Electrically conductive liquid hydrocarbon gas plasmas for materials and chemical synthesis and conversion

Abstract

A high-voltage discharge between two electrodes that generate plasma is provided within the reactor chamber. A hydrocarbon gas and a conductive liquid are passed through one or more electrodes such that the conductive liquid cools the electrodes and avoids fouling. Such electrical discharges can produce hydrogen and additional carbon-containing co-products, which can be used, released, or sequestered.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related patent applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 330,953, filed on April 14, 2022, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety.

[0003] background

[0004] The present invention relates generally to the fields of energy production, gas to liquid fuel conversion, macro- and nanomaterials synthesis, hydrogen production and carbon sequestration. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a hydrocarbon gas reactor according to various embodiments.

[0007] Figure 2 is another cross-sectional view of a hydrocarbon gas reactor according to various embodiments.

[0008] Figure 3 is yet another cross-sectional view of a hydrocarbon gas reactor according to various embodiments.

[0009] Figure 4 is a block diagram of a system for processing hydrocarbon gas, according to some embodiments.

[0010] Figure 5 is another block diagram of a system for processing hydrocarbon gas, according to some embodiments.

[0011] Figure 6 is yet another block diagram of a system for processing hydrocarbon gas, according to some embodiments.

[0012] Figure 7 is a sequestered portion of a system 700 for processing hydrocarbon gas according to some embodiments.

[0013] Figure 8 is another cross-sectional view of a hydrocarbon gas reactor according to various embodiments.

[0014] Fig. 9A is a cross-sectional view of a hydrocarbon reactor according to some embodiments.

[0015] Fig. 9B According to some embodiments Fig. 9A An isometric view overview of a hydrocarbon reactor

[0016] Some embodiments relate to a multiphase non-equilibrium plasma hydrocarbon reactor. The reactor may include a first electrode configured to receive a first conductive liquid from a first injection port and to excite the first conductive liquid to a first voltage. The reactor may include a second electrode configured to receive a second conductive liquid from a second injection port and to excite the second conductive liquid to a second voltage. The second electrode may be a distance from the first electrode. The difference between the first voltage and the second voltage may exceed a dielectric breakdown of a gas disposed within the reactor within the distance.

[0017] In some embodiments, the reactor may include a gas injection port configured to deliver the gas to the hydrocarbon gas reactor. In some embodiments, the gas injection port is one of the first electrode or the second electrode. In some embodiments, the gas disposed in the reactor is a non-oxidizing gas containing hydrocarbons. In some embodiments, the hydrocarbons include natural gas. This natural gas may be a feed gas from a well, a gas from a natural gas gathering pipeline, or a natural gas from a distribution pipeline. In some embodiments, the hydrocarbon gas may be obtained from another process, such as a gasifier, a biogenerator, or other hydrocarbon gas production process. The hydrocarbon gas may therefore contain non-hydrocarbon impurities typical of these sources. In some embodiments, the dielectric sheath delivers the first conductive liquid to the first electrode together with the first injection port. In some embodiments, the reactor may include a first exhaust port for the gas, and an ignition source configured to ignite the exhaust gas. In some embodiments, the reactor includes a bypass exhaust port configured to exhaust the gas before the gas is introduced into the reactor. In some embodiments, the reactor includes a hydrogen generator, such as a fuel cell or a turbine, which is configured to receive the hydrogen generated in the reactor to generate electrical energy. In some embodiments, the hydrogen power generator comprises at least one of a pressure swing absorption (PSA) system, a temperature swing absorption (TSA) system, a membrane purifier or a dryer purification system, which can adjust the gas to a specification corresponding to the energy generation system. In some embodiments, the reactor is configured to generate radial plasma and a vortex of liquid along the inner surface of its side wall. In some embodiments, the reactor includes a plurality of magnets arranged around the outer surface of its side wall. In some embodiments, the reactor is configured to adjust the flow rate of the first conductive liquid or the second conductive liquid in response to the conductivity of the respective conductive liquid.

[0018] Some embodiments relate to a system. The method may include a multiphase nonequilibrium plasma hydrocarbon reactor. The reactor may include a first electrode configured to receive a first conductive liquid from a first injection port and to excite the first conductive liquid to a first voltage. The reactor may include a second electrode configured to receive a second conductive liquid from a second injection port and to excite the second conductive liquid to a second voltage. The second electrode is at a minimum distance from the first electrode. The gas injection port may be configured to deliver hydrocarbon gas to the reactor. The difference between the first voltage and the second voltage may exceed a dielectric breakdown of the hydrocarbon gas disposed within the reactor within the distance.

[0019] In some embodiments, the first injection port and the second injection port are different ports. In some embodiments, the gas injection port is one of the first electrode or the second electrode. In some embodiments, the system includes a plurality of magnets disposed around an outer surface of a reactor sidewall, the plurality of magnets being configured to generate a vortex of radial plasma in conjunction with an electric field between the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0020] Some embodiments relate to a method. The method may include receiving a first conductive liquid at a first injection port through a multiphase non-equilibrium plasma hydrocarbon reactor. The method may include exciting the first conductive liquid at a first voltage through a first electrode of the reactor. The method may include receiving a second conductive liquid at a second voltage through the reactor, the second conductive liquid being separated from the first conductive liquid by a distance. The method may include receiving a hydrocarbon gas through the reactor. The difference between the first voltage and the second voltage may exceed the dielectric breakdown of the hydrocarbon gas to ionize the hydrocarbon gas.

[0021] In some embodiments, the method includes receiving a conductive liquid from the reactor. In some embodiments, the method includes separating a first portion of conductive particles from the conductive liquid, and thereafter injecting the separated conductive liquid into the reactor. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving a second conductive liquid from the reactor. In some embodiments, the method includes cooling the second conductive liquid through a heat exchanger. In some embodiments, the method includes injecting the cooled second conductive liquid into the reactor.

