Fluid mixing method and system

Abstract

To provide methods of sufficiently mixing a feedstock gas (first fluid) and a combustion product (second fluid) in pyrolysis of the feedstock gas.SOLUTION: A mixing chamber (101) is loaded with a first fluid (111). While a volume of the first fluid within the mixing chamber is constant, first and second streams of a second fluid (113) are injected into the mixing chamber along first and second injection directions. As a result of injecting the first and second streams of the second fluid into the mixing chamber, the first and second streams of the second fluid impinge on each other so as to generate within the mixing chamber at least one further stream of the second fluid that mixes with the first fluid and flows in a direction different from the first and second injection directions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for mixing fluids. [Background technology]

[0002] Feedstock pyrolysis is a process in which the heat of combustion is used to chemically decompose a feedstock gas. For example, a combustible gas may be ignited and mixed with the feedstock gas. The heat from the combustion products acts on the feedstock gas in a so-called mixed state, causing the decomposition of the feedstock gas. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] To enable efficient decomposition, it is important that the combustion products are well mixed with the feed gas. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of mixing a first fluid and a second fluid comprising the steps of: introducing the first fluid into a mixing chamber; injecting a first flow of a second fluid into the mixing chamber along a first injection direction while a volume of the first fluid in the mixing chamber is constant; and injecting a second flow of the second fluid into the mixing chamber along a second direction intersecting the first injection direction, wherein as a result of injecting the first and second flows of the second fluid into the mixing chamber the first and second flows of the second fluid impinge on each other, thereby generating at least one further flow of the second fluid in the mixing chamber which mixes with the first fluid and flows in a direction different from the first and second injection directions.

[0005] The at least one separate stream of the second fluid generally comprises the second fluid, however, the at least one separate stream is not necessarily limited to the second fluid, and may, for example, comprise both the second fluid and some of the first fluid entrained in the at least one separate stream.

[0006] The flow direction of at least one further flow of the second fluid may be perpendicular to the first and second injection directions.

[0007] The volume of the mixing chamber may be constant.

[0008] The first injection direction may intersect with the second injection direction at an angle of approximately 180°.

[0009] The mixing chamber may define a longitudinal axis and the first and second injection directions may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0010] The first injection direction may intersect with the second injection direction at an angle of approximately 180°.

[0011] The first injection direction may intersect with the second injection direction at an angle of 10° to 180°.

[0012] The first injection direction may intersect with the second injection direction at an angle of about 140° to 180°.

[0013] The first injection direction may intersect with the second injection direction at an angle of approximately 160°.

[0014] Injecting the first stream into the mixing chamber may include injecting the first stream from a first fluid injector. Injecting the second stream into the mixing chamber may include injecting the second stream from a second fluid injector. The method may further include injecting a third stream of the second fluid from the first fluid injector along a third injection direction into the mixing chamber, and injecting a fourth stream of the second fluid from the second fluid injector along a fourth injection direction intersecting the third injection direction. The first injection direction may intersect the second injection direction at an angle of about 180°. The third injection direction may intersect the fourth injection direction at an angle of between 10° and 180°.

[0015] The method may further include injecting a fifth flow of the second fluid from the first fluid injector into the mixing chamber along a fifth injection direction, and injecting a sixth flow of the second fluid from the second fluid injector into the mixing chamber along a sixth injection direction intersecting the fifth injection direction, the fifth injection direction intersecting the sixth injection direction at an angle of between 10° and 180°.

[0016] Injecting the first stream into the mixing chamber may include injecting the first stream from a first fluid injector. Injecting the second stream into the mixing chamber may include injecting the second stream from a second fluid injector. The method may further include injecting a third stream of the second fluid into the mixing chamber from a third fluid injector. The third fluid injector may be adjacent to the first fluid injector and spaced from the first fluid injector by a distance of about 2 to 20 times the diameter of the mixing chamber.

[0017] This distance may be approximately 10 times the diameter of the mixing chamber.

[0018] The method may further include injecting a third flow of the second fluid into the mixing chamber and injecting a fourth flow of the second fluid into the mixing chamber. As a result of injecting the third and fourth flows of the second fluid into the mixing chamber, the third and fourth flows of the second fluid may impinge on each other, thereby creating at least one further flow of the second fluid in the mixing chamber that mixes with the first fluid and flows in a direction different from the third and fourth injection directions and impinges on the at least one further flow created by the collision of the first and second flows of the second fluid.

[0019] The first fluid may comprise a hydrocarbon.

[0020] The hydrocarbon may be methane or natural gas.

[0021] The second fluid may include one or more of carbon monoxide, methane, hydrogen, oxygen, air, carbon dioxide, and water.

