Electrically Heated Reactor

Abstract

An electrically heated reactor is disclosed, which includes a reaction tube having a longitudinal passage formed therein through which reactants pass, a power source configured to supply power to the reaction tube so as to heat the reactants passing through the passage, a pair of conductive sockets connecting the power source and the reaction tube so as to allow current to flow, and a heating element extending longitudinally within the reaction tube, electrically connected to the reaction tube, and configured to receive power from the power source to generate heat and further heat the reactants passing through the passage.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] [Cross-reference to related applications] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0190927, dated December 26, 2023, and all contents disclosed in the documents of this Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to an electrically heated reactor, and more particularly to an electrically heated reactor capable of long-term operation by arranging a reaction tube so as to cancel out electromagnetic force continuously applied to the reaction tube during operation. [Background technology]

[0003] In the chemical industry, natural gas is used as fuel to maintain high temperatures in various equipment (e.g., crackers, reformers, reactors, boilers, etc.). However, heating by burning natural gas is not only inefficient in terms of energy consumption, but is also a major source of carbon emissions. Therefore, efforts are being made to replace heating by burning natural gas with electric heating.

[0004] As part of these efforts, a technique has been proposed in which multiple reactor tubes are arranged in a row and a current is applied to each reactor tube in the same direction. This technique can result in attractive forces between adjacent reactor tubes. When the same current is applied to identical reactor tubes, the net force applied to the reactor tube located in the middle of the multiple reactor tubes can be zero, while the reactor tubes located at both ends of the multiple reactor tubes are subjected to a continuous force. For example, in a conventional naphtha cracking apparatus with two reactor tubes arranged side by side, the length of the reactor tubes is approximately 10 m, the distance between the reactor tubes is approximately 0.1 m, and a current of 3500 A is applied, applying a continuous force of approximately 245 N to the reactor tubes, resulting in a stress of approximately 4836 psi.

[0005] The matters described in this background art section are prepared to enhance understanding of the background of the invention, and may include matters that are not prior art already known to those having ordinary skill in the field to which this technology belongs. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an electrically heated reactor capable of long-term operation by optimizing the arrangement of reaction tubes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An electrically heated reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of reaction tubes, each having a longitudinal passage formed therein through which reactants pass; and a power source configured to supply current to the plurality of reaction tubes so as to heat the reactants passing through the passage, and the plurality of reaction tubes may be arranged such that a resultant electromagnetic force due to the current supplied to the plurality of reaction tubes is equal to or less than a set value.

[0008] In one aspect, the set value may be 10% or less of the electromagnetic force that a first reaction tube exerts on a second reaction tube adjacent to the first reaction tube.

[0009] In another aspect, the reaction tubes may be arranged such that a resultant electromagnetic force due to currents supplied to the reaction tubes becomes zero.

[0010] The plurality of reaction tubes may be arranged in one or more modules such that the resultant electromagnetic force acting on each reaction tube is equal to or less than a set value.

[0011] In one aspect, the set value may be 10% or less of the electromagnetic force applied by a first reaction tube disposed in each module to a second reaction tube adjacent to the first reaction tube.

[0012] In another aspect, the plurality of reaction tubes may be arranged in one or more modules such that the resultant electromagnetic force acting on each reaction tube is zero.

[0013] The electrically heated reactor may further include a shielding housing that surrounds the reaction tubes included in each module to shield them from external electromagnetic forces.

[0014] Four reaction tubes having the same resistance, diameter, and length constitute one module, three reaction tubes are arranged in an equilateral triangle, and the remaining one reaction tube is arranged at the center of the equilateral triangle. A current of the same magnitude flows in a first direction through the three reaction tubes arranged in the equilateral triangle, and a current of the same magnitude flows in a second direction opposite to the first direction through the one reaction tube arranged at the center.

[0015] The electrically heated reactor may further include a shielding housing that surrounds the four reaction tubes included in one module to shield them from external electromagnetic force.

[0016] The shielding housing may be formed in the shape of an equilateral triangle surrounding four reaction tubes.