[0022] Details

[0023] Although hydrocarbons such as methane (e.g., biomethane) and other hydrocarbon gases include hydrogen atoms, the H 2 or other materials or energies. Some of these challenges involve the release of carbon into the atmosphere, which can have negative environmental and regulatory consequences. For example, it may be possible to react CH 4 +H 2 O<=>CO+3H2 Carbon monoxide is released from the methane-steam reforming reaction. In some reactors, carbon dioxide may be released from the combustion process used to promote the above reactions. Exposing methane to the plasma discharge can cause various chemical reactions to result in the formation of H 2 For example, the reactor chamber can be filled with a substantially non-oxidizing gas, such as methane, and at least one pair of electrodes can be energized to a high voltage sufficient to cause dielectric breakdown of the gap between the two electrodes. The gap can be about 10-20 mm, and the electrodes can be energized to a potential of about 10-20 kV (e.g., by an AC or DC power source). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the voltage and gap can be adjusted based on the dielectric breakdown of the gas between the electrodes (e.g., pressure, composition, etc.).

[0024] The plasma discharge can be operated in a manner that non-equilibrium chemical reactions occur. Non-equilibrium conditions can be maintained in the presence of a sufficiently high electric field so that electrons have sufficient energy to induce non-thermal ionization, dissociation, and chemical excitation. In some embodiments, the reduced electric field in these non-equilibrium embodiments can be in the range of tens to hundreds of Townsend (Td). Under non-equilibrium conditions, the reaction chemistry may be different from those in the equilibrium system. For example, some steam methane reforming (SMR) processes can produce a hydrogen to carbon monoxide ratio of about 3 to 1 (H2:CO=3:1). Under some operating conditions, various embodiments of a non-equilibrium multiphase plasma reactor (e.g., a reformer) can be in the range of, for example, about 3 to 1 to about 10 to 1.

[0025] In some embodiments, higher water temperatures (e.g., over 30° C.) or more turbulent water flow can introduce more steam into the plasma discharge region and generate relatively lower H 2 In some embodiments, lower water temperature (e.g., below 30° C.) or less turbulent water flow can introduce less steam into the plasma discharge region and generate relatively higher H 2 :CO ratio. In addition, relatively high H 2 Reactors with a higher H:CO ratio can employ lower water temperatures (e.g., based on water volume or heat exchangers), higher system pressures (e.g., as controlled by a headspace valve), saline solutions (e.g., as controlled by the addition of salt or other particles), more dynamic plasma discharges, and larger amounts of non-thermal plasma. Reactors employing conductive liquids that contain less oxygen than water (e.g., conductive oils) can be used to generate plasma with relatively high H 2 This can reduce the carbon dioxide emission impact of the entire process.

[0026] The subsequent dielectric breakdown may result in a plasma discharge between the electrodes, so that when hydrocarbons, such as methane gas, enter the discharge, various chemical reactions may occur in the hydrocarbons to produce H 2 , various oxygen-containing compounds or carbon particle products, which can then be separated, stored or used in other ways.

[0027] The operating voltage of the plasma can be less than the original excitation voltage, for example, 500V to 3kV. In the gas phase, hydrogen can be generated together with other species, such as gaseous hydrocarbons (e.g., alkanes or alkenes). In some embodiments, hydroxyl radicals and oxidized and partially oxidized compounds can be formed, such as when water is used as a liquid electrode. In the liquid phase and the solid phase, for example, co-products such as carbon solids, polymers, alcohols, etc. can be sealed and / or used. Hydrocarbons (e.g., natural gas) can be fed into the reactor via a gas injection port. In some embodiments, one or more electrodes can be hollow / intubated to allow gas to pass through the electrode to the plasma discharge.

[0028] The products of this system can be present in gas phase, liquid phase and solid phase. For example, short-chain alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, propenol and ketone can be produced therein. When hydrogen is produced by hydrocarbons, gaseous carbon oxides or carbon solids can be produced. Coke (grey, hard, high carbon content solid) is a potential product of hydrocarbon processing in the absence of oxygen. When it is formed, this coke may be challenged to output from the reactor and prevent fouling (for example, unwanted materials accumulate on surfaces such as electrodes). Maintenance cycles on the equipment can be carried out to remove coke and other accumulations. A non-thermal multiphase plasma reactor with a liquid electrode can transport the produced solids out of the reactor to avoid or reduce this maintenance. In some embodiments, due to the high intensity of the processing reaction and the short residence time of particles in the reaction zone, non-equilibrium plasma can produce solid particles with a scale of about 10nm to about 1000nm. Such solids can cover a large surface area, such as electrode surfaces, when not transported away. Non-limiting compositions of some exemplary hydrophobic nanographene solids obtained by SEM-EDS are listed below; other solid compositions and structures can be formed by varying process temperature, pressure, current, solution salinity, flow rate, etc.

[0029] element weight% atom% CK 94.92 96.24 OK 4.7 3.58 Na K 0.16 0.09 Al K .021 0.09

[0030] In some embodiments, as in various thermal cracking and discharge pyrolysis systems, co-products can contaminate the reactor by forming particles on the electrodes. When particles aggregate and accumulate on the surface to prevent the surface from having the expected geometry or surface properties (such as electrical conduction), fouling may occur. For example, fouling of conductive carbon may cause the dielectric surface to become conductive, thereby changing the discharge. In some embodiments, fouling is prevented by using (conductive) liquid as an electrode for discharge to conduct solid convection away from the surface. The conductive liquid may include water, molten metal or oil. The conductive liquid may include various dissolved components to adjust its conductivity. In addition, the amount of these dissolved components can be adjusted or maintained. Similar to metal electrodes, conductive liquid electrodes can serve as circuit electrodes at the plasma boundary. A portion of the liquid may volatilize to become a component of the plasma discharge. The volatile portion may depend on and be controlled in association with the boiling point of the liquid electrode, the specific heat of the liquid electrode, etc.

