A reactor and system for producing hydrogen from formic acid

Abstract

This utility model discloses a reactor and system for formic acid hydrogen production, relating to the field of hydrogen production equipment. In this utility model, during hydrogen production, an external formic acid storage tank pumps formic acid into the reaction tank through an inlet. The formic acid is then transported through the inlet and rotary joint to various spray pipes, and sprayed out from the inclined spray nozzles at the ends of the spray pipes. During formic acid spraying, the spray pipes, under hydraulic thrust, move in a circular motion within the reaction tank with the inlet as the fulcrum, thus uniformly spraying the formic acid onto the catalyst support below. This ensures sufficient contact between the formic acid and the catalyst on the catalyst support, thereby improving catalyst utilization and formic acid hydrogen production efficiency. Furthermore, multiple downward-facing nozzles are installed on the spray pipes. When the spray pipes move, they drive the nozzles to synchronously move in a circular motion, spraying formic acid downwards. Through the cooperation of the spray nozzles and spray heads, the formic acid is evenly distributed in a circular pattern within the reaction tank, further improving the uniformity of formic acid spraying.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of hydrogen production equipment, and more specifically, to a reactor and a formic acid hydrogen production system. Background Technology

[0002] With technological advancements and social development, global energy demand continues to grow. Currently, the energy structure dominated by fossil fuels not only accelerates resource depletion but also brings severe ecological problems such as the greenhouse effect. Therefore, developing clean and renewable alternative energy sources has become a global consensus. Hydrogen, due to its high energy density and zero carbon emissions, is considered one of the most promising future energy carriers, and related hydrogen production technologies have attracted considerable attention. Achieving large-scale replacement of fossil fuels with hydrogen energy will powerfully promote the realization of carbon neutrality goals and the process of sustainable development.

[0003] However, the large-scale application of hydrogen energy still faces a key bottleneck: safe and efficient hydrogen storage and transportation technologies are not yet mature. Due to the extremely low density of hydrogen, whether it is high-pressure gaseous storage and transportation, cryogenic liquid storage and transportation, or pipeline transportation, all place extremely high demands on equipment materials, process control, and safety protection, posing challenges such as high energy consumption, high cost, and numerous safety hazards. Therefore, developing new and efficient integrated hydrogen storage and supply solutions has become a top priority for promoting the development of the hydrogen economy.

[0004] Against this backdrop, formic acid is considered a highly promising liquid organic hydrogen carrier due to its high hydrogen storage density, liquid state at room temperature and pressure, low toxicity, good stability, and ease of safe transportation. Through catalytic decomposition, formic acid can release hydrogen on demand at hydrogen-demanding sites, achieving integrated "hydrogen storage-transportation-supply" and thus avoiding the high-pressure or low-temperature challenges of traditional storage and transportation methods. Therefore, developing efficient and stable formic acid catalytic decomposition hydrogen production technology is of great significance for building a safe and flexible distributed hydrogen energy supply system.

[0005] Chinese Patent CN217458830U discloses a hydrogen production system based on formic acid decomposition. This system includes a formic acid storage tank, a formic acid decomposition hydrogen production reactor, a hydrogen purification unit, and a hydrogen storage tank connected in sequence, capable of producing hydrogen from formic acid. However, in this type of system, the contact efficiency between formic acid and the catalyst directly affects the overall hydrogen production performance. Existing common designs often involve simply spraying liquid formic acid into a reactor filled with a solid catalyst. This method easily leads to uneven formic acid distribution, insufficient wetting of local catalyst areas, and limited mass transfer, resulting in insufficient catalyst utilization, reduced reaction efficiency, and limiting the overall hydrogen production rate and energy conversion efficiency of the system. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the existing formic acid hydrogen production system to solve the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of this utility model is to disclose a reactor and a formic acid hydrogen production system to overcome the above-mentioned technical problems existing in the existing related technologies.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model discloses a reactor for producing hydrogen from formic acid, comprising a reaction vessel, an inlet and an outlet, a catalyst carrier fixedly installed inside the reaction vessel, a catalyst loaded on the catalyst carrier, a rotary joint rotatably mounted at the bottom end of the inlet above the catalyst carrier, and multiple circumferentially distributed spray pipes connected to the outer ring of the rotary joint, with downwardly inclined spray heads connected to the spray pipes.

