Massively parallel plasma reactor arrays for gas conversion applications.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a reactor module for converting chemical compounds into substances, gases or energy, the reactor module being suitable for adjacent radial stacking and comprising a reaction chamber and at least one inlet pressure chamber, with at least one tangential flow channel connecting said inlet pressure chamber, said tangential flow channel further connecting said reaction chamber in a tangential direction of its circular cross section, said tangential channel being suitable for directing a flow of a reaction gas into the reaction chamber. The present invention also relates to a reactor stack comprising two or more reactor modules stacked adjacently in a radial plane. The present invention also relates to the use of the above mentioned module or a stack of modules for gas conversion.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a reactor module for converting chemical compounds into matter, gas or energy. In a second aspect, the present invention also relates to a reactor stack comprising two or more reactor modules stacked adjacently. In another aspect, the present invention also relates to the use of a module or a reactor stack as described above for gas conversion. [Background technology]

[0002] Plasma reactors, heat chambers or combustion chambers are used to convert chemical compounds into substances, gases or energy. Atmospheric plasma reactors show promising performance in gas conversion applications and other material processing. For industrial upscaling, certain challenges are faced in terms of maintaining the critical plasma parameters. To meet the performance criteria, these devices require some optimization, leading to complex geometric structures and / or the addition of elements such as catalysts and co-reactants. Due to certain constraints, linear upscaling of these devices or reactors may be expensive or simply not feasible.

[0003] A plasma reactor is known, for example, from US Patent No. 7,919,053. However, this known reactor is not suitable for linear upscaling.

[0004] Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-0055884 relates to a plasma reactor, in particular a plasma reactor having multiple plasma reactors to uniformly form a plasma reaction.

[0005] US Patent Application No. 2003 / 0175181 relates to an apparatus in which a plasma is generated in a reaction chamber to promote a reaction in a gaseous medium supplied to the reaction chamber.

[0006] International Patent Application No. 2022 / 029663 describes a method and apparatus for stimulating chemical plasma reactions by nanosecond pulsed discharges in the presence of a gas flow. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The present invention seeks to address at least some of the problems and disadvantages discussed above. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention and its embodiments serve to provide a solution to one or more of the above mentioned disadvantages. To this end, the present invention relates to a reactor module for converting chemical compounds into substances, gases or energy as claimed in claim 1.

[0009] Preferred embodiments of the device are set out in any of claims 2-7.

[0010] In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a reactor stack as claimed in claim 8.

[0011] Preferred embodiments of the method are set out in either of claims 9 and 10.

[0012] In a third aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a reactor module or a reactor stack as described above for gas conversion according to claim 11.

[0013] Preferred embodiments of the method are set out in either of claims 12 and 13.

[0014] The main objective of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art by arranging multiple low-volume reactors with predefined plasma parameters in a large-scale array. The main array body serves as the anode plate and gas distribution network. In that sense, the device envisages only one gas inlet and outlet. The individual reactors are equipped with vortex-stabilized operation.

[0015] The numbering is as follows: 1. Reactor module 2. Reaction chamber 3 Reactant inlet 4. Circular cross section of reaction chamber 5 radial plane 6 Axial Direction 7 Tangent Channel 8 First electrode (anode) 9 Second electrode (cathode cap) 10 Insulation Ring 11 Step insert 12 Distance between anode and cathode 13 Reactor Stack 14 Anode plate 15 Common inlet pressure chamber 16 Distal side of reactor stack 17 Pressure chamber entrance 18 Exhaust pipe or outlet 19 Common exhaust pipe 20 Proximal side of reactor stack 21 Common inlet pressure chamber 22 Catalysts and / or co-reactants

[0016] The following description of figures of specific embodiments of the present invention are merely exemplary in nature and are not intended to limit the present teachings, their application, or uses. Corresponding reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts and features throughout the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a reactor module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a reactor module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a reactor module having a cathode cap according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a reaction chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a reactor stack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a reactor stack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a computational grid for a flow simulation of a reactor stack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a transparent perspective view of a reactor stack having an inlet pressure chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a top view of simulation results for flow velocity streamlines in a 2×2 reactor stack with a central pressure chamber inlet according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a simulation result of flow velocity streamlines in a 2×2 reactor stack with a central pressure chamber inlet according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a flow side view of simulated results for flow velocity streamlines in a 2×2 reactor stack with a central pressure chamber inlet according to an embodiment of the invention. [Figure 12] 12A-12D are top views of reactor stacks having five (12A), six (12B), seven (12C), and twenty-one (12D) reactor modules, where the reaction chambers of the reactor modules form a square (12A), hexagonal (12B, 12C), or extended hexagonal (12D) pattern, according to an embodiment of the invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a radial reactor stack of four reactor modules implemented in a plasma reactor according to an embodiment of the invention. [Figure 14]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a reactor stack having four reactor modules with interchangeable outlet nozzles according to an embodiment of the invention. [Figure 15] 15 is a computational grid for a flow simulation (CFD simulation) of the reactor stack shown in FIG. 14. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] The present invention relates to a reactor for converting chemical compounds into matter, gas or energy.