[0031] In some embodiments, the liquid electrode comprises water, and evaporation of a portion of the water electrode can increase steam or methane reforming and add a water shift reaction to the chemistry of the system. In some embodiments, the liquid electrode comprises water as well as a salt, wherein such evaporation injects alkali, basic or metallic elements (e.g., Na, Ca, Mg, K) into the plasma discharge. These elements can significantly reduce the electric field required to sustain the plasma and improve the efficiency of plasma generation relative to other elements (e.g., carbon) that may utilize additional energy to ionize (e.g., by reducing the electric field by 10%-50% to maintain the plasma at the same current, according to some embodiments).

[0032] A conductive liquid may be passed through one or more electrodes, which may remove any fouling (e.g., carbon solid fouling) on ​​the electrodes, cool the electrodes, and the like. In some embodiments, a conductive liquid may be passed through one or more electrodes during operation so that the conductive liquid may act as an electrode. For example, the conductive liquid may contain salts or other materials (e.g., NaCl, carbon solids, etc.), which may increase the conductivity of the conductive liquid and may enable the conductive liquid to act as an effective extension of the electrode. Advantageously, such an embodiment may result in cooling the chamber containing the electrode during operation, removing and / or avoiding carbon accumulation along the solid electrode, and may further bring additional availability of steam, which may increase the production of hydrogen (e.g., in the case of aqueous electrodes, by methane-water reaction). In addition, such an embodiment may use turbulent and / or eddy motion of the conductive liquid to remove carbon fouling, polymers, and / or other solids from the chamber (e.g., through a collection area, by allowing various solids to precipitate from the solution, by passing the conductive liquid through a filter element, etc.). The various conductive liquid streams in these examples may be maintained at significantly different potentials and electrically isolated upstream to ensure high voltage discharge between the conductive liquid electrodes.

[0033] In some embodiments, various mechanical features of dielectric sheaths, electrodes, and various additional components (e.g., fans, magnets, heaters, etc.) can be used to guide the flow of conductive liquids, hydrocarbon gases, exert forces on plasma, and accelerate or delay various chemical reactions. In some embodiments, electrodes, dielectrics, and sleeves (e.g., various injection ports) can be arranged relative to each other to increase the interaction between plasma and raw gas. For example, the dielectric sleeve can extend beyond the end of the hollow electrode to force the plasma attachment point to be in the inner surface of the electrode. A mixture of axial flow and swirl flow can be used to allow gas convection through the discharge to achieve the desired residence time of the gas in the active discharge region. Similarly, a magnetic field can be applied to the plasma to allow the plasma discharge to convect through the gas. A permanent magnet or an electromagnet can generate a (e.g., axial) magnetic field. Combined with the radial electric field E and the radial current J between the electrodes on the outer wall and the electrodes on the center line, a Lorentz force in the JxB azimuthal direction can be generated. This can cause the plasma to rotate (e.g., vortex) in the azimuthal direction. This motion can increase the rate of nonequilibrium plasma reactions and further distribute the formation of carbon particle synthesis, which can prevent fouling particle accumulation.

[0034] Although many embodiments orient the upper and lower electrodes vertically as shown in the various figures herein, some embodiments, including various embodiments including fluid electrodes (i.e., wherein the end portions of the electrodes are fluids such as water), may orient the electrodes vertically or otherwise. In addition, the positions of the upper and lower electrodes may be mechanically or electrically reversed. Therefore, the "upper" and "lower" nomenclature of the electrodes is intended only to refer to the figures herein, rather than to limit the present disclosure, which takes into account that the upper and lower electrodes are in various positions and have various relative polarizations. In addition, the electrodes may be similarly referred to as the first electrode and the second electrode (as well as the third electrode and the fourth electrode, as well as the inner electrode and the outer electrode, etc.). These names are not intended to limit the positions, polarizations, manufacturing sequences, or excitations of the various electrodes, and are only for ease of reference. For example, in another embodiment, the discharge may occur between a centrally / axially positioned electrode and the inner wall of a cylindrical ring, wherein the discharge is primarily radial in direction. The conductive liquid may be formed into an outer ring shape by tangential injection or vortex motion. The conductive liquid may also flow radially out of the central electrode. A vortex may refer to a circular or spiral rotation within the reactor body. For example, any fluid (e.g., vapor or liquid fluid) along with any plasma swirls in response to magnetic forces, electrical forces, gas input velocity, conductive liquid input velocity, mechanical rotation, etc.

[0035] The conductive liquid temperature can be controlled by adjusting the volume of water injected into or removed from the reactor. For example, for a water electrode, the temperature can be maintained at less than 30°C by increasing the flow rate of water through the reactor, or the temperature can be increased by decreasing the flow rate of water through the reactor to control its partial pressure in the hydrocarbon gas / water vapor mixture. This can reduce oxidative products, including CO and CO, that are products of plasma steam reforming of hydrocarbons. 2 Similarly, the pressure inside the reactor can be increased to reduce evaporation of the liquid electrode material. Also in the case of the water electrode, this increase in pressure will reduce the production of CO and CO relative to the production of H2. 2 When encountering heat and plasma in the reactor, all or only part of the liquid evaporates, so the flow rate can be determined in conjunction with the vapor rate entering or leaving the reactor.

