Vacuum chamber for automatic filling and by-product recovery in hydrogen production by natural gas cracking

Abstract

The application discloses a vacuum chamber for automatic filling and byproduct recovery in natural gas cracking hydrogen production, and relates to the technical field of hydrogen production equipment. The chamber body is internally provided with a feeding unit and a collecting bin. The top of the collecting bin is provided with a feeding opening. A conveying assembly is used for driving a receiving member to sequentially pass through the collecting bin and the feeding unit. A dust removal assembly comprises a baffle arranged at the feeding opening and a first driving assembly connected with the baffle. When the receiving member moves above the feeding opening, the first driving assembly drives the baffle to move away from the feeding opening, thereby opening the feeding opening, so that the feeding opening on the receiving member is communicated with the feeding opening, and the product in the receiving member falls into the collecting bin, thereby realizing the collection of byproducts. When the receiving member is not located above the feeding opening, the first driving assembly can drive the baffle to close the feeding opening, so that the collecting bin is isolated from the chamber body, thereby ensuring that the natural gas cracking hydrogen production has a high reaction rate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of hydrogen production equipment technology, and in particular to a vacuum chamber for automatic filling and by-product recovery in natural gas cracking hydrogen production. Background Technology

[0002] In existing technologies for catalyst loading and byproduct recovery in natural gas cracking for hydrogen production, oxygen must be vented from the chamber to prevent oxygen from entering and causing an explosion with the natural gas or hydrogen. However, because byproducts such as carbon nanotubes generated during natural gas cracking for hydrogen production have small particle sizes, they easily become airborne within the chamber and come into contact with newly added catalyst, leading to the deactivation of some active sites on the catalyst surface. This reduces the contact area between the catalyst and natural gas, thus lowering the efficiency of natural gas cracking for hydrogen production. Therefore, how to reduce the contact between the catalyst and carbon products such as carbon nanotubes before natural gas cracking for hydrogen production, and ensure high efficiency in natural gas cracking for hydrogen production, has become a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a vacuum chamber for automatic filling and by-product recovery in natural gas cracking hydrogen production, so as to reduce the contact between the catalyst and carbon products such as carbon nanotubes before natural gas cracking hydrogen production, and ensure that natural gas cracking hydrogen production has high efficiency.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following solution: This invention provides a vacuum chamber for automatic filling and by-product recovery in natural gas cracking hydrogen production, the vacuum chamber comprising: The chamber body contains a feeding unit and a collection bin, and the top of the collection bin has a discharge port; A conveying assembly is used to drive the receiving component sequentially through the collection bin and the feeding unit, so as to discharge the by-products in the receiving component into the collection bin and add catalyst into the receiving component; A vacuum assembly, which is connected to the chamber body and is used to remove oxygen from the chamber body; A dust removal assembly, the dust removal assembly including a baffle disposed at the material discharge port, and a first drive assembly connected to the baffle for driving the baffle to open and close the material discharge port; The chamber body can receive the receiving component that has completed the natural gas cracking hydrogen production reaction from the reactor, so that the by-products can be discharged and the receiving component after adding catalyst can be input into the reactor. When the receiving component moves to above the discharge port, the first driving component drives the baffle to move away from the discharge port, so that the discharge port on the receiving component is connected to the discharge port, and the by-product in the receiving component falls into the collection bin.

[0005] Preferably, the cross-section of the discharge port gradually decreases from top to bottom, and the cross-section of the discharge port is larger than the cross-section of the feed inlet; And / or, the dust removal assembly includes an inerting unit, the inerting unit includes a first conveying pipe, the first end of the first conveying pipe is connected to an inert gas storage tank, the first conveying pipe is provided with a first valve and a first conveying pump, the second end of the first conveying pipe extends into the chamber body and is connected to a plurality of nozzles, the inert gas sprayed from the nozzles can form an inert gas curtain; The inert air curtain is located above the material discharge port; or the inert air curtain is annular and located outside the material discharge port.

[0006] Preferably, the conveying assembly includes a conveying track, a conveying component disposed on the conveying track, and a second driving component that is pulsatorically connected to the conveying component or the conveying track. The conveying component is used to carry the receiving component, and the second driving component is used to drive the conveying component to move between the collection bin and the feeding unit. The turning point of the conveying track is arc-shaped.

[0007] Preferably, the conveying track is circular and located above the discharge port. The discharge port is located at the top of the receiving member. The cross-section of the discharge port gradually decreases from bottom to top, and when the receiving member moves to the discharge port, the discharge port is oriented towards the discharge port.

[0008] Preferably, the conveying assembly includes two drive shafts, each drive shaft is provided with a transmission disk made of conductive material, and the drive shaft is connected to the second drive assembly. The conductive transmission disk is fitted with a second transmission chain, the conveying component is fixed on the second transmission chain, and a plurality of magnets are provided inside the second transmission chain. The magnetic poles of the magnets are arranged along the axial direction of the drive shaft, and the magnetic poles of adjacent magnets are opposite in direction.

[0009] Preferably, the conveying assembly includes a plurality of transmission gears arranged along the movement trajectory of the conveying member, and a first transmission chain meshing with the transmission gears. In this case, the conveying track includes the first transmission chain, the conveying member is fixedly connected to the first transmission chain, and one of the transmission gears is connected to the second drive assembly. The first transmission chain is connected to a tension sensor and a tension regulator.

[0010] Preferably, the receiving component has a plurality of guide channels; wherein the inclination angle of the guide channels is greater than the angle of repose of the by-product; and / or, the spacing between adjacent guide channels gradually decreases from the bottom of the receiving component toward the discharge port; or, the guide channels are spiral in shape. And / or, the receiving element is connected to a vibrator; And / or, the inner wall of the receiving component is coated with an antistatic coating.

