A device and method for simultaneous production of hydrogen and heat based on aluminum-water mixture

Abstract

The application discloses a device and method for simultaneously generating hydrogen and heat based on aluminum-water mixing. The device uses block-shaped, filament-shaped or rod-shaped solid aluminum for combustion, avoids the safety problem of storing powdered aluminum, and solves the high energy consumption problem of generating powdered aluminum. The aluminum-water mixing combustion system of the application does not have moving parts, relies on the phase change and throttling of water to generate high pressure, ensures the stability and safety of the system, has the potential for large-scale production, and can realize the simultaneous production of hydrogen and heat of different scales. The device is designed to be small, and for the first time, aluminum melting, high temperature and high pressure of water, even supercritical state, and mechanical tearing of the aluminum oxide film by means of jet flow are realized in the same device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of new energy / hydrogen energy storage and transportation, specifically relating to a device and method for simultaneously generating hydrogen and heat based on aluminum-water mixing. Background Technology

[0002] With the global energy structure transformation, developing high-energy-density, zero-carbon-emission energy carriers has become a strategic focus in the energy and power sector. Aluminum (Al), as a metallic energy carrier, boasts a volumetric energy density of up to 23.5 kW·h / L, far exceeding traditional fossil fuels and metals such as magnesium and iron. Its dense oxide film ensures safety and reduces losses during storage and transportation. Through the displacement reaction between aluminum and water vapor: 2Al + 3H₂O = Al₂O₃ + 3H₂ + Q, high-purity hydrogen can be produced and high-grade heat energy released simultaneously. Furthermore, the product Al₂O₃ can be recycled through electrolytic reduction, constructing a zero-carbon cycle system throughout its entire life cycle. However, existing aluminum-water combustion technology is still in its early stages and faces the following key technical bottlenecks in engineering applications:

[0003] (1) Poor ignition start-up characteristics and high maintenance costs: The melting point of the aluminum oxide film (about 2054℃) is much higher than that of elemental aluminum (about 660℃), resulting in an extremely high reaction initiation threshold. Existing devices mostly rely on high-power laser induction or high-temperature jet flame assisted ignition. Such auxiliary systems are not only complex in structure and consume a lot of power, but also have difficulty in ensuring the continuity and stability of combustion under complex operating conditions.

[0004] (2) Limited fuel form and low processing efficiency: Existing technologies mainly focus on the combustion of aluminum powder or micro / nano particles. Although powdered aluminum has a large surface area, its preparation process is extremely energy-intensive and unsustainable. In addition, there is a serious risk of dust explosion during storage and transportation, making large-scale promotion impossible. More importantly, the combustion of particulate fuel usually requires complex powder feeding devices, making it difficult to maintain a large-size, long-term self-sustaining flame. This greatly limits the transformation of aluminum-water combustion technology from "laboratory parameter research" to "large-scale industrial energy supply".

[0005] (3) Insufficient controllability and integration of energy release: Existing experimental devices often have difficulty balancing the stable supply of solid aluminum fuel and the precise matching of water vapor flow, resulting in violent fluctuations in the combustion field and difficulty in outputting a stable flow of thermal energy or hydrogen. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the problems existing in the prior art, this invention discloses a device and method for simultaneously generating hydrogen and heat based on aluminum-water mixing. This method enables solid aluminum to be used as fuel and fully mixed with water vapor, achieving efficient start-up capability and generating a stable, self-sustaining flame while releasing hydrogen and heat.

[0007] On one hand, the present invention provides a device for simultaneously generating hydrogen and heat based on aluminum-water mixing, comprising:

[0008] An aluminum supply system for feeding solid aluminum, including in block, filament and / or rod form, into an aluminum-water mixed combustion system.

[0009] A heating system is used to heat an aluminum-water mixed combustion system using induction heating.

[0010] The aluminum-water mixed combustion system is used to generate high-temperature, high-pressure, or even supercritical water and molten aluminum, which are then mixed and burned to produce a self-sustaining flame, while releasing hydrogen and heat.

[0011] A high-pressure water constant flow supply system is used to provide a stable water supply for aluminum-water mixed combustion systems.

[0012] On the other hand, the present invention also provides a method for simultaneously generating hydrogen and heat based on aluminum-water mixing, applied to the above-mentioned device, comprising the following steps:

[0013] A heating system continuously heats the aluminum-water mixed combustion system, while a high-pressure water constant-flow supply system pumps in the water. Upon entering the water circuit, the water rapidly vaporizes, forming high-temperature, high-pressure, and even supercritical water. Simultaneously, an aluminum supply system delivers solid aluminum into the aluminum-water mixed combustion system, where it melts upon heating and becomes liquid within the aluminum solution chamber.