[0022] The second fluid may include one or more of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and water.

[0023] The first fluid may include a hydrocarbon, the second fluid may include an oxidant, and after introducing the first fluid into the mixing chamber and before injecting the first and second streams of the second fluid into the mixing chamber, the temperature of the first fluid may be at or above a temperature required for autoignition of the first fluid in the presence of the second fluid.

[0024] The oxidant may be oxygen or air.

[0025] The first fluid may comprise methane, the oxidant may be air, and the temperature required for autoignition may be at least 850K.

[0026] The first fluid may comprise hydrogen, the oxidant may be air, and the temperature required for autoignition may be at least 770K.

[0027] The first fluid may comprise carbon monoxide, the oxidant may be air, and the temperature required for autoignition may be at least 880K.

[0028] The step of injecting the first and second flows of the second fluid into the mixing chamber may include combusting a combustible gas in one or more combustion chambers coupled to the mixing chamber, thereby producing the second fluid, and injecting the first and second flows of the second fluid into the mixing chamber.

[0029] Injecting the first stream into the mixing chamber may include injecting the first stream from a first fluid injector. Injecting the second stream into the mixing chamber may include injecting the second stream from a second fluid injector. The first and second fluid injectors may be offset from one another such that in response to mutual impingement of the first and second streams of the second fluid, a swirling motion is induced in one or more of the first stream, the second stream, and the at least one further stream of the second fluid, thereby enhancing mixing of the second fluid with the first fluid.

[0030] According to another aspect of the invention, a system for mixing a first fluid and a second fluid includes a mixing chamber having an inlet and an outlet, a first fluid flow channel defining a first injection direction into the mixing chamber, a second fluid flow channel defining a second injection direction into the mixing chamber, a valve arrangement for controlling flow of the first and second fluids into the mixing chamber, and a controller, the controller controls the valve arrangement to admit the first fluid into the mixing chamber via the inlet, and to control the valve arrangement to admit a first flow of the second fluid via the first fluid flow channel to a first injection direction while a volume of the first fluid in the mixing chamber is constant. a first flow of the second fluid into the mixing chamber along a first injection direction; controlling the valve arrangement to inject a second flow of the second fluid into the mixing chamber via the second fluid flow channel along a second injection direction; injecting the first and second flows of the second fluid into the mixing chamber such that the first and second flows of the second fluid impinge on each other and mix with the first fluid in the mixing chamber and result in at least one further flow of the second fluid flowing in a direction different from the first and second injection directions; and controlling the valve arrangement to discharge the mixed first and second fluids from the mixing chamber via the outlet.

[0031] The system may further include one or more combustion chambers coupled to the mixing chamber via the first and second fluid flow channels and one or more igniters. Controlling the valve arrangement to inject the first and second flows of the second fluid into the mixing chamber may include controlling the valve arrangement to admit a combustible gas into the one or more combustion chambers and controlling the one or more igniters to combust the combustible gas, thereby producing the second fluid.

[0032] This summary does not necessarily describe the entire scope of all aspects, and other aspects, features, and advantages will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of certain embodiments.

[0033] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1A] 1 is a schematic side view of a system for mixing a primary fluid with a secondary fluid during an input stage in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1B] 1 is a schematic end view of a system for mixing a primary fluid with a secondary fluid during an input stage in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1C] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the system of FIG. 1-1 at a mixing stage, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1D] FIG. 2 is a schematic end view of the system of FIG. 1-1 at a mixing stage, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A] 1 is another schematic side view of a system for mixing a primary fluid with a secondary fluid using an angled fluid injector in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a schematic end view of the system of FIG. 2A. [Figure 3A] 2 is a schematic side view of a system for mixing a primary fluid with a secondary fluid in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a schematic end view of the system of FIG. 3A. [Figure 4A] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a system for conducting feedstock pyrolysis in the input stage in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a schematic side view of the system of FIG. 4A at a mixing stage. [Figure 4C] FIG. 4B is a schematic side view of the system of FIG. 4A during the pyrolysis stage. [Figure 4D] FIG. 4B is a schematic side view of the system of FIG. 4A in an ejection stage. [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic side view of a system for mixing a primary fluid with a secondary fluid in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] The present invention seeks to provide an improved method and system for mixing fluids. Various embodiments of the present invention are described below, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and variations of these embodiments are fully within the scope of the present invention, which is defined solely by the scope of the appended claims.