[0017] The electrically heated reactor may include a plurality of modules containing the shielded housing.

[0018] The electrically heated reactor may further include a cooler for cooling at least one of the pair of conductive sockets.

[0019] The heat output of the reaction tube and the heat output of the heating element can be controlled by adjusting the resistance of the reaction tube and the heating element. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, the reaction tubes are arranged so that the resultant force applied to each reaction tube by the current flowing through the reaction tubes becomes zero, enabling long-term operation without failure.

[0021] In addition, the electromagnetic force applied to the reaction tube is reduced, which lengthens the replacement cycle of the reaction tube and reduces maintenance costs.

[0022] Other advantages achieved or expected by the embodiments of the present invention are directly or implicitly disclosed in the detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention. In other words, various advantages expected by the embodiments of the present invention will be disclosed in the detailed description below.

[0023] The embodiments herein may be better understood by reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements and wherein: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electrically heated reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a reactor tube arrangement in an electrically heated reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 shows a schematic representation of the resultant force applied to one reaction tube. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an electrically heated reactor according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The above-referenced drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and should be understood as presenting somewhat simplified representations of various preferred features illustrating the underlying principles of the present disclosure. For example, specific design features of the present disclosure, including specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes, are determined in part by the particular intended application and environment of use.

[0026] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It will also be understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any one or all combinations of the associated listed items.

[0027] It is further understood that the methods described below, or one or more of their aspects, can be performed by at least one or more controllers. The term "controller" can refer to a hardware device including a memory and a processor. The memory is configured to store program instructions, and the processor is specifically programmed to execute the program instructions to perform one or more processes described in more detail below. The controller can control the operation of a unit, module, component, device, or the like, as described herein. It is also understood that the methods described below can be performed by a device that includes a controller along with one or more other components, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

[0028] The controller of the present disclosure may also be implemented as a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing executable program instructions for execution by a processor. Examples of computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to, ROM, RAM, compact disc (CD)-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, flash drive, smart card, and optical data storage device. The computer-readable storage medium may also be distributed across a computer network so that the program instructions are stored and executed in a distributed manner, such as in a telematics server or controller area network (CAN).

[0029] According to the present invention, an electrically heated reactor includes a plurality of reaction tubes, each having a longitudinal passage formed therein through which reactants pass, and a power source configured to supply current to the plurality of reaction tubes to heat the reactants passing through the passage. The plurality of reaction tubes may be arranged so that the resultant electromagnetic force due to the applied current is equal to or less than a set value. The set value may be, but is not limited to, equal to or less than 10% of the electromagnetic force applied by a first reaction tube to an adjacent second reaction tube. The plurality of reaction tubes may be arranged so that the resultant electromagnetic force due to the applied current is equal to zero. Because the resultant force applied to each reaction tube is equal to zero, stress applied to the reaction tube during operation is zero, enabling long-term operation without malfunction. In addition, the reduced stress on the reaction tubes allows for longer reaction tube replacement cycles, reducing maintenance costs.

[0030] In one example, four reaction tubes are arranged in one module, three reaction tubes are arranged in an equilateral triangle, one reaction tube is arranged at the center of the triangle, and current flows in a first direction through the three reaction tubes arranged at the vertices of the equilateral triangle, and current flows in a second direction opposite to the first direction through the one reaction tube arranged at the center, so that the resultant force applied to each of the four reaction tubes is zero.

[0031] In addition, the electrically heated reactor further includes a shielding housing that surrounds the reaction tube of one module to shield the reaction tube from external electromagnetic force, thereby eliminating the need to consider electromagnetic force between the modules when arranging the reaction tubes of multiple modules.

[0032] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an electrically heated reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of reaction tubes in an electrically heated reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the resultant force applied to one reaction tube.

[0034] 1, an electrically heated reactor 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured to generate heat when supplied with electric current and to heat reactants that require a reaction using the generated heat. The electrically heated reactor 10 includes a plurality of reaction tubes 20 and a power source 30.