[0014] After the molten aluminum enters the aluminum-water mixing zone, the supercritical water enters the aluminum-water mixing zone through the steam throttling zone, where it undergoes continuous and stable aluminum-water combustion. Flames are ejected from the mixture outlet, releasing hydrogen and heat at the same time.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0016] (1) The present invention uses aluminum in solid form such as block, filament or rod to burn, which avoids the safety problem of storing powdered aluminum and solves the problem of high energy consumption in producing powdered aluminum. It greatly promotes the process of using aluminum as fuel and can be used as a key way to break through the application of zero carbon aluminum energy.

[0017] (2) Existing technologies all use Bunsen burner flames or McKenna appliances. This invention uses induction heating to molten aluminum and utilizes the throttling effect generated by the expansion of water after continuous heating to produce high back pressure. This causes water to be injected into the molten aluminum liquid area at high temperature and high pressure, or even in a supercritical state, to peel off the oxide film on the surface of the molten aluminum liquid. Under these conditions, aluminum will spontaneously react with high temperature and high pressure water vapor or supercritical water, and continuous and stable aluminum-water combustion can be achieved without ignition.

[0018] (3) The aluminum-water mixed combustion system of the present invention has no moving parts. It relies on the phase change of water to generate high pressure, which ensures the stability and safety of the system. It has the potential for large-scale production and can achieve the simultaneous production of hydrogen / heat at different scales.

[0019] (4) The present invention adopts a miniaturized design and achieves aluminum melting, high temperature and high pressure of water and even supercritical state in the same device for the first time, as well as mechanical tearing of aluminum oxide film by means of jet. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 The following are three views of an apparatus for simultaneously generating hydrogen and heat based on aluminum-water mixing according to an embodiment of this application; wherein, (a) is the front view of the apparatus, (b) is the top view of the apparatus, and (c) is the bottom view of the apparatus.

[0021] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The sectional views are shown below; where (a) is section AA, (b) is section BB, and (c) is section CC.

[0022] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A structural diagram. Detailed Implementation

[0023] 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.

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, this application provides a device for simultaneously generating hydrogen and heat based on an aluminum-water mixture. Combined with... Figure 2 and Figure 3 The device includes:

[0025] (1) Aluminum supply system 8, for feeding solid aluminum, including block, filament and / or rod, into aluminum-water mixed combustion system 9.

[0026] Preferably, in this embodiment, aluminum wire is used as fuel, and a roller-type wire feeding device is used to feed the aluminum wire from the aluminum wire inlet 1.

[0027] (2) Heating system 11, used to heat aluminum-water mixed combustion system 9 by means of induction heating.

[0028] (3) The aluminum-water mixed combustion system 9, as the core of the device, is used to generate high-temperature, high-pressure, and even supercritical water and molten aluminum, which are then mixed and burned to produce a self-sustaining flame, while releasing hydrogen and heat. Figure 2 As shown, this system includes:

[0029] Aluminum solution chamber 4 is used to store molten aluminum.

[0030] Aluminum-water mixing zone 7 is used to mix high-temperature, high-pressure, and even supercritical water and molten aluminum.

[0031] Mixture outlet 5 is used to eject flames while simultaneously releasing hydrogen and heat.

[0032] Waterway 3 is used to introduce water flow and deliver high-temperature, high-pressure, or even supercritical water into the steam throttling zone.

[0033] The water vapor throttling zone 6 is connected to the corresponding water circuit, and the outlet is cut into the aluminum-water mixing zone 7, which is used to send high-temperature, high-pressure or even supercritical water in the water circuit into the aluminum-water mixing zone 7.

[0034] Furthermore, a graphite tube sleeve is provided between the aluminum solution chamber 4 and the aluminum supply system 8 to provide lubrication, ensuring that the aluminum is continuously and stably melted and stored in the aluminum solution chamber under high pressure.

[0035] Furthermore, the degree of throttling in the water vapor throttling region is determined by both its orifice diameter and water flow rate.

[0036] (4) High-pressure water constant flow supply system 10 uses a constant flow plunger pump to provide stable water supply to aluminum-water mixed combustion system 9 from water inlet 2.

[0037] This application also provides a method for simultaneously generating hydrogen and heat based on aluminum-water mixing, applied to the above-mentioned device, including the following steps:

[0038] The aluminum-water mixed combustion system is heated to a high temperature (not lower than 750°C) using a heating system, and a high-pressure water constant flow supply system stably injects room temperature water into the aluminum-water mixed combustion system from water inlet 2. At the same time, the aluminum supply system transports aluminum wire into the aluminum-water mixed combustion system from aluminum wire inlet 1. The aluminum wire melts after heating and becomes liquid in the aluminum solution chamber 4.