[0008] In some embodiments, the bottom end of the spray pipe is connected to and installed with a plurality of evenly distributed downward-facing nozzles.

[0009] In some embodiments, a mounting rod is fixedly installed inside the nozzle, and a tapered guide plate located inside the nozzle outlet is fixedly installed at the lower end of the mounting rod.

[0010] In some embodiments, the conical guide vane is made of an elastic material, a base plate is fixedly mounted at the bottom end of the mounting rod, and a spring is fitted at the lower end of the mounting rod between the conical guide vane and the base plate.

[0011] In some embodiments, the catalyst support is a honeycomb frame structure, and the catalyst is a metal catalyst.

[0012] In some embodiments, a heat insulation layer is fixedly installed on the surface of the reaction vessel, and the heat insulation layer surrounds the outer ring of the reaction vessel to form a temperature control chamber. An inlet and an outlet communicating with the temperature control chamber are fixedly installed on the heat insulation layer.

[0013] In some embodiments, a discharge port is connected to the bottom of the reaction vessel, a hydraulic pump is connected to the discharge port, a reflux pipe is connected to the outlet of the hydraulic pump, one end of the reflux pipe is connected to the inlet, and a solenoid valve is installed on the reflux pipe.

[0014] This utility model also discloses a formic acid hydrogen production system, including the aforementioned formic acid hydrogen production reactor.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0016] 1. In this utility model, when hydrogen is produced, the external formic acid storage tank pumps formic acid into the reaction tank through the feed inlet, so that the formic acid is delivered to each spray pipe through the feed inlet and rotary joint, and then sprayed out from the spray head set at the end of the spray pipe at an angle. At this time, the spray pipe can make a circular motion in the reaction tank with the feed inlet as the fulcrum under the hydraulic back thrust during formic acid spraying, so that the formic acid can be sprayed evenly on the catalyst support below in a circular manner, so that the formic acid can fully contact the catalyst on the catalyst support, thereby improving the catalyst utilization rate and the formic acid hydrogen production efficiency.

[0017] 2. In this utility model, multiple downward-facing nozzles are set on the spray pipe. When the spray pipe moves to spray, it can drive the nozzles to make a circular motion and spray formic acid downwards. Thus, through the cooperation of the spray head and nozzles, the formic acid is evenly distributed in a circular shape in the reaction tank, which further improves the uniformity of formic acid spraying, thereby further improving the catalyst utilization rate and the efficiency of formic acid to hydrogen production.

[0018] 3. In this utility model, by setting a formic acid reflux mechanism on the reaction tank, the unreacted formic acid accumulated at the bottom of the reaction tank can be transported back to the spray system at the top of the reaction tank for spraying, so that the formic acid can fully react to produce hydrogen, thereby improving the hydrogen production effect of formic acid, reducing formic acid waste, and lowering the cost of hydrogen production from formic acid. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is one of the three-dimensional structural schematic diagrams of the reactor for producing hydrogen from formic acid according to this utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a front view of the reactor for producing hydrogen from formic acid according to this utility model;

[0021] Figure 3 This is the second three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the reactor for producing hydrogen from formic acid according to this utility model;

[0022] Figure 4 This utility model Figure 3 A magnified structural diagram at point A;

[0023] Figure 5 This is the third three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the reactor for producing hydrogen from formic acid according to this utility model;

[0024] Figure 6 This utility model Figure 5 A magnified structural diagram at point B.

[0025] In the diagram: 1. Reaction vessel; 2. Feed inlet; 3. Exhaust outlet; 4. Insulation layer; 5. Liquid inlet; 6. Liquid outlet; 7. Discharge outlet; 8. Hydraulic pump; 9. Return pipe; 10. Solenoid valve; 11. Temperature control chamber; 12. Catalyst carrier; 13. Rotary joint; 14. Spray pipe; 15. Spray head; 16. Nozzle; 17. Mounting rod; 18. Conical guide plate; 19. Spring; 20. Base plate. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be noted that these embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention. Any equivalent substitutions or replacements made by those skilled in the art based on these embodiments in terms of function, method, or structure shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0027] Example 1

[0028] Please see Figures 1-6 As shown, this embodiment is a reactor for formic acid to produce hydrogen, including a reaction tank 1. The reaction tank 1 is provided with a feed inlet 2 and an exhaust outlet 3. A catalyst carrier 12 is fixedly installed inside the reaction tank 1. The catalyst carrier 12 is loaded with a catalyst. A rotary joint 13 located above the catalyst carrier 12 is rotatably installed at the bottom end of the feed inlet 2. A plurality of circumferentially distributed spray pipes 14 are connected to the outer ring of the rotary joint 13. Spray nozzles 15 inclined downwards are connected to the spray pipes 14.