[0036] Similarly, the flow of the conductive fluid can be adjusted to control its conductivity. For example, a settling tank, a filter, a skimmer or other separators for particles (such as salt, carbon solids, etc.) can remove particles from water so that the flow of the conductive liquid between the reactor and the separator can control the conductivity of the conductive liquid. The reactor can adjust the flow to control the flow so that the liquid flow effectively removes the fouling on the electrode, controls the temperature of the reactor, etc. The flow can be controlled to keep the conductive loss through the liquid below a threshold. For example, the reactor can include a controller or interface with a controller, and the controller is configured to execute instructions for a non-temporary medium. The controller can communicate with various valves disclosed herein and a sensor network to measure the temperature, pressure, conductivity and other properties of the reactor (such as a conductive liquid), and various valves can be actuated in response to the comparison of the detected value with the threshold.

[0037] In some embodiments, the material of the container containing the conductive liquid is formed by a conductive component or a dielectric component. Similarly, the hollow tube that transmits the conductive liquid can be conductive or dielectric. The construction of the circuit in which all conductive liquid contact materials are dielectrics or plasmas can be configured so that no metal or solid conductor contacts the conductive liquid. Such a configuration can advantageously simplify the manufacture of embodiments in which the electrochemical reactions (e.g., anode reactions and cathode reactions) at the electrodes may be suppressed to avoid the chemical reactions of metal ions. Alternatively or additionally, the container containing the conductive liquid flow can be made of a specific conductor so that certain metal ions are specifically introduced for the benefit of the generated product. For example, those skilled in the art are proficient in the field of nanotube growth, and will understand that Ni metal particles can serve as seeds for the synthesis of carbon nanoparticles of various geometries. In some embodiments, the Ni ions in the solution at the conductive liquid-plasma interface can serve as seeds for the growth of nanotubes through one or more chemical pathways.

[0038] refer to Figure 1 , a cross-sectional view of a hydrocarbon gas reactor 100 is provided according to various embodiments. The reactor 100 includes a hollow upper electrode 110, a conductive liquid injection port 120, and a dielectric sheath 130. The upper electrode 110 is connected to a first voltage, such as through a bus bar, a wire, etc. In some embodiments, the various electrodes can be energized by charging the conductive liquid 120 and thereafter allowing a droplet of the conductive liquid 125 to fall onto the bottom electrode 160, which can advantageously allow for electrical isolation of the electrodes. The hollow center of the upper electrode 110 can be configured to deliver hydrocarbon gas from a storage facility, a utility, or a downhole location into the reactor chamber along a flow path 140.

[0039] The upper electrode 110 may include one or more conductive elements. For example, the first metal element may be connected to a first voltage source, and the second fluid element may be a conductive liquid 125, such as an aqueous solution containing water and its additives to adjust viscosity, conductivity, etc. For ease of reference, such an aqueous solution is referred to herein as water. For example, a salt (e.g., NaCl) may be added to water to increase the conductivity of the water so that the water in contact with the first electrode (i.e., the first water) may be excited to approximately a first voltage.

[0040] In some embodiments, the conductive liquid may include a molten metal (e.g., may be or include cerium, gallium, a combination thereof, etc.). The metal may be liquid at near ambient temperature (e.g., less than 100° C., such as less than 30° C.), which may reduce the energy usage of the reactor. In some embodiments, the conductive liquid includes a hydrocarbon liquid (which may be nominally low conductivity) having carbon or metal conductive particles in solution. These may include microparticles or nanoparticles in solution. The particles may be added to the liquid or synthesized within the system and recycled within the liquid stream. The conductive liquid may include a mixture of the various liquids described herein, etc.

[0041] The lower electrode 160 is depicted as a conductive liquid electrode, which may be covered with a conductive element (not depicted) to ground the conductive liquid (e.g., a ground plane, a bus bar, a ground strap, etc.). A second conductive liquid injection port may provide the conductive liquid to the lower electrode. Figure 1, the second conductive liquid port is an upper conductor (i.e., the first conductive liquid may fall directly as a droplet or into the second conductive liquid after vaporization and recondensation). The second electrode 160 may be energized to a second voltage that exceeds the dielectric breakdown voltage of the gap (i.e., the minimum distance) between the upper electrode 110 and the lower electrode 160 (including the conductive liquid 125 included in the electrodes 110, 160) relative to the first electrode to form the plasma 150. The central opening of the hollow upper electrode 110 may be used to deliver hydrocarbon gas (e.g., methane) to the gap between the upper electrode and the lower electrode so that the gas enters the plasma 150 at a controlled rate to induce various chemical reactions, including the formation of H 2 The reactor may be a multiphase reactor, in which materials such as hydrocarbons may react in multiple phases (eg, solid, liquid, gas, and plasma).

[0042] The dielectric sheath 130 can provide mechanical support for the upper electrode 110, such as attaching the upper electrode 110 to the upper surface or side surface of the reactor, providing fluid retention for the electrode (e.g., to retain the conductive liquid along the electrode). The flow rate of the conductive liquid can be configured to retain the conductive liquid along the electrode, maintain the desired level of the conductive liquid vapor, etc. In addition, the conductive liquid can contain various thickeners, detergents, etc., as a supplement or alternative to controlling the flow of the conductive liquid, surface smoothness, upper electrode position or lower electrode position, etc., so that the conductive liquid adheres to the electrode and avoids electrical connection (e.g., short circuit) between the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0043] In some embodiments, the amount of salt, particles, or other additives added to the conductive liquid can control its conductivity to control the formation of various species. For example, the addition of NaCl at a concentration of about 3% may result in the formation of a relatively large proportion of carbon solids, while a concentration of about 0.1% NaCl may result in the formation of a relatively large proportion of polymers. In an oxygen-containing conductive liquid such as water, a portion of the conductive liquid may form CO or CO 2 . The hydrocarbon-containing conductive liquid can reduce oxidation and aid in the production of solid particles or hydrocarbon gas. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the generation of various co-products can vary depending on the pressure, temperature, amount, flow rate, and composition of the hydrocarbon gas and the conductive liquid. Various co-products can be formed corresponding to various inputs. The conductive liquid can be delivered to the first conductor by a conductive liquid injector, which can inject the conductive liquid from outside the reactor via the first conductive liquid injection port 120 and / or recycle the conductive liquid from the reactor.