[0019] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in disclosing the present invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. By way of further guidance, definitions of terms are set forth in order to better understand the teachings of the present invention.

[0020] As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings:

[0021] As used herein, "a," "an," and "the" refer to both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. By way of example, "a compartment" refers to one or more than one compartment.

[0022] When used herein in reference to measurable values ​​such as parameters, amounts, durations, and the like, "about" is intended to encompass variations of the stated value and from the stated value of + / -20% or less, preferably + / -10% or less, more preferably + / -5% or less, even more preferably + / -1% or less, and even more preferably + / -0.1% or less, to the extent that variations are appropriate to occur in the disclosed invention. However, it should be understood that the value to which the modifier "about" refers is itself expressly disclosed.

[0023] As used herein, "comprise," "comprising," and "comprises," as well as "comprised of," are synonymous with "include," "including," "includes," or "contain," "containing," or "contains," and are inclusive or open-ended terms that specify the presence of, for example, the following components, and do not exclude or preclude the presence of additional, unrecited components, features, elements, materials, steps, or components known in the art or disclosed herein.

[0024] Moreover, the terms first, second, third, etc. in the specification and claims are used to distinguish between similar elements and are not necessarily used to indicate an order or chronology, unless specified. The terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances, and it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of being performed in orders other than those described or illustrated herein.

[0025] The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers and fractions subsumed within that range, as well as the recited endpoints.

[0026] The terms "weight %, "weight percent", "% wt", or "wt%", as used herein and throughout the description, unless otherwise defined, refer to the relative weight of each component based on the total weight of the formulation.

[0027] While the terms "one or more" or "at least one" are inherently clear, such as one or more members of a group of members, or at least one member, by way of further illustration, the terms include reference to any one of the members, or any two or more of the members, such as, for example, any, >= 3, >= 4, >= 5, >= 6, or >= 7, etc., members, and up to all of the members.

[0028] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in disclosing the present invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. For further guidance, definitions of terms used in the specification are set forth to better understand the teachings of the present invention. Terms or definitions used in this specification are provided solely to aid in the understanding of the present invention.

[0029] References throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Thus, appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment, but may be the same embodiment. Furthermore, particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure. Furthermore, some embodiments described herein include some features that are included in other embodiments, but not other features. On the other hand, combinations of features from different embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the invention and form different embodiments, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments may be used in any combination.

[0030] As used herein, the terms "gliding arc (GA)", "glow discharge", "radiofrequency plasma (RF)", "microwave plasma (MW)", "inductively coupled plasma (ICP)", "capacitively coupled plasma (CCP)", and "dielectric barrier discharge (DBD)" refer to plasma generating means as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0031] In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a reactor module for converting chemical compounds into matter, gas or energy, the reactor module being suitable for adjacent radial stacking.

[0032] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reactor module comprises: a reaction chamber having a cylindrical shape characterized by a circular cross section lying in a radial plane and extending in an axial direction perpendicular to said radial plane; - at least one reactant inlet; Equipped with.

[0033] In this embodiment of the invention, the reactor module further comprises at least one tangential flow channel fluidly connected to said reactant inlet, said tangential flow channel further connected tangentially to said circular cross-section to a reaction chamber, said tangential channel being suitable for directing a flow of reactant gas into the reaction chamber.

[0034] The tangential flow channels are suitable as vortex generators for the gas flow. They allow the gas to enter the reaction chamber tangentially, where it forms a forward or reverse vortex flow pattern, which is known to improve discharge efficiency and stability.

[0035] The reactor module of the present invention is suitable for use as the sole reactor or in combination with similar reactor modules in a radial stack.