[0035] The reaction tube 20 is made of an alloy material (e.g., Ni-Cr, Fe-Cr, Fe-Ni-Cr, Fe-Cr-Al, etc.) having high resistivity, and has a channel formed therein in the longitudinal direction through which the reactants pass. For example, the reaction tube 20 may be formed in a circular pipe shape, and a channel formed therein in the longitudinal direction. However, the shape of the reaction tube 20 is not limited to a circular pipe shape. Because the reaction tube 20 has high resistivity, when a current is applied to the reaction tube 20, heat is generated in the reaction tube 20, and the heat can be transferred to the reactants in the channel.

[0036] An inlet is formed at one end of the reaction tube 20, and reactants required for reaction flow into the reaction tube 20 through the inlet. An outlet is formed at the other end of the reaction tube 20, and reacted products and / or unreacted reactants flow out of the reaction tube 20 through the outlet.

[0037] The reaction tubes 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d are arranged so that the resultant electromagnetic force applied to each reaction tube 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d is zero. A high current is continuously supplied to the reaction tubes 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d to heat the reactants therein, and the high current causes an electromagnetic force to be applied between adjacent reaction tubes 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d. If the electromagnetic forces are not canceled out, the reaction tubes 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d will be continuously subjected to a strong electromagnetic force while the reactants are reacting, and this electromagnetic force may cause the reaction tubes 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d to deform. To prevent deformation of the reaction tubes 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d, the reaction tubes 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d may be arranged so that the resultant electromagnetic force applied to each reaction tube 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d is equal to or less than a set value. The set value may be, but is not limited to, equal to or less than 10% of the electromagnetic force applied by a first reaction tube 20a to an adjacent second reaction tube 20b. The reaction tubes 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d may be arranged so that the resultant electromagnetic force is zero due to the applied current.

[0038] For example, as shown in Figure 2, four reaction tubes 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d having the same resistance, diameter, and length can be arranged in one module. Three of the four reaction tubes 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d, namely, the first, second, and third reaction tubes 20a, 20b, and 20c, can be arranged in an equilateral triangle, and one reaction tube (the fourth reaction tube 20d) can be arranged at the center of the equilateral triangle. If the distance between the first, second, and third reaction tubes 20a, 20b, and 20c arranged at the vertices of the equilateral triangle is d, then the distance between one of the first, second, and third reaction tubes 20a, 20b, and 20c and the fourth reaction tube 20d is

number

[0039] In addition, the same current flows in the first direction through the first, second, and third reaction tubes 20a, 20b, and 20c, and the same current flows in the second direction, which is opposite to the first direction, through the fourth reaction tube 20d located in the center. As shown in Figure 3, if the force that the second reaction tube 20b applies to the first reaction tube 20a is F, the force that the third reaction tube 20c applies to the first reaction tube 20a is F, and the force that the fourth reaction tube 20d applies to the first reaction tube 20a is F.

number

number

[0040] The power supply 30 is configured to supply current to the reaction tubes 20. The power supply 40 may be an AC power supply or a DC power supply. For example, the power supply 30 may supply the same current to the four reaction tubes 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d, supplying current in a first direction to the first, second, and third reaction tubes 20a, 20b, and 20c, and supplying current in a second direction opposite to the first direction to the fourth reaction tube 20d. As a result, the resultant electromagnetic force applied to each of the four reaction tubes 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d becomes zero.

[0041] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an electrically heated reactor according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] 4, an electrically heated reactor 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of modules of reaction tubes 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention and includes a power supply 30. Each module includes four reaction tubes 20 and a shielding housing 40.

[0043] In one example, the four reaction tubes 20 in each module have the same resistance, diameter, and length, and three of the four reaction tubes 20 are arranged in an equilateral triangle, with one reaction tube 20 located at the center of the triangle. The same current flows in a first direction through the three reaction tubes 20 located at the vertices of the triangle, and the same current flows in a second direction opposite to the first direction through the one reaction tube located at the center. As a result, the resultant electromagnetic force acting on each of the four reaction tubes 20 included in each module becomes zero.