[0036] Generally, according to embodiments of the present invention, a method and system for mixing a primary fluid and a secondary fluid are described. For example, according to some embodiments, a primary fluid is introduced into a mixing chamber via an inlet valve, and then the mixing chamber is sealed. The mixing chamber includes a plurality of fluid injectors, including a first fluid injector and a second fluid injector, for injecting a secondary fluid into the mixing chamber. For example, in a cylindrical mixing chamber, the first fluid injector and the second fluid injector may be positioned diametrically opposite one another. Each fluid injector has one or more orifices (e.g., restrictors, nozzles, distributors, channels, or other fluid flow channels) that direct the secondary fluid into the mixing chamber. Each orifice defines a corresponding injection direction into the mixing chamber. The injection direction of the orifices of the first fluid injector intersects the injection direction of the orifices of the second fluid injector.

[0037] According to some embodiments, the first and second fluid injectors need not be positioned diametrically opposite each other, but may be oriented with respect to the longitudinal axis of the mixing chamber such that the injection direction of the orifice of the first fluid injector intersects the injection direction of the orifice of the second fluid injector. According to yet another embodiment, the first and second fluid injectors may be positioned at each end of the mixing chamber with the first and second injection directions oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mixing chamber.

[0038] While the volume of the primary fluid in the mixing chamber is constant or motionless (e.g., the primary fluid is considered to be stationary), a secondary fluid is injected into the mixing chamber using a fluid injector and mixes with the primary fluid. For example, the secondary fluid can be injected under pressure into the fluid injector before, during, or after the injection of the primary fluid into the mixing chamber. To begin injection of the secondary fluid into the mixing chamber, an orifice can be opened, thereby injecting the secondary fluid into the mixing chamber along an injection direction defined by the orifice.

[0039] In particular, during injection of the secondary fluid, a first stream of the secondary fluid is injected into the mixing chamber via an orifice of the first fluid injector, and a second stream of the secondary fluid is injected into the mixing chamber via an orifice of the second fluid injector. Due to the intersection of the first and second injection directions, the first stream of the secondary fluid collides or impinges differently with the second stream of the secondary fluid. Due to the collision of the first and second streams of the secondary fluid, the flow directions of the first and second streams are changed from the first and second injection directions. By changing the flow directions of the first and second streams, the mixing specificity of the first and second secondary fluid streams with the primary fluid can be improved.

[0040] It should be understood that in order for the first and second streams to collide with one another, the first and second streams should generally be injected into the mixing chamber with sufficient momentum such that the first and second streams reach one another and thereby collide with one another.

[0041] According to some embodiments, the injection directions may define an angle in the range of 5° to 90° with respect to the inner wall of the mixing chamber. Thus, the orifices may be oriented such that the first and second injection directions may intersect at an angle of about 180°, or possibly at an angle less than 180°. According to some embodiments, the injection directions may intersect at an angle of about 10° to about 180°, in particular at an angle of about 160°. For example, according to some embodiments, the first and second injection directions may define an angle of about 80° with respect to the inner wall of the mixing chamber and may intersect each other at an angle of about 160°. Preferably, the injection of the secondary fluid is not performed tangentially with respect to the inner wall of the mixing chamber, since this may damage the liner lining the inner wall of the mixing chamber.

[0042] Upon injection into the mixing chamber, the secondary fluid streams will generally assume a cone-like shape as they expand outward after exiting the orifice. Thus, due to the conical expansion of the stream, the stream will proceed in many different directions, but the overall flow direction (i.e., the primary flow direction) of the stream can be considered to be the "injection direction" as used herein. The injection direction may also be considered to be the direction in which the orifice faces or is directed. For example, the injection direction may be considered to be along an axis that passes vertically through the center of the orifice.

[0043] Furthermore, throughout this disclosure, when it is said that a first injection direction crosses a second injection direction, this should be understood to mean that a fluid flow moving at least partially, if not entirely, along the first injection direction impinges on a fluid flow moving along the second injection direction. Thus, although there may not be a complete head-on collision between the two flows, at least some of the flow moving along the first injection direction will impinge on at least some of the flow moving along the second injection direction, due in part to the conical expansion of each of these flows.

[0044] In this regard, according to some embodiments, the first fluid injector may be slightly offset with respect to the second fluid injector, thereby intentionally offsetting the main flow directions of the first and second streams from each other, so that the first and second streams do not collide head-on, but the first and second streams will still collide with each other when they are injected into the mixing chamber due to the conical expansion of the streams.

[0045] By offsetting the first and second fluid injectors so that they are not exactly diametrically opposite one another, non-direct collision of the first and second streams can induce swirling motions in the first stream, the second stream, and / or any other streams resulting from the collision of the first and second streams. Such swirling motions or turbulences can promote mixing of the second fluid with the first fluid.

