Heat exchange structure

Abstract

A heat exchange structure (50) comprises: a flow path (51) that is thermally coupled to other flow paths stacked together in the stacking direction; and a path configuration part (60) provided in the flow path (51). The path configuration part (60) includes: a plurality of walls (61) that constitutes a main flow path for fluid; and a porous body (62) that is provided in the path and permeable to the fluid.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a heat exchange structure for exchanging heat between two fluids. [Background technology]

[0002] A heat exchange type catalytic reaction device is equipped with a heat exchange structure that exchanges heat between two fluids. The heat exchange structure has a heat transfer fluid channel and a reaction channel that are adjacent to each other. A heat transfer fluid flows through the heat transfer channel, and a reaction fluid containing reaction raw materials flows through the reaction channel. The heat transfer fluid channel and the reaction channel are thermally connected to each other via a partition wall. Therefore, heat exchange occurs between the heat transfer fluid and the reaction fluid, which have a temperature difference, and the reaction of the reaction raw materials is promoted.

[0003] In order to improve the overall heat transfer coefficient between the heat transfer fluid and the reaction fluid, a fin structure may be installed in at least one of the heat transfer channel and the reaction channel. The fin structure is called a corrugated fin, a waving fin, or the like, and is formed by bending a metal plate. The fin structure has multiple fins (side surfaces) that are extended or curved in the longitudinal direction of the channel in which the fin structure is installed. In this regard, Patent Document 1 discloses a heat transfer promoter as a fin structure. When the above-mentioned fin structure is installed in the reaction channel, a catalyst may be supported on the fin structure. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-140591 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] To facilitate the attachment of the fin structure to the flow path, a predetermined clearance (gap) is provided between the fin structure and the inner surface of the flow path. The clearance reduces friction between the fin structure and the flow path, making it easier to insert the fin structure into the flow path and remove it from the flow path. In other words, although the clearance is essential for inserting and removing the fin structure, it also forms a space for the flow of fluid that contributes little to heat exchange and reaction, and is one of the factors that reduces heat transfer performance.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a heat exchange structure that can improve the ease of installation or removal while suppressing a decrease in heat transfer performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The heat exchange structure according to the present disclosure includes a flow path that is thermally coupled to other flow paths stacked in a stacking direction, and a path-forming portion provided within the flow path, the path-forming portion including a plurality of wall portions that form a path for a main flow of a fluid, and a porous body that is provided within the path and is permeable to the fluid.

[0008] The plurality of walls may be permeable to a fluid, and in this case, the permeability of the plurality of walls may be lower than the permeability of the porous body to the fluid. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a heat exchange structure that can improve the workability of installation or removal while suppressing a decrease in heat transfer performance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 3 is a YZ plane cross-sectional view of a flow path in the heat exchange structure according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view seen from the Y direction, illustrating the flow of fluid within the path configuration section according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first modified example of a path configuration unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second modified example of the path configuration unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a third modified example of the path configuration unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a cross-sectional view seen from the Y direction for explaining the configuration of a path configuration section according to a second embodiment and the flow of fluid therein. FIG. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are perspective views showing modified examples of the wall portion and the porous body. [Figure 9A] FIG. 10 is a side view of a path configuration portion in a heat exchange structure according to another embodiment. [Figure 9B] FIG. 10 is a side view of a path configuration portion in a heat exchange structure according to another embodiment. [Figure 9C] FIG. 10 is a side view of a path configuration portion in a heat exchange structure according to another embodiment. [Figure 9D] FIG. 10 is a side view of a path configuration portion in a heat exchange structure according to another embodiment. [Figure 9E] FIG. 10 is a side view of a path configuration portion in a heat exchange structure according to another embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a reactor equipped with a heat exchange structure according to embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in FIG. [Figure 12] 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XII-XII in FIG. 10. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view showing a part of a heat exchange section as a heat exchange structure in a reaction apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, heat exchange structures 50 according to several exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that common parts in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. For ease of explanation, three mutually orthogonal directions are defined as the X-direction, the Y-direction, and the Z-direction. The X-direction is the width direction of flow paths 51 and 52 (described later) and is also the arrangement direction when multiple flow paths are provided in parallel. The Y-direction is the stacking direction of flow paths 51 and 52 and is also the main direction of heat transfer between the two flow paths. The Z-direction is the longitudinal direction (extension direction) of each flow path. A path-forming unit (described later) is formed separately from the flow paths 51 and 52 and is provided in at least one of the flow paths 51 and 52. For ease of explanation, the following description will be given with reference to an example in which a path-forming unit 60 is provided only in the flow path 51.