[0036] The reaction chamber preferably has a cylindrical shape characterized by a circular cross section with a diameter of 10 to 200 mm, more preferably a diameter of 20 to 60 mm, even more preferably a diameter of 25 mm.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the reaction chamber is connected to an exhaust line, preferably the exhaust line is suitable for being connected to a common exhaust line.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the reaction chamber is connected to an exhaust line, preferably the exhaust line is suitable for being connected to a common exhaust line.

[0039] Preferably, the exhaust channels are suitable for connection to a common exhaust pipe when the reactor modules are stacked adjacently in a radial plane.

[0040] The terms "exhaust pipe" and "outlet" should be considered synonymous when used herein.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the reaction chambers are made up of a first electrode and each reaction chamber is further provided with a second electrode.

[0042] In this embodiment of the invention, the second electrode is separated from the first electrode by an insulating ring.

[0043] In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, the second electrode has the form of a cap and is configured as a cathode. Preferably, the insulating ring is provided with a stepped insert that matches the radius of the cathode cap. In this way, the insulating ring holds the cathode at a certain distance from the anode for efficient discharge ignition, preferably 0.5-5 mm, more preferably 1-3 mm, even more preferably 2 mm. This starting gap may be modified as desired to support a higher or lower ignition voltage, or alternatively a higher or lower flow rate (higher flow rates typically increase the starting voltage).

[0044] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second electrode extends axially from the reaction chamber.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the reaction chamber comprises plasma generating means, which are selected from the following list: - Gliding Arc (GA) -Glow discharge - Radio Frequency Plasma (RF) - Microwave Plasma (MW) - Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) - Capacitively Coupled Plasma (CCP) - Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD).

[0046] In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, the reaction chamber comprises a plasma generating means, which is selected from the following list: - Gliding Arc (GA) -Glow discharge - Radio Frequency Plasma (RF) - Microwave plasma (MW).

[0047] In an even more preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reaction chamber comprises a plasma generating means, said means being a Gliding Arc (GA).

[0048] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the reactor module further comprises one or more heat exchange channels adapted for fluid flow therethrough.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the reactor module has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, preferably a cubic shape.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the exhaust pipe or outlet is provided with an outlet nozzle proximal to the reaction chamber. The outlet nozzle reduces the diameter of the exhaust pipe to the diameter of the outlet nozzle. This nozzle diameter can be 10-200 mm, more preferably 20-60 mm, even more preferably 1-25 mm, even more preferably 1-20 mm, such as 7, 12, or 18 mm. The nozzle diameter is preferably smaller than the diameter of the reaction chamber.

[0051] In a further preferred embodiment, the outlet nozzle is removable and replaceable, and preferably interchangeable between different reactor modules.

[0052] The inventors have discovered that the exit nozzle enhances the reverse vortex pattern and further provides strong rotation and the ability to center and stabilize the plasma.

[0053] In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a reactor stack comprising two or more reactor modules as described above stacked adjacently in a radial plane.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reactor stack comprises two or more identical reactor modules as described above stacked adjacently in a radial plane.

[0055] In an embodiment of the invention, the two or more reactor modules are stacked along two perpendicular axial axes.

[0056] In an embodiment of the present invention, the reactor stack includes a common inlet pressure chamber.

[0057] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each reactant inlet of each reactor module is in fluid communication with a common inlet pressure chamber, which preferably extends in a radial direction.

[0058] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each reaction chamber of each reactor module is fluidly connected to a single outlet extending in a radial plane.

[0059] In an embodiment of the present invention, the reactor modules in the reactor stack are square shaped.

[0060] The reactor stack preferably comprises from 4 to 1000 reactor modules, more preferably from 20 to 100 reactor modules, even more preferably from 40 to 60 reactor modules.

[0061] In an embodiment of the invention, the reactor stack forms an n×n reactor array, where n is a number selected from the following list: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10, preferably a number selected from the following list: 5, 6, 7, or 8.

[0062] In another embodiment of the present invention, the reactor modules in the reactor stack form a regular pattern, preferably a regular polygonal pattern, such as a square pattern or a hexagonal pattern.

[0063] In this embodiment, the reaction chambers in the reactor stack form a regular pattern, preferably a regular polygonal pattern, such as a square pattern or a hexagonal pattern.

[0064] The inventors have discovered that these patterns optimize heat dissipation and minimize electromagnetic interference between the reactor modules.

[0065] Preferably, each reactor module may be joined at the anode plate, in other words machined in one unibody metal plate (or other conductive plate).

