Fluid heating device

Abstract

The present application provides a fluid heating device and a method for using the same that can improve the yield of target compounds (such as ethylene, propylene, and hydrogen) in the cracking process by controlling the inflowing heat flux itself according to the degree of pyrolysis, and reduce the generation of coke by controlling the inflowing heat flux itself according to the degree of pyrolysis in consideration of the physical and / or chemical properties of various pyrolysis targets, thereby reducing the production of compounds that are not target compounds (such as methane, ethane, benzene, and fuel oil), thereby reducing the generation of greenhouse gases.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0023601 filed on February 23, 2022, and the contents disclosed in the relevant Korean patent application document are incorporated by reference as part of this specification.

[0002] This application relates to fluid heating devices and applications thereof. [Background technology]

[0003] Ethylene, propylene, and / or butadiene are olefins that are basic raw materials for petrochemicals. Such olefins can be produced by diluting naphtha obtained by refining crude oil and / or various hydrocarbon raw materials (e.g., ethane, propane, and / or biodiesel) with steam and performing cracking through thermal cracking in a high-temperature cracking furnace.

[0004] The cracking furnace for performing the thermal cracking may typically include a radiant section, a convection section, and a steam generator. The naphtha, etc., which is the object of thermal cracking, is transported through a flow line, preheated in a preheater, partially vaporized by being preheated in a convection section, mixed with steam, and flows into the radiant section, where the thermal cracking is performed by the high temperature heat.

[0005] The radiant section of the cracking furnace is the location where the pyrolysis target transported through the flow line receives thermal energy and undergoes a pyrolysis reaction. When pyrolysis is performed using a conventional high-temperature cracking furnace, heat is transferred to the entire flow line in order to process a large amount of pyrolysis target at once due to the characteristics of large-scale equipment industry, and the heat transfer is performed using thermal power generated by burning fuel. Heat transfer using thermal power is advantageous in terms of being able to economically process a large amount of pyrolysis target at once, but it is difficult to control the state of the heat flowing in according to the progress of pyrolysis, so inefficient pyrolysis is performed.

[0006] If the heat distribution pattern can be adjusted by the flow line, the pyrolysis target can be efficiently pyrolyzed. However, in a conventional high-temperature pyrolysis furnace that performs pyrolysis in a high-temperature pyrolysis furnace using heat, the heat pattern formed by the heat is fixed. In addition, fine adjustment of the heat is required to adjust a part of the heat pattern or to change the heat pattern, but it is very difficult to finely control the heat in the large-scale equipment industry, and if the strength of the heat is changed to control the heat pattern, pyrolysis may be performed more inefficiently.

[0007] Therefore, conventional high-temperature cracking furnaces continuously apply the same heat, and therefore once a heat pattern is formed, it becomes fixed, so that more or less heat than necessary may flow into a particular part. In such cases, side reactions of the pyrolysis target are activated, and the increased side reactions may cause the generation of coke.

[0008] Coke accumulates inside the flow lines, increasing the wall temperature of the flow lines. The accumulated coke reduces the diameter of the flow lines, increasing the differential pressure and reducing the operating cycle. The increased wall temperature and / or reduced operating cycle lead to inefficiencies in pyrolysis.

[0009] In addition, when pyrolysis is performed using a conventional high-temperature pyrolysis furnace, as described above, it is difficult to control the heat state, and therefore, when the pyrolysis target is changed, it is difficult to flexibly respond to the change.

[0010] Therefore, a fluid heating device is required that controls the heat flux itself according to the degree of pyrolysis progress, taking into account the physical and / or chemical characteristics of the pyrolysis target, and ensures that the heat fluxes each have a uniform profile according to the degree of pyrolysis progress. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-150968 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] The present application aims to provide a fluid heating device and its use that can improve the yield of target compounds (such as ethylene, propylene and / or hydrogen) in a cracking process by controlling the heat flux according to the type of pyrolysis.

[0013] The present application aims to provide a fluid heating device and its use that can suppress or reduce the generation of unwanted by-products such as coke and side reactions by controlling the heat flux in consideration of the physical and / or chemical characteristics of various pyrolysis targets.

[0014] The present application aims to provide a fluid heating device and its use that can reduce the amount of non-target compounds (such as methane, ethane, benzene, and fuel oil) generated.

[0015] The present application aims to provide a fluid heating device and its use that can reduce the amount of greenhouse gas generated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] This application relates to a fluid heating device.

[0017] The fluid heating device may include a pipeline having an internal passageway through which a fluid may flow, the internal passageway being separated into two or more heat absorption regions.

[0018] The two or more distinct heat absorption regions may be regions formed so as to be capable of absorbing heat energy independently.

[0019] The thermal energy may heat a fluid flowing through the internal passageway or may be absorbed by the fluid, for example, the fluid may absorb the thermal energy with little or no increase in temperature.

[0020] The heat energy contained in each of the heat absorbing regions may be generated by different heat generating units.

[0021] At least one of the heat generating units may be a unit (electrical heat generating unit) configured to convert electrical energy into thermal energy.

[0022] In one example, a certain level or more of all heat generating units included in the fluid heating device of the present application may be the electric heat generating units. For example, the lower limit of the ratio of the number of the electric heat generating units to all heat generating units included in the fluid heating device may be about 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90% or 95%, and the upper limit may be about 100%. The ratio of the number of the electric heat generating units may be equal to or greater than any one of the lower limits but equal to or less than the upper limit.

[0023] The electrical heat generating unit may be configured to be supplied with electrical energy via direct current or alternating current.

[0024] The electrical heat generating unit may be configured to generate resistive heat by energizing the pipeline, and a direct or alternating current may be applied to the pipeline to generate the resistive heat.

[0025] The electric heat generating unit may be an external heat source provided separately from the pipeline, and may be an electric heat generating unit configured to convert electric energy into thermal energy.

[0026] The electrical heat generating unit may be configured to generate resistive heat by induced current in the pipeline.

[0027] The induced current may be generated by applying an alternating current to a coil wire that is spaced apart and spirally surrounds the pipeline.

[0028] The two or more heat absorption regions of the fluid heating device may be arranged such that the fluid passes through a heat absorption region where the absolute value of the deviation ΔH of the applied heat energy according to the following Equation 1 is 10 or more. [Formula 1] △H=100%×(H1-H2) / H2 In Equation 1, H1 is thermal energy applied to one of the two or more heat absorption regions, and H2 is thermal energy applied to a heat absorption region other than the heat absorption region to which the thermal energy of H1 is applied.

[0029] The two or more heat absorption regions may be arranged such that the thermal energy applied along the fluid flow direction decreases and then increases, or increases and then decreases.

[0030] The two or more heat absorption regions of the fluid heating device may be arranged such that the fluid passes through a heat absorption region where the absolute value of the deviation ΔF of the heat flux according to the following Equation 2 is 10 or more. [Formula 2] △F=100%×(F1-F2) / F2 In Equation 2, F1 is the heat flux of any one of the two or more heat absorption regions, and F2 is the heat flux of a heat absorption region different from the heat absorption region of the heat flux of F1.

[0031] The heat absorbing region may be disposed so as to be exposed to a heat flux that decreases and then increases or increases and then decreases along the flow direction of the fluid.

[0032] The heat absorption region may be positioned such that the fluid may be exposed to periodic variations in heat flux or applied thermal energy within the internal passage as the fluid moves along the fluid flow direction.

[0033] In the above, the absolute value of the deviation between the maximum heat flux or maximum applied heat energy and the minimum heat flux or minimum applied heat energy within one period of the periodic fluctuation can be adjusted within a predetermined range.

[0034] The two or more heat absorption regions may be arranged such that the fluid is exposed to a heat flux or cyclic variation of applied thermal energy having two or more periods.

[0035] The two or more heat absorption regions may be arranged such that the ratio of the length of one period of the periodic fluctuation of the heat flux or applied thermal energy to the length of the pipeline through which the fluid moves is within the range of 1% to 200%.

[0036] The present application may also be a method of using the fluid heating device to heat a fluid to produce a product, the product being, for example, ethylene, propylene and / or hydrogen.

[0037] The method may include applying thermal energy independently to two or more distinct heat absorption regions of the fluid heating device while moving fluid through an internal passageway of a pipeline of the fluid heating device.

[0038] The heat energy applied to each of the heat absorbing regions may be generated by different heat generating units.

[0039] At least one of the heat generating units present in the fluid heating device may be the electric heat generating unit.

[0040] In one example, a certain level or more of all heat generating units included in the fluid heating device of the present application may be the electric heat generating units. For example, the lower limit of the ratio of the number of the electric heat generating units to all heat generating units included in the fluid heating device may be about 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90% or 95%, and the upper limit may be about 100%. The ratio of the number of the electric heat generating units may be equal to or greater than any one of the lower limits but equal to or less than the upper limit.