[0046] 1A-1D, a first embodiment of a system for mixing fluids is shown. The system includes two fluid injectors 102a, 102b attached to a cylindrical mixing chamber 101. The fluid injectors 102a, 102b are fluidly coupled to the mixing chamber 101 via orifices 103a, 103b. According to some embodiments, the orifices 103a, 103b are permanently open. According to other embodiments, the orifices 103a, 103b may be open or closed depending on whether a mixing phase has been initiated (e.g., using appropriate valves under the control of a controller, e.g., a computer, etc.). The fluid injectors 102a, 102b are oriented such that the orifices 103a, 103b are aligned in the X-direction and the Z-direction. Specifically, the fluid injectors 102 a , 102 b (and, by extension, the orifices 103 a , 103 b ) are diametrically opposed to each other and to the longitudinal axis of the mixing chamber 101 .

[0047] During the dosing phase, primary fluid 111 is introduced into the mixing chamber 101 via inlet valve 104. During the dosing phase, any fluid 112 remaining in the mixing chamber 101 (e.g., mixed fluid from a previous mixing cycle, as described in more detail below) is expelled through outlet valve 105. Following the expulsion of mixed fluid 112, both inlet valve 104 and outlet valve 105 are closed, thereby sealing the sealed mixing chamber 101. At the end of the dosing phase, the mixing chamber 101 is completely filled with primary fluid 111, and the primary fluid 111 has no movement relative to the mixing chamber 101. Thus, the primary fluid 111 can be considered to be at rest.

[0048] Following the injection phase, during the mixing phase, the secondary fluid 113 is injected under pressure into the fluid injectors 102a, 102b via the secondary valves 106a, 106b. In other embodiments, the secondary fluid 113 may be injected into the fluid injectors 102a, 102b, after or during which the primary fluid 111 is injected into the mixing chamber 101. To initiate mixing, the orifices 103a, 103b are opened, so that a stream of the secondary fluid 113 travels through the orifices 103a, 103b and into the mixing chamber 101 along the injection directions 118a, 118b defined by the orifices 103a, 103b. The streams of secondary fluid 113 collide with each other centrally within the mixing chamber 101. The collision of these streams of secondary fluid 113 changes their flow direction, which allows the stream of secondary fluid 113 to better mix with the stationary primary fluid 111.

[0049] 1C and 1D, the flow of secondary fluid 113 mixes with the stationary primary fluid 111 at least along the X direction 114 and the Z direction 115 in a generally circular shape. An angle 121 in the X-Y plane between the flow coming from orifice 103a as it enters the mixing chamber 101 and the flow coming from orifice 103b as it enters the mixing chamber 101 is 180°. An angle 122 in the Y-Z plane between the flow coming from orifice 103a as it enters the mixing chamber 101 and the flow coming from orifice 103b as it enters the mixing chamber 101 is 180°. At the end of the mixing stage, the mixing chamber 101 is filled with a mixed fluid 112 consisting of a mixture of the primary fluid 111 and the secondary fluid 113.

[0050] 2A and 2B, another embodiment of a system for mixing fluids is shown. The system includes two fluid injectors 202a, 202b attached to a cylindrical mixing chamber 201. The fluid injectors 202a, 202b are fluidly coupled to the mixing chamber 201 via orifices 203a, 203b, which may be open or closed (e.g., using appropriate valves) depending on whether the mixing phase has been initiated or not. Although the fluid injectors 202a, 202b are positioned diametrically opposite each other, the fluid injectors 202a, 202b are oriented with respect to the longitudinal axis of the mixing chamber 201 such that the orifices 203a, 203b are oriented at an angle that is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mixing chamber 201, as will be described in more detail below.

[0051] The system of Figures 2A and 2B undergoes a similar dosing phase as the system of Figures 1A-1D. Therefore, for clarity, certain elements, e.g., valves, have been omitted from the system of Figures 2A and 2B. During the mixing phase of the system of Figures 2A and 2B, the streams of secondary fluid 213 move through orifices 203a, 203b into the mixing chamber 201 along the dosing directions 219a, 219b defined by the orifices 203a, 203b. The streams of secondary fluid 213 collide with each other within the mixing chamber 201. The collision of the streams of secondary fluid 213 changes the direction of these flows, which allows the streams of secondary fluid 213 to better mix with the stationary primary fluid 211.