[0044] The shielding housing 40 is configured to surround the reaction tubes 20 of one module to shield them from external electromagnetic force. As shown in FIG. 4, the shielding housing 40 may be formed in the shape of an equilateral triangle surrounding the reaction tubes 20 of one module, but is not limited to this. By surrounding the reaction tubes 20 with the shielding housing 40 in a state where the resultant electromagnetic force acting on each reaction tube 20 included in each module is zero, it is possible to prevent external electromagnetic force from being applied to the reaction tubes 20 inside the shielding housing 40. Furthermore, when arranging the reaction tubes 20 of multiple modules, there is no need to consider the effect of electromagnetic force between the modules, making module arrangement easier.

[0045] In another example, three of the four reaction tubes 20 in each module may be arranged in a triangle, with one reaction tube 20 located at the center of the triangle. Current may flow in a first direction through the three reaction tubes 20 located at the vertices of the triangle, and current may flow in a second direction opposite to the first direction through the one reaction tube located at the center, so that the resultant electromagnetic force acting on each of the four reaction tubes 20 included in each module is equal to or less than a set value. The set value may be, but is not limited to, 10% or less of the electromagnetic force acting between any one reaction tube 20 located at the vertices of the triangle and another reaction tube 20 located at the center, or the electromagnetic force acting between any two reaction tubes 20 located at the vertices of the triangle.

[0046] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and includes all modifications that can be easily made by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains and that are deemed equivalent to the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. a plurality of reaction tubes each having a longitudinal passage formed therein through which reactants pass; a power source configured to supply electrical current to the plurality of reaction tubes so as to heat reactants passing through the passageway; Including, An electrically heated reactor, wherein the plurality of reaction tubes are arranged so that a resultant electromagnetic force due to the current supplied to the plurality of reaction tubes is equal to or less than a set value.

2. 2. The electrically heated reactor according to claim 1, wherein the set value is 10% or less of the electromagnetic force applied by the first reaction tube to the second reaction tube adjacent to the first reaction tube.

3. The electrically heated reactor according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of reaction tubes are arranged so that a resultant electromagnetic force due to the current supplied to the plurality of reaction tubes is zero.

4. 2. The electrically heated reactor according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of reaction tubes are arranged in one or more modules such that a resultant electromagnetic force acting on each reaction tube is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

5. 5. The electrically heated reactor according to claim 4, wherein the set value is 10% or less of the electromagnetic force applied by a first reaction tube disposed in each module to a second reaction tube adjacent to the first reaction tube.

6. 2. The electrically heated reactor according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of reaction tubes are arranged in one or more modules such that a resultant electromagnetic force acting on each reaction tube is zero.

7. 6. The electrically heated reactor according to claim 5, further comprising a shielding housing surrounding the reaction tubes included in each module to shield against external electromagnetic forces.

8. Four reaction tubes having the same resistance, diameter and length constitute one module; The three reaction tubes are arranged in an equilateral triangle. The remaining reaction tube is placed at the center of the equilateral triangle, 2. The electrically heated reactor according to claim 1, wherein currents of the same magnitude flow in a first direction through three reaction tubes arranged in an equilateral triangle, and currents of the same magnitude flow in a second direction opposite to the first direction through one reaction tube arranged at the center.

9. 9. The electrically heated reactor according to claim 8, further comprising a shielding housing surrounding the four reaction tubes included in one module to shield them from external electromagnetic forces.

10. 10. The electrically heated reactor of claim 9, wherein the shielding housing is formed in an equilateral triangle surrounding four reaction tubes.

11. 10. The electrically heated reactor of claim 9, comprising a plurality of modules containing the shielding housing.

12. 10. The electrically heated reactor of claim 1, further comprising a cooler for cooling at least one of the pair of conductive sockets.

13. 2. The electrically heated reactor according to claim 1, wherein the heat output of the reaction tube and the heat output of the heating element are controlled by adjusting the resistance of the reaction tube and the heating element.

Images