[0011] Preferably, the dust removal assembly further includes leak-proof boxes located at two corners below the conveying track. The leak-proof boxes are fitted outside the conveying track, avoiding the conveying components, and are connected to the collection bin via a second conveying pipe. The second conveying pipe is equipped with a one-way valve that allows by-products to flow from the leak-proof boxes to the collection bin. The collection bin is connected to an external product storage tank via a vacuum conveying system.

[0012] Preferably, the feeding unit includes a hopper with a feeding port for adding catalyst. A second valve is provided at the feeding port. A first vent valve, an oxygen concentration sensor, a weighing sensor, and a venting assembly for venting oxygen from the hopper are connected to the hopper. The hopper is connected to the chamber body through a third conveying pipe, and a third valve is provided on the third conveying pipe.

[0013] Preferably, the chamber body is provided with a feeding area and a discharging area, the feeding area is provided with the feeding unit, and the discharging area is provided with the collection bin; the vacuum chamber also includes an isolation component disposed in the chamber body, the isolation component includes an isolation plate disposed between the feeding area and the discharging area, and the isolation plate is disposed to avoid the conveying component.

[0014] The present invention achieves the following technical effects compared to the prior art: The vacuum chamber for automatic filling and by-product recovery in natural gas cracking hydrogen production in this invention includes a chamber body, which is connected to a vacuum component. The vacuum component can remove oxygen from the chamber body before the natural gas cracking hydrogen production reaction begins, thereby reducing the probability of an explosion caused by mixing oxygen with natural gas or hydrogen. Furthermore, the chamber body is equipped with a feeding unit and a collection chamber. The top of the collection chamber has a discharge port. A conveying component is used to drive the receiving component through the collection chamber and the feeding unit in sequence, so as to discharge carbon products such as carbon nanotubes in the receiving component into the collection chamber. The feeding unit adds the required catalyst to the receiving component, so that the relevant conveying equipment will empty the by-products (by-products refer to products other than hydrogen produced by natural gas cracking hydrogen production), and the receiving component with added catalyst will be re-entered into the reactor for natural gas cracking hydrogen production. Furthermore, the dust removal component of this invention includes a baffle at the discharge port and a first driving component connected to the baffle for opening and closing the discharge port. When the receiving component moves above the discharge port, the first driving component drives the baffle to move away from the discharge port, opening the discharge port so that the discharge port on the receiving component is connected to the discharge port, allowing the product inside the receiving component to fall into the collection chamber, thus collecting by-products. When the receiving component is not above the discharge port, the first driving component can drive the baffle to close the discharge port, isolating the collection chamber from the chamber body. This reduces the problem of carbon products such as carbon nanotubes flying into the chamber body and falling back into the receiving component, coming into contact with newly added catalyst, causing some active sites of the catalyst to deactivate, and reducing the reaction rate of natural gas cracking to hydrogen production. This ensures that natural gas cracking to hydrogen production can have a high reaction rate. Attached Figure Description

[0015] 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.

[0016] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a hydrogen production reactor with an automatic filling and by-product recovery vacuum chamber in the natural gas cracking hydrogen production process of the present invention. Figure 2 An internal schematic diagram showing the vacuum chamber without its external casing; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first transmission chain and the conveyor component; Figure 4 This is a side view of the vacuum chamber; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the transmission disc and the second transmission chain. Figure 6 This is a structural diagram of the receiving component, the leak-proof box, and the nozzle; The components are as follows: 1. First reactor; 2. Second reactor; 3. Vacuum chamber; 4. Inlet; 5. First cover plate; 6. Outlet; 7. Second cover plate; 8. Feeding area; 9. Discharging area; 10. Collection bin; 11. Feeding unit; 12. First drive chain; 13. Conveying component; 14. Boundary line; 15. Hydrogen zone; 16. Inert gas zone; 17. First partition; 18. Second partition; 19. Observation window; 20. Glove box; 21. Second drive assembly; 22. Feeding equipment; 23. Vacuum assembly; 24. Second drive chain; 25. Transmission disc; 26. Drive shaft; 27. Magnet; 28. Nozzle; 29. ​​First conveying pipe; 30. Inert gas storage tank; 31. Leak-proof box; 32. Conveying track; 33. Receiving component. Detailed Implementation

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] like Figures 1-6 As shown, this invention discloses a vacuum chamber 3 for automatic filling and by-product recovery in natural gas cracking hydrogen production. The vacuum chamber 3 includes a chamber body, which is connected to a vacuum component 23. The vacuum component 23 can discharge oxygen from the chamber body before the natural gas cracking hydrogen production reaction begins, thereby reducing the probability of an explosion caused by mixing oxygen with natural gas or hydrogen. Furthermore, the chamber body is equipped with a feeding unit 11 and a collection chamber 10. The top of the collection chamber 10 has a discharge port. A conveying component is used to drive the receiving component 33 through the collection chamber 10 and the feeding unit 11 in sequence, so as to discharge carbon products such as carbon nanotubes in the receiving component 33 into the collection chamber 10. The feeding unit 11 adds the required catalyst to the receiving component 33, so that the relevant conveying equipment will empty the by-products (by-products refer to products other than hydrogen produced by natural gas cracking hydrogen production), and the receiving component 33 after adding the catalyst is re-entered into the reactor for natural gas cracking hydrogen production. Furthermore, the dust removal component in this invention includes a baffle at the discharge port and a first drive component connected to the baffle for opening and closing the discharge port (a sealing ring or gasket can also be provided between the baffle and the discharge port to improve the sealing performance of the discharge port while ensuring the baffle can open and close the discharge port). When the receiving component 33 moves above the discharge port, the first drive component drives the baffle to move away from the discharge port, opening the discharge port (to ensure the connection between the discharge port and the discharge port, the diameter of the discharge port can be enlarged to provide higher tolerance when the discharge port and the discharge port are aligned; alternatively, a position sensor made of high-temperature resistant material can be installed on the receiving component, and the driving value fed back by the position sensor can be used to determine whether the discharge port is connected to the discharge port; the specific value can be tested multiple times before hydrogen production). Verification confirms this; alternatively, the shell of the vacuum chamber 3 can be made of a sufficiently strong and easily visible material, such as quartz glass, so that the operator can visually observe whether the discharge port and the feed inlet are connected. This ensures that the feed inlet on the receiving component 33 is connected to the discharge port, allowing the product in the receiving component 33 to fall into the collection chamber 10, thus collecting by-products. When the receiving component 33 is not located above the discharge port, the first drive component can drive the baffle to close the discharge port, isolating the collection chamber 10 from the chamber body. This reduces the risk of carbon products such as carbon nanotubes flying into the chamber body and falling back into the receiving component 33, coming into contact with the newly added catalyst, causing some active sites of the catalyst to become deactivated, thus reducing the reaction rate of natural gas cracking to hydrogen production. This ensures that natural gas cracking to hydrogen production can have a high reaction rate.