[0052] The angle 221 in the X-Y plane between the flow coming from the orifice 203a as it enters the mixing chamber 201 and the flow coming from the orifice 203b as it enters the mixing chamber 201 is less than 180°. The angle 222 in the Y-Z plane between the flow coming from the orifice 203a as it enters the mixing chamber 201 and the flow coming from the orifice 203b as it enters the mixing chamber 201 is 180°. The collision of the secondary fluid 213 flows changes the direction of these flows, so that the secondary fluid 213 flows can mix with the stationary primary fluid 211. Specifically, the secondary fluid 213 flows mix with the primary fluid 211 mainly along one direction 216 in the X-Y plane, and the direction 216 is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the mixing chamber 201. Furthermore, the flow of the secondary fluid 213 mixes with the primary fluid 211 primarily along two directions 215 in the YZ plane, the directions 215 being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mixing chamber 201 .

[0053] The angles 221 and 222 can be adjusted by configuring the fluid injectors 202 a , 202 b such that the orifices 203 a , 203 b are oriented at different angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the mixing chamber 201 .

[0054] 3A and 3B, another embodiment of a system for mixing fluids is shown. The system includes two fluid injectors 302a, 302b attached to a cylindrical mixing chamber 301. The fluid injectors 302a, 302b are fluidly coupled to the mixing chamber 301 via orifices 303a, 303b, 303c, 303d, 303e, 303f, which may be open or closed (e.g., using appropriate valves) depending on whether a mixing phase has been initiated. Fluid injectors 302a, 302b are located diametrically opposite one another, but fluid injectors 302a, 302b each have two orifices that are angled obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis of mixing chamber 301 and one orifice that is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of mixing chamber 301.

[0055] The system of Figures 3A and 3B undergoes a similar injection phase as the system of Figures 1A-1D. Therefore, for clarity, certain elements, e.g., valves, have been omitted from the system of Figures 3A and 3B. During the mixing phase of Figures 3A and 3B, the streams 317, 318, 319 of the secondary fluid 313 move through the orifices 303a, 303b, 303c into the mixing chamber 301 along the injection direction defined by the orifices 303a, 303b, 303c. The streams 317, 318, 319 collide with each other in the mixing chamber 301. The collision of the streams 317, 318, 319 changes the direction of these streams, which allows the streams 317, 318, 319 to mix well with the stationary primary fluid 311.

[0056] The angles 321, 322 in the X-Y and Y-Z planes between the flow 317 coming from the upper injector 302a as it enters the mixing chamber 301 and the flow 317 coming from the lower injector 302b as it enters the mixing chamber 301 are 180°. The angle 323 in the X-Y plane between the flow 318 coming from the upper injector 302a as it enters the mixing chamber 301 and the flow 318 coming from the lower injector 302b as it enters the mixing chamber 301 is greater than 180°. The angle 324 in the XY plane between the flow 319 coming from the upper injector 302a as it enters the mixing chamber 301 and the flow 319 coming from the lower injector 302b as it enters the mixing chamber 301 is less than 180°. The collision of the flows 317, 318, 319 changes their flow directions, so that the flows 317, 318, 319 can mix with the stationary primary fluid 311. Specifically, the flow 317 mixes with the primary fluid 311 mainly along two directions 314 in the XY plane, and the directions 314 are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mixing chamber 301. Furthermore, flow 318 mixes with primary fluid 311 along one direction 316 primarily in the X-Y plane, and flow 319 mixes with primary fluid 311 along one direction 320 primarily in the X-Y plane, directions 316 and 320 being parallel to the longitudinal axis of mixing chamber 301. Furthermore, flows 317, 318, 319 mix with primary fluid 311 along two directions 315 primarily in the Y-Z plane, direction 315 being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of mixing chamber 301. Generally speaking, flows 314, 316, 320 have a generally circular shape.

[0057] According to some embodiments, adding an additional secondary fluid flow to the secondary fluid flow of Figures 3A and 3B (e.g., by providing additional orifices in the fluid injectors 302a, 302b) can optimize mixing of the secondary fluid 313 with the stationary primary fluid 311.

[0058] 4A-4D, one embodiment of a system for producing hydrogen and solid carbon using a pulsed methane pyrolysis process is shown. The system of FIG. 4A-4D mixes fluids using methods as described herein to improve the pulsed methane pyrolysis process. As can be seen in FIG. 4A, combustion chambers 402a, 402b are attached to a cylindrical mixing chamber 401. The combustion chambers 402a, 402b are fluidly coupled to the mixing chamber 401 via orifices 403a, 403b, 403c, 403d, 403e, 403f, which may be open or closed (e.g., with appropriate valves) depending on whether the mixing phase has been initiated. Although the combustion chambers 402a, 402b are located diametrically opposite one another, the combustion chambers 402a, 402b each have two orifices that are angled obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis of the mixing chamber 401 and one orifice that is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mixing chamber 401, a system configuration that is very similar to the system configuration seen in Figures 3A and 3B.