[0041] The heat generating unit may be a device that is supplied with electrical energy via direct or alternating current.

[0042] The at least one heat generating unit may be a pipeline that generates resistance heat by being energized, and the pipeline may be one that generates the resistance heat by being applied with a direct current or an alternating current.

[0043] The at least one heat generating unit may be an external heat source provided separately from the pipeline, and the external heat source may convert electrical energy into thermal energy.

[0044] The at least one heat generating unit generates resistance heat by generating an induced current in the pipeline, and the induced current may be generated by applying an alternating current to a coil wire that is spaced apart and spirally surrounds the pipeline.

[0045] In the above, the fluid may apply thermal energy to two or more heat absorbing regions where the absolute value of the deviation ΔH of the applied thermal energy according to the following formula 1 is 10 or more. [Formula 1] △H=100%×(H1-H2) / H2 In Equation 1, H1 is thermal energy applied to one of the two or more heat absorption regions, and H2 is thermal energy applied to a heat absorption region other than the heat absorption region to which the thermal energy of H1 is applied.

[0046] The two or more heat absorption regions may be arranged such that the thermal energy applied along the fluid flow direction decreases and then increases, or increases and then decreases.

[0047] The two or more heat absorption regions may be arranged such that the fluid passes through a heat absorption region where the absolute value of the deviation ΔF of the heat flux according to the following Equation 2 is 10 or more. [Formula 2] △F=100%×(F1-F2) / F2 In Equation 2, F1 is the heat flux of any one of the two or more heat absorption regions, and F2 is the heat flux of a heat absorption region different from the heat absorption region of the heat flux of F1.

[0048] The heat absorbing region may be disposed so as to be exposed to a heat flux that decreases and then increases or increases and then decreases along the flow direction of the fluid.

[0049] In the above, thermal energy may be applied to two or more heat absorbing regions such that the fluid is exposed to a heat flux or periodic variation of the applied thermal energy within the internal passage along the flow direction.

[0050] In the above, heat energy may be applied to two or more heat absorption regions such that the absolute value of the deviation between the maximum heat flux or applied heat energy and the minimum heat flux or applied heat energy within one period of the periodic fluctuation is 10% or more.

[0051] In the above, thermal energy may be applied to two or more heat absorbing regions such that the fluid is exposed to a heat flux having two or more periods or a periodic variation in the applied thermal energy.

[0052] In the above, heat energy can be applied to two or more heat absorption regions so that the ratio of the heat flux or the length of one period of the periodic fluctuation of the applied heat energy to the length of the pipeline through which the fluid moves is within the range of 1% to 200%. Effect of the Invention

[0053] The present application provides a fluid heating device and a method for using the same that can improve the yield of a target product by freely controlling the heat flux according to the type of pyrolysis.

[0054] The present application provides a fluid heating device and a method for using the same that can reduce or suppress the generation of by-products such as coke and side reactions by freely controlling the heat flux in consideration of the physical and / or chemical properties of the pyrolysis target.

[0055] The present application provides a fluid heating device and a method for using the same that can reduce the amount of undesired compounds (such as methane, ethane, benzene, and fuel oil) produced.

[0056] The present application can provide a fluid heating device and a method of using the same that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0057] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for an exemplary fluid heating device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for an exemplary fluid heating device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for an exemplary fluid heating device. [Figure 4]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for an exemplary fluid heating device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary pipeline configuration. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary pipeline configuration. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary pipeline configuration. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary pipeline configuration. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary pipeline cross-sectional configuration. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a fluid heating device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 11] 1 shows the shape of the heat flow rate in the pipeline of Example 2. [Figure 12] 1 shows the form of heat flow in a pipeline of Comparative Example 2. [Figure 13] 1 shows the analysis results for the reaction products of Example 2 and Comparative Example 2. [Figure 14] 11 is a diagram showing the form of heat flow in a pipeline of Example 3. [Figure 15] 13 shows the form of heat flow in the pipeline of Comparative Example 3. [Figure 16] 1 shows the analysis results for the reaction products of Example 3 and Comparative Example 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0058] In the present specification, when the measurement temperature affects a physical property, the relevant physical property is measured at room temperature, unless otherwise specified.

[0059] The term "room temperature" as used herein refers to a natural temperature that is neither heated nor cooled, and may refer to, for example, a temperature within the range of 10° C. to 30° C., such as a temperature that is about 15° C. or higher, about 18° C. or higher, about 20° C. or higher, about 23° C. or higher, and about 27° C. or lower but not exceeding 30° C., or a temperature that is about 25° C. Unless otherwise specified herein, the unit of temperature is Celsius (° C.).

[0060] In the present specification, when the measurement pressure affects a physical property, the relevant physical property is measured at normal pressure, unless otherwise specified.

[0061] As used herein, the term "normal pressure" refers to pressure in a state in which there is no pressure or vacuum, and may refer to, for example, any one of a range of 0.9 atm to 1.2 atm or a range of about 740 mmHg to 780 mmHg.

[0062] As used herein, the term "fluid" refers to a material in or containing a gas phase and / or liquid phase. For example, the fluid may be one or more fluids selected from the group consisting of water, steam, air, and hydrocarbon compounds. The fluid is a heated object and may be cracked by receiving thermal energy. The hydrocarbon compounds referred to herein may be fluids. Examples of the hydrocarbon compounds include naphtha, ethane, propane, methane, and / or biodiesel, and there may be other objects as required by common knowledge in the art. The fluid may further include water or steam for cracking by thermal energy, and may use a loaded catalyst. In one example, when the fluid includes methane as a hydrocarbon compound, it may further include carbon dioxide for reforming.

[0063] In one embodiment, the fluid heating device disclosed herein may be part of a facility, such as a steam cracker, a reformer, and / or an alkane dehydrogenator, etc. The fluid heating device according to one embodiment of the present application may perform at least one process in the facility.

[0064] In one embodiment, the fluid heating device may be a part of a steam cracker. The steam cracker may perform steam cracking. For example, the steam cracker may refer to equipment that converts relatively long carbon chain hydrocarbons into relatively short carbon chain hydrocarbons by adding thermal energy in the presence of steam, or converts other hydrocarbons into other hydrocarbons. Examples of the hydrocarbons that are converted may include naphtha, propane, butane, and / or ethane, and hydrogen, methane, ethane, ethylene, propylene, and / or butadiene may be produced through the steam cracking.

[0065] In one example, the fluid heating device can be part of a reformer that can produce steam and / or carbon oxides from natural gas, light gasoline, methanol, biogas and / or biomass, or can produce hydrogen from methane and carbon dioxide.

[0066] In one example, the fluid heating device can be part of an alkane dehydrogenator, which can be a facility for dehydrogenating alkanes to produce alkenes.

[0067] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is for easier understanding of the fluid heating device and its uses, and the fluid heating device and its uses are not limited thereto.

[0068] One exemplary fluid heating apparatus 1 can include a pipeline 10 having an internal passage through which a fluid can flow.

[0069] The shape of the pipeline 10 is not particularly limited. The shape of the pipeline 10 may be appropriately designed in consideration of the physical and / or chemical properties and / or mixing ratio of the hydrocarbon compounds, steam and / or other substances contained in the fluid to be pyrolyzed. Figures 5 to 7 show examples of the shape of the pipeline 10. Figure 5 shows a pipeline 10 having a shape with repeated U-shapes, and Figure 6 shows a pipeline 10 in which the pipelines 10 having a shape with repeated U-shapes are arranged alternately so as not to overlap. Figure 7 shows a pipeline 10 having a U-shape, and Figure 8 shows a pipeline 10 having a line-shape.

[0070] The pipeline 10 of the fluid heating device 1 according to one example of the present application can be designed in the most appropriate form by comprehensively taking into consideration the physical and / or chemical properties and / or mixing ratio of the hydrocarbon compounds, steam and / or other substances contained in the fluid to be thermally decomposed; the residence time of the fluid; the operating cycle; and / or the type and size of the equipment including the device.

[0071] The cross-sectional shape of the pipeline 10 is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately selected taking into consideration the physical and / or chemical properties and mixing ratios of the hydrocarbon compounds, steam and / or other substances contained in the fluid to be pyrolyzed.

[0072] FIG. 9 is an example of the cross-sectional shape of the pipeline 10. The cross-section of the pipeline 10 may include a circular surface 110 and an internal passage 120 as shown in FIG. 9, or may include a rectangular surface 110 and an internal passage 120. However, the cross-section of the pipeline 10 in FIG. 9 is only an example, and the cross-section of the pipeline 10 may have various shapes such as a triangle, a rhombus, a parallelogram, and / or an ellipse. The internal passage 120 may be an empty space through which a fluid can flow. In addition, the surface 110 of the pipeline may be selected and applied with a material that has excellent thermal conductivity and high durability against heat, and generates resistance heat when an electric current is passed therethrough, in order to generate or transmit thermal energy, which will be described later. In one example, the pipeline 10 or its surface 110 may be made of or include nickel, chromium, and / or an alloy material of nickel and chromium.