[0020] The chamber body can receive the receiving component 33 after the natural gas cracking hydrogen production reaction has been completed and no by-products such as carbon nanotubes have been emitted from the reactor, and can also output the receiving component 33 after the by-products have been discharged and the catalyst has been added to the reactor. The transfer of the receiving component 33 between the reactor and the chamber body is achieved by the feeding device 22. The area of ​​the baffle is larger than the area of ​​the discharge port. The first drive component can be a linear drive device such as a hydraulic cylinder, or a rotary drive device such as a rotary motor. When the first drive component is a linear drive device, the baffle can be slidably connected to the top of the collection bin 10 or not connected, but it must be ensured that the baffle can block the discharge port when it covers the discharge port. Similarly, when the first drive component is a rotary drive device, the baffle can be hinged to the top of the collection bin 10 or not connected, but it must be ensured that the baffle can block the discharge port when it covers the discharge port. Whether the receiving component 33 is located on the upper part of the collection bin 10 and whether the discharge port is aligned with the feed outlet can be determined by the operator's visual observation if the chamber body has a transparent observation window; or, a position sensor such as a Hall sensor or an infrared position sensor can be installed on the discharge port to detect whether the discharge port and feed outlet are aligned. The first drive component, the conveying component, the position sensor and the controller are connected by signal. When the controller determines that the discharge port and feed outlet are aligned based on the feedback from the position sensor, it controls the first drive component to drive the baffle to move, open the discharge port, and stop the conveying component from driving the receiving component 33 to move, so that the material in the receiving component 33 can fall from the feed outlet into the discharge port.

[0021] like Figure 1 As shown, this is one application of the vacuum chamber 3 in this invention. The first reactor 1 and the second reactor 2 are two reactors arranged side-by-side. The first reactor 1 and the second reactor 2 are the sites for hydrogen production through natural gas cracking. A vacuum chamber 3 is provided at each end of the first reactor 1 and the second reactor 2. The inlet 4 of the first reactor 1 and the outlet 6 of the second reactor 2 are located within the same chamber body, while the outlet 6 of the first reactor 1 and the inlet 4 of the second reactor 2 are located within another chamber body. The arrangement of the inlet 4 of the first reactor 1 and the outlet 6 of the second reactor 2 within the chamber body is the same as the arrangement of the outlet 6 of the first reactor 1 and the inlet 4 of the second reactor 2 within another chamber body. Figure 2 , Figure 3As shown, the arrangement of the first reactor 1 and the second reactor 2 within the chamber body is illustrated using the inlet 4 of the first reactor 1 and the outlet 6 of the second reactor 2 as examples. A first cover plate 5 is provided at the inlet 4 of the first reactor 1, and a second cover plate 7 is provided at the outlet 6 of the second reactor 2. The first cover plate 5 is hinged to the inlet 4 of the first reactor 1. A rotary motor can be connected to the connection between the first cover plate 5 and the inlet 4 of the first reactor 1. The rotary motor drives the first cover plate 5 to open and close the inlet 4 of the first reactor 1. Similarly, the second cover plate 7 is hinged to the outlet 6 of the second reactor 2, and the second cover plate 7 and the first... A rotary motor can be connected to the outlet 6 of reactor 2. The rotary motor drives the second cover plate 7 to open and close the outlet 6 of reactor 2. The first reactor 1 and the second reactor 2 are equipped with tracks for the movement of the receiving component 33. When a natural gas cracking hydrogen production reaction is completed according to a timer or a gas concentration sensor connected to the first reactor 1, the rotary motor drives the first cover plate 5 to rotate, opening the inlet 4 of the first reactor 1. The feeding device 22 pushes the receiving component 33, which has been emptied of by-products and has been replenished with new catalyst, from the chamber body onto the track of the first reactor 1. Reactor 1 and the second reactor 2 can be filled with receiving components 33. Thus, when the feeding device 22 pushes a receiving component 33 into the first reactor 1 from the inlet 4, the rotary motor drives the third cover plate at the outlet of the first reactor 1 to rotate, opening the outlet of the first reactor 1. A receiving component 33 that has completed the natural gas-to-hydrogen reaction will be pushed out into another chamber by subsequent receiving components 33. The conveying assembly then moves the receiving component 33 after the natural gas-to-hydrogen reaction to above the collection bin 10 to empty the by-products. Subsequently, it moves to below the feeding unit 11, where the feeding unit 11... Adding a new catalyst; similarly, the process of receiving component 33 entering and exiting the second reactor 2 is the same as that of receiving component 33 entering and exiting the first reactor 1. The first reactor 1 and the second reactor 2 can simultaneously output the receiving component 33 that has completed the hydrogen production reaction and simultaneously input the receiving component 33 with the newly added catalyst. Moreover, a receiving component 33 can be reserved in the chamber body so that after the receiving component 33 is output from the first reactor 1 and the second reactor 2, the receiving component 33 with the added catalyst can be immediately input into the first reactor 1 and the second reactor 2, thereby improving the hydrogen production efficiency of the first reactor 1 and the second reactor 2.