[0059] During the loading phase, a feed gas, e.g., natural gas or methane, ethane, propane, or any other hydrocarbon 411, is introduced into the mixing chamber 401 via the inlet valve 404. During the loading phase, any products 412 from the previous cycle and unreacted feedstock remaining in the mixing chamber 401 are discharged through the outlet valve 405. Following the discharge of the products 412, both the inlet valve 404 and the outlet valve 405 are closed, thereby sealing the mixing chamber 401. At the same time, a gas mixture comprising fuel and oxidant 413 is introduced into the combustion chambers 402a, 402b via the supply valve 406. Once the combustion chambers 402a, 402b are filled with the gas mixture 413, the supply valve 406 is closed. At the end of the loading phase, the combustion chambers 402a, 402b are filled with the gas mixture 413 and the mixing chamber 401 is completely filled with the feedstock 411, which is motionless relative to the mixing chamber 401. Therefore, the ingredient 411 can be considered to be at rest.

[0060] During the mixing stage, visible in Fig. 4B, the gas mixture 413 is ignited using an igniter 407, which generates burnt gases, which increase the temperature and pressure in the combustion chambers 402a, 402b. The orifices 403a-403f are opened, and due to the pressure difference between the combustion chambers 402a, 402b and the mixing chamber 401, the combustion product gas flows 417, 418, 419 pass through the orifices 403a-403f and move into the mixing chamber 401 along the injection direction defined by the orifices 403a-403f. The flows 417, 418, 419 collide with each other in the mixing chamber 401. The collision of the flows 417, 418, 419 changes their flow direction, so that the flows 417, 418, 419 can be well mixed with the raw gas 411. Specifically, flows 417, 418, and 419 mix with feed gas 411 in much the same manner as the secondary and primary fluids mix described above in connection with Figures 3A and 3B.

[0061] The separation between the combustion chambers 402a, 402b is sufficient to allow the burnt gas stream 416a directed along the longitudinal axis of the mixing chamber 401 toward the outlet valve 405 to impinge on the burnt gas stream 416b directed along the longitudinal axis of the mixing chamber 401 toward the inlet valve 404. For example, according to some embodiments, the separation between the combustion chambers 402a, 402b is about 10 times the diameter of the mixing chamber 401. The collision of the burnt gas stream 416a and the burnt gas stream 416b results in the combustion gas moving in two directions 425 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mixing chamber 401, thereby further promoting mixing with the feedstock 411. The separation between the combustion chambers 402a, 402b at the ends of the mixing chamber 401 is sufficient to allow the burnt gas stream 416c to effectively mix with the feedstock gas 411 in these regions. Generally speaking, the flows 414, 416 are generally circular in shape.

[0062] Generally speaking, the mixing of the combusted gas streams 416a, 416b, 416c with the feed gas 411 allows for efficient transfer of combustion energy from the combustion chambers 402a, 402b into the feed gas 411, thereby increasing the pressure and temperature of the feed gas 411. At the end of the mixing stage, the mixing chamber 401 contains a mixture of the feed gas 411 and the combusted gas from the combustion chambers 402a, 402b.

[0063] 4C, during the pyrolysis stage, due to the increase in temperature and pressure of the feed gas 411 that occurred during the mixing stage, at least a portion of the feed gas 411 dissociates into hydrogen, solid carbon, and other gases, thereby producing products 426. At the end of the pyrolysis stage, the mixing chamber 401 contains the unreacted feed 411 and products 426 to produce mixture 412.

[0064] Then, during the discharge phase (FIG. 4D), the outlet valve 405 opens and a portion of the mixture 412 is discharged from the mixing chamber 401 due to the pressure difference between the interior of the mixing chamber 401 and the downstream equipment (not shown). Discharge continues until the pressure in the mixing chamber 401 falls below the pressure of the feedstock 411. At this point, the cycle can be repeated and the loading phase can begin anew.

[0065] According to some embodiments, rather than igniting the combustion gas mixture in the combustion chamber, the combustion gas may be injected into the mixing chamber at a sufficient velocity, and the source gas may be present in the mixing chamber at a sufficiently high temperature such that spontaneous combustion of the source gas can occur within the mixing chamber.

