Device for on-line conversion of sodium source into heat energy and hydrogen

Abstract

The utility model discloses a device for on-line conversion of a sodium source into heat energy and hydrogen, which is characterized in that a pipe orifice of a sodium injection pipe is arranged at the upper end of a reactor, a sodium reaction baffle is arranged below the pipe orifice, a sodium hydroxide solution channel is arranged on the sodium reaction baffle, or a sodium hydroxide solution channel is arranged between the sodium reaction baffle and the side wall of the reactor. The speed of the input water vapor is controlled, so that the concentration of the water vapor in the reactor is maintained in a relatively low range, and the highest temperature in the reactor is controlled to be less than 300 DEG C by adjusting the sodium injection one-way valve or / and adjusting the water vapor injection one-way valve or / and adjusting the heat exchange amount of the condenser, so that sodium combustion caused by over-high temperature is avoided; corrosion of high-temperature substances to equipment is effectively relieved; the arranged sodium reaction baffle can enable a sodium hydroxide solution coating layer with high density and low viscosity to be separated from sodium, so that the surface of the sodium is exposed, rapid oxidation of the sodium and low-concentration water vapor is realized, and relatively high productivity efficiency is maintained.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to an energy generation device, and more particularly to a device for online conversion of sodium source into heat energy and hydrogen. Background Technology

[0002] Energy is the material foundation for human society, economy, and technological development. Building an efficient, low-carbon renewable energy system is the fundamental way to solve the dual crises of global energy depletion and environmental pollution. Therefore, environmentally friendly energy sources such as hydropower, wind power, photovoltaic power, and hydrogen energy are developing rapidly. However, while accelerating the development and utilization of clean energy, hydropower, wind power, and photovoltaic power generation face problems such as difficulties in storage, transmission, and consumption. Ultra-long-duration energy storage is an important technology for achieving carbon neutrality. It can transfer energy across seasons and ensure power supply during extreme weather, improving the efficiency of renewable energy development. However, existing long-duration energy storage technologies have short operating times, small capacities, and high operating costs, hindering large-scale application.

[0003] Low-cost, ultra-long-term sodium energy storage is a key technology for achieving carbon neutrality (renewable energy exceeding 60%) and addressing the mismatch between the large-scale supply of renewable energy and the spatial and temporal demand for electricity. This technology can decouple economic development from carbon emissions, promote the transformation and upgrading of the new energy industry, and has a market prospect worth trillions. Sodium energy storage is characterized by minimal emissions, minimal materials, and the simplest process, possessing disruptive technological potential. Renewable energy is converted into electricity, which is then electrolyzed to produce sodium. Sodium is stored in sealed containers as a long-term energy reserve, unaffected by humidity and the ambient atmosphere; or it can be transported to areas that need energy to release it. Hydrogen and sodium hydroxide can be flexibly applied in different scenarios, such as as basic chemical raw materials or for energy storage recycling. This overcomes the bottleneck of large-scale renewable energy development and alleviates the pressure and risks of long-distance energy transmission. The technologies for sodium production, storage, and transportation are very mature. The most critical issue to be addressed now is ensuring the safe reaction of highly reducing sodium with water and the stable release of energy.

[0004] Based on the chemical reaction mechanism, sodium has strong reducing properties and can react rapidly with water vapor; 2 moles of water vapor react with sodium to produce 1 mole of hydrogen gas. Since the number of gas molecules in the system decreases, as long as the reaction rate is controlled and the generated heat is conducted away in a timely manner, the sodium can be safely released. Chinese utility model patent application No. 202311443501.2 discloses "a system for online conversion of sodium source into heat energy and hydrogen," and the technical solution described is as follows: A closed reactor is provided, with an alkali discharge pipe at the bottom of the reactor and a discharge valve on the alkali discharge pipe; a hydrogen collection pipe at the top of the reactor and a pressure reducing valve on the hydrogen collection pipe; a heat exchanger, a temperature sensor, and a pressure sensor are located inside the reactor; a liquid sodium injection pipe and a steam injection pipe are located below the reactor, with a liquid sodium injection check valve on the liquid sodium injection pipe and a steam injection check valve on the steam injection pipe; both the liquid sodium injection pipe and the steam injection pipe are located inside the reactor, with the outlet end of the liquid sodium injection pipe located above the outlet end of the steam injection pipe; the heat exchanger is an upward-downward-arranged heat exchanger with the refrigerant inlet at the top and the refrigerant outlet at the bottom; a heat exchange valve is provided at the refrigerant inlet; and the temperature sensor is located at the top of the heat exchanger.