[0022] like Figure 4 As shown, the feeding device 22 can be a linear drive device such as a cylinder or hydraulic cylinder located inside the chamber body. The cylinder body of the cylinder or the cylinder body of the hydraulic cylinder needs to be located outside the chamber body to reduce the generation of electric sparks. The stroke of the linear drive device needs to be long enough to push the receiving part 33 inside the chamber body into the inlet 4 of the reactor, and to push the receiving part 33 inside the chamber body into the chamber body.

[0023] Furthermore, the cross-section of the discharge port gradually decreases from top to bottom. For example, the discharge port can be an inverted cone shape that is larger at the top and smaller at the bottom to increase the area of ​​the discharge port receiving the material from the receiving component 33. This allows most of the by-products, such as carbon nanotubes, in the receiving component 33 to fall into the discharge port, thereby reducing the number of carbon nanotubes falling into the chamber body and areas outside the collection bin 10. This would prevent the carbon nanotubes from flying around in the chamber body and coming into contact with the newly added catalyst, which would reduce the activity of the newly added catalyst in the receiving component 33 and reduce the rate of hydrogen production from natural gas cracking.

[0024] And / or, the dust removal assembly includes an inerting unit, which includes a first conveying pipe 29. The first end of the first conveying pipe 29 is connected to an inert gas storage tank 30. A first valve and a first conveying pump are located outside the chamber body of the first conveying pipe 29 (or, the first valve and the first conveying pump can also be located inside the chamber body, but in this case, the first valve and the first conveying pump must be of high-temperature resistant structure). The second end of the first conveying pipe 29 extends into the chamber body and is connected to several nozzles 28. The nozzles 28 open when the receiving member 33 discharges by-products into the collection chamber 10. The inert gas sprayed from the nozzles 28 can form an inert gas curtain. Specifically, when the orientation of the nozzles 28 is perpendicular to the direction of by-product discharge within the receiving member 33, for example, when the nozzles 28 are set horizontally, an inert gas curtain is formed above the discharge port, preventing by-products such as carbon nanotubes entering the collection chamber 10 from flying out of the collection chamber 10 under the action of high-temperature hydrogen gas and dispersing within the chamber body. It should be noted that at this time, the gas sprayed from the nozzles 28... The inert gas flow rate should not be too fast, and the number of nozzles 28 should not be too many, to prevent byproducts such as carbon nanotubes in the receiving component 33 from failing to break through the inert gas curtain and enter the collection chamber 10 (or, when byproducts such as carbon nanotubes in the receiving component 33 enter the collection chamber 10, the nozzles 28 can be closed to ensure that byproducts such as carbon nanotubes in the receiving component 33 can smoothly enter the collection chamber 10, and the nozzles 28 can be opened after the byproducts such as carbon nanotubes in the receiving component 33 enter the collection chamber 10); or, several upward-spraying nozzles 28 can be set around the circumference of the discharge port. In this case, when the nozzles 28 are opened, a circular inert gas curtain will be formed outside the discharge port. The inert gas curtain will isolate the space between the discharge port and the discharge port from the chamber body. This reduces the splashing of byproducts during the transfer of byproducts from the receiving component 33 to the collection chamber 10. It should be noted that the projection of the discharge port must be inside the inert gas curtain to prevent the inert gas curtain from acting directly on the receiving component 33 and preventing the byproducts from falling.

[0025] The conveying assembly includes conveying track 32 ( Figure 6This is equivalent to a side view of the conveying assembly (another collection bin 10 is obscured at the rear). A conveyor 13 is mounted on the conveying track 32, and a second drive assembly 21 is connected to the conveyor 13 or the conveying track 32. The conveyor 13 carries the receiving component 33, and the second drive assembly 21 drives the conveyor 13 and the receiving component 33 to move between the collection bin 10 and the feeding unit 11 (moving between the collection bin 10 and the feeding unit 11 does not mean reaching the location of the collection bin 10 and the feeding unit 11, but rather reaching above the collection bin 10 to discharge by-products and reaching below the feeding unit 11 to add catalyst), thereby achieving the transfer of the receiving component 33 between the collection bin 10 and the feeding unit 11. The turning points of the conveying track 32 are arc-shaped, which reduces the problem of excessive inertia caused by sharp turns of the receiving component 33 when the track turns at right angles, resulting in by-products being thrown out of the discharge port and flying into the chamber body. The conveyor 13 can specifically be a frame structure, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the conveyor 13 is provided with channels, such as through holes, for receiving the entry of the receiving component 33 and for the piston rod of the feeding device 22 to extend into.

[0026] The setting of the discharge port can take many forms, but it must be matched with the setting of the conveying track 32. For example, when the conveying track 32 is a straight track, the track can be a slide rail. In this case, the receiving part 33 is slidably connected to the track, and the second drive component 21 drives the receiving part 33 to move along the slide rail. In this case, the second drive component 21 can be a linear drive device such as a cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder. The discharge port is located at the bottom of the receiving part 33. A baffle plate that can close and open the discharge port is provided at the discharge port. When the baffle plate moves to the top of the discharge port, the discharge port is opened, so that the discharge port is aligned with the discharge port.

[0027] When the conveying track 32 is a circular track, it can be a chain with several gears meshing within it. In this case, the receiving component 33 is fixedly connected to the chain, and the second drive assembly 21 meshes with one of the gears. The second drive assembly 21 drives the gear to rotate, which in turn drives the chain to rotate, thus enabling the receiving component 33 to move between the feeding unit 11 and the collection bin 10. In this case, the second drive assembly 21 can be a rotary motor or other rotary drive device. When the chain is horizontally positioned, since the receiving component 33 does not involve flipping when moving on the chain, the discharge port is located at the bottom of the receiving component 33. A baffle plate that can be closed and opened is provided at the discharge port. When the baffle plate moves above the discharge port, the discharge port opens, aligning the discharge port with the discharge outlet. Figure 3 As shown, when the ring track is set in a vertical plane, the discharge port is located at the top of the receiving part 33. Since the conveying track 32 is located at the top of the collection bin 10, when the second drive component 21 drives the receiving part 33 to the top of the collection bin 10, the discharge port just flips down and can be aligned with the discharge port to discharge by-products.

