Fluidized bed reactor for the continuous generation of thermochemical heat energy and corresponding methods and systems - Patents.com

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fluidized bed reactor for continuously generating thermochemical heat energy by one of the following reactions: 1) solid particles of an alkaline earth metal or one of the metals from the group consisting of Li, B, Mg, Al, Si, Fe and Zn in elemental form with an oxidant in gaseous or vapor form such as steam, air, oxygen, etc., or 2) solid particles of an alkaline earth metal or one of the above metals in oxidized form with a hydrate in gaseous or vapor form to obtain a hydroxide. The reactor comprises a reactor chamber and an inlet located at a first end thereof for feeding the solid particles into the reactor. An array of fluidization stages is located within the reactor chamber, each of the fluidization stages comprising a plurality of nozzles for fluidizing the solid particles with a reactive fluidizing agent for initiating the reaction. The fluidization stages comprise one or more heat exchangers for selectively recovering heat released by the reaction. An outlet is located at an end of the reactor chamber opposite the first end for discharging the reactants.

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