[0073] The length of the pipeline 10 is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected taking into consideration the physical and / or chemical properties and / or mixing ratios of the hydrocarbon compounds, steam and / or other substances contained in the fluid to be pyrolyzed.

[0074] In the exemplary fluid heating apparatus 1, the pipeline 10 has an internal passageway 120 through which a fluid can flow.

[0075] At this time, the pipeline 10 or the internal passage 120 of the pipeline 10 may be divided into two or more heat absorbing regions.

[0076] The heat absorption area may be an area that receives thermal energy from a heat generating unit (e.g., an area that receives thermal energy directly from the heat generating unit). That is, the heat absorption area may be an area to which a heat generating unit applies thermal energy. For example, the heat absorption area may be i) an internal passage 120 of the pipeline 10 when the heat generating unit is a part of the pipeline 10, or ii) an internal passage 120 of a part of the pipeline 10 located at the closest distance to the external heat source 40 when the heat generating unit is an external heat source 40 provided apart from the pipeline 10.

[0077] In the fluid heating device 1, the two or more heat absorption regions may be regions that independently receive thermal energy. For example, the two or more heat absorption regions may be regions that independently receive thermal energy from separate, distinct heat generating units. The thermal energy received by each of the heat absorption regions may be generated from the corresponding heat generating unit.

[0078] The pipeline 10 of the fluid heating device 1 or its internal passage 120 may include a non-heat absorbing region. As described above, the internal passage 120 may be divided into two or more heat absorbing regions. The non-heat absorbing region may be a portion that does not correspond to the heat absorbing region or a portion that does not directly receive thermal energy from the heat generating unit. The non-heat absorbing region may be a portion of the internal passage 120 that does not directly receive thermal energy from the heat generating unit. Even a non-heat absorbing region may receive thermal energy obtained by contact with a heated fluid, thermal energy obtained indirectly rather than directly from the heat generating unit, and other thermal energy.

[0079] In the fluid heating device 1 according to an example of the present application, the thermal energy stored in each heat absorption region can heat the fluid flowing in the internal passage 120. The thermal energy can heat the fluid flowing in the internal passage 120 in the pipeline 10. When the fluid is heated, it can mean that the temperature of the fluid is increased or that the fluid absorbs heat. Cracking can be performed through heating or absorption of heat by the thermal energy of the fluid, thereby producing the main olefins (such as ethylene and / or propylene) and / or hydrogen, which are the basic raw materials for petrochemicals.

[0080] The fluid heating device 1 according to an embodiment of the present application may include two or more heat generating units each independently generating the thermal energy contained in each heat absorbing region. The thermal energy contained in each heat absorbing region may be generated by each heat generating unit.

[0081] The fluid heating device 1 according to an example of the present application employs such a method to control the heat flux itself inflowing according to the degree of progress of pyrolysis, thereby improving the yield of the target compound in the cracking process.The fluid heating device 1 according to an example of the present application employs such a method to control the heat flux itself inflowing according to the degree of progress of pyrolysis in consideration of various physical and / or chemical characteristics of the pyrolysis targets by adjusting the thermal energy generated by each heat generating unit, thereby reducing or suppressing the generation of by-products or side reactions such as coke.

[0082] The fluid heating device 1 according to an embodiment of the present application may include at least one heat generating unit that converts electrical energy into thermal energy. The heat generating unit generates thermal energy when electrical energy is input, and the generated thermal energy may be transferred to the fluid flowing through the internal passage 120.

[0083] The fluid heating device 1 according to an example of the present application may include at least one heat generating unit to which electric energy is supplied through DC or AC. The heat generating unit and the power supply device 30 may be directly or indirectly electrically connected to supply DC or AC to the heat generating unit. In this case, if the power supply device 30 is a DC power supply device, it may supply DC, and if the power supply device 30 is an AC power supply device, it may supply AC. The fluid heating device 1 according to an example of the present application may use a DC power supply device or an AC power supply device as necessary.

[0084] As used herein, DC refers to a current that flows in a constant direction independent of time, and AC refers to a current whose magnitude and phase change periodically with time. A DC power supply can provide a voltage that is independent of time, and an AC power supply can provide a voltage whose magnitude and phase change periodically with time.

[0085] A fluid heating device 1 according to one example of the present application can reduce the production of greenhouse gases (such as methane and carbon dioxide) by generating thermal energy through the supply of electrical energy, and each of the heat absorption regions can independently accommodate thermal energy.

[0086] In the fluid heating device 1 according to an embodiment of the present application, at least one heat generating unit may be a pipeline 10 that generates resistance heat when electricity is applied. The pipeline 10 may generate the resistance heat when a direct current or an alternating current is applied. As described above, the direct current and the alternating current may be supplied by a power supply unit 30 that is directly or indirectly electrically connected to a portion of the pipeline 10.

[0087] Fig. 1 is a simplified schematic diagram of a fluid heating device 1 according to an example of the present application. The fluid heating device 1 of the present application is not limited to the structure shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 1 is merely an example.

[0088] 1 includes a U-shaped pipeline 10, which is divided into three heat absorption regions 21, 22, and 23 according to the direction of fluid flow. In each of the heat absorption regions 21, 22, and 23, a respective power supply 30 may be directly connected to the corresponding pipeline 10 or its external surface. Each of the power supplies 30 may be a DC power supply or an AC power supply, or all may be DC power supplies, all may be AC ​​power supplies, or some may be DC power supplies and the other part may be AC ​​power supplies.

[0089] In the above structure, the pipeline 10 or its surface 110 may be selected and applied with a material that has excellent thermal conductivity and high durability against heat, and generates resistance heat when passing an electric current, in order to generate thermal energy and transfer the generated thermal energy to the fluid flowing through the internal passage 120. In one example, the pipeline 10 or its surface 110 may be made of or include nickel, chromium, and / or an alloy material of nickel and chromium.

[0090] Referring to FIG. 1, AC or DC generated by each power supply 30 is supplied to the outer surface 110 of the pipeline 10, and the outer surface 110 generates resistance heat by the AC or DC, and the generated resistance heat is received by each heat absorption area 21, 22, and 23, so that thermal energy can be transferred to the fluid flowing in the heat absorption areas 21, 22, and 23. If a particular heat absorption area is designed to require a large amount of heat energy, more heat energy can be transferred by increasing the AC or DC current supplied by the power supply 30. Conversely, if a particular heat absorption area is designed to require less heat energy, less heat energy can be transferred by decreasing the AC or DC current supplied by the power supply 30. This adjustment can be performed through each power supply 30 corresponding to the heat absorption areas 21, 22, and 23, and thus the heat flux itself that flows in can be controlled according to the degree of progress of pyrolysis.

[0091] In the fluid heating device 1 according to an embodiment of the present application, at least one heat generating unit may be an external heat source 40 provided separately from the pipeline 10. This embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 2. The external heat source 40 may be a device that receives electrical energy and converts it into thermal energy. The thermal energy converted by the external heat source 40 may be transferred to the pipeline 10 to heat the fluid flowing in the internal passage 120 of the pipeline 10, or the fluid may absorb the thermal energy.

[0092] Fig. 2 is a simplified schematic diagram of a fluid heating device 1 according to an example of the present application. The fluid heating device 1 of the present application is not limited to the structure shown in Fig. 2, and Fig. 2 is merely an example.

[0093] The fluid heating device 1 in Fig. 2 has a U-shaped pipeline 10, which is divided into three heat absorption areas 21, 22, and 23 according to the direction in which the fluid flows. Each of the heat absorption areas 21, 22, and 23 can receive thermal energy generated by an external heat source 40 provided independently while being separated from the pipeline 10.

[0094] The external heat source 40 may be electrically connected to the power supply 30 directly or indirectly to receive electrical energy. The power supply 30 may be a DC power supply and / or an AC power supply. The external heat source 40 generates resistance heat by the electrical energy supplied through the power supply 30, and the generated resistance heat is received by each heat absorption area to heat the fluid or the fluid may absorb the thermal energy. If a particular heat absorption area is designed to require a large amount of thermal energy, more thermal energy can be transferred by increasing the AC or DC current supplied by the power supply 30. If a particular heat absorption area is designed to require less thermal energy, less thermal energy can be transferred by decreasing the AC or DC current supplied by the power supply 30. This allows the inflowing heat flux itself to be controlled according to the degree of progress of pyrolysis.