[0028] like Figure 3As shown, the conveying assembly includes several transmission gears arranged along the movement trajectory of the conveyor 13. The transmission gears are fixed on a rotating shaft, which is rotatably connected to the chamber body. A first transmission chain 12 is sleeved around the transmission gears and meshes with them. The conveying track 32 includes the first transmission chain 12, and the conveyor 13 is fixedly connected to the first transmission chain 12. One of the transmission gears serves as a drive gear connected to a second drive assembly 21. Specifically, the second drive assembly 21 can be a rotary motor or other rotary drive device. The cylinder or other structure of the second drive assembly 21 is located outside the chamber body, and the output shaft of the second drive assembly 21 extends into the chamber body and is fixedly connected to the corresponding transmission gear. The transmission gears can be helical gears. Compared to spur gears, helical gears mesh with the chain one by one, rather than engaging and disengaging as a whole. This reduces impact and vibration, thereby lowering the noise of the conveying assembly operation. Furthermore, the first transmission chain 12 is connected to a tension sensor and a tension regulator. When the operator determines, based on the feedback from the tension sensor, that the tension of the first transmission chain 12 exceeds the preset range, the tension regulator can be used to adjust the tension of the first transmission chain 12 in a timely manner to prevent excessive friction from occurring. Alternatively, the tension regulator and the tension sensor can be connected to the controller signal, and the controller can determine the activation timing and duration of the tension regulator based on the tension sensor (the tension regulator can also be called a tension adjuster, and its specific structure is existing technology), thereby achieving periodic and effective adjustment of the tension of the first transmission chain 12.

[0029] Or, such as Figure 5As shown, the conveying assembly includes two drive shafts 26, which are rotatably connected to the chamber body. A transmission disk 25 is fixed on the drive shaft 26. The transmission disk 25 is a conductive transmission disk made of conductive material. The drive shaft 26 is connected to a second drive assembly 21. A second transmission chain 24 is sleeved on the conductive transmission disk 25. A bracket that supports the second transmission chain 24 can be placed inside the chamber body (the second transmission chain 24 can rotate on the bracket). A conveying component 13 is fixed on the second transmission chain 24. Several magnets 27 are arranged along the circumference of the second transmission chain 24. The magnetic pole direction of each magnet 27 is arranged along the circumference of the drive shaft 26, and the magnetic pole directions of adjacent magnets 27 are opposite. Since the transmission disk 25 is made of conductive material, it forms a closed circuit. The magnetic poles of adjacent magnets 27 on the second transmission chain 24 are opposite, generating an alternating magnetic field. When the second drive assembly 21 drives the transmission disk 25 to rotate via the drive shaft 26, the transmission disk 25 rotates in the alternating magnetic field generated by the magnets 27 on the first transmission chain, cutting magnetic field lines. Eddy currents are then generated on the transmission disk 25 (according to Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction). When the transmission disk 25 rotates clockwise, the induced magnetic field generated by the eddy currents on the transmission disk 25 generates a clockwise tangential force (Ampere force) on the second transmission chain 24, causing the second transmission chain 24 to rotate. This, in turn, causes the conveying component 13 and the receiving component 33 to move between the collection bin 10 and the feeding unit 11. At this time, the second drive component 21 can be a rotary drive device such as a rotary motor. Since there is no contact between the transmission disk 25 and the second transmission chain 24, there is no friction, which allows the conveying component to operate stably and continuously, realizing the rapid transfer of the receiving part 33 between the feeding unit 11 and the collection bin 10. The transmission disk 25 can be made of conductive materials such as copper.

[0030] The receiving component 33 can be a box structure with a discharge port at the top or bottom. Furthermore, when the discharge port is located at the top of the receiving component 33, the cross-section of the discharge port gradually decreases from bottom to top, such as a structure with a conical longitudinal section. This reduces the flying of products such as carbon nanotubes when the receiving component 33 discharges by-products. Furthermore, the receiving component 33 is equipped with several guide channels, the inclination angle of which is greater than the angle of repose of the by-products. This allows by-products such as carbon nanotubes to move downwards under their own gravity when the discharge port is flipped downwards, accelerating discharge and reducing the contact between carbon products remaining in the receiving component 33 and the catalyst, thus reducing catalyst activity and the rate of hydrogen production from natural gas. And / or, the spacing between the guide channels gradually decreases from the bottom of the receiving component 33 towards the discharge port, allowing the carbon products to be "cut" into smaller sizes by the guide channels, reducing agglomerate size and decreasing the probability of carbon products clogging the discharge port. And / or, the receiving component 33 is connected to a vibrator, which drives the receiving component 33 to vibrate, preventing carbon products from accumulating inside the receiving component 33. The transition points of the receiving component 33 are rounded, thereby reducing the "dead zone" caused by right-angled corners, i.e., areas with poor material flowability. Specifically, the vibrator can be a cylinder located outside the chamber body, with a piston rod extending into the chamber. The cylinder inside the chamber body, or other existing high-temperature resistant vibration mechanism located within the chamber body, and / or the guide channel is spiral-shaped. Under the force generated by the vibrator, such as centrifugal force, the carbon product moves towards the discharge port while also rotating, reducing the probability of material clogging the discharge port; and / or, the inner wall of the receiving part 33 is coated with an antistatic coating, such as a nickel coating, to prevent some carbon nanotubes with charges from adsorbing inside the receiving part 33 and failing to be discharged into the collection chamber 10; and / or, a superhydrophilic coating, such as a plasma-treated silica coating, can be provided inside the receiving part 33 away from the discharge port, and a superhydrophobic coating, such as a polytetrafluoroethylene layer, can be provided inside the receiving part 33 near the discharge port, so that nanoscale products such as carbon nanotubes move from the high surface energy inside the receiving part 33 to the low surface energy discharge port under the "pulling" effect of the surface energy gradient, thereby reducing the material residue in the receiving part 33.