[0066] For example, rather than using separate combustion chambers as in Figures 4A-4D, injectors (e.g., injectors similar to fuel injectors used in internal combustion engines) can be used to inject an oxidant (e.g., oxygen or air) directly into a constant volume mixing chamber. The direct injectors can be arranged in a face-to-face configuration so that the oxidant streams injected into the mixing chamber impinge on each other but do not directly impinge on the inner walls of the mixing chamber. According to some embodiments, oxygen can be used as the oxidant, such that methane or other feedstock in the mixing chamber spontaneously ignites if the feedstock exceeds its corresponding autoignition temperature. Such a system can reduce system pressure because the oxidant can be more controllably injected into the mixing chamber and because combustion outside the mixing chamber is not required.

[0067] In order to effectively control the amount of oxidant injected into the mixing chamber, the pressure of the oxidant injected into the mixing chamber may need to be at least twice the pressure of the feedstock contained within the mixing chamber, which may result in choked flow conditions. For example, if the desired pressure in the mixing chamber is 60 bar, then the fuel delivery system may need to be configured to deliver fuel at 120 bar.

[0068] According to some embodiments, when the secondary fluid is burned outside the mixing chamber, the secondary fluid may consist of a mixture of one or more of carbon monoxide, methane, hydrogen, oxygen, air, carbon dioxide, and water. According to some embodiments, the secondary fluid may consist of a mixture of one or more of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and water. If the feed gas is designed to self-ignite or self-combust upon contact with a fuel (secondary fluid), the secondary fluid may include an oxidant, such as oxygen or air, with the autoignition temperature depending on the type of feed. For example, in the presence of air, methane has an autoignition temperature (at 1 bar) of about 850 K, hydrogen has an autoignition temperature (at 1 bar) of about 770 K, and carbon monoxide has an autoignition temperature (at 1 bar) of about 880 K. If the oxidant used is pure oxygen, the autoignition temperature varies as can be determined by those skilled in the art.

[0069] According to some embodiments (as can be seen for example in FIG. 5), the angle between the inner wall of the mixing chamber and the injection direction may be in the range of 5° to 90°. The corresponding crossing angles caused by two colliding streams of fluids are shown in the table in FIG. 5. The table also lists the approximate crossing distance of the two streams, which is the distance that separates the crossing angle of the two streams (which forms an angle of 180°) if the two streams collide head-on with each other, and the actual crossing angle of the two streams.

[0070] According to some embodiments, the orifice's angle of orientation relative to the longitudinal axis of the mixing chamber is not fixed but is adjustable during operation, for example by using a rotatable injector.

[0071] The terms "a" or "an" used in connection with "comprising" or "including" in the claims and / or specification may mean "one," but are also consistent with the meanings of "one or more," "at least one," and "one or more," unless expressly specified otherwise. Similarly, the term "another" may mean at least a second or more, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0072] The terms "coupled," "coupled," or "connected" as used herein may have several different meanings depending on the context in which the terms are used. For example, the terms "coupled," "coupled," or "connected" as used herein may indicate that two elements or devices are directly connected to one another or are connected to one another via one or more intermediate elements or devices or via mechanical elements, depending on the particular context. The term "and / or" as used herein when used in connection with a list of items refers to any one or more of the items comprising that list.

[0073] As used herein, when a numerical value is referred to as "about" or "approximately" equal to a numerical value, this means ±10% of that numerical value.

[0074] Although the present invention has been described in connection with particular embodiments, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, and changes, modifications, and variations of these embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0075] Furthermore, it is contemplated that any portion of any aspect or embodiment described herein can be implemented or combined with any portion of any other aspect or embodiment described herein. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 101, 201 etc. Mixing chamber 102a, 102b, 202a, 202b etc. Fluid injector 103a, 103, 203a, 203b, 303a, 303b, 303c, etc. Orifice 104,404 Inlet valve 105,405 Outlet valve 111,211 etc. Primary fluid 113,213 etc. Secondary fluid 317,318,319,417,418,419 Secondary fluid flow

Claims

1. 1. A method of mixing a first fluid and a second fluid, comprising the steps of: introducing a first fluid into a mixing chamber and then sealing said mixing chamber; While the volume of the first fluid in the sealed mixing chamber remains constant, injecting a first flow of a second fluid into the sealed mixing chamber along a first injection direction; injecting a second flow of the second fluid into the sealed mixing chamber along a second direction intersecting the first injection direction; wherein injecting the first and second streams of the second fluid into the sealed mixing chamber results in the first and second streams of the second fluid impinging on one another, thereby creating at least one additional stream of the second fluid in the sealed mixing chamber that mixes with the first fluid and flows in a direction different from the first and second injection directions.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the volume of the sealed mixing chamber is constant.