[0005] Follow these steps:

[0006] Step 1. Fill the reactor with hydrogen gas;

[0007] Step 2. Open the heat exchange valve;

[0008] Step 3. Open the liquid sodium injection check valve and the steam injection check valve;

[0009] Step 4. The injected liquid sodium reacts with water vapor to produce hydrogen, high-temperature water vapor, and sodium hydroxide. The heat exchange valve, liquid sodium injection check valve, and water vapor injection check valve are controlled to ensure that the temperature of the hydrogen and high-temperature water vapor after passing through the heat exchanger is below 70°C. The hydrogen is discharged from the hydrogen collection pipe through the pressure reducing valve, which adjusts the pressure inside the reactor to 0.1-10 MPa. The high-temperature water vapor condenses at the bottom of the water flow response device after passing through the heat exchanger. The drain valve is controlled to ensure that the sodium hydroxide solution level is below the outlet end of the water vapor injection pipe.

[0010] This patent application has the following advantages:

[0011] 1. By directly using water vapor as the reaction raw material, the safety hazards such as explosions caused by the volume expansion of water due to its phase transformation into water vapor upon heating, as seen in existing technologies, are avoided.

[0012] 2. When water vapor is heated, it will further increase in temperature to form a high-temperature gas, which will exchange heat with the cold enzyme in the heat exchanger to form a high-temperature heat source, meeting the industrial production's need for a high-temperature heat source. At the same time, the water vapor will condense to form water, which can be effectively separated from hydrogen.

[0013] 3. Using hydrogen gas, a product that does not react with water vapor and sodium, as a protective gas ensures safe combustion in the sodium-water reaction.

[0014] 4. No kerosene needs to be added, avoiding the need for purification of sodium hydroxide solution, simplifying operation and reducing operating costs.

[0015] Since liquid sodium is composed of tiny particles of metallic sodium, if the injected water vapor concentration is low, the reaction between liquid sodium and water vapor is mild. During the reaction, the sodium surface will be coated with a layer of sodium hydroxide solution containing bubbles. Subsequent water vapor needs to pass through this protective layer of sodium hydroxide solution to react with the sodium, making the subsequent reaction rate very slow. To increase the reaction rate between sodium and water vapor and ensure a complete reaction, high-temperature, high-concentration water vapor needs to be injected into the reactor. This causes the liquid sodium entering the reactor to quickly burn with the water vapor, while the unreacted water vapor will absorb heat and form high-temperature water vapor at thousands of degrees Celsius. At this high temperature, some sodium hydroxide can form an aerogel that diffuses throughout the reactor. Both the high temperature and the diffused sodium hydroxide aerogel cause severe corrosion to the equipment, making the corrosion resistance requirements for the equipment materials extremely high, directly increasing the operating costs of sodium energy release. Summary of the Invention

[0016] The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned technical problems existing in the prior art by providing a device for online conversion of sodium source into heat energy and hydrogen.

[0017] The technical solution of this utility model is: a device for online conversion of sodium source into heat energy and hydrogen, comprising a sealed reactor, an alkaline solution discharge pipe at the bottom of the reactor with a discharge valve, a hydrogen collection pipe at the top of the reactor with a pressure reducing valve, a condenser, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a sodium injection pipe, and a water vapor injection pipe inside the reactor, a sodium injection check valve on the sodium injection pipe, and a water vapor injection check valve on the water vapor injection pipe. The opening of the sodium injection pipe is located at the top of the reactor, and a sodium reaction baffle is provided below the opening. A sodium hydroxide solution channel is provided on the sodium reaction baffle or between the sodium reaction baffle and the side wall of the reactor.

