dioxide is formed in the product. By using a highly efficient liquid metal catalyst material, the CH bonds in the CH4 molecule are effectively activated, reducing the CH bond energy, thereby reducing the energy required for CH breakage and lowering the reaction temperature required for CH4 cracking. This makes the hydrogen production reaction easier to occur. The solid carbon byproducts will not continuously adhere to the atomic surface of the liquid metal catalyst, causing catalyst "poisoning". The solid carbon will float on the surface of the liquid metal due to the density difference and will be carried away from the reaction chamber by the high-temperature methane and the reaction product hydrogen. The conversion reaction process will not cause catalyst deactivation due to carbon buildup. The entire hydrogen production process can be carried out stably, efficiently, and cyclically. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall front view structure of a natural gas-to-hydrogen conversion furnace according to the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the interior of a hydrogen production furnace according to the present invention.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the hydrogen production furnace before rotation in a natural gas hydrogen production converter according to the present invention.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the hydrogen production furnace after rotation in a natural gas hydrogen production converter according to the present invention.

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the gear ring installation of a natural gas hydrogen conversion furnace according to the present invention;

[0030] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of a pressure sensor in a natural gas-to-hydrogen converter according to the present invention;

[0031] Figure 7 This is a graph showing the methane conversion rate of a natural gas-to-hydrogen converter according to the present invention, as analyzed by gas chromatography.

[0032] Figure 8 This is a SEM image of the carbon products containing graphite sheets from a natural gas-to-hydrogen conversion furnace according to the present invention.

[0033] Figure 9 This is a graphene-SEM image of the carbon product of a natural gas-to-hydrogen conversion furnace according to the present invention.

[0034] In the diagram: 1. Hydrogen production furnace; 2. Feed port; 3. Exhaust port; 4. Air inlet; 5. Furnace cavity; 6. Heating tube; 7. Platform; 8. Base; 9. Support roller; 10. First guide roller; 11. Second guide roller; 12. Motor; 13. Gear ring; 14. Second driven gear; 15. First driven gear; 16. Drive gear; 17. First transmission shaft; 18. Shaft seat; 19. Second transmission shaft; 20. Shaft bracket; 21. Support; 22. Crossbeam; 23. Damping shock absorber; 24. Push rod; 25. Stop baffle; 26. Positioning protrusion; 27. Mounting groove; 28. Pressure sensor; 29. ​​Insulation layer. Detailed Implementation

[0035] 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.

[0036] Please see Figure 1-6 The present invention provides a technical solution: a natural gas to hydrogen conversion furnace, comprising...

[0037] A hydrogen production furnace 1 has a feeding port 2 connected to one side of its top, and an exhaust port 3 connected to the side of the furnace 1 away from the feeding port 2. Several air inlets 4 are arranged side-by-side at the bottom center of the furnace 1. A furnace cavity 5 is formed inside the furnace 1, and several heating tubes 6 are arranged side-by-side on both sides of the furnace cavity 5. A platform 7 is located at the bottom of the hydrogen production furnace 1. Bases 8 are fixedly installed at the four corners of the top of the platform 7, and rollers 9 are installed at the top of each of the four bases 8. First guide rollers 10 and second guide rollers 11 are respectively installed on the outer sides of both ends of the hydrogen production furnace 1, and the four rollers 9 are movably connected to the first guide rollers 10 and the second guide rollers 11. A motor 12 is fixedly installed at the top center of one side of the platform 7, and a gear ring 13 is fixedly installed on the outer side of the hydrogen production furnace 1 to the left of the second guide roller 11. The bottom end of the gear ring 13 is meshed with a second driven gear 14, and a first driven gear 15 is provided on one side of the second driven gear 14. A driving gear 16 is provided on one side of the output shaft of the motor 12. A first transmission shaft 17 is fixedly installed on the output shaft end of the motor 12. The other end of the first transmission shaft 17 is fixedly connected to the driving gear 16. A bearing seat 18 is provided on the left side of the platform 7 near the driving gear 16. A second transmission shaft 19 is provided at the top of the bearing seat 18. The left and right sides of the middle part of the second transmission shaft 19 are respectively connected to the first driven gear 15 and the second driven gear 14. The first driven gear 15 meshes with the driving gear 16. A shaft bracket 20 is provided on the side of the platform 7 near the first transmission shaft 17. The outer side of the middle part of the first transmission shaft 17 is movably connected to the shaft bracket 20 through a bearing.