[0012] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 1 is a YZ-plane cross-sectional view of a flow path in a heat exchange structure according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the heat exchange structure. As shown in FIG. 1, a heat exchange structure 50 according to the first embodiment includes at least one flow path 51 and at least one flow path 52. As shown in FIG. 2, the flow paths 51 and 52 each have a length (i.e., height) h3 along the Y direction and a length (i.e., width) w3 along the X direction, and extend in the Z direction, which is the longitudinal direction. The flow paths 51 and 52 are stacked along the Y direction (stacking direction). The cross-sectional shapes of the flow paths 51 and 52 along the Y direction are not limited to the rectangular shapes shown in FIG. 2.

[0013] The flow paths 51 and 52 are provided in parallel and thermally coupled to each other via a partition wall 55. The flow path 51 may be used as one of the first flow paths 11 and the second flow paths 21 in a heat exchange section 2 (see FIGS. 10 to 13) of the reaction apparatus 1 described later, and the flow path 52 may be used as the other of the first flow paths 11 and the second flow paths 21. In this case, the flow paths 51 and the flow paths 52 are alternately stacked along the Y direction, and the partition wall 55 between the flow paths 51 and 52 corresponds to the first partition wall 13 and the second partition wall 23 of the reaction apparatus 1, respectively.

[0014] The heat exchange structure 50 may include a plurality of flow paths 51 and a plurality of flow paths 52. For example, the plurality of flow paths 51 are arranged on a plane parallel to the XZ plane, and the plurality of flow paths 52 are arranged on another plane parallel to the XZ plane. In this case, the longitudinal direction of the flow paths 51 and the longitudinal direction of the flow paths 52 may be parallel to each other or may intersect. In other words, the latter may be in a twisted relationship. In either case, one of the flow paths 51 and the flow paths 52 is stacked and thermally coupled to the other of the flow paths 51 and the flow paths 52 via a partition wall 55 over substantially the entire length of the flow path.

[0015] 1, a fluid 53 flows through a flow path 51, and a fluid 54 flows through a flow path 52. The fluid 53 is one of a heat transfer fluid M and a reaction fluid R, which will be described later. The fluid 54 is the other of the heat transfer fluid M and the reaction fluid R. The flows of the fluids 53 and 54 may be countercurrent or parallel.

[0016] There is a temperature difference ΔT between the fluid 53 and the fluid 54. Therefore, when the fluid 53 flows through the flow path 51 and the fluid 54 flows through the flow path 52, heat is transferred between the fluid 53 and the fluid 54. Specifically, heat is transferred between the fluid 53 and the partition wall 55 by convective heat transfer, within the partition wall 55 by thermal conduction, and between the partition wall 55 and the fluid 54 by convective heat transfer.

[0017] At this time, the amount of heat Q per unit time is proportional to the product of the overall heat transfer coefficient (overall overall heat transfer coefficient) U, the heat transfer area A of the partition wall 55, and the temperature difference ΔT between the fluid 53 and the fluid 54. That is, the relationship between these values ​​is expressed by the following equation (1). Q = UA(ΔT) (1) The heat transfer area A is constant. Also, since fluids 53 and 54 flow steadily, the change in temperature difference ΔT is small. Therefore, it can be seen that an increase in the amount of heat Q can be obtained by increasing the overall heat transfer coefficient U.

[0018] Furthermore, the following relationship exists among the overall heat transfer coefficient U, the heat transfer coefficient H1 between the fluid 53 and the partition wall 55, the heat transfer coefficient H2 between the partition wall 55 and the fluid 54, and the thermal conductivity K of the partition wall 55. 1 / U=1 / H1+1 / H2+T / K (2) Here, T is the thickness of the partition wall 55. From equation (2), it can be seen that when at least one of the heat transfer coefficients H1 and H2 increases, the overall heat transfer coefficient U increases.

[0019] The heat transfer coefficient H1 increases when the main flow of the fluid 53 approaches or enters the thermal boundary layer near the partition wall 55. That is, the heat transfer coefficient H1 increases by deflecting the main flow toward the partition wall 55 or by generating turbulence in the main flow that has a component directed toward the partition wall 55. This tendency also applies to the heat transfer coefficient H2, which increases by controlling the flow of the fluid 54. By increasing at least one of the heat transfer coefficients H1 and H2, the overall heat transfer coefficient U increases, and ultimately the heat quantity Q increases. That is, the overall heat transfer coefficient between the two fluids can be improved in a space of a limited length. In other words, at least a decrease in heat transfer performance can be suppressed.

[0020] Next, the route configuration unit according to this embodiment will be described. The heat exchange structure 50 includes a path-forming unit 60. The path-forming unit 60 includes a plurality of wall portions 61 that form a path for the main flow of the fluid 53, and a porous body 62 that is provided within the path and is permeable to the fluid 53. The path-forming unit 60 is configured to be replaceable with respect to the flow path 51 by adjusting its dimensions, etc. Note that the path formed by the wall portions is not limited to a path formed between adjacent wall portions, but also includes a path formed between a wall portion and the inner circumferential surface of the flow path. Furthermore, the wall portions 61 and the porous body 62 may be held together by friction between their contact surfaces, or may be joined (integrated) together by a joining means such as adhesive, brazing, or diffusion bonding. Alternatively, they may be held together by a fastening member such as a pin or a rivet.