[0044] refer to Figure 2, another cross-sectional view of a hydrocarbon gas reactor 200 is provided according to some embodiments. As shown, the conductive liquid 125 is received around the periphery of the dielectric jacket 130, which can advantageously simplify the design of the upper electrode 110. The dielectric jacket can be chamfered or otherwise shaped to allow the conductive liquid 125 to pass along the edge of the electrode (e.g., along the surface of the upper electrode, through a channel in the electrode configured to receive the conductive liquid 125, etc.). Advantageously, such an embodiment can avoid Figure 1 A plurality of generally concentric openings are found in the upper electrode.

[0045] The upper electrode 110 can be a sleeve (e.g., a stainless steel capillary electrode) configured to receive hydrocarbon gas, including natural gas (e.g., ethane, methane, propane, etc.) The flow path 140 of the hydrocarbon gas depicts the net migration of the gas into the chamber, which can correspond to the pressure gradient between the gas source and the reactor.

[0046] refer to Figure 3 , another cross-sectional view of a hydrocarbon gas reactor 100 is provided according to some embodiments. As shown, hydrocarbon gas 305 is introduced from the lower electrode 160, which can advantageously simplify the construction of the upper electrode. The hydrocarbon gas 305 is directed toward the upper electrode via a hydrocarbon gas injector 310. In some embodiments, the hydrocarbon gas injector 310 can be a conductive element that excites a conductive liquid that serves as the second electrode 160 or is in contact with the second electrode 160 to a second voltage. In some embodiments, the conductive liquid 125 can be excited to the second voltage in other ways, and the hydrocarbon gas 305 can be directed in other ways (e.g., through a non-conductive port such as glass or plastic, through fluid dynamics such as eddy currents within the conductive liquid, etc.). In some embodiments, multiple upper electrodes 110 or an upper electrode 110 of a large cross-sectional area can eliminate the need to direct methane, except by selecting an appropriate insertion point. Those skilled in the art will understand that the various elements of the depicted embodiments may be adjusted, modified, and replaced between them, and that various mechanical pressures, etc. or other mechanisms may provide a first controlled rate of conductive liquid to a pair of fluid electrodes and introduce a controlled flow of hydrocarbon gas at a second controlled rate, and that the distance between these electrodes, the first rate, the second rate, etc. may be maintained or adjusted.

[0047] refer to Figure 4-6, a carbon sequestration system is provided according to various embodiments. The system can be used for natural gas flaring or other gas sources. Natural gas can be processed as a byproduct (e.g., incidental to oil production) and can be released into the atmosphere, which may be undesirable (e.g., for environmental and / or regulatory reasons). Natural gas can contain multiple components, including methane. In order to distinguish between the original natural gas and the later processed form, the original material can be called associated gas or raw natural gas. Raw natural gas is usually burned, which can control the pressure of the natural gas (e.g., at an oil production site), but may also release carbon dioxide and unburned methane. Some embodiments can process natural gas (e.g., containing methane) by any method disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the hydrocarbon gas is of biological origin (e.g., biogas from an anaerobic digester). Therefore, at least a portion of the raw natural gas can be converted into H 2 , carbon solids, carbon-containing polymers, and additional carbon-containing chemicals in aqueous solution (e.g., alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, fatty acids, etc.). The new products can also be separated (e.g., preferentially separated) for absorption in a solid phase or an immiscible liquid phase (e.g., an oil phase with condensable alkanes, olefins, etc.) and various gaseous products (e.g., acetylene, carbon monoxide, etc.). The various products can then be captured for reuse or further processing, or can be ignited as a flare (e.g., by an ignition source such as a pilot light or an electrical igniter), which may satisfy safety concerns or regulatory concerns. Advantageously, since at least a portion of the methane is converted to H 2 At least a portion of the carbon (e.g., carbon solids) can be sequestered, and the resulting flare may emit lower CO than raw natural gas. 2 In some embodiments, there may be an additional (eg, fail-safe) carbon flare emission site that may enable continued emission and, in some embodiments, flaring of the raw natural gas.

[0048] Specific reference Figure 4, a block diagram of a system 400 for processing hydrocarbon gas is provided according to some embodiments. A power supply unit 405 provides power to a hydrocarbon reactor 100. The power supply unit 405 may include a solar array, grid-based energy, or another energy source (e.g., a natural gas or oil-based energy source). The hydrocarbon reactor 100 may receive hydrocarbon gas from a hydrocarbon gas input source 410, which may be a downhole source, an anaerobic digester, or another source. The hydrocarbon reactor 100 may be mediated by one or more gas input valves 475. When the hydrocarbon reactor 100 is running, the fluid electrode material may accumulate carbon or other materials therein. The hydrocarbon reactor 100 may be connected to a settling tank 420 or other processing to control (e.g., remove or add) accumulated materials. The reactor fluid outlet valve 415 may control the rate of fluid removed from the hydrocarbon reactor 100, which may control the content of the reactor fluid. The settling tank 420 may separate fluid, entrained gas, and particulate matter, and may include a filter, a separator, a skimmer, etc. A pump (e.g., a clarified liquid pump) may return the fluid to the reactor. Reactor fluid inlet valve 460 can control the rate or pressure of fluid return. Settling tank 420 can receive water from water source 465 via water source valve 470. As described above, various references to water can be replaced by various conductive liquids, such as metals or oils with macroparticles or nanoparticles disposed therein. For example, water source 465 can be molten metal source 465.