[0031] like Figure 6As shown, the dust removal assembly also includes two leak-proof boxes 31 located at the two corners below the conveyor track 32. The leak-proof boxes 31 are fixed within the chamber body and positioned outside the conveyor track 32, avoiding the conveyor component 13. They are connected to the collection chamber 10 via a second conveying pipe. The second conveying pipe is equipped with a one-way valve that allows by-products to flow from the leak-proof boxes 31 into the collection chamber 10. The collection chamber 10 is connected to an external product storage tank via a vacuum conveying system. Thus, when the conveyor component 13 drives the receiving component 33 to move on the conveyor track 32, when the receiving component... When component 33 moves to the two corners below the conveying track 32, the angle of inclination of the guide channel is greater than the angle of repose of the material, which makes it easy for by-products to leak from the discharge port, causing "flying dust". When the conveying component 13 drives the receiving component 33 to run on the conveying track 32, the vacuum conveying system and the one-way valve are activated. The vacuum conveying system generates suction, and by-products such as carbon nanotubes that leak from the discharge port into the leak-proof box 31 are collected in the collection bin 10 and conveyed to the product storage tank outside the chamber body, thereby reducing the situation of carbon nanotubes flying in the chamber body. The vacuum conveying system may specifically include a connecting pipe connecting the collection bin 10 and the product storage tank, and a vacuum pump installed on the connecting pipe. The vacuum pump generates a pressure in the connecting pipe that is lower than that in the chamber body, so that the by-products in the collection bin 10 can be sucked into the storage tank.

[0032] The feeding unit 11 includes a hopper with a feeding port for adding catalyst. A second valve is located at the feeding port. The hopper is connected to a first vent valve, an oxygen concentration sensor, a weighing sensor, and a venting assembly for venting oxygen from the hopper. The hopper is connected to the chamber body via a third conveying pipe, which is equipped with a third valve. The venting assembly may specifically include a storage tank containing inert gas, which is connected to the hopper via a pipe. The pipe is equipped with a fourth valve and a second conveying pump. When the feeding unit 11 needs to add catalyst to the receiving component 33, it opens the second valve and, based on feedback from the weighing sensor, adds the required amount of catalyst to the hopper. Subsequently, the second valve is closed, and the fourth valve, the second delivery pump, and the first vent valve are opened to inject inert gas into the silo, displacing the oxygen inside. Based on feedback from the oxygen concentration sensor, the opening time of the second delivery pump and the fourth valve is controlled. Once the oxygen in the silo has been discharged, or the oxygen level in the silo has reached a preset value range, the second delivery pump, the fourth valve, and the first vent valve are closed. When the receiving component 33 reaches the set position on the delivery track 32, i.e., below the third delivery pipe, the third valve is opened, allowing the catalyst in the silo to enter the receiving component 33 through the discharge port, preventing external oxygen from entering the chamber body and mixing with natural gas or hydrogen to cause an explosion. The first to fourth valves can specifically be solenoid valves, controlled by controllers electrically connected to each valve. The fourth valve can also be a metering valve for more precise catalyst addition. The specific structure of the metering valve is existing technology and will not be described further.

[0033] In the previous section, it was determined whether the receiving component 33 had reached the set position on the conveying track 32. This could be done by the operator through the observation window 19. Alternatively, a position sensor could be installed at one end of the third conveying pipe that extends into the chamber body and on the receiving component. The position sensor, the second valve to the fourth valve, and other structures mentioned in the previous section could be connected to the controller signal. The controller could then determine whether the receiving component 33 had reached the set position on the conveying track 32 based on the feedback from the position sensor, and automatically open and close the second valve to the fourth valve, the second conveying pump, and other structures to add catalyst into the receiving component 33.

[0034] like Figure 2 As shown, the chamber body is provided with a feeding area 8 and a discharging area 9. The feeding area 8 is provided with a feeding unit 11, and the discharging area 9 is provided with a collection chamber 10. The vacuum assembly 23 includes a fourth delivery pipe, a second vent valve and an oxygen concentration sensor connected to the chamber body. The first end of the fourth delivery pipe is connected to the chamber body. The fourth delivery pipe is provided with a fifth valve and a third delivery pump located outside the chamber body. The second end of the third delivery pipe is connected to a storage tank containing inert gas. Before the reaction, the second vent valve, the fifth valve and the third delivery pump are opened. The third delivery pump expels the inert gas in the storage tank into the chamber body and "squeezes out" the oxygen. According to the feedback from the oxygen concentration sensor, the opening time of the second vent valve, the fifth valve and the third delivery pump is controlled until the oxygen in the chamber body is emptied or the oxygen concentration drops to the allowable range for the reaction.

[0035] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the vacuum chamber 3 also includes an isolation component located within the chamber body. The isolation component includes a vertically arranged first partition 17 and a horizontally arranged second partition 18 located between the loading area 8 and the unloading area 9. Both the first partition 17 and the second partition 18 are arranged to avoid the conveying component. This divides the chamber body into multiple small areas, making it less likely to disturb the airflow within the chamber body when the receiving component 33 enters and exits the hydrogen production reactor, thus reducing the frequency of replenishment of inert gases such as nitrogen.