[0018] Preferably, the steam injection pipe is located in the lower middle part of the reactor, and a steam buffer chamber is set between the steam injection check valve and the reactor. A hydrogen branch pipe is set outside the reactor. One end of the hydrogen branch pipe is connected to the hydrogen collection pipe in front of the pressure reducing valve, and the other end is connected to the steam buffer chamber through a gas pump. A hydrogen condenser is set around the hydrogen branch pipe.

[0019] Preferably, the sodium reaction baffle is replaced by a condenser, that is, the condenser is set below the pipe opening, and there is a sodium hydroxide solution channel on the condenser or between the condenser and the side wall of the reactor.

[0020] Preferably, there are at least two sodium reaction baffles arranged vertically and opposite each other. One end of each sodium reaction baffle is connected to the side wall of the reactor, and the other end is inclined downwards, forming a serpentine sodium hydroxide solution channel between the sodium reaction baffle and the side wall of the reactor.

[0021] Preferably, the number of condensers is equal to the number of sodium reaction baffles, and they are arranged one-to-one below each sodium reaction baffle.

[0022] Preferably, the sodium reaction baffle consists of at least two mesh plates arranged vertically, with the mesh on each sodium reaction baffle forming a channel for sodium hydroxide solution and the mesh size decreasing sequentially from the upper layer to the lower layer.

[0023] This invention places the sodium injection pipe opening at the upper end of the reactor, with a sodium reaction baffle below the opening. The sodium reaction baffle has a sodium hydroxide solution channel, or a sodium hydroxide solution channel exists between the sodium reaction baffle and the reactor sidewall. The input water vapor is of low concentration, and the reaction between the injected sodium and water vapor is mild rather than combustible. By adjusting the sodium injection check valve and / or the water vapor injection check valve and / or the heat exchange of the condenser, the maximum temperature can be controlled to below 300℃, allowing the surface of metallic sodium to undergo an oxidation reaction. This avoids the formation of sodium hydroxide aerogel due to excessively high temperatures, effectively preventing corrosion of the equipment caused by high temperatures and diffused aerogel. It eliminates the need for excessively high corrosion resistance requirements on the equipment materials, effectively reducing the operating costs associated with sodium energy release. Simultaneously, although the reaction coats the sodium surface with a layer of sodium hydroxide solution, the sodium reaction baffle allows the denser, lower-viscosity sodium hydroxide solution to separate from the sodium, flowing downwards along the sodium hydroxide solution channel to the bottom of the reactor, thus exposing the sodium surface. This enables rapid oxidation of sodium with low-concentration water vapor, maintaining high production efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram of Embodiment 2 of this utility model.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a structural schematic diagram of Embodiment 3 of this utility model. Detailed Implementation Example 1

[0027] This invention relates to a device for online conversion of sodium source into heat energy and hydrogen, as follows: Figure 1As shown, similar to existing technologies, a sealed reactor 1 is provided. At the bottom of reactor 1 is an alkali discharge pipe 2, with a discharge valve 2-1. At the top of reactor 1 is a hydrogen collection pipe 3, with a pressure reducing valve 3-1. Inside reactor 1 are a condenser 4, a temperature sensor 5, a pressure sensor 6, a sodium injection pipe 7, and a water vapor injection pipe 8. The sodium injection pipe 7 has a sodium injection check valve 7-1, and the water vapor injection pipe 8 has a water vapor injection check valve 8-1. The difference from existing technologies is that the opening 7- of the sodium injection pipe 7... 2. A sodium reaction baffle 9 is provided at the upper end of the reactor 1 and below the inlet 7-2. There are at least two sodium reaction baffles 9 arranged opposite each other, that is, one end of each sodium reaction baffle 9 is connected to the side wall of the reactor 1, and the other end is inclined downward at 4-10 degrees. A serpentine sodium hydroxide solution channel 10 is formed between the sodium reaction baffle 9 and the side wall of the reactor 1. At the same time, the number of condensers 4 is equal to that of the sodium reaction baffles 9 and is arranged below each sodium reaction baffle 9 in a one-to-one correspondence. There can be multiple temperature sensors 5 and they are distributed in different positions in the reactor 1.