[0066] The reactor stack body formed by each reactor module serves as an anode plate and a gas distribution network. Preferably, only one gas inlet and outlet is envisaged for the reactor stack. The individual reactor modules are equipped with vortex-stabilized operation.

[0067] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the reactor module in the reactor stack is provided with an outlet nozzle at the exhaust pipe or outlet, proximal to the reaction chamber. The outlet nozzle reduces the diameter of the exhaust pipe to the diameter of the outlet nozzle. This nozzle diameter can be 10-200 mm, more preferably 20-60 mm, even more preferably 1-25 mm, even more preferably 1-20 mm, such as 7, 12 or 18 mm. The nozzle diameter is preferably smaller than the diameter of the reaction chamber. A reactor module in the reactor stack can be equipped with multiple outlet nozzles with different nozzle diameters. It is also possible that only a small portion of the reactor modules in the reactor stack are equipped with such an outlet nozzle.

[0068] In a more preferred embodiment, the outlet nozzles are removable and replaceable, and preferably interchangeable between reactor modules.

[0069] The inventors have discovered that the exit nozzle enhances the reverse vortex pattern and further provides strong rotation and the ability to center and stabilize the plasma.

[0070] In a third aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a reactor module as described above or a stack of modules as described above for gas conversion.

[0071] In a preferred embodiment, the gas may be flue gas, exhaust gas from combustion, CO2, CO, CH4, H2, and / or any combination thereof, including impurities such as H2O and SO2.

[0072] In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, the gas comprises more than 98% CO2 by weight. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the gas comprises CO2 and CH4 in a weight ratio of at most 4 / 1, more preferably at most 3 / 1, more preferably at most 2 / 1, more preferably at most 1 / 1. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the gas comprises CO2 and CH4 in a weight ratio of at least 1 / 4, more preferably at least 1 / 3, more preferably at least 1 / 2, more preferably at least 1 / 1. In another embodiment, the gas comprises CO2 and CH4 in a ratio of 4 / 1 to 1 / 4, more preferably in a ratio of 3 / 1 to 1 / 3, more preferably in a ratio of 2 / 1 to 1 / 2, most preferably in a ratio of about 1 / 1.

[0073] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the gas transformation is carried out by plasma generation in one or more reaction chambers.

[0074] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the gas comprises CO2.

[0075] In this embodiment of the invention, the plasma is generated by a plasma generating means selected from the following list: - Gliding Arc (GA) -Glow discharge - Radio Frequency Plasma (RF) - Microwave Plasma (MW) - Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) - Capacitively Coupled Plasma (CCP) - Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD).

[0076] Preferably, the plasma is generated by a plasma generating means selected from the following list: - Gliding Arc (GA) -Glow discharge - Radio Frequency Plasma (RF) - Microwave plasma (MW).

[0077] More preferably, the plasma is generated by a plasma generating means, which is a Gliding Arc (GA).

[0078] In another particularly preferred embodiment, the gas comprises CH4.

[0079] In this embodiment of the invention, the plasma is generated by a plasma generating means selected from the following list: -Glow discharge - Gliding Arc (GA) -Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) - Microwave Plasma (MW) - Radio Frequency Plasma (RF) - Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) - Capacitively Coupled Plasma (CCP).

[0080] Preferably, the plasma is generated by a plasma generating means selected from the following list: -Glow discharge - Gliding Arc (GA) -Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) - Microwave plasma (MW).

[0081] More preferably, the plasma is generated by a plasma generating means, which is a glow discharge.

[0082] In this embodiment, the gas comprises CH4, which is converted to syngas and / or H2.

[0083] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flow rate of the reaction gas in each reaction chamber is 0.5 to 5000 L / min, preferably 1 to 100 L / min, and more preferably 10 to 50 L / min.

[0084] In an embodiment of the present invention, each reactor module may be operated at a power level of 0.1 to 100 kW, preferably, each reactor module may be operated at a power level of 1 to 10 kW, and more preferably, each reactor module may be operated at a power level of 1 kW.

[0085] The gliding arc (GA) and glow discharge plasma generating means can be powered by AC, AC pulsed, DC pulsed, and DC sources with linear or switched conversion topologies.

[0086] DBD, ICP, RF and MW plasma generating means may be powered via means of a solid state generator connected to a radio frequency amplifier or, alternatively, by a magnetron (MW).