[0036] like Figure 3 As shown, the chamber is divided into a hydrogen gas region 15 and an inert gas region 16. A virtual boundary line 14 exists between the inert gas region 16 and the hydrogen gas region 15. The inert gas region 16 and the hydrogen gas region 15 are formed when inert gas is filled into the chamber; the denser inert gas sinks, while the less dense hydrogen gas rises. (As shown...) Figure 4 As shown, the vacuum chamber is also equipped with an observation window 19 for operators to observe the operation of the mechanism inside the vacuum chamber; and a glove box 20 connected to the chamber body, through which operators can adjust the conveyor 13, conveyor track 32 and other structures without opening the vacuum chamber.

[0037] In this paper, multiple sealing components, such as sealing rings, are installed between the pipes extending into the chamber body, the drive device, and the chamber body to ensure the airtightness of the chamber body. All structures within the chamber body are made of high-temperature resistant materials.

[0038] Furthermore, the present invention also includes a conveying assembly, which includes a first track arranged along the extension direction of the first reactor 1 and the second reactor. The first track extends from the inlet 4 of the first reactor 1 to the outlet of the first reactor 1, and a first track is also provided from the inlet to the outlet 6 of the second reactor 2. A plurality of receiving members 33 are provided on the first track. The receiving members 33 are drively connected to a third driving assembly, which drives the receiving members 33 to move in the feeding direction and enter and leave the first reactor 1 or the second reactor 2. The feeding direction refers to the direction in which the catalyst moves with the receiving member 33 after a predetermined amount of catalyst is added to the receiving member 33, i.e., the direction of movement of the receiving member 33 within the first reactor 1 or the second reactor 2. The third driving assembly drives the receiving member 33 to move along the feeding direction on the first track until the catalyst within the receiving member 33 completes the catalytic reaction of the corresponding amount of natural gas. Depending on the arrangement and motion type of the receiving component 33, the third drive assembly can be configured with a corresponding structure. For example, if the receiving component 33 slides with the first track, the third drive assembly can be a linear drive device such as a cylinder. In this case, the output shaft of the third drive assembly needs to be long enough to push the receiving component 33 from the inlet 4 or the inlet of the second reactor 2 to the outlet or outlet 6 of the first reactor 1. Alternatively, the first track can be filled with receiving components 33. In this case, when a receiving component 33 in the first reactor 1 or the second reactor 2 completes its reaction and needs to be output from the first reactor 1 or the second reactor 2, to ensure the continuity of hydrogen production, a receiving component 33 filled with catalyst needs to be input into the first reactor 1 or the second reactor 2. At this time, the third drive assembly... The drive assembly does not require additional lengthening. The linear drive device is positioned towards the inlet 4 or the inlet of the second reactor 2. After the third drive assembly pushes the catalyst-filled receiving part 33 into the first reactor 1 or the second reactor 2, the receiving part 33 that has completed the reaction is pushed out of the first reactor 1 or the second reactor 2 by the subsequent receiving parts 33. If the bottom of the receiving part 33 is equipped with a pulley that rolls with the first track, the third drive assembly can be a rotary motor, such as a servo motor or other rotary drive device. In this case, the third drive assembly can be mounted on the receiving part 33 so that the receiving part 33 can move along the first track under the drive of the third drive assembly, and then enter the first reactor 1 or the second reactor 2 and exit from the first reactor 1 or the second reactor 2.

[0039] The conveying assembly enables the feeding and discharging cycle of the first reactor 1 and the second reactor 2. Specifically, when a receiving component 33 is output from either the first reactor 1 or the second reactor 2, after unloading, it can move towards the feeding direction of the second reactor 2 or the first reactor 1. After being filled with a predetermined amount of catalyst, it continues to move towards the feeding direction, thus enabling the feeding of either the first reactor 1 or the second reactor 2. This alleviates the problem of long intervals between two feeds, discontinuous hydrogen production, and low hydrogen production efficiency caused by having only one reactor and then transferring the receiving component 33 from the reactor outlet 6 to the reactor inlet 4 after discharge, thereby accelerating hydrogen production efficiency.

[0040] The conveying assembly is used to drive the receiving member 33 located in the conveying member 13 to move along the conveying track 32. When the receiving member 33 moves to the outlet or outlet 6 of the first reactor 1, the outlet or outlet 6 of the first reactor 1 is aligned with the receiving member 33. When the receiving member 33 moves to the inlet 4 or the inlet of the second reactor 2, the receiving member 33 is aligned with the inlet 4 or the inlet of the second reactor 2. The second driving assembly 21 is set close to and towards the inlet 4 or the inlet of the second reactor 2. The second driving assembly 21 is set along the first track on the extension line of the first track. The distance between the outlet or outlet 6 of the first reactor 1 and the conveying track 32, and the distance between the inlet 4 or the inlet of the second reactor 2 and the conveying track 32, are both less than the length of the receiving part 33 in the feeding direction, and are small enough to prevent the receiving part 33 from falling off when the second drive assembly 21 pushes the receiving part 33 from the conveying track 32 to the inlet 4 or the inlet of the second reactor 2, and at the same time prevent the receiving part 33, which is pushed to the outlet or outlet 6 of the first reactor 1 by the second drive assembly 21 or the third drive assembly, from falling off during the transfer from the outlet or outlet 6 of the first reactor 1 to the conveying track 32.

[0041] When the receiving component 33, having completed the reaction, is pushed out of the outlet of the first reactor 1 by the second drive component 21 or the third drive component, the conveying component moves the conveyor 13 to the outlet of the first reactor 1, aligning the receiving component 33 with the channel on the conveyor 13 for its entry and exit. Then, the second drive component 21 or the third drive component continues to move the receiving component 33 towards the conveying track 32, causing the receiving component 33 to detach from the first track and enter the conveyor 13. Subsequently, the conveying component moves the receiving component 33 along the conveying track 32 towards the inlet of the second reactor 2, until carbon nanotubes and other carbon products within the receiving component 33 are discharged into the collection chamber. Within 10, after the required catalyst is added to the receiving part 33 through the feeding unit 11, the conveying assembly continues to drive the receiving part 33 to continue pushing it towards the inlet direction of the second reactor 2 on the conveying track 32. When the receiving part 33 reaches the position corresponding to the inlet of the second reactor 2, the second drive assembly 21 is activated. The output shaft of the second drive assembly 21 extends in the feeding direction, enters the conveying part 13, contacts the receiving part 33, and continues to push the receiving part 33 in the feeding direction until the receiving part 33 is pushed onto the first track of the second reactor 2. Then, the third drive assembly drives the receiving part 33 to move along the feeding direction on the first track of the second reactor 2.