[0029] The inlet 2 is connected to the formic acid storage tank, and the outlet 3 is connected to the gas purification equipment. During the formic acid hydrogen production process, the formic acid storage tank pumps formic acid into the reaction tank 1 through the inlet 2, so that the formic acid is delivered to each spray pipe 14 through the inlet 2 and the rotary joint 13, and then sprayed out from the spray head 15 at the end of the spray pipe 14. At this time, the spray pipe 14 can make a circular motion in the reaction tank 1 with the inlet 2 as the fulcrum under the hydraulic back thrust during the formic acid spraying, so that the formic acid can be sprayed evenly on the catalyst carrier 12 below in a circular manner, so that the formic acid and the catalyst on the catalyst carrier 12 can be fully contacted, thereby improving the catalyst utilization rate and the formic acid hydrogen production efficiency. The hydrogen generated by the catalyst is delivered to the subsequent gas purification equipment through the outlet 3 above, and the gas purification equipment purifies the hydrogen.

[0030] Specifically, the bottom end of the spray pipe 14 is connected to and installed with multiple evenly distributed downward-facing nozzles 16; an installation rod 17 is fixedly installed inside the nozzle 16, and a conical guide plate 18 located inside the nozzle 16 outlet is fixedly installed at the lower end of the installation rod 17; when the spray pipe 14 moves to spray, it can drive the nozzles 16 to synchronously perform circular motion to spray formic acid downwards, and when formic acid is sprayed out from the nozzle 16, it can be guided by the conical guide plate 18 to make the formic acid spray outwards in a circular shape, thereby increasing the spray range of the nozzles 16. Thus, through the cooperation of the spray head 15 and the nozzles 16, the formic acid is sprayed downwards in a circular and even distribution within the reaction tank 1, further improving the uniformity of formic acid spraying, thereby improving the catalyst utilization rate and the formic acid hydrogen production efficiency.

[0031] Specifically, the conical guide plate 18 is made of elastic material, and a base plate 20 is fixedly installed at the bottom end of the mounting rod 17. A spring 19 is fitted at the lower end of the mounting rod 17, which abuts against the conical guide plate 18 and the base plate 20. When formic acid is sprayed from the nozzle 16, if the hydraulic pressure supplied to the formic acid is large, the flow inertia of the formic acid is large. At this time, the spray range of the formic acid will increase after being guided by the conical guide plate 18. Correspondingly, if the hydraulic pressure supplied to the formic acid is small, the flow inertia of the formic acid is small. At this time, the spray range of the formic acid will decrease after being guided by the conical guide plate 18.

[0032] The conical guide plate 18 is elastically supported by spring 19. When the formic acid supply hydraulic pressure is large, the hydraulic impact force on the conical guide plate 18 during formic acid spraying increases, causing the conical guide plate 18 to deform and expand less under the action of hydraulic impact force. At this time, the guiding effect of the conical guide plate 18 is weakened, thereby adjusting and reducing the formic acid spraying range. Correspondingly, when the formic acid supply hydraulic pressure decreases, the hydraulic impact force on the conical guide plate 18 during formic acid spraying decreases. At this time, the conical guide plate 18 deforms and expands under the action of the restoring elastic force of spring 19, increasing the expansion range, thereby increasing the guiding effect of the conical guide plate 18 and adjusting and increasing the formic acid spraying range. Furthermore, when the formic acid supply hydraulic pressure fluctuates, the spraying range of formic acid in the nozzle 16 can be automatically adjusted to keep the spraying range of formic acid in the nozzle 16 within a suitable range, thereby further improving the uniformity of formic acid spraying.

[0033] Specifically, the catalyst support 12 has a honeycomb frame structure, and the catalyst is a metal catalyst. By setting the honeycomb frame structure to load the catalyst, the catalyst distribution area can be increased, thereby improving the catalytic effect and catalytic efficiency of formic acid to hydrogen production, and thus improving the efficiency of formic acid to hydrogen production.