[0095] The external heat sources 40 may be independently provided to transfer thermal energy to at least a portion of the surface of the pipeline 10 corresponding to each of the heat absorption regions 21, 22 and 23 while being spaced apart from the pipeline 10. For example, referring to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the external heat sources 40 can transfer thermal energy to a portion of the surface of the pipeline 10 corresponding to each of the heat absorption regions 21, 22 and 23 of the U-shaped pipeline 10.

[0096] Although not shown, the external heat source 40 may be provided so as to be able to transmit thermal energy to all surfaces of the pipeline 10 corresponding to each of the heat absorption regions 21, 22, and 23 while being separated from the pipeline 10. For example, the external heat source 40 may be provided in a form surrounding the corresponding pipeline 10 so that thermal energy is transmitted to all surfaces of the pipeline 10 corresponding to each of the heat absorption regions 21, 22, and 23. As long as thermal energy can be transmitted to all surfaces of the corresponding pipeline 10, the structure is not limited to the above. When the external heat source 40 is configured so that thermal energy is transmitted to all surfaces of the pipeline 10 corresponding to each of the heat absorption regions 21, 22, and 23, it is possible to prevent uneven heating caused by thermal energy being transmitted only to specific positions in the fluid flowing through each of the heat absorption regions 21, 22, and 23.

[0097] In the fluid heating device 1 according to an embodiment of the present application, at least one heat generating unit may be a pipeline 10 in which resistance heat is generated by the generation of induced current. Such a case is illustrated in FIG. 3. In this structure, the pipeline 10 can generate resistance heat by the induced current. The induced current may be generated by applying an alternating current to a coil wire 50 that is provided at a distance from the pipeline 10 while spirally surrounding the pipeline 10.

[0098] Fig. 3 is a simplified schematic diagram of a fluid heating device 1 according to an example of the present application. The fluid heating device 1 of the present application is not limited to the structure shown in Fig. 3, and Fig. 3 is merely an example.

[0099] The fluid heating device 1 of FIG. 3 includes a U-shaped pipeline 10, which is divided into three heat absorption areas 21, 22, and 23 according to the direction of fluid flow. Each of the heat absorption areas 21, 22, and 23 includes a coil wire 50 that is provided at a distance from the pipeline 10 while spirally surrounding the pipeline 10. The coil wire 50 may be connected to a power supply device 30 so that an alternating current flows through the coil wire 50, and the power supply device 30 may be an alternating current power supply device that applies an alternating current. When an alternating current is applied to the coil wire 50, an induced current is generated on the surface 110 of the pipeline 10 due to an electromagnetic induction phenomenon. The induced current generates resistance heat on the surface 110 of the pipeline 10, and the generated resistance heat can heat the fluid flowing in each of the heat absorption areas 21, 22, and 23, or transfer the thermal energy to the fluid. The surface 110 of the pipeline 10 may be made of a material that generates an induced current by the coil wire 50 and generates resistance heat by the generated induced current. In one embodiment, the pipeline 10 or surface 110 thereof may be made of or include nickel, chromium, and / or nickel-chromium alloy materials.

[0100] When a particular heat absorbing region is designed to require more heat energy, the AC or DC current supplied by the power supply 30 can be increased to transfer more heat energy. When a particular heat absorbing region is designed to require less heat energy, the AC or DC current supplied by the power supply 30 can be decreased to transfer even less heat energy. This can be performed through the power supply 30 corresponding to each of the heat absorbing regions 21, 22, and 23, and the heat flux itself can be controlled according to the progress of pyrolysis. Furthermore, in this case, the strength of the induced current can be adjusted by the number of turns of the coil wire 50, the predetermined distance from the pipeline 10, and the material of the coil wire 50, and the like, and heat energy can be transferred independently based on this.

[0101] A fluid heating device 1 according to an embodiment of the present application can use various types of heat generating units. FIG. 4 is an exemplary and schematic diagram of such a fluid heating device 1. Referring to FIG. 4, a first heat absorbing area 21 receives thermal energy converted through electric energy supplied by a power supply device 30 directly connected to an outer surface 110 of a corresponding pipeline 10. A second heat absorbing area 22 receives thermal energy generated by an external heat source 40, and a third heat absorbing area 23 receives thermal energy generated by an induced current generated on the surface 110 of the pipeline 10 when an alternating current is applied to a coil wire 50 provided at a distance from the pipeline 10 while spirally surrounding the pipeline 10.

[0102] In this application, the power supply unit 30 (hereinafter, may be referred to as the first electric heat generating unit) directly connected to the pipeline 10 or its external surface illustrated in Figures 1 and 4, the electric external heat source 40 (hereinafter, may be referred to as the second electric heat generating unit) provided separately from the pipeline 10 illustrated in Figures 2 and 4, and the heat source 50 generating an induced current illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 (hereinafter, may be referred to as the third electric heat generating unit) may all be electric heat generating units that convert electric energy into thermal energy.

[0103] In one example, among all the heat generating units provided in the fluid heating device of the present application, a certain level or more may be the electric heat generating units. For example, the lower limit of the ratio of the number of the electric heat generating units among all the heat generating units provided in the fluid heating device may be about 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90% or 95%, and the upper limit may be about 100%. The ratio of the number of the electric heat generating units may be equal to or greater than any one of the lower limits described above, but may be equal to or less than the upper limit described above. In addition, all the electric heat generating units provided in the fluid heating device may be one of the first to third electric heat generating units, or may be a combination of two or more of the first to third electric heat generating units in some cases. In addition, even if all the electric heat generating units are one of the first to third electric heat generating units, the form or amount of heat energy generated by each heat generating unit may be different from each other.

[0104] According to the fluid heating device of the present application, the process can be efficiently carried out by applying heat energy in different forms to each of the two or more distinct heat absorbing regions.

[0105] In one example, two or more heat absorption regions distinct from each other of the fluid heating device may be arranged such that the fluid moving through the pipeline passes through a heat absorption region where the absolute value of the deviation ΔH of the applied thermal energy according to Equation 1 below is equal to or greater than a predetermined range. [Formula 1] △H=100×(H1-H2) / H2 In Equation 1, H1 is thermal energy applied to one of the two or more heat absorption regions, and H2 is thermal energy applied to a heat absorption region other than the heat absorption region to which the thermal energy of H1 is applied.

[0106] The fluid may pass through an endothermic region where the applied heat energy is H1 and then pass through an endothermic region where the applied heat energy is H2, or may pass through an endothermic region where the applied heat energy is H2 and then pass through an endothermic region where the applied heat energy is H1.

[0107] The thermal energy is the thermal energy applied to each heat absorption region per unit time, and the unit may be cal / sec.

[0108] The lower limit of the absolute value of ΔH in the formula 1 may be about 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120 or 130, and the upper limit may be about 1000, 900, 800, 700, 600, 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60 or 50. The absolute value of ΔH in the formula 1 may be greater than or exceed any one of the lower limits described above, or may be greater than or exceed any one of the lower limits described above and less than or equal to any one of the upper limits described above. ΔH in the formula 1 may be a negative number or a positive number.

[0109] That is, the fluid heating device having two or more distinct heat absorption regions may include a region where the applied thermal energy is relatively large and a region where the applied thermal energy is relatively small, and the fluid may move between the regions sequentially or alternately.

[0110] For example, the heat absorption region of the fluid heating device may be arranged such that the thermal energy applied to the fluid along the flow direction of the fluid decreases and then increases, or increases and then decreases, and the increase or decrease in the thermal energy may proceed such that the absolute value of ΔH in Equation 1 falls within the above range.

[0111] In one embodiment, the plurality of heat absorbing regions of the fluid heating device may be arranged so that the fluid repeatedly experiences the absolute value of the thermal energy deviation ΔH of Equation 1 in the above-mentioned range along the flow direction while moving along the pipeline. That is, the plurality of heat absorbing regions may be arranged so that the fluid experiences at least one of the increase and decrease of the thermal energy according to the absolute value of the thermal energy deviation ΔH of Equation 1 in the above-mentioned range at least twice while moving along the pipeline. The number of times that the fluid experiences at least one of the increase and decrease of the thermal energy according to the absolute value of the thermal energy deviation ΔH of Equation 1 in the above-mentioned range may be about 2, 3 or 4 times at the lower limit, and about 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 or 2 times at the upper limit. The number of times may be greater than or exceed any one of the lower limits described above, or may be greater than or exceed any one of the lower limits described above and less than or equal to any one of the upper limits described above.