[0049] The hydrocarbon reactor 100 can supply hydrocarbon gas to a condenser 430 via a reactor outlet valve 425. The condenser 430 can output the gas to a knock-out (KO) tank 440, which can separate vapor, gas, and entrained fluid. The entrained fluid and condensed vapor can be sent back to the settling tank via a KO tank fluid valve 435. The gas can be output to a gas output 445 via a gas output valve 480, which can include a flare, gas storage, energy production, etc. The solids from the settling tank can be sent to a storage location 450 for storage or other disposal of carbonaceous compounds via a pump 442 (e.g., a carbon slurry pump).

[0050] Specific reference Figure 5 , another block diagram of a system 500 for processing hydrocarbon gas is provided according to some embodiments. The system 500 includes a gas output 505, which can receive a refined hydrocarbon gas, such as hydrogen. The system 500 can include Figure 4 The second stage KO tank 520 can receive the second stage KO tank 520 from the various components. Figure 4The output of the first stage KO tank 440 can be further removed by means of a compressor 510 and a condenser 515 to remove vapor, fluid or other contents. Such fluid can be sent back to the settling tank 420 via a second stage fluid valve 525. The gas can further pass through a dryer 530 and a H-based 2 The purification part 535 (e.g., a membrane purifier) ​​can provide a purified gas (e.g., H 2 gas), and the remainder of the gas may be delivered to a gas output 505 for flare or other disposal.

[0051] In some embodiments, a portion of the processed natural gas can be used to generate electricity, such as by using H 2 Fuel cells or hydrogen turbine engines and generators. Advantageously, such power sources can supplement or eliminate the need to operate the reactor with grid-supplied energy. Excess electrical energy (greater than that required to power the plasma discharge) can also be produced and sold or used in other processes. Figure 6 Such a fuel cell 605 can receive the output from the purification portion 535 of the system and can supply energy therefrom to the hydrocarbon reactor 100.

[0052] Figure 7 Depicts a storage portion of a system 700 for processing hydrocarbon gas according to some embodiments. The storage portion can be integrated with other systems, such as Figure 5 , 6 Used together with the system depicted in 7. In fact, the various embodiments provided herein may be replaced, modified and combined in other ways.

[0053] Reactor fluid inlet valve 705, outlet valve 710 and transfer valve 715 can keep the flow in and out of reactor.Filter, skimmer or other separator can receive fluid from outlet valve 710 or transfer valve 715, and provide first part carbon (for example, low density solid) for sealing up.Other materials can be sent to settling tank 420.Settling tank can receive other fluids from reactor or other sources, including conductive liquid.Settling tank 420 can provide this material to water pump 455 or cooler 740 connected in series with cyclone separator 745 (for example, hydrocyclone) to make carbon densification, which can be sealed up afterwards.

[0054] The depicted systems 400, 500, 600, 700 are not intended to be limiting, and various elements may be added, omitted, substituted, or modified. For example, a vapor scrubber may be interposed between the solid settling tank 420 and the conductive liquid supply and return a portion of the vapor or liquid to the KO tank 440. The vapor scrubber and KO tank 440 may be interposed by a condenser 430. A heat exchanger may reduce the temperature of the conductive liquid and return the cooled conductive liquid to the reactor 100. Some embodiments may omit the flare and may include a condenser for all non-H 2 Gas collection pipeline.

[0055] Figure 8 Another cross-sectional view of a hydrocarbon reactor 100 is depicted according to some embodiments. The lower electrode 160 may be arranged along Figure 4 The same flow path 140 depicted provides hydrocarbon gas. The upper electrode 110 may include a conductive liquid 125. For example, Figure 8 The reactor can be Figure 4 The same reactor is described above, wherein the surfaces of both electrodes 110, 160 contain a conductive liquid, such as molten metal.

[0056] Fig. 9A A cross-sectional view of a hydrocarbon reactor according to some embodiments is depicted. A gas injection port 905 of the upper electrode 110 provides hydrocarbon gas to the reactor body 940. The gas injection port 905, similar to other ports herein, can receive various amounts or pressures of gas according to various reactor geometries. For example, in some embodiments, the gas injection port 905 receives 0.5 to 20 standard liters per minute (SLPM) of hydrocarbon gas. The dielectric sheath 130 electrically isolates the upper electrode 110 from the reactor body 940.

[0057] The first conductive liquid injection port 120A is configured to receive a conductive liquid (not shown) so that the conductive liquid is transported along the outer wall (e.g., sidewall 935) of the reactor. The liquid channel 910 inside the reactor can cause the liquid to swirl tangentially along its sidewall 935. The first conductive liquid injection port 120A can receive the conductive liquid at a rate of about 0.1 to 20 SLPM. The second conductive liquid injection port 120B is configured to receive a conductive liquid for flowing to the lower electrode and cooling, at least a portion of which can be vaporized or ionized in the reactor. The second conductive liquid injection port 120B can receive the conductive liquid at a rate of about 0 to 100 standard cubic centimeters per minute (SCCM).

[0058] In some embodiments, the chamber can include various portions that are selectively coupled, such as by the depicted fastening pin 920. Removal of the fastening pin can enable the reactor to be opened (e.g., for maintenance such as periodic descaling). A plurality of permanent magnets 925 are disposed around the sidewall 935 of the reactor. The plurality of permanent magnets 925 can generate an inter-reactor magnetic field of approximately 100 to 5000 gauss. In various embodiments, stronger, weaker, or variable magnets (e.g., electromagnets) can be employed. The magnets 925 can cause a plasma vortex in conjunction with an electric field, which can increase the efficiency of the reactor due to increased reactivity. The magnetic field can reduce blowby and increase the amount of non-thermal plasma. A water outlet valve 915 can release water from the reactor. Now referring to Fig. 9B , according to some embodiments, Fig. 9A An isometric view of a hydrocarbon reactor of FIG. 90 . A gas outlet valve 930 allows gas to be removed from the reactor to control its pressure, or to harvest the gas. The gas may be refined (e.g., high H 2 ).