[0028] Follow these steps:

[0029] Step 1. Fill reactor 1 with hydrogen gas;

[0030] Step 2. Open condenser 4 and inject refrigerant into condenser 4. The refrigerant can be mineral oil, low-temperature gas, etc., which can fully carry heat.

[0031] Step 3: Open the sodium injection check valve 7-1 to inject sodium, allowing the sodium to fall onto the sodium reaction baffle 9;

[0032] Step 4. Open the steam injection check valve 8-1 to inject steam, controlling the steam concentration in reactor 1 to be less than 20%;

[0033] Step 5. Sodium reacts immediately with water vapor on its surface to generate hydrogen and sodium hydroxide. The generated hydrogen is collected by hydrogen collection pipe 3, and the pressure inside reactor 1 is adjusted to 0.2 MPa by pressure reducing valve 3-1. The generated sodium hydroxide absorbs water to form a sodium hydroxide solution. Because the sodium hydroxide solution has a high density and low viscosity, it can separate from the metallic sodium as it rolls down along the sodium hydroxide solution channel 10. Then, under the action of gravity, it flows to the bottom of the reactor, where the sodium surface is exposed and continues to react with water vapor. That is, the sodium hydroxide solution covers and detaches from the sodium surface alternately.

[0034] Step 6. During the reaction, adjust the sodium injection check valve 7-1 and / or the water vapor injection check valve 8-1 and / or the heat exchange of the condenser 4 to control the maximum temperature in reactor 1 to be less than 300℃ until the reaction is completed.

[0035] Example 2:

[0036] This invention relates to a device for online conversion of sodium source into heat energy and hydrogen, as follows: Figure 2 As shown, similar to existing technologies, a sealed reactor 1 is provided. At the bottom of reactor 1 is an alkali discharge pipe 2 with a drain valve 2-1. At the top of reactor 1 is a hydrogen collection pipe 3 with a pressure reducing valve 3-1. Inside reactor 1 are a condenser 4, a temperature sensor 5, a pressure sensor 6, a sodium injection pipe 7, and a steam injection pipe 8. The sodium injection pipe 7 has a sodium injection check valve 7-1, and the steam injection pipe 8 has a steam injection check valve 8-1. Unlike existing technologies, the opening 7-2 of the sodium injection pipe 7 is located at the top of reactor 1, and a sodium reaction baffle 9 is installed below the opening 7-2. The sodium reaction baffle 9 consists of at least two mesh plates arranged vertically. The mesh plates can be made by punching a matrix of holes into a metal plate, or they can be made of woven metal wire with mesh openings. The reactor 1 has a sodium reaction baffle 9 with mesh forming sodium hydroxide solution channels 10, and the mesh size decreases from top to bottom. The size of the mesh on the top layer should be smaller than the size of the sodium particles it carries. The number of condensers 4 is equal to that of the sodium reaction baffles 9 and they are arranged one-to-one below each sodium reaction baffle 9. There can be multiple temperature sensors 5, which are distributed in different positions in the reactor 1. The steam injection pipe 8 is located in the middle or lower part of the reactor 1, and a steam buffer chamber 8-2 is set between the steam injection check valve 8-1 and the reactor 1. A hydrogen branch pipe 11 is set outside the reactor 1. One end of the hydrogen branch pipe 11 is connected to the hydrogen collection pipe 3 before the pressure reducing valve 3-1, and the other end is connected to the steam buffer chamber 8-2 through the gas pump 11-1. A hydrogen condenser 11-2 is set around the hydrogen branch pipe 11.