[0034] Specifically, an insulation layer 4 is fixedly installed on the surface of the reaction vessel 1. The insulation layer 4 surrounds the outer ring of the reaction vessel 1 to form a temperature control chamber 11. An inlet 5 and an outlet 6 connected to the temperature control chamber 11 are fixedly installed on the insulation layer 4. The inlet 5 and the outlet 6 are connected to the boiler through a circulating liquid delivery pipeline. When formic acid is used to produce hydrogen, hot water in the boiler is circulated to the temperature control chamber 11 through the circulating liquid delivery pipeline, thereby heating and regulating the temperature inside the reaction vessel 1 to improve the efficiency of formic acid catalytic hydrogen production in the reaction vessel 1.

[0035] Specifically, a discharge port 7 is connected to the bottom of the reaction tank 1, and a hydraulic pump 8 is connected to the discharge port 7. A return pipe 9 is connected to the outlet of the hydraulic pump 8. One end of the return pipe 9 is connected to the inlet 2, and a solenoid valve 10 is installed on the return pipe 9. When formic acid is used to produce hydrogen, when the formic acid flows through the catalyst carrier 12 and the reaction is complete, the formic acid will flow downward and accumulate at the lower end of the reaction tank 1. At this time, the hydraulic pump 8 and the solenoid valve 10 can be turned on. The hydraulic pump 8 draws the formic acid in the reaction tank 1 and returns it to the reaction tank 1 through the return pipe 9 and the inlet 2, and sprays it again to produce hydrogen, so that the formic acid can fully react to produce hydrogen, thereby improving the hydrogen production effect of formic acid, reducing formic acid waste, and reducing the cost of hydrogen production from formic acid.

[0036] The detailed descriptions listed above are merely specific descriptions of feasible implementation methods of this utility model, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this utility model. All equivalent implementation methods or modifications made without departing from the spirit of this utility model should be included within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0037] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A reactor for producing hydrogen from formic acid, comprising a reaction vessel (1), characterized in that: The reaction vessel (1) is provided with a feed inlet (2) and an exhaust outlet (3). A catalyst carrier (12) is fixedly installed inside the reaction vessel (1). The catalyst carrier (12) is loaded with a catalyst. A rotary joint (13) located above the catalyst carrier (12) is rotatably installed at the bottom end of the feed inlet (2). Multiple circumferentially distributed spray pipes (14) are connected to the outer ring of the rotary joint (13). Spray nozzles (15) are installed on the spray pipes (14) and are inclined downward.

2. The reactor for producing hydrogen from formic acid according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom end of the spray pipe (14) is connected to a plurality of evenly distributed downward-facing nozzles (16).

3. The reactor for producing hydrogen from formic acid according to claim 2, characterized in that: An installation rod (17) is fixedly installed inside the nozzle (16), and a conical guide plate (18) located inside the nozzle (16) outlet is fixedly installed at the lower end of the installation rod (17).

4. The reactor for producing hydrogen from formic acid according to claim 3, characterized in that: The conical guide plate (18) is made of elastic material, and a base plate (20) is fixedly installed at the bottom end of the mounting rod (17). A spring (19) is fitted at the lower end of the mounting rod (17) between the conical guide plate (18) and the base plate (20).

5. A reactor for producing hydrogen from formic acid according to claim 1, characterized in that: The catalyst support (12) has a honeycomb frame structure, and the catalyst is a metal catalyst.

6. The reactor for producing hydrogen from formic acid according to claim 1, characterized in that: The surface of the reaction vessel (1) is fixedly installed with a heat insulation layer (4), which surrounds the outer ring of the reaction vessel (1) to form a temperature control chamber (11). The heat insulation layer (4) is fixedly installed with an inlet (5) and an outlet (6) that communicate with the temperature control chamber (11).

7. A reactor for producing hydrogen from formic acid according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom end of the reaction vessel (1) is connected to a discharge port (7), and a hydraulic pump (8) is connected to the discharge port (7). The outlet end of the hydraulic pump (8) is connected to a reflux pipe (9). One end of the reflux pipe (9) is connected to the feed inlet (2), and a solenoid valve (10) is installed on the reflux pipe (9).

8. A formic acid hydrogen production system, characterized in that: The reactor for producing hydrogen from formic acid as described in any one of claims 1-7.

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