[0059] Included below are potential embodiments of the disclosed methods, which represent further examples that are not intended to be limiting in any way:

[0060] Embodiment A1: A multiphase non-equilibrium plasma hydrocarbon reactor, comprising: a first electrode, configured to receive a first conductive liquid from a first injection port and excite the first conductive liquid to a first voltage; and a second electrode at a certain distance from the first electrode, the second electrode configured to receive a second conductive liquid from a second injection port and excite the second conductive liquid to a second voltage so that the difference between the first voltage and the second voltage exceeds the dielectric breakdown of the gas set in the reactor within the distance.

[0061] Embodiment A2: The reactor of Embodiment A1, further comprising a gas injection port configured to deliver the gas to the hydrocarbon gas reactor.

[0062] Embodiment A3: The reactor of Embodiment A2, wherein the gas injection port is one of the first electrode or the second electrode.

[0063] Embodiment A4: The reactor of any one of Embodiments A1-A3, wherein the gas disposed within the reactor is a non-oxidizing gas comprising hydrocarbons.

[0064] Embodiment A5: The reactor of Embodiment A4, wherein the hydrocarbon comprises natural gas.

[0065] Embodiment A6: The reactor of any one of Embodiments A1-A5, wherein the dielectric jacket together with the first injection port delivers the first conductive liquid to the first electrode.

[0066] Embodiment A7: The reactor of any one of Embodiments A1-A6, further comprising a first exhaust port for the gas, and an ignition source configured to ignite the exhaust gas.

[0067] Embodiment A8: The reactor of any one of Embodiments A1-A7, further comprising a bypass exhaust port configured to exhaust the gas before introducing the gas into the reactor.

[0068] Embodiment A9: The reactor of any one of Embodiments A1-A8, further comprising a powered electrical generator configured to receive hydrogen generated in the reactor to generate electrical energy.

[0069] Embodiment A10: The reactor of Embodiment A9, wherein the powered electrical generator comprises at least one of a pressure swing absorption (PSA) system, a temperature swing absorption (TSA) system, a membrane purifier, or a dryer purification system.

[0070] Embodiment A11: The reactor of any one of Embodiments A1-A10, wherein the reactor is configured to generate radial plasma and liquid vortices along the inner surface of its sidewalls.

[0071] Embodiment A12: The reactor of Embodiment A11, wherein the reactor comprises a plurality of magnets disposed around the outer surface of its side wall.

[0072] Embodiment A13: The reactor of any of Embodiments A1-A12, wherein the reactor is configured to adjust the flow rate of the first conductive liquid or the second conductive liquid based at least in part on the conductivity of the respective conductive liquid.

[0073] Embodiment B1: A system comprising: a plasma hydrocarbon reactor, the reactor comprising: a first injection port configured to deliver a first conductive liquid at a first electrode; a second injection port configured to deliver a second conductive liquid at a second electrode at a certain distance from the first electrode; and a gas injection port configured to deliver hydrocarbon gas to the plasma hydrocarbon reactor; and a controller configured to generate an electric field between the first electrode and the second electrode via a power supply.

[0074] Embodiment B2: The system of Embodiment B1, wherein the first injection port and the second injection port are different ports.

[0075] Embodiment B3: The system of any of Embodiments B1 or B2, wherein the gas injection port is one of the first electrode or the second electrode.

[0076] Embodiment B4: The system of any one of Embodiments B1-B3, further comprising: a plurality of magnets disposed around an outer surface of a side wall of the multiphase non-equilibrium plasma hydrocarbon reactor.

[0077] Embodiment B5: The reactor of any one of Embodiments B1-B4, wherein the controller is further configured to generate a vortex of radial plasma in conjunction with the electric field between the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0078] Embodiment C1: A method comprising: receiving a first conductive liquid at a first injection port through a hydrocarbon reactor; receiving a second conductive liquid at a second injection port through the hydrocarbon reactor, the second conductive liquid being separated from the first conductive liquid by a certain distance; receiving a hydrocarbon gas through the hydrocarbon reactor; and exciting the first conductive liquid to a first voltage and exciting the second conductive liquid to a second voltage so that the difference between the first voltage and the second voltage exceeds the dielectric breakdown of the hydrocarbon gas.

[0079] Embodiment C2: The method of Embodiment C1, further comprising: receiving a conductive liquid from the reactor; separating a first portion of conductive particles from the conductive liquid; and thereafter injecting the separated conductive liquid into the reactor.

[0080] Embodiment C3: The method of any one of Embodiments C1 or C2, further comprising: receiving a second conductive liquid from the reactor; cooling the second conductive liquid by a heat exchanger; and injecting the cooled second conductive liquid into the reactor.

[0081] For the present disclosure and unless otherwise indicated, "a" or "an" means "one or more". As used herein, "about" will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art and will vary to some extent depending on the context in which it is used. If the use of the term is unclear to one of ordinary skill in the art, "about" will mean up to + or -10% of the particular item, taking into account the context in which it is used.

[0082] References to "or" may be interpreted as inclusive, such that any item described using "or" may indicate any single, more than one, and all of the items described. References to at least one of a conjunctive list of terms may be interpreted as inclusive "or" to indicate any single, more than one, and all of the items described. For example, reference to "at least one of 'A' and 'B'" may include only 'A', only 'B', and both 'A' and 'B'. Such references used in conjunction with "comprising" or other open-ended terms may include additional items.