[0112] When the fluid experiences an increase in the thermal energy, the lower limit of ΔH in the formula 1 may be about 10, 20, 30 or 40, and the upper limit may be about 1000, 900, 800, 700, 600, 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60 or 50. ΔH in the formula 1 may be greater than or exceed any one of the lower limits, or greater than or exceed any one of the lower limits and less than or equal to any one of the upper limits. In this case, in the formula 1, H1 is the thermal energy applied to the heat absorption region where the applied thermal energy is large among the two heat absorption regions through which the fluid moves, and H2 is the thermal energy applied to the heat absorption region where the applied thermal energy is small among the two heat absorption regions through which the fluid moves. After passing through the heat absorption region where the applied thermal energy is small, the fluid may again pass through the heat absorption region where the applied thermal energy is large. In the above case, the fluid does not need to pass through another heat absorbing region between the two heat absorbing regions.

[0113] When the fluid experiences a decrease in the thermal energy, the lower limit of ΔH in the formula 1 may be about 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, or 130, and the upper limit may be about 1000, 900, 800, 700, 600, 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, 90, or 80. ΔH in the formula 1 may be greater than or exceed any one of the lower limits, or may be greater than or exceed any one of the lower limits and less than or equal to any one of the upper limits. In this case, in the formula 1, H1 is the thermal energy applied to the heat absorption region to which the larger thermal energy is applied among the two heat absorption regions through which the fluid moves, and H2 is the thermal energy applied to the heat absorption region to which the smaller thermal energy is applied among the two heat absorption regions through which the fluid moves. The fluid may pass through a heat absorption region where the applied heat energy is small after passing through the heat absorption region where the applied heat energy is large. In this case, the fluid may not pass through another heat absorption region between the two heat absorption regions.

[0114] The applied heat energy can be adjusted as described above depending on the purpose of the process to allow the process to proceed more effectively.

[0115] In one example, the two or more heat absorption regions distinct from each other of the fluid heating device may be arranged such that the fluid moving through the pipeline passes through a heat absorption region in which the absolute value of the deviation ΔF of the applied heat flux according to Equation 2 below is equal to or greater than a predetermined range. [Formula 2] △F=100%×(F1-F2) / F2 In Equation 2, F1 is the heat flux in one of the two or more heat absorption regions, and F2 is the heat flux in a heat absorption region other than the heat absorption region of F1.

[0116] The fluid may pass through a heat absorption region where the heat flow (Heat Flux) is F1 and then pass through a heat absorption region where the heat flow (Heat Flux) is F2, or may pass through a heat absorption region where the heat flow (Heat Flux) is F2 and then pass through a heat absorption region where the heat flow (Heat Flux) is F1.

[0117] The unit of heat flux is W / cm 2 It could be.

[0118] The lower limit of the absolute value of ΔF in the above formula 2 may be about 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120 or 130, and the upper limit may be about 1000, 900, 800, 700, 600, 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60 or 50. The absolute value of ΔF in the above formula 2 may be greater than or exceed any one of the lower limits, or may be greater than or exceed any one of the lower limits and less than or equal to any one of the upper limits. ΔF in the above formula 2 may be a negative number or a positive number.

[0119] That is, the fluid heating device having two or more distinct heat absorption regions may include a region with a relatively large heat flux and a region with a relatively small heat flux, and the fluid may move between the regions sequentially or alternately.

[0120] For example, the heat absorption region of the fluid heating device may be disposed to be exposed to a heat flux that decreases and then increases or increases and then decreases as the fluid moves along the fluid flow direction, and the increase or decrease in the heat flux may proceed such that the absolute value of ΔF in Equation 2 falls within the above range.

[0121] In one example, the plurality of heat absorption regions of the fluid heating device may be arranged such that the fluid repeatedly experiences the absolute value of the deviation ΔF of the heat flux of Equation 2 in the above-mentioned range along the flow direction while moving along the pipeline. That is, the plurality of heat absorption regions may be arranged such that the fluid experiences at least one of an increase and a decrease in the heat flux according to the absolute value of the deviation ΔF of the heat flux of Equation 2 in the above-mentioned range, two or more times while moving along the pipeline. The number of times that the fluid experiences at least one of an increase and a decrease in the heat flux according to the absolute value of the deviation ΔF of the heat flux of Equation 2 in the above-mentioned range may be about 2, 3, or 4 times at the lower limit, and about 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, or 2 times at the upper limit. The number of times may be greater than or exceeding any one of the lower limits mentioned above, or may be greater than or exceeding any one of the lower limits mentioned above and less than or equal to any one of the upper limits mentioned above.

[0122] When the fluid experiences an increase in the heat flux, the lower limit of the absolute value of ΔF in the formula 2 may be about 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, or 130, and the upper limit may be about 1000, 900, 800, 700, 600, 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, or 50. The absolute value of ΔF in the formula 2 may be greater than or exceed any one of the lower limits, or may be greater than or exceed any one of the lower limits and less than or equal to any one of the upper limits. The fluid may be exposed to the small heat flux and then exposed to a large heat flux again.

[0123] When the fluid experiences a decrease in the heat flux, the lower limit of the absolute value of ΔF in the formula 2 may be about 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, or 130, and the upper limit may be about 1000, 900, 800, 700, 600, 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, or 50. The absolute value of ΔF in the formula 2 may be greater than or exceed any one of the lower limits, or may be greater than or exceed any one of the lower limits and less than or equal to any one of the upper limits. The fluid may be exposed to a small heat flux after being exposed to the large heat flux.

[0124] The heat flux can be adjusted as above according to the purpose of the process to make the process more effective.

[0125] In one embodiment, the two or more heat absorption regions of the fluid heating device may be arranged such that the fluid is exposed to a heat flux or applied heat energy that periodically varies within an internal passage along a fluid flow direction. The periodic variation of the heat flux or applied heat energy means that the fluid is exposed to the heat flux or applied heat energy two or more times in a tendency to increase and then decrease. That is, when one period is defined as a period from when the heat flux or applied heat energy starts to increase to when the heat flux or applied heat energy decreases and then starts to increase again, the fluid may move along the flow direction and be exposed to the one period two or more times.

[0126] The lower limit of the number of times the fluid is exposed to during one cycle may be about 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, and the upper limit may be about 100, 95, 90, 85, 80, 75, 70, 65, 60, 55, 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 9, 8, 7, or 6. The number of times may be greater than or exceed any one of the lower limits, or may be greater than or exceed any one of the lower limits but less than or equal to any one of the upper limits.

[0127] In the periodic fluctuation, the lower limit of the deviation between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the heat flux or thermal energy in one period (i.e., from the point where the heat flux or thermal energy starts to increase to the point where the heat flux or thermal energy increases, decreases, and then starts to increase again) may be about 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 5%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%, 150%, 200%, 250%, 300%, 350%, 400%, 450%, 500%, 550%, 600%, 650%, 700%, or 750%, and the upper limit may be about 10,000%, 5,000%, 4,500%, 4,000%, 3,500%, 3,000%, The deviation may be about 2,500%, 2,000%, 1,500%, 1,000%, 950%, 900%, 850%, 800%, 750%, 700%, 650%, 600%, 550%, 500%, 450%, 400%, 350%, 300%, 250%, 200%, 150%, 100%, 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, or 3%. The deviation may be greater than or exceed any one of the lower limits described above, or may be greater than or exceed any one of the lower limits described above and less than or equal to any one of the upper limits described above. The deviation is calculated as 100×(AB) / B, where A is the maximum heat flux or thermal energy value in one period and B is the minimum heat flux or thermal energy value in one period.

[0128] Meanwhile, the ratio of the length of one period (i.e., the time from when the heat flux or thermal energy starts to increase to the time when the heat flux or thermal energy increases, decreases, and then starts to increase again) in the periodic fluctuation to the total length of the pipeline or the length of the pipeline through which the fluid moves can be adjusted. For example, the lower limit of the ratio may be about 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% or 30%, and the upper limit may be about 200%, 195%, 190%, 185%, 180%, 175%, 170%, 165%, 160%, 155%, 150%, 145%, 140%, 135%, 130%, 125%, 120%, 115%, 110%, 105%, 100%, 95%, 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%, 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, 35%, 30%, 25%, 20%, 15% or 10%. The ratio may be greater than or exceeding any one of the lower limits, less than or equal to any one of the upper limits, or greater than or exceeding any one of the lower limits but less than or equal to any one of the upper limits. The ratio is calculated as 100×L1 / L, where L is the total length of a pipeline through which the fluid moves in the fluid heating device, and L1 is the length of one cycle.

[0129] There is no particular limitation on the method of generating the periodic fluctuation or heat flux or applied thermal energy fluctuation in the pipeline. For example, the periodic fluctuation or heat flux or applied thermal energy fluctuation can be ensured by adjusting the type of heat generating unit present in the fluid heating device, the amount of heat applied to each unit, and / or the interval between the units.