[0037] Follow these steps:

[0038] Step 1. Fill reactor 1 with hydrogen gas;

[0039] Step 2. Open condenser 4 and inject refrigerant into condenser 4. The refrigerant can be mineral oil, low-temperature gas, etc., which can fully carry heat.

[0040] Step 3. Open the sodium injection check valve 7-1 to inject sodium, so that the sodium falls on the sodium reaction baffle 9, which will then tend to pass through the sodium hydroxide solution channel 10. However, since the size of the sodium is larger than the sodium hydroxide solution channel 10 at this time, it cannot pass through the sodium hydroxide solution channel 10 temporarily.

[0041] Step 4. Open the steam injection check valve 8-1 to inject steam. At the same time, the gas pump 11-1 and the hydrogen condenser 11-2 can be started. The hydrogen in reactor 1 can be further condensed along the hydrogen branch pipe 11 and then enter the steam buffer chamber 8-2. After mixing with the steam, it enters reactor 1, thereby controlling the steam concentration in reactor 1 to be less than 20%.

[0042] Step 5. During the suspension process, sodium reacts with water vapor to produce hydrogen and sodium hydroxide. The generated hydrogen is collected by hydrogen collection pipe 3, and the pressure inside reactor 1 is adjusted to 0.2 MPa by pressure reducing valve 3-1. The generated sodium hydroxide absorbs water to form a sodium hydroxide solution and adheres to the sodium surface. As the sodium hydroxide continues to absorb water, it detaches from the metallic sodium surface and drips down along the solution channel 10. Under the action of gravity, it flows to the bottom of the reactor, where the sodium surface is exposed and continues to react with water vapor. When the sodium reacts to a level smaller than the sodium hydroxide solution channel 10, it falls to the second sodium reaction baffle 9... That is, the sodium hydroxide solution covers and detaches from the sodium surface alternately.

[0043] Step 6. During the reaction, adjust the sodium injection check valve 7-1 and / or the water vapor injection check valve 8-1 and / or the heat exchange of the condenser 4 to control the maximum temperature in reactor 1 to be less than 300℃ until the reaction is completed.

[0044] Example 3:

[0045] This invention relates to a system for online conversion of sodium source into heat energy and hydrogen, as follows: Figure 3 As shown, similar to existing technologies, a sealed reactor 1 is provided. At the bottom of reactor 1 is an alkali discharge pipe 2 with a drain valve 2-1. At the top of reactor 1 is a hydrogen collection pipe 3 with a pressure reducing valve 3-1. Inside reactor 1 are a condenser 4, a temperature sensor 5, a pressure sensor 6, a sodium injection pipe 7, and a steam injection pipe 8. The sodium injection pipe 7 has a sodium injection check valve 7-1, and the steam injection pipe 8 has a steam injection check valve 8-1. The port 7-2 of the sodium injection pipe 7 is located at the top of reactor 1, and the condenser 4 is positioned below the port 7-2. The condenser 4 can be spiral, serpentine, or plate-shaped, etc., to form a sodium hydroxide solution channel 10 on the condenser or between the condenser and the reactor sidewall, integrating the function of the reaction baffle 9 into the condenser 4, thus eliminating the need for a separate reaction baffle 9. Multiple temperature sensors 5 can be distributed at different locations within reactor 1.

[0046] Follow these steps:

[0047] Step 1. Fill reactor 1 with hydrogen gas;

[0048] Step 2. Open condenser 4 and inject refrigerant into condenser 4. The refrigerant can be mineral oil, low-temperature gas, etc., which can fully carry heat.