[0039] Because the temperature of the aluminum-water mixed combustion system is extremely high and the heating system is continuously heating, the water rapidly vaporizes and expands in volume after entering water passage 3, causing the pressure inside the pipe to rise rapidly. At this time, the water vapor in water passage 3 is at high temperature and high pressure, approaching or even reaching the supercritical state of water. The supercritical water undergoes a throttling effect in the water vapor throttling region 6, forming a swirling flow, further increasing the pressure, and is injected tangentially into the aluminum-water mixing region 7.

[0040] After the molten aluminum enters the aluminum-water mixing zone 7, the high-temperature, high-pressure, and even supercritical water jet tears at the alumina film on the surface of the molten aluminum, thus peeling off the alumina film and exposing the molten aluminum to a high-temperature, high-pressure, and even supercritical water vapor environment. Subsequently, under the action of swirling flow, the two mix in the aluminum-water mixing zone 7. The aluminum spontaneously reacts with the high-temperature, high-pressure water vapor or supercritical water, undergoing continuous and stable aluminum-water combustion. The resulting self-sustaining flame is ejected from the mixture outlet 5, releasing hydrogen and heat simultaneously.

[0041] Specifically, since the heating is concentrated in the upper part of the device, some of the liquid aluminum flows back to the aluminum wire inlet 1 under the action of gravity. As it flows downward, it cools down and solidifies, forming a seal. Combined with the lubrication of the graphite tube sleeve, this ensures that the aluminum wire continues to melt stably and is stored in the aluminum solution chamber 4 under high pressure.

[0042] It is worth noting that throughout the entire process, the aluminum-water mixed combustion system 9 is continuously heated and always kept at a high temperature.

[0043] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for simultaneously generating hydrogen and heat based on aluminum-water mixing, characterized in that, include: An aluminum supply system for feeding solid aluminum, including in block, filament and / or rod form, into an aluminum-water mixed combustion system; A heating system for heating an aluminum-water mixed combustion system using induction heating; The aluminum-water mixed combustion system is used to generate high-temperature, high-pressure, or even supercritical water and molten aluminum, which are then mixed and burned to produce a self-sustaining flame, while releasing hydrogen and heat. A high-pressure water constant flow supply system is used to provide a stable water supply for aluminum-water mixed combustion systems.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aluminum-water mixed combustion system includes: Aluminum solution chamber, used to store molten aluminum; The aluminum-water mixing zone is used to mix high-temperature, high-pressure, and even supercritical water with molten aluminum; The mixture outlet is used to eject the flame while simultaneously releasing hydrogen and heat; Water channels are used to introduce water flow and deliver high-temperature, high-pressure, or even supercritical water into the water vapor throttling zone; The steam throttling zone is used to deliver high-temperature, high-pressure, or even supercritical water from the water circuit into the aluminum-water mixing zone.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, A graphite tube sleeve is provided between the aluminum solution chamber and the aluminum supply system to provide lubrication, ensuring that the aluminum is continuously and stably melted and stored in the aluminum solution chamber under high pressure.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The water channel spiral surrounds the graphite tube sleeve, the aluminum solution cavity, and the aluminum-water mixing area, and is evenly distributed.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The water vapor throttling area is connected to the corresponding water channel, and the outlet is cut into the aluminum-water mixing area.

6. The apparatus according to claim 2 or 5, characterized in that, The degree of throttling in the water vapor throttling zone is determined by both its orifice diameter and water flow rate.

7. A method for simultaneously generating hydrogen and heat based on aluminum-water mixing, applied to the apparatus as described in any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: The aluminum-water mixed combustion system is continuously heated by a heating system, and a high-pressure water constant flow supply system pumps in water. After entering the water circuit, the water is rapidly vaporized to form high-temperature, high-pressure, and even supercritical water. At the same time, the aluminum supply system sends solid aluminum into the aluminum-water mixed combustion system. The solid aluminum melts after heating and becomes liquid in the aluminum solution chamber. After the molten aluminum enters the aluminum-water mixing zone, the supercritical water enters the aluminum-water mixing zone through the steam throttling zone, where it undergoes continuous and stable aluminum-water combustion. Flames are ejected from the mixture outlet, releasing hydrogen and heat at the same time.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The formation of the high-temperature, high-pressure, and even supercritical water includes: the water in the water circuit vaporizes and expands in volume, producing a throttling effect, which causes the internal pressure of the aluminum-water mixed combustion system to rise rapidly and remain stable, thereby producing high-temperature, high-pressure, and even supercritical water.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The supercritical water is generated by a jet through the steam throttling region and injected tangentially into the aluminum-water mixing region; the jet peels off the oxide film on the surface of the molten aluminum, allowing the molten aluminum to spontaneously react with high-temperature and high-pressure steam or supercritical water.

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