[0083] All publications, patent applications, issued patents, and other documents mentioned in this specification are incorporated herein by reference, just as if each publication, patent application, issued patent, or other document was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Definitions contained in the text incorporated by reference are excluded in the event that they conflict with definitions in this disclosure.

[0084] The embodiments exemplarily described herein can be suitably implemented in the absence of any elements, restrictions not specifically disclosed herein. Therefore, for example, the terms "comprise", "include", "contain", etc. should be interpreted broadly and not restrictively. In addition, these terms and phrases used herein are used as descriptive and not restrictive terms, and in the use of these terms and phrases, there is no intention to exclude any equivalents of the elements or parts thereof shown and described, but it is recognized that various modifications may be possible within the scope of the claimed technology. In addition, the phrase "essentially consisting of..." is understood to include those elements specifically listed and those additional elements that do not substantially affect the basic and novel features of the claimed technology. The phrase "consisting of..." excludes any element that is not specified.

[0085] The present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described in this application, which are intended to illustrate various aspects. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, many modifications and changes may be made without departing from its spirit and scope. In addition to those listed herein, functionally equivalent compositions, devices and methods within the scope of the present disclosure are apparent to those skilled in the art from the above description. Such modifications and changes are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is limited only by the terms of the appended claims and the full range of equivalents to which these claims are entitled. It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to specific methods, reagents, compounds, compositions or biological systems, which are of course variable. It is also to be understood that the terms used herein are only used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to constitute limitations.

[0086] In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, with respect to reactor designs, chemical classes thereof, etc., those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

[0087] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, for any and all purposes, particularly in providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any enumerated range can be easily identified as fully describing and allowing the same range to be split into at least two equal parts, three equal parts, four equal parts, five equal parts, ten equal parts, and the like. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be easily split into lower 1 / 3, middle 1 / 3 and upper 1 / 3, and the like. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that all words such as "at most", "at least", "greater than", "less than" and the like include the enumerated values ​​and refer to the ranges that can be subsequently split into subranges as discussed above. Finally, as those skilled in the art will appreciate, a range includes each member.

[0088] While certain embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that changes and modifications may be made thereto in accordance with ordinary skill in the art without departing from the technology in its broader aspects as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A multiphase non-equilibrium plasma hydrocarbon reactor, comprising: a first electrode configured to receive a first conductive liquid from a first injection port and to excite the first conductive liquid to a first voltage; and A second electrode is located a distance from the first electrode, the second electrode being configured to receive a second conductive liquid from a second injection port and to excite the second conductive liquid to a second voltage such that a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage exceeds a dielectric breakdown of a gas disposed within the reactor within the distance.

2. The reactor of claim 1, further comprising a gas injection port configured to deliver the gas to the hydrocarbon gas reactor.

3. The reactor according to claim 2, wherein the gas injection port is one of the first electrode or the second electrode.

4. The reactor according to claim 1, wherein the gas disposed in the reactor is a non-oxidizing gas containing hydrocarbons.

5. The reactor of claim 4, wherein the hydrocarbon comprises natural gas.

6. The reactor of claim 1, wherein the dielectric sheath cooperates with the first injection port to deliver the first conductive liquid to the first electrode.

7. The reactor of claim 1, further comprising a first exhaust port for the gas, and an ignition source configured to ignite the exhaust gas.

8. The reactor of claim 1, further comprising a bypass exhaust port configured to exhaust the gas before introducing the gas into the reactor.

9. The reactor of claim 1, further comprising a hydrogen powered generator configured to receive hydrogen generated within the reactor to generate electrical energy.

10. The reactor of claim 9, wherein the hydrogen powered generator comprises at least one of a pressure swing absorption (PSA) system, a thermal swing absorption (TSA) system, a membrane purifier, or a dryer purification system.

11. The reactor of claim 1, wherein the reactor is configured to generate radial plasma and liquid vortices along the inner surface of its sidewalls.

12. The reactor of claim 11, wherein the reactor comprises a plurality of magnets disposed around an outer surface of a side wall thereof.

13. The reactor of claim 1, wherein the reactor is configured to adjust a flow rate of the first conductive liquid or the second conductive liquid based at least in part on the conductivity of the respective conductive liquid.

14. A system comprising: A plasma hydrocarbon reactor, the reactor comprising: a first injection port configured to deliver a first conductive liquid at the first electrode; a second injection port configured to deliver a second conductive liquid at a second electrode spaced a distance from the first electrode; a gas injection port configured to deliver hydrocarbon gas to the plasma hydrocarbon reactor; and A controller is configured to generate an electric field between the first electrode and the second electrode via a power source.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first injection port and the second injection port are different ports.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the gas injection port is one of the first electrode or the second electrode.

17. The system of claim 14, further comprising: A plurality of magnets are disposed around an outer surface of a sidewall of the plasma hydrocarbon reactor, wherein the controller is further configured to generate a radial plasma vortex in conjunction with an electric field between the first electrode and the second electrode.

18. A method comprising: receiving a first conductive liquid at a first injection port through a hydrocarbon reactor; receiving a second conductive liquid at a second injection port through the hydrocarbon reactor, wherein the second conductive liquid is separated from the first conductive liquid by a certain distance; receiving a hydrocarbon gas via the hydrocarbon reactor; and The first conductive liquid is energized to a first voltage and the second conductive liquid is energized to a second voltage such that a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage exceeds a dielectric breakdown of the hydrocarbon gas.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: receiving a conductive liquid therefrom from the reactor; separating a first portion of the conductive particles from the conductive liquid; and thereafter injecting the separated conductive liquid into the reactor.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising: receiving a second conductive liquid from the reactor; cooling the second electrically conductive liquid via a heat exchanger; and A cooled second conductive liquid is injected into the reactor.

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