[0087] The present invention is further described by the following non-limiting examples which further illustrate the invention, but are not intended, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. EXAMPLES

[0088] Description of the Examples and / or Figures In order to better illustrate the properties of the present invention, we present below, by way of example, a description of a number of suitable applications of the method for checking the condition of grouts used in mechanical connections according to the present invention, without in any way limiting other potential applications:

[0089] In an embodiment of the invention, a cubic shaped reactor module 1 has a central reaction chamber 2 and a reactant inlet 3 parallel to the reaction chamber 2. The reaction chamber 2 has a cylindrical shape characterized by a circular cross section 4, which lies in a radial plane 5, and the reaction chamber 2 extends in an axial direction 6 perpendicular to the radial plane 5. The reactor module 1 has a diameter of 360 mm. 2 The shape is a cube having a surface area of

[0090] The reactor module 1 has one tangential flow channel 7 which is connected to a reactant inlet 3 and which is connected tangentially to its circular cross section 4 to the reaction chamber 2 .

[0091] The reaction chamber 2 is made up of a first electrode 8, configured to function as an anode, and includes a second electrode 9 in the form of a cathode cap. The reaction chamber 2 is separated from the second electrode 9 by an insulating ring 10. The second electrode 9 extends in an axial direction 6 from the reaction chamber 2.

[0092] The insulating ring 10 includes a stepped insert 11 that matches the radius of the cathode cap 9. In this way, the insulating ring 10 holds the cathode 9 at a fixed distance 12 from the anode 8 for efficient discharge ignition.

[0093] In an embodiment of the invention, the reactor stack 13 consists of 16 reactor modules 1 stacked adjacently in a radial plane 5. The anode bodies 8 of each reactor module 1 are joined at an anode plate 14.

[0094] A common inlet pressure chamber 15 can extend to a distal side 16 of the reactor stack 13, with each reactant inlet 3 fluidly connected to the common inlet pressure chamber. A common inlet pressure chamber 21 has a central pressure chamber inlet 17. Each reactor module 1 has an exhaust or outlet 18 that is connected to a common exhaust 19 that extends to a proximal side 20 of the reactor stack 13. The common exhaust 19 is supplied with catalyst 22.

[0095] The invention will now be further explained with reference to the following examples, the invention being in no way limited to the examples given or to the embodiments presented in the drawings.

[0096] Example 1: Reactant and product gas flow calculations Example 1 refers to flow calculations performed on a reactor stack according to an embodiment of the present invention. The results show that the flow velocity varies from 5 to 40 m / s. Also, the vortex flow streamlines in the reaction chamber are calculated.

[0097] The flow patterns reveal gas distribution and vortex formation in the reaction chamber.

[0098] For better illustration, reference is made to Figures 9 and 10, which show simulation results for flow velocity streamlines in a 2x2 reactor stack with a central pressure chamber inlet, according to an embodiment of the present invention, in top (Figure 9) and perspective (Figure 10) views. A single inlet redistributes the gas flow between the four reactor modules, resulting in a similar effect.

[0099] As shown in Figure 11, additional co-reactants or catalysts may be added to the common exhaust of the plasma reactors. This is a beneficial setup since more reactors in parallel provide a larger processing area. In this way, the catalyst or co-reactant can be consumed more efficiently.

[0100] Example 2: Reactor stack pattern As shown in FIG. 12, we can increase the reactor capacity by 25% by adding one additional reactor module in the center of the flange (12A). A 6× pattern (12B) can be achieved with a hexagonal reactor arrangement (pattern), while a 7× (12C) is shown with a reactor in the center of the flange. The distance D between the reactor modules can vary from 1 to 200 mm and is determined by the power and heat dissipation of the reactor. The distance D can be fixed for a regular distribution such as 6×, but for a distribution such as 7×, it can also vary from reactor to reactor. The reason for this is thermal management, since the central reactor module is exposed to the heat coming from the surrounding reactor modules and therefore requires a longer separation distance D than the rest. A further example is given at a scale of 21× (12D).

[0101] Example 3: Gas Conversion Example 2 concerns a radial reactor stack implemented in a plasma reactor. For better illustration, reference is made to FIG. 13, which shows a cross-sectional view of a fixed-bed plasma reactor (110) for the conversion of CO2 gas. Carbon (101) is added as a fixed bed to a treatment chamber (102) and is located downstream of multiple reactor modules (103) arranged in a radial reactor stack (109). The non-reactor module (103) is equipped with a plasma jet generator based on gliding arc plasma technology, and multiple gliding arcs are operating in parallel in the reactor stack.