[0130] By arranging the heat absorbing region so that the fluid heating device can be driven in this manner, the process can be carried out effectively according to the purpose.

[0131] The present application also relates to a method of heating a fluid using said fluid heating device or a method of heating a fluid using said fluid heating device to produce a product.

[0132] In this case, the type of the product is not particularly limited and can be determined by the raw material to be heated or reacted using the fluid heating device. For example, if the method is a cracking process or a part of the process, the product can be ethylene, propylene, and / or hydrogen, but is not limited thereto.

[0133] The method can be performed using the fluid heating device described above. Therefore, the details of the fluid heating device used in the method can be the same as those described above.

[0134] For example, the method may include applying thermal energy independently to two or more distinct heat absorption regions of the fluid heating device while moving fluid through an interior passageway of a pipeline of the fluid heating device.

[0135] The thermal energy applied to each of the heat absorbing regions may be generated by different heat generating units, at least one of which may be the electrical heat generating unit described above.

[0136] This method can be performed such that the fluid is exposed to an appropriate amount of heat energy or heat flux as it travels through the pipeline.

[0137] For example, in the above method, the application of thermal energy to the heat absorption region may be performed such that the fluid passes through a heat absorption region where the absolute value of the deviation ΔH of the applied thermal energy according to Equation 1 below is equal to or greater than a predetermined range while moving through the pipeline of the fluid heating device. [Formula 1] △H=100%×(H1-H2) / H2 In Equation 1, H1 is thermal energy applied to one of the two or more heat absorption regions, and H2 is thermal energy applied to a heat absorption region other than the heat absorption region to which the thermal energy of H1 is applied.

[0138] The fluid may pass through a heat absorption region where the applied heat energy is H1 and then pass through a heat absorption region where the applied heat energy is H2, or may pass through a heat absorption region where the applied heat energy is H2 and then pass through a heat absorption region where the applied heat energy is H1. The heat energy is the heat energy applied to each heat absorption region per unit time, and may be expressed in cal / sec.

[0139] The lower limit of the absolute value of ΔH in the formula 1 may be about 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120 or 130, and the upper limit may be about 1000, 900, 800, 700, 600, 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60 or 50. The absolute value of ΔH in the formula 1 may be greater than or exceed any one of the lower limits described above, or may be greater than or exceed any one of the lower limits described above and less than or equal to any one of the upper limits described above. ΔH in the formula 1 may be a negative number or a positive number.

[0140] That is, the fluid heating device having two or more distinct heat absorption regions may include a region where the applied thermal energy is relatively large and a region where the applied thermal energy is relatively small, and the fluid may move between the regions sequentially or alternately.

[0141] For example, the application of thermal energy to the heat absorption region of the fluid heating device may be performed such that the fluid moves in the direction of the fluid flow and is exposed to a thermal energy that decreases and then increases, or increases and then decreases, and the increase or decrease in the thermal energy may proceed such that the absolute value of ΔH in Equation 1 falls within the above range.

[0142] In one embodiment, the application of thermal energy to the heat absorbing regions of the fluid heating device may be performed such that the fluid repeatedly experiences the absolute value of the thermal energy deviation ΔH of Equation 1 in the above range along the flow direction while moving along the pipeline. That is, the application of thermal energy to the heat absorbing regions may be performed such that the fluid experiences at least one of the increase and decrease of thermal energy according to the absolute value of the thermal energy deviation ΔH of Equation 1 in the above range more than twice while moving along the pipeline. The number of times that the fluid experiences at least one of the increase and decrease of thermal energy according to the absolute value of the thermal energy deviation ΔH of Equation 1 in the above range may be about 2, 3, or 4 times at the lower limit, and about 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, or 2 times at the upper limit. The number of times may be greater than or exceed any one of the lower limits described above, or may be greater than or exceed any one of the lower limits described above and less than or equal to any one of the upper limits described above.

[0143] When heat energy is applied so that the fluid experiences an increase in the heat energy, the lower limit of ΔH in the formula 1 may be about 10, 20, 30, or 40, and the upper limit may be about 1000, 900, 800, 700, 600, 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, or 50. ΔH in the formula 1 may be greater than or exceed any one of the lower limits, or may be greater than or exceed any one of the lower limits and less than or equal to any one of the upper limits. In this case, H1 in the formula 1 is the heat energy applied to the heat absorption region to which the larger heat energy is applied among the two heat absorption regions through which the fluid moves, and H2 is the heat energy applied to the heat absorption region to which the smaller heat energy is applied among the two heat absorption regions through which the fluid moves. The fluid may pass through a heat absorption region where the applied heat energy is large after passing through the heat absorption region where the applied heat energy is small. In this case, the fluid may not pass through another heat absorption region between the two heat absorption regions.

[0144] When heat energy is applied so that the fluid experiences a decrease in the heat energy, the lower limit of ΔH in the formula 1 may be about 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, or 130, and the upper limit may be about 1000, 900, 800, 700, 600, 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, 90, or 80. ΔH in the formula 1 may be greater than or exceed any one of the lower limits, or may be greater than or exceed any one of the lower limits and less than or equal to any one of the upper limits. In this case, in the formula 1, H1 is the heat energy applied to the heat absorption region to which the larger heat energy is applied among the two heat absorption regions through which the fluid moves, and H2 is the heat energy applied to the heat absorption region to which the smaller heat energy is applied among the two heat absorption regions through which the fluid moves. The fluid may pass through a heat absorption region where the applied heat energy is small after passing through the heat absorption region where the applied heat energy is large. In this case, the fluid may not pass through another heat absorption region between the two heat absorption regions.

[0145] The applied heat energy can be adjusted as described above depending on the purpose of the process to allow the process to proceed more effectively.

[0146] In one example, the application of thermal energy to two or more heat absorption regions distinct from one another in the fluid heating device in the above method may be performed such that the fluid moving through the pipeline is exposed to a heat absorption region in which the absolute value of the deviation ΔF of the applied heat flux according to Equation 2 below is equal to or greater than a predetermined range. [Formula 2] △F=100%×(F1-F2) / F2 In Equation 2, F1 is the heat flux in one of the two or more heat absorption regions, and F2 is the heat flux in a heat absorption region other than the heat absorption region of F1.

[0147] The fluid may pass through a heat absorption region where the heat flow (Heat Flux) is F1 and then pass through a heat absorption region where the heat flow (Heat Flux) is F2, or may pass through a heat absorption region where the heat flow (Heat Flux) is F2 and then pass through a heat absorption region where the heat flow (Heat Flux) is F1.

[0148] The unit of heat flux is W / cm 2 It could be.

[0149] The lower limit of the absolute value of ΔF in the above formula 2 may be about 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120 or 130, and the upper limit may be about 1000, 900, 800, 700, 600, 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60 or 50. The absolute value of ΔF in the above formula 2 may be greater than or exceed any one of the lower limits, or may be greater than or exceed any one of the lower limits and less than or equal to any one of the upper limits. ΔF in the above formula 2 may be a negative number or a positive number.

[0150] That is, the fluid heating device having two or more distinct heat absorption regions may include a region with a relatively large heat flux and a region with a relatively small heat flux, and the fluid may move between the regions sequentially or alternately.

[0151] For example, the application of thermal energy to the heat absorption region of the fluid heating device may be performed such that the fluid is exposed to a heat flux that decreases and then increases, or increases and then decreases, during the process of movement according to the direction of the fluid flow. At this time, the increase or decrease in the heat flux may be performed such that the absolute value of ΔF in Equation 2 falls within the above range.

[0152] In one embodiment, the application of thermal energy to the heat absorbing regions of the fluid heating device may be arranged such that the fluid repeatedly experiences the absolute value of the deviation ΔF of the heat flux of Equation 2 in the above-mentioned range along the flow direction while moving along the pipeline. That is, the application of thermal energy to the heat absorbing regions may be performed such that the fluid experiences at least one of an increase and a decrease in the heat flux according to the absolute value of the deviation ΔF of the heat flux of Equation 2 in the above-mentioned range, two or more times while moving along the pipeline. The number of times that the fluid experiences at least one of an increase and a decrease in the heat flux according to the absolute value of the deviation ΔF of the heat flux of Equation 2 in the above-mentioned range may be about 2, 3, or 4 times at the lower limit, and about 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, or 2 times at the upper limit. The number of times may be greater than or exceeding any one of the lower limits mentioned above, or may be greater than or exceeding any one of the lower limits mentioned above and less than or equal to any one of the upper limits mentioned above.

[0153] When thermal energy is applied so that the fluid experiences an increase in the heat flux, the lower limit of the absolute value of ΔF in the above formula 2 may be about 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, or 130, and the upper limit may be about 1000, 900, 800, 700, 600, 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, or 50. The absolute value of ΔF in the above formula 2 may be greater than or exceed any one of the lower limits, or may be greater than or exceed any one of the lower limits and less than or equal to any one of the upper limits. The fluid may be exposed to the small heat flux and then to a large heat flux again.