[0038] In this embodiment, when the hydrogen production furnace 1 needs to be rotated, the motor 12 is started. After the motor 12 starts, it drives the active gear 16 to rotate synchronously through the first transmission shaft 17. After the active gear 16 rotates, it drives the first driven gear 15 to rotate. When the first driven gear 15 rotates, it drives the second driven gear 14 on one side to rotate synchronously through the second transmission shaft 19. After the second driven gear 14 rotates, it drives the gear ring 13 meshing at the top to rotate. When the gear ring 13 rotates, it controls the hydrogen production furnace 1 to rotate synchronously as a whole. The first guide roller 10 and the second guide roller 11 at both ends of the hydrogen production furnace 1 slide and guide along the surface of the four support rollers 9 respectively until the air inlet 4 flips from the bottom to one side and maintains an angle parallel to the platform 7. Then, the worker can maintain and replace the air inlet 4 on one side. The length of the heating pipe 6 is greater than the height of the furnace cavity 5. Since the installation port of the heating pipe 6 is higher than the liquid metal surface, it can ensure that the air inlet 4 can be maintained and replaced when it is in liquid state, making maintenance more convenient. The advantage is that the liquid metal has not solidified, which can greatly reduce the energy consumption during maintenance and repair.

[0039] Furthermore, the hydrogen production furnace 1 of this device has a horizontal structure. Compared with the vertical furnace, the horizontal furnace can be about 20 meters in length and about 4 meters in diameter. These dimensions are far beyond the reach of the vertical furnace. In addition, the bottom of the hydrogen production furnace 1 can be arranged with one, two, or three rows of air inlets 4, and many can be arranged along the length direction, which is more suitable for large-scale hydrogen production and can meet the explosive growth demand for hydrogen energy in the future.

[0040] In this invention, two supports 21 are provided on one side of the middle part of the platform 7. A crossbeam 22 is fixedly installed on the top of the two supports 21. Several damping shock absorbers 23 are arranged side by side on the top of the crossbeam 22. Push rods 24 are fixedly installed through the output shafts of the several damping shock absorbers 23. Stop baffles 25 are fixedly installed at the bottom of the several push rods 24. A positioning protrusion 26 is provided on the outer wall of the bottom end of the hydrogen production furnace 1 near the stop baffle 25. An installation groove 27 is opened on the lower surface of the bottom end of the stop baffle 25. A pressure sensor 28 is fixedly installed inside the installation groove 27. The pressure sensor 28 is electrically connected to the controller of the motor 12. The positioning protrusion 26 is located on the side of several air inlets 4 near the supports 21.

[0041] In this embodiment, when the hydrogen production furnace 1 is flipped, the air inlet 4 rotates from the bottom to one side. At the same time, the positioning protrusion 26 on the side of the hydrogen production furnace 1 near the air inlet 4 touches the stop baffle 25 and rises again. At this time, the pressure sensor 28 installed inside the mounting groove 27 will sense the pressure change. When the pressure reaches the set value, the motor 12 is controlled to stop. When the pressure set value of the pressure sensor 28 is reached, the stop baffle 25 compresses the damping shock absorber 23 and fits against the lower surface of the crossbeam 22. This makes positioning convenient and eliminates the need for manual control of the motor 12 to stop. In this way, the air inlet 4 will remain in the same position during each maintenance.