[0102] A process gas (104) containing CO2 is fed through a gas inlet (106) via a pressure chamber (105) to a plasma jet generator (103). A plasma is ignited in the process gas (104), resulting in a plasma jet containing CO and O species. The afterglow of the plasma jet is introduced into a process chamber (102) containing a carbon bed (101). A product gas (107) is generated containing decomposition products, mainly CO.

[0103] The product gas (107) is extracted from the treatment chamber (102) through a gas outlet (108).

[0104] Example 4: Interchangeable Exit Nozzles The inventors have equipped the reactor modules of the reactor stack with interchangeable outlet nozzles. To better illustrate, reference is made to Figure 14, which shows a reactor module of the reactor stack provided with 7mm (200a), 12mm (200b) and 18mm (200c) interchangeable outlet nozzles, and Figure 15, which shows a CFD simulation of the reactor stack shown in Figure 14.

[0105] Figure 14 shows a reactor stack with four reactor modules, three of the reaction chambers are equipped with interchangeable outlet nozzles (200): 7 mm (200a), 12 mm (200b), and 18 mm (200c). The fourth reactor module has no outlet nozzle.

[0106] The inventors discovered that by equipping the reactor modules of the reactor stack with compatible exit nozzles, a counter-current vortex flow pattern can be created, as shown in Figure 15. The high flow velocity (50 m / sec) also suggests strong rotation and the ability to center and stabilize the plasma.

[0107] A pilot reactor stack of four reactor modules was assembled and tested. The reactor modules were powered by four 1 kW high voltage generators with PWM current control, giving a total combined power of 4 kW. The system was tested for CO2 to CO conversion, with the following results:

[0108] [Table 1]

[0109] The invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described in the examples and / or shown in the drawings: on the contrary, the method according to the invention may be realized in various ways without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A reactor module for converting chemical compounds into matter, gas, or energy, adapted for adjacent radial stacking; a reaction chamber having a cylindrical shape characterized by a circular cross section lying in a radial plane and extending in an axial direction perpendicular to said radial plane; at least one reactant inlet; Equipped with at least one tangential flow channel fluidly connected to said reactant inlet and further connected tangentially to said reaction chamber with respect to its circular cross section, said tangential flow channel being suitable for directing a flow of reactant gas into said reaction chamber; The reactor module is characterized by:

2. 10. The reactor module of claim 1, wherein said reaction chamber is connected to an exhaust line.

3. 3. The reactor module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reaction chambers are made up of a first electrode, and each reaction chamber is further provided with a second electrode, the second electrode being separated from the first electrode by an insulating ring.

4. The reactor module of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second electrode extends axially from the reaction chamber.

5. The reactor module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the reaction chamber is equipped with plasma generating means, said means being selected from the following list: - Gliding Arc (GA) -Glow discharge - Radio Frequency Plasma (RF) - Microwave Plasma (MW) - Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) - Capacitively Coupled Plasma (CCP) - Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD).

6. 6. The reactor module of any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising one or more heat exchange channels adapted for fluid flow therethrough.

7. The reactor module according to any one of claims 1 to 6, having a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

8. The reactor module according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the reaction chamber is provided with an outlet nozzle.

9. A reactor stack comprising two or more reactor modules according to any one of claims 1 to 8 stacked adjacent to said radial plane.

10. 10. The reactor stack of claim 9, comprising a common inlet pressure chamber, each reactant inlet of each reactor module being in fluid communication with the common inlet pressure chamber, preferably said common inlet pressure chamber extending in a radial direction.

11. 11. The reactor stack of claim 9 or 10, comprising a common exhaust pipe, each reaction chamber of each reactor module being in fluid communication with the common exhaust pipe extending in said radial plane.

12. 12. The reactor stack of claim 9, 10 or 11 comprising at least four reactor modules.

13. 13. The reactor stack according to claim 12, wherein the reactors, at least four reactor modules, form a regular polygonal pattern, preferably a square pattern or a hexagonal pattern.

14. Use of a module according to claims 1 to 8 or a stack of modules according to claims 8 to 10 for gas conversion, wherein the gas is H ２ O and SO ２ Flue gas, exhaust gas from combustion, CO ２ , CO, C.H. ４ , H ２ , as well as any combination thereof.

15. 15. The use according to claim 14, wherein the gas transformation is performed by plasma generation in one or more of the reaction chambers.

16. The use according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the flow rate of the reaction gas in each reaction chamber is between 0.5 and 5000 L / min, preferably between 1 and 1000 L / min, more preferably between 10 and 50 L / min.

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