[0154] When the thermal energy is applied so that the fluid experiences a decrease in the heat flux, the lower limit of the absolute value of ΔF in the above formula 2 may be about 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, or 130, and the upper limit may be about 1000, 900, 800, 700, 600, 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, or 50. The absolute value of ΔF in the above formula 2 may be greater than or exceed any one of the lower limits, or may be greater than or exceed any one of the lower limits and less than or equal to any one of the upper limits. The fluid may be exposed to a small heat flux after being exposed to the large heat flux.

[0155] The heat flux can be adjusted as above according to the purpose of the process to make the process more effective.

[0156] In one embodiment, the application of thermal energy to two or more heat absorption regions of the fluid heating device may be performed such that the fluid is exposed to a heat flux or applied thermal energy that periodically varies within an internal passage along a fluid flow direction. Here, the periodic variation of the heat flux or applied thermal energy means that the fluid is exposed to the heat flux or applied thermal energy two or more times in a tendency to increase and then decrease. That is, if one period is defined as a period from when the heat flux or applied thermal energy starts to increase to when the heat flux or applied thermal energy decreases and then starts to increase again, the fluid may move along the flow direction and be exposed to the one period two or more times.

[0157] The lower limit of the number of times the fluid is exposed in one cycle may be about 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, and the upper limit may be about 100, 95, 90, 85, 80, 75, 70, 65, 60, 55, 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 9, 8, 7, or 6. The number of times may be equal to or greater than any one of the lower limits, or may be equal to or greater than any one of the lower limits but less than or equal to any one of the upper limits.

[0158] The lower limit of the deviation between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the heat flux or thermal energy in one period (i.e., from the point where the heat flux or thermal energy starts to increase to the point where the heat flux or thermal energy increases, decreases, and then starts to increase again) in the periodic fluctuation may be about 1, 1.5, 2, 5, 25, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, or 750, and the upper limit may be about 10,000, 5,000, 4,500, 4,000, 3,500, 3,500, 4,000, 5,000, 6,000, 7,000, 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 11,000, 12,000, 13,000, 14,000, 15,000, 16,000, 17,000, 18,000, 19,000, 21,000, 22,000, 23,000, 24,000, 25,000, 26,000, 27,000, 28,000, 29,000, 30,000, 31,000, 32,000, 33,000, 34,000, 35,000, 36,000, 37,000, 38,000, 39,000, 40,000, 41,000, 42, The deviation may be on the order of about 1,000, 2,500, 2,000, 1,500, 1,000, 950, 900, 850, 800, 750, 700, 650, 600, 550, 500, 450, 400, 350, 300, 250, 200, 150, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, or 3. The deviation may be greater than or exceeding any one of the lower limits described above, or may be greater than or exceeding any one of the lower limits described above and less than or equal to any one of the upper limits described above. The deviation is calculated as 100×(AB) / B, where A is the maximum heat flux or thermal energy value in one period and B is the minimum heat flux or thermal energy value in one period.

[0159] In the periodic fluctuation, the ratio of the length of one period (i.e., the time from when the heat flux or thermal energy begins to increase to the time when the heat flux or thermal energy increases, decreases, and then starts to increase again) to the total length of the pipeline or the length of the pipeline through which the fluid moves can be adjusted. For example, the lower limit of the ratio may be about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30, and the upper limit may be about 200, 195, 190, 185, 180, 175, 170, 165, 160, 155, 150, 145, 140, 135, 130, 125, 120, 115, 110, 105, 100, 95, 90, 85, 80, 75, 70, 65, 60, 55, 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15 or 10. The ratio may be greater than or exceeding any one of the lower limits, less than or equal to any one of the upper limits, or greater than or exceeding any one of the lower limits but less than or equal to any one of the upper limits. The ratio is calculated as 100×L1 / L, where L is the total length of a pipeline through which the fluid moves in the fluid heating device, and L1 is the length of one cycle.

[0160] There is no particular limitation on the method of generating the periodic fluctuation or heat flux or applied thermal energy fluctuation in the pipeline. For example, the periodic fluctuation or heat flux or applied thermal energy fluctuation can be ensured by adjusting the type of heat generating unit present in the fluid heating device, the amount of heat applied to each unit, and / or the interval between the units.

[0161] In order to confirm the effect of the fluid heating device of the present application, a fluid heating device 1 including a pipeline 10 as shown in Fig. 10 was prepared (Example 1). The pipeline 10 of Fig. 10 was divided into a total of four heat absorption regions 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d, and a DC power supply device 30 capable of adjusting the amount of current was electrically connected to the surface 110 of the pipeline 10 corresponding to each of the heat absorption regions 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d. A fluid including liquefied petroleum gas (LGP) containing compounds with a carbon number of 3 or less and steam was used as the fluid to be thermally decomposed, and this was flowed into the fluid heating device 1 through the inlet 60 of the pipeline 10 of Fig. 10.

[0162] By adjusting the magnitude of electrical energy applied by the DC power supply 30, the heat absorption region 20a of the four heat absorption regions was applied with heat energy of about 6,700 cal / sec, the heat absorption region 20b with heat energy of about 2,800 cal / sec, the heat absorption region 20c with heat energy of about 1,600 cal / sec, and the heat absorption region 20d with heat energy of about 2,700 cal / sec. The heat energy applied to each heat absorption region was made different by adjusting the current in the DC power supply 30 electrically connected to the surface 110 of the pipeline 10.

[0163] As a comparison (Comparative Example 1), a fluid heating device including the pipeline 10 shown in Fig. 7 was used. However, the comparative device did not use the electric heat generating unit, but used a unit that applies heat using the thermal power generated by burning fuel, just like the existing unit. In this type of configuration, it is not possible to apply thermal energy to each heat absorption region individually, and pyrolysis proceeds together in a high-temperature cracking furnace with a fixed heat distribution pattern.

[0164] Except for the difference in the heat generating unit, all other conditions were the same between Example 1 and Comparative Example 1.

[0165] In Example 1 and Comparative Example 1, the flow rates of ethylene and propylene were measured for the reactants discharged from the outlet 70 of the pipeline 10, and the results are shown in Table 1 below. In addition, the fraction of coke precursors and the temperature of the reactants at the outlet 70 were measured for the reactants discharged from the outlet 70, and the results are shown in Table 1 below. The fraction of coke precursors was calculated based on the flow rate of aromatic compounds in the reactants discharged from the outlet 70. Here, the aromatic compounds refer to organic compounds having a benzene ring and / or a ring in which a benzene ring is condensed within a molecule.

[0166] [Table 1]

[0167] From Table 1, it can be seen that the total olefin flow rate in Example 1 was improved by about 13.5% compared to the total olefin flow rate in Comparative Example 1. As described above, in the case of Example 1, since heat can be distributed in different forms to multiple endothermic regions, the flow rate of the target reactants was higher than that of Comparative Example 1.

[0168] From Table 1, it can be seen that the fraction of the coke precursor in Example 1 was lower than that in Comparative Example 1. That is, it can be seen that the reactant in Comparative Example 1 contained more aromatic compounds than the reactant in Example 1.

[0169] Referring to Table 1, it can be seen that the COT (i.e., the temperature of the reactants, that is, the fluid temperature at the outlet 70) is higher in Comparative Example 1 than in Example 1. Thus, it can be seen that Example 1 has a lower COT than Comparative Example 1, which reduces the generation of coke and uses thermal energy more efficiently.

[0170] An additional experiment (Example 2) was carried out. In Example 2, a fluid heating device including a U-shaped pipeline with a total length of about 27 m was used. The pipeline was divided into a number of heat absorption areas at appropriate positions, and a DC power supply device capable of adjusting the amount of current was electrically connected to the surface of the pipeline corresponding to each heat absorption area. The fluid to be thermally decomposed contained naphtha and steam, and the fluid was introduced into the fluid heating device through the inlet of the pipeline.

[0171] 11 shows the distribution of thermal energy (i.e., heat flux) along the length of the pipeline in Example 2. Such distribution was achieved by adjusting the amount of current in an electrically connected DC power supply device.

[0172] As a control (Comparative Example 2), a U-shaped pipeline similar to that of Example 2 was used, but a unit that generates thermal energy in the same form as in Comparative Example 1 was used. In this case, thermal energy cannot be added to each heat absorption region individually, and thermal decomposition is carried out in a high-temperature cracking furnace with a fixed heat distribution pattern. Figure 12 shows the distribution of thermal energy (i.e., heat flux) in Comparative Example 2.

[0173] Except for adjusting the distribution of heat energy as described above by changing the type of heat generating unit, all other conditions are the same between Example 2 and Comparative Example 2.