[0042] In this invention, a heat insulation layer 29 is provided between the hydrogen production furnace 1 and the furnace cavity 5;

[0043] In this embodiment, an insulation layer 29 is provided between the hydrogen production furnace 1 and the furnace cavity 5 to reduce heat loss.

[0044] In a specific embodiment, the liquid metal is a copper-tin alloy with a copper-tin molar ratio of 27:75. The total mass of the liquid metal filling is 1 ton, the methane inlet flow rate is 0.5 cubic meters per hour, and the heating temperature is 1100°C. The specific conversion rate and carbon products obtained are shown in the attached figure. Figure 7-9 As shown.

[0045] A natural gas-to-hydrogen converter and its usage method:

[0046] Step 1: During the initial feeding, the solid metal is initially melted using an induction heating furnace and then flows into the inner wall of the furnace cavity 5 in the hydrogen production furnace 1 through the feeding port 2. Subsequent replenishment of solid metal results in minimal loss during the process. At the same time, the heating tube 6 installed inside the furnace cavity 5 is activated to directly feed small solid particles into the hydrogen production furnace 1. The particles are continuously heated and melted by the heating tube 6 installed inside the furnace cavity 5 to replenish the lost liquid metal.

[0047] Step 2: Then, the natural gas feedstock from the outside is desulfurized by dry process, and after gas-liquid separation, it is fed into hydrogen production furnace 1 through gas inlet 4, so that the carbon-hydrogen bonds in methane are catalytically cracked to generate hydrogen and solid carbon. No CO2 is generated during the reaction process, and the fixed carbon generated during hydrogen production is discharged through exhaust port 3.

[0048] Step 3: When performing normal maintenance and repair of the air inlet 4 at the bottom of the hydrogen production furnace 1, the hydrogen production furnace 1 needs to be rotated so that the air inlet 4 at the bottom of the hydrogen production furnace 1 turns to one side and keeps parallel to the platform 7. This ensures that the air inlet 4 can be maintained and replaced in the liquid state. After the air inlet 4 is repaired, it can be controlled to rotate back to its original position.

[0049] Understandably, the entire hydrogen production process involves no oxygen-containing feedstock, therefore no carbon dioxide is formed in the products. Utilizing highly efficient liquid metal catalysts, the CH bonds in the CH4 molecule are effectively activated, reducing the CH bond energy and thus decreasing the energy required for CH breakage and the reaction temperature required for CH4 cracking. This makes the hydrogen production reaction easier to occur. The resulting solid carbon byproducts do not continuously adhere to the atomic surface of the liquid metal catalyst, preventing catalyst "poisoning." The solid carbon floats on the liquid metal surface due to density differences and is carried away from the reaction chamber by the high-temperature methane and hydrogen gas. The conversion process does not result in catalyst deactivation due to carbon buildup. The entire hydrogen production process can be stable, efficient, and cyclical, with a methane conversion rate >95%. Furthermore, the composition of the cracked product gas is relatively simple. By adjusting key parameters such as reaction temperature, natural gas flow rate, and catalyst type, the growth process of carbon atoms on the liquid metal medium surface can be effectively modulated, allowing for targeted control of the byproduct carbon morphology. The products contain graphite and graphene, which can greatly increase the economic added value of the byproduct carbon.