[0042] In this document, "and / or" refers to the text content preceding and following "and / or," which can exist simultaneously or separately; for example, A and / or B includes the existence of only A or B, as well as the simultaneous existence of A and B. This invention discloses multiple technical solutions, but does not provide any contrary technical guidance. For any content not covered in this invention, please refer to prior art CN119771280B or other applicable prior art.

[0043] Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this invention. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this invention. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that, based on the ideas of this 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 this invention.

Claims

1. A vacuum chamber for automatic filling and by-product recovery in natural gas cracking hydrogen production, characterized in that, The vacuum chamber includes: The chamber body contains a feeding unit and a collection bin, and the top of the collection bin has a discharge port; A conveying assembly is used to drive the receiving component sequentially through the collection bin and the feeding unit, so as to discharge the by-products in the receiving component into the collection bin and add catalyst into the receiving component; A vacuum assembly, which is connected to the chamber body and is used to remove oxygen from the chamber body; A dust removal assembly, the dust removal assembly including a baffle disposed at the material discharge port, and a first drive assembly connected to the baffle for driving the baffle to open and close the material discharge port; The chamber body can receive the receiving component that has completed the natural gas cracking hydrogen production reaction from the reactor, so that the by-products can be discharged and the receiving component after adding catalyst can be input into the reactor. When the receiving component moves to above the discharge port, the first driving component drives the baffle to move away from the discharge port, so that the discharge port on the receiving component is connected to the discharge port, and the by-product in the receiving component falls into the collection bin.

2. The vacuum chamber according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cross-section of the discharge port gradually decreases from top to bottom, and the cross-section of the discharge port is larger than the cross-section of the feed inlet. And / or, the dust removal assembly includes an inerting unit, the inerting unit includes a first conveying pipe, the first end of the first conveying pipe is connected to an inert gas storage tank, the first conveying pipe is provided with a first valve and a first conveying pump, the second end of the first conveying pipe extends into the chamber body and is connected to a plurality of nozzles, the inert gas sprayed from the nozzles can form an inert gas curtain; The inert air curtain is located above the material discharge port; or the inert air curtain is annular and located outside the material discharge port.

3. The vacuum chamber according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conveying assembly includes a conveying track, a conveying component disposed on the conveying track, and a second driving component that is pulsatorically connected to the conveying component or the conveying track. The conveying component is used to carry the receiving component, and the second driving component is used to drive the conveying component to move between the collection bin and the feeding unit. The turning point of the conveying track is arc-shaped.

4. The vacuum chamber according to claim 3, characterized in that, The conveying track is circular and located above the discharge port. The discharge port is located at the top of the receiving component. The cross-section of the discharge port gradually decreases from bottom to top, and when the receiving component moves to the discharge port, the discharge port is oriented towards the discharge port.

5. The vacuum chamber according to claim 4, characterized in that, The conveying assembly includes two drive shafts, each drive shaft has a transmission disk made of conductive material, and the drive shaft is connected to the second drive assembly. The conductive transmission disk is fitted with a second transmission chain, and the conveying component is fixed on the second transmission chain. The second transmission chain contains a plurality of magnets, the magnetic poles of which are arranged along the axial direction of the drive shaft, and the magnetic poles of adjacent magnets are opposite in direction.

6. The vacuum chamber according to claim 4, characterized in that, The conveying assembly includes a plurality of transmission gears arranged along the movement trajectory of the conveying member, and a first transmission chain meshing with the transmission gears. At this time, the conveying track includes the first transmission chain, the conveying member is fixedly connected to the first transmission chain, and one of the transmission gears is connected to the second drive assembly. The first transmission chain is connected to a tension sensor and a tension regulator.

7. The vacuum chamber according to claim 4, characterized in that, The receiving component is provided with a plurality of guide channels; wherein the inclination angle of the guide channels is greater than the angle of repose of the by-product; and / or, the spacing between adjacent guide channels gradually decreases from the bottom of the receiving component toward the discharge port; or, the guide channels are spiral-shaped. And / or, the receiving element is connected to a vibrator; And / or, the inner wall of the receiving component is coated with an antistatic coating.

8. The vacuum chamber according to claim 7, characterized in that, The dust removal assembly also includes leak-proof boxes located at two corners below the conveying track. The leak-proof boxes are fitted outside the conveying track, avoiding the conveying components, and are connected to the collection bin via a second conveying pipe. The second conveying pipe is equipped with a one-way valve that allows by-products to flow from the leak-proof boxes to the collection bin. The collection bin is connected to an external product storage tank via a vacuum conveying system.

9. The vacuum chamber according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding unit includes a hopper with a feeding port for adding catalyst. A second valve is provided at the feeding port. A first vent valve, an oxygen concentration sensor, a weighing sensor, and a venting assembly for venting oxygen from the hopper are connected to the hopper. The hopper is connected to the chamber body through a third conveying pipe, which is equipped with a third valve.

10. The vacuum chamber according to claim 1, characterized in that, The chamber body is provided with a feeding area and a discharging area. The feeding area is provided with the feeding unit, and the discharging area is provided with the collection bin. The vacuum chamber also includes an isolation component disposed within the chamber body. The isolation component includes an isolation plate disposed between the feeding area and the discharging area. The isolation plate is disposed to avoid the conveying component.

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