[0174] In Example 2 and Comparative Example 2, the content ratios of methane (CH4), ethylene (C2H4), propylene (C3H6), ethane (C2H6), butylene (C4H8), propane (C3H8) and benzene (C6H6) in the reactants discharged from the outlet of the pipeline were measured, and the results are shown in Figure 13. Figure 13 compares the amounts of methane (CH4), ethylene (C2H4), propylene (C3H6), ethane (C2H6), butylene (C4H8), propane (C3H8) and benzene (C6H6) measured in Example 2 when the amounts of methane (CH4), ethylene (C2H4), propylene (C3H6), ethane (C2H6), butylene (C4H8), propane (C3H8) and benzene (C6H6) measured in Comparative Example 2 were each set to 100%.

[0175] 13, the content of Example 2 is indicated by a dotted line, and the content of Comparative Example 2 is indicated by a solid line. Each content is the ratio of the content of all compounds measured in Example 2 when the content of all compounds measured in Comparative Example 2 is set to 100% for the reactants discharged from the outlet of the fluid heating device.

[0176] Referring to Figure 13, it can be seen that the content ratio of ethylene (C2H4) and propylene (C3H6), which are target compounds in the cracking process, is improved in Example 2 compared to Comparative Example 2, while the content ratio of methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), and benzene (C6H6), which are not target compounds, is reduced in Example 2 compared to Comparative Example 2. The content ratios shown in Figure 13 are weight ratios. The content ratios of the compounds contained in the reactants were calculated based on the flow rate value of the reactants for each compound.

[0177] An additional experiment (Example 3) was carried out. In Example 3, a fluid heating device was used that included a line-shaped pipeline with a total length of about 13 m. The pipeline was divided into a number of heat absorption areas at appropriate positions, and a DC power supply device capable of adjusting the amount of current was electrically connected to the surface of the pipeline corresponding to each heat absorption area. The fluid to be pyrolyzed included naphtha and steam, and the fluid was allowed to flow into the fluid heating device through the inlet of the pipeline. Figure 14 shows the distribution of thermal energy (i.e., heat flux) along the length of the pipeline. This distribution was achieved by adjusting the amount of current through an electrically connected DC power supply device.

[0178] As a control (Comparative Example 3), a system including the same L-shaped pipeline as in Example 3, but using a unit that generates thermal energy in the same form as in Comparative Example 1, was applied. In this case, thermal energy cannot be added to each heat absorption region individually, and thermal decomposition is carried out in a high-temperature cracking furnace with a fixed heat distribution pattern. Figure 15 shows the distribution of thermal energy (i.e., heat flux) in Comparative Example 3.

[0179] In Example 3 and Comparative Example 3, the content ratios of methane (CH4), ethylene (C2H4), propylene (C3H6), ethane (C2H6) and butyne (C4H6) were measured for the reactants discharged from the outlet of the pipeline, and the results are shown in Figure 16. Figure 13 compares the amounts of methane (CH4), ethylene (C2H4), propylene (C3H6), ethane (C2H6) and butyne (C4H6) measured in Example 3 when the amounts of methane (CH4), ethylene (C2H4), propylene (C3H6), ethane (C2H6) and butyne (C4H6) measured in Comparative Example 3 were each set to 100%.

[0180] In Fig. 16, the results of Example 3 are shown by a dotted line, and the results of Comparative Example 3 are shown by a solid line. The results in Fig. 16 show the content ratio of the compounds measured in Example 3 when the contents of the compounds measured in Comparative Example 3 in the reactants discharged from the outlet were all taken as 100%.

[0181] Referring to Figure 16, it can be seen that the content ratio of ethylene (C2H4) and propylene (C3H6), which are target compounds in the cracking process, is improved in Example 3 compared to Comparative Example 3, and that the content ratio of methane (CH4) and ethane (C2H6), which are not target compounds, is greatly reduced in Example 3 compared to Comparative Example 3. The content and content ratio in Figure 16 are weight ratios. The content ratio of the compounds contained in the reactants was measured based on the flow rate value of the reactants for each compound.

[0182] From the above results, it can be confirmed that the fluid heating device according to an example of the present application, which controls the inflowing heat flux in accordance with the progress of pyrolysis taking into account the physical and / or chemical characteristics of the pyrolysis target, can improve the yield of the target compound in the cracking process, reduce the production of compounds other than the target compound (methane, ethane, benzene, fuel oil, etc.), and reduce the phenomenon of coke generation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0183] 10: Pipeline 40: External heat source 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d: Endothermic area 50: Coil wire 30: Power supply

Claims

1. a pipeline having an internal passageway through which a fluid may flow; The internal passage is divided into two or more heat absorbing regions, A fluid heating device, wherein the two or more distinct heat absorption regions are formed so as to be able to accommodate thermal energy independently.

2. The fluid heating device according to claim 1 , wherein the heat absorption regions are configured to accommodate heat energy generated by different heat generating units.

3. The fluid heating device according to claim 2 , wherein at least one of the heat generating units is a heat generating unit configured to convert electric energy into thermal energy.

4. 4. The fluid heating apparatus of claim 3, wherein at least one of the heat generating units is configured to generate resistive heat upon energization of the pipeline.

5. 5. The fluid heating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the heat generating units is provided separately from the pipeline and is a unit configured to convert electric energy into thermal energy.

6. 4. The fluid heating apparatus of claim 3, wherein at least one of the heat generating units is configured to generate resistive heat by induced current in the pipeline.

7. The fluid heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the two or more heat absorption regions are arranged such that the fluid is exposed to the heat absorption region where the absolute value of the deviation ΔH of the applied heat energy according to the following formula 1 is 10 or more: [Formula 1] △H=100%×(H1-H2) / H2 In Equation 1, H1 is thermal energy applied to any one of the two or more heat absorption regions, and H2 is thermal energy applied to the heat absorption region other than the heat absorption region to which the thermal energy of H1 is applied.

8. The fluid heating device according to claim 7 , wherein the two or more heat absorption regions are arranged such that the thermal energy applied along the fluid flow direction decreases and then increases, or increases and then decreases.

9. The fluid heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the heat absorption region is arranged so that a periodic variation in the heat flow rate or applied thermal energy occurs within the internal passage along the flow direction of the fluid.

10. 10. The fluid heating device according to claim 9, wherein an absolute value of a deviation between a maximum heat flow rate or applied thermal energy and a minimum heat flow rate or applied thermal energy within one period of the periodic fluctuation is 10 or more.

11. 11. The fluid heating apparatus of claim 10, wherein the two or more heat absorption regions are arranged such that the fluid is exposed to a periodic variation in heat flow or applied thermal energy that includes two or more periods.

12. The fluid heating device described in claim 10, wherein the two or more heat absorption areas are arranged so that the ratio of the length of one period of the periodic fluctuation of the heat flow rate or applied thermal energy to the length of the pipeline through which the fluid moves is within the range of 1% to 200%.

13. A method for producing a product by heating a fluid using the fluid heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising the steps of: The method includes the step of applying thermal energy independently to the two or more distinct heat absorption regions of the fluid heating device while moving fluid through the interior passageway of the pipeline of the fluid heating device.

14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the thermal energy applied to each of the heat absorption regions is generated by different heat generating units, and at least one of the heat generating units is a unit that converts electrical energy into thermal energy.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein thermal energy is applied so that the fluid moves through the two or more heat absorption regions in which the absolute value of the deviation ΔH of the applied thermal energy according to the following formula 1 is 10 or more: [Formula 1] △H=100%×(H1-H2) / H2 In Equation 1, H1 is thermal energy applied to any one of the two or more heat absorption regions, and H2 is thermal energy applied to the heat absorption region other than the heat absorption region to which the thermal energy of H1 is applied.

16. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein thermal energy is applied to the two or more heat absorption regions such that the thermal energy applied along the fluid flow direction decreases and then increases, or increases and then decreases.

17. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising applying thermal energy to the two or more heat absorption regions such that fluid is exposed to periodic variations in heat flow or applied thermal energy within the internal passage along the flow direction.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein thermal energy is applied to the two or more heat absorption regions such that the absolute value of the deviation between the maximum heat flow rate or applied thermal energy and the minimum heat flow rate or applied thermal energy within one period of the periodic fluctuation is 10 or more.

19. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein thermal energy is applied to the two or more heat absorption regions such that the fluid is exposed to a periodic variation in heat flow or applied thermal energy comprising two or more periods.

20. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein thermal energy is applied to the two or more heat absorption regions such that the ratio of the length of one period of the periodic variation of the heat flow rate or applied thermal energy to the length of the pipeline through which the fluid moves is within the range of 1% to 200%.

Images