[0050] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0051] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A natural gas-to-hydrogen conversion furnace, characterized in that: The system includes a hydrogen production furnace (1), with a feeding port (2) connected to one side of the top of the hydrogen production furnace (1), and an exhaust port (3) connected to the side of the hydrogen production furnace (1) away from the feeding port (2). Several air inlets (4) are arranged side by side in the middle of the bottom of the hydrogen production furnace (1). A furnace cavity (5) is opened inside the hydrogen production furnace (1), and several heating tubes (6) are arranged side by side on both sides of the furnace cavity (5). A platform (7) is set at the bottom of the hydrogen production furnace (1). A base (8) is fixedly installed at each of the four corners of the top of the platform (7). Rollers (9) are set at the top of each of the four bases (8). The outer sides of both ends of the hydrogen production furnace (1) are respectively The platform (7) is equipped with a first guide roller (10) and a second guide roller (11), and four support rollers (9) are movably connected to the first guide roller (10) and the second guide roller (11) respectively; a motor (12) is fixed at the top center of one side of the platform (7); a gear ring (13) is fixedly installed on the outside of the left side of the hydrogen production furnace (1) on the second guide roller (11); a second driven gear (14) is meshed at the bottom end of the gear ring (13); a first driven gear (15) is provided on one side of the second driven gear (14); a driving gear (16) is provided on one side of the output shaft of the motor (12); a first transmission shaft (17) is fixedly installed at the output shaft end of the motor (12). The other end of the first drive shaft (17) is fixedly connected to the driving gear (16). A bearing seat (18) is provided on the left side of the platform (7) near the driving gear (16). A second drive shaft (19) is provided at the top of the bearing seat (18). The left and right sides of the middle portion of the second drive shaft (19) are respectively connected to the first driven gear (15) and the second driven gear (14). The first driven gear (15) meshes with the driving gear (16). A shaft bracket (20) is provided on the side of the platform (7) near the first drive shaft (17). The outer side of the middle portion of the first drive shaft (17) is movably connected to the shaft bracket (20) via a bearing. Two supports (21) are provided on one side of the middle section. A crossbeam (22) is fixedly installed on the top of the two supports (21). Several damping shock absorbers (23) are arranged side by side on the top of the crossbeam (22). Push rods (24) are fixedly installed through the crossbeam (22) of the output shafts of the several damping shock absorbers (23). Stop baffles (25) are fixedly installed at the bottom of the several push rods (24). A positioning protrusion (26) is provided on the outer wall of the bottom end of the hydrogen production furnace (1) near the stop baffle (25). An insulation layer (29) is provided between the hydrogen production furnace (1) and the furnace cavity (5). The length of the heating tube (6) is greater than the height of the furnace cavity (5).

2. The natural gas-to-hydrogen conversion furnace according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom surface of the stop baffle (25) is provided with a mounting groove (27), and a pressure sensor (28) is fixedly installed inside the mounting groove (27).

3. The natural gas-to-hydrogen conversion furnace according to claim 2, characterized in that: The pressure sensor (28) is electrically connected to the controller of the motor (12).

4. A natural gas-to-hydrogen conversion furnace according to claim 1, characterized in that: The positioning protrusion (26) is located on the side of the several air inlets (4) near the bracket (21).

5. A method of using a natural gas-to-hydrogen converter according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that: Step 1: When feeding for the first time, the solid metal is melted in an induction heating furnace and then flows into the inner wall of the furnace cavity (5) of the hydrogen production furnace (1) through the feeding port (2). The solid metal is then added later. The working process has less loss. At the same time, the heating tube (6) set inside the furnace cavity (5) is activated to directly feed small solid particles into the hydrogen production furnace (1). The particles are continuously heated and melted by the heating tube (6) set inside the furnace cavity (5) to replenish the lost liquid metal. Step 2: Then the natural gas feedstock from the outside is desulfurized by dry method, and after gas-liquid separation, it is fed into the hydrogen production furnace (1) through the gas inlet (4) to cause the carbon-hydrogen bonds in methane to undergo catalytic cracking to generate hydrogen and solid carbon. No CO2 is generated during the reaction process, and the fixed carbon generated during hydrogen production is discharged through the exhaust port (3). Step 3: When performing normal maintenance and repair of the gas inlet (4) at the bottom of the hydrogen production furnace (1), the hydrogen production furnace (1) needs to be rotated so that the gas inlet (4) at the bottom of the hydrogen production furnace (1) turns to one side and remains parallel to the platform (7). This ensures that the gas inlet (4) can be maintained and replaced in the liquid state. After the gas inlet (4) is repaired, it can be rotated back to its original position.

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