3. said step of injecting said first stream into said sealed mixing chamber includes injecting said first stream from a first fluid injector; injecting the second stream into the sealed mixing chamber includes injecting the second stream from a second fluid injector; The method comprises: injecting a third flow of the second fluid from the first fluid injector into the sealed mixing chamber along a third injection direction; injecting a fourth flow of the second fluid from the second fluid injector into the sealed mixing chamber along a fourth injection direction intersecting the third injection direction; the first implantation direction intersects with the second implantation direction at an angle of approximately 180°; 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the third implantation direction intersects with the fourth implantation direction at an angle of between 10° and 180°.

4. injecting a fifth flow of the second fluid from the first fluid injector into the sealed mixing chamber along a fifth injection direction; injecting a sixth flow of the second fluid from the second fluid injector into the sealed mixing chamber along a sixth injection direction intersecting the fifth injection direction; 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the fifth implant direction intersects with the sixth implant direction at an angle between 10° and 180°.

5. injecting a third flow of the second fluid into the sealed mixing chamber; and injecting a fourth flow of the second fluid into the sealed mixing chamber; As a result of injecting the third and fourth flows of the second fluid into the sealed mixing chamber, the third and fourth flows of the second fluid impinge on each other and are mixed into the sealed mixing chamber, mixing with the first fluid and flowing in a direction different from the third and fourth injection directions; The method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising generating at least one other flow of the second fluid that impinges on the at least one other flow generated by the collision of the first flow and the second flow of the second fluid.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first fluid comprises a hydrocarbon.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the hydrocarbon is methane or natural gas.

8. The method of claim 6 or 7, wherein the second fluid comprises one or more of carbon monoxide, methane, hydrogen, oxygen, air, carbon dioxide, and water.

9. The method of claim 6 or 7, wherein the second fluid comprises one or more of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and water.

10. the first fluid comprises a hydrocarbon; the second fluid comprises an oxidant; 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein after introducing the first fluid into the mixing chamber and before injecting the first and second streams of the second fluid into the sealed mixing chamber, the temperature of the first fluid is equal to or greater than a temperature required for autoignition of the first fluid in the presence of the second fluid.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the oxidant is oxygen or air.

12. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first fluid comprises methane, the oxidant is air, and the temperature required for autoignition is at least 850K.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the first fluid comprises hydrogen, the oxidant is air, and the temperature required for autoignition is at least 770K.

14. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first fluid comprises carbon monoxide, the oxidant is air, and the temperature required for autoignition is at least 880K.

15. The step of injecting the first and second flows of the second fluid into the sealed mixing chamber comprises: combusting a combustible gas in one or more combustion chambers coupled to said mixing chamber, thereby producing said second fluid; and b. injecting said first and said second flows of said second fluid into said sealed mixing chamber.

16. said step of injecting said first stream into said sealed mixing chamber includes injecting said first stream from a first fluid injector; injecting the second stream into the sealed mixing chamber includes injecting the second stream from a second fluid injector; 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first fluid injector and the second fluid injector are offset from one another such that in response to mutual impingement of the first and second streams of the second fluid, a swirling motion is induced in one or more of the first stream, the second stream, and the at least one further stream of the second fluid, thereby improving mixing of the second fluid with the first fluid.

17. 1. A system for mixing a first fluid and a second fluid, comprising: a mixing chamber having an inlet and an outlet; a first fluid flow channel defining a first injection direction into the mixing chamber; a second fluid flow channel defining a second injection direction into the mixing chamber; a valve arrangement for controlling the flow of the first and second fluids into the mixing chamber; and a controller, the controller comprising: controlling the valve arrangement to admit the first fluid into the mixing chamber via the inlet and then sealing the mixing chamber; While the volume of the first fluid in the sealed mixing chamber remains constant, controlling the valve device to inject the first flow of the second fluid via the first fluid flow channel into the sealed mixing chamber along the first injection direction; controlling the valve arrangement to inject the second flow of the second fluid into the sealed mixing chamber along the second injection direction via the second fluid flow channel, such that injection of the first and second flows of the second fluid into the sealed mixing chamber results in the first and second flows of the second fluid impinging on each other and mixing with the first fluid in the sealed mixing chamber and resulting in at least one additional flow of the second fluid flowing in a direction different from the first and second injection directions; The system is configured to control the valve arrangement to unseal the mixing chamber and then discharge the mixed first and second fluids from the mixing chamber via the outlet.

18. one or more combustion chambers coupled to the mixing chamber via the first and second fluid flow channels; one or more igniters; Controlling the valve arrangement to inject the first and second flows of the second fluid into the sealed mixing chamber includes: controlling the valve arrangement to admit combustible gas into the one or more combustion chambers; The system of claim 17 including controlling the one or more igniters to combust the combustible gas, thereby producing the second fluid.

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