[0049] Step 3: Open the sodium injection check valve 7-1 to inject sodium, allowing the sodium to fall onto the condenser 4;

[0050] Step 4. Open the steam injection check valve 8-1 to inject steam, controlling the steam concentration in reactor 1 to be less than 20%;

[0051] Step 5. Sodium reacts immediately with water vapor on its surface to generate hydrogen and sodium hydroxide. The generated hydrogen is collected by hydrogen collection pipe 3, and the pressure inside reactor 1 is adjusted to 0.2 MPa by pressure reducing valve 3-1. The generated sodium hydroxide absorbs water to form a sodium hydroxide solution. Because the sodium hydroxide solution has a high density and low viscosity, it can separate from the metallic sodium as it rolls down along the sodium hydroxide solution channel 10. Then, under the action of gravity, it flows to the bottom of the reactor, where the sodium surface is exposed and continues to react with water vapor. That is, the sodium hydroxide solution covers and detaches from the sodium surface alternately.

[0052] Step 6. During the reaction, adjust the sodium injection check valve 7-1 and / or the water vapor injection check valve 8-1 and / or the heat exchange of the condenser 4 to control the maximum temperature in reactor 1 to be less than 300℃ until the reaction is completed.

Claims

1. A device for online conversion of sodium source into heat energy and hydrogen, comprising a sealed reactor (1), an alkaline solution discharge pipe (2) at the bottom of the reactor (1), a discharge valve (2-1) on the alkaline solution discharge pipe (2), a hydrogen collection pipe (3) at the top of the reactor (1), a pressure reducing valve (3-1) on the hydrogen collection pipe (3), a condenser (4), a temperature sensor (5), a pressure sensor (6), a sodium injection pipe (7), and a water vapor injection pipe (8) inside the reactor (1), a sodium injection check valve (7-1) on the sodium injection pipe (7), and a water vapor injection check valve (8-1) on the water vapor injection pipe (8), characterized in that: The opening (7-2) of the sodium injection pipe (7) is located at the upper end of the reactor (1), and a sodium reaction baffle (9) is provided below the opening (7-2). There is a sodium hydroxide solution channel (10) on the sodium reaction baffle (9) or between the sodium reaction baffle (9) and the side wall of the reactor (1).

2. The device for online conversion of sodium source into heat energy and hydrogen according to claim 1, characterized in that: The steam injection pipe (8) is located in the middle and lower part of the reactor (1), and a steam buffer chamber (8-2) is set between the steam injection check valve (8-1) and the reactor (1). A hydrogen branch pipe (11) is set outside the reactor (1). One end of the hydrogen branch pipe (11) is connected to the hydrogen collection pipe (3) in front of the pressure reducing valve (3-1), and the other end is connected to the steam buffer chamber (8-2) through the gas pump (11-1). A hydrogen condenser (11-2) is set around the hydrogen branch pipe (11).

3. The device for online conversion of sodium source into heat energy and hydrogen according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sodium reaction baffle (9) is replaced by a condenser (4), that is, the condenser (4) is set below the pipe opening (7-2), and there is a sodium hydroxide solution channel (10) on the condenser (4) or between the condenser (4) and the side wall of the reactor (1).

4. The device for online conversion of sodium source into heat energy and hydrogen according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sodium reaction baffles (9) are at least two, one above the other and arranged opposite each other. One end of each sodium reaction baffle (9) is connected to the side wall of the reactor (1), and the other end is inclined downward. A serpentine sodium hydroxide solution channel (10) is formed between the sodium reaction baffles (9) and the side wall of the reactor (1).

5. The device for online conversion of sodium source into heat energy and hydrogen according to claim 4, characterized in that: The number of condensers (4) is equal to that of the sodium reaction baffles (9), and they are arranged one-to-one below each sodium reaction baffle (9).

6. The apparatus for online conversion of sodium source into heat energy and hydrogen according to claim 2, characterized in that: The sodium reaction baffle (9) consists of at least two mesh plates arranged vertically, with the mesh on each sodium reaction baffle (9) forming a sodium hydroxide solution channel (10) and the mesh size decreasing sequentially from the upper layer to the lower layer.

Images