[0021] The wall 61 has a surface 61a extending in a direction perpendicular to the Z direction (i.e., the X and Y directions). For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the wall 61 is formed in the shape of a plate extending in the X and Y directions. The wall 61 has a length (i.e., width) w2 along the X direction and a length (i.e., height) h2 along the Y direction. The width w2 of the wall 61 is smaller than the width w3 of the flow path 51 and the width w1 of the porous body 62, and the height h2 of the wall 61 is equal to the height h1 of the porous body 62.

[0022] The multiple wall portions 61 are arranged at intervals in the Z direction of the flow channel 51 and offset in a direction parallel to the extension direction of the surface 61a. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the wall portions 61 are arranged alternately along the Z direction on one side and the other side of the flow channel 51 in the X direction. In other words, the wall portions 61 are arranged in a zigzag pattern with intervals along the Z direction. With this arrangement, the path of the main flow of the fluid 53 meanders in the X direction. The wall portions 61 are inserted into groove portions 63 of a porous body 62 having dimensions complementary to those of the wall portions 61. The groove portions 63 support the wall portions 61 and determine the position of the wall portions 61.

[0023] The wall 61 is formed from a plate-like member made of a heat-resistant, thermally conductive material. The thermally conductive material is, for example, a heat-resistant metal or ceramic. The wall 61 is not permeable to the fluid 53. Therefore, the fluid 53 passes through the porous body 62 except for leakage flow between the flow path 51 and the path-forming portion 60. However, as described below, the wall 61 may be permeable.

[0024] The porous body 62 occupies the entire structure of the path-forming section 60 except for the wall section 61. The porous body 62 has numerous interconnected voids (vacuoles, voids, pores) and is permeable to fluids. The porous body 62 is, for example, a metal foam (metal foam) made of an open-cell structure, or a porous sintered body with numerous interconnected holes (through-holes). When the porous body 62 is a metal foam, its permeability is determined depending on its porosity. The porosity is the ratio of the volume of open space to the total volume of a substance.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the porous body 62 has a width w1 along the X direction and a height h1 along the Y direction. The width w1 of the porous body 62 is equal to the width w3 of the flow path 51. Note that "equal" here means substantially equal. That is, it means that the width w1 and the width w3 have a value that allows the porous body 62 to be installed within the flow path 51 while minimizing leakage flow between the porous body 62 and the inner circumferential surface (inner circumferential wall) 56 (see FIG. 1) of the flow path 51. The width w1 and the width w3 do not necessarily have to be exactly equal. For example, considering the elasticity of the porous body 62, the width w1 may be set to a value greater than the width w3 of the flow path 51 as long as the porous body 62 can be installed. In this case, the degree of adhesion between the partition wall 55 and the porous body 62 is increased, resulting in improved heat transfer performance.

[0026] Like the width w1, the height h1 of the porous body 62 is equal to the height h3 of the flow path 51. The depth d1 of the porous body 62 is set appropriately depending on the dimensions and usage form of the flow path 51. For example, the depth d1 is set to a value equal to or less than the depth d3 of the flow path 51. The depth d1 of the porous body 62 is approximately equal to the length L of the path forming portion 60 in the Z direction.

[0027] The porous body 62 has a groove 63 into which the wall 61 is inserted. The groove 63 has dimensions complementary to those of the wall 61, and supports the wall 61 and defines its position.

[0028] The porous body 62 is formed from a heat-resistant material capable of supporting a catalyst. Examples of such materials include heat-resistant alloys containing one or more of the following metals as the main component: Fe (iron), Cr (chromium), Al (aluminum), Y (yttrium), Co (cobalt), Ni (nickel), Mg (magnesium), Ti (titanium), Mo (molybdenum), W (tungsten), Nb (niobium), and Ta (tantalum). For example, the porous body 62 may be formed by molding a thin plate-shaped structural material made of a heat-resistant alloy such as Fecralloy (registered trademark). Alternatively, the porous body 62 may be made of ceramic.

[0029] When the porous body 62 is formed of a metal foam, the porous body 62 may be made elastic. The degree of elasticity can be set by adjusting the material of the metal foam, the porosity, the dimensions of the support (cell edge), etc. Generally, it is easier to manufacture a metal foam with a high porosity than a porous sintered body.

[0030] A catalyst may be supported on the porous body 62. In this case, the catalyst contains, as a main component, an active metal that is effective in promoting the progress of a chemical reaction. Examples of active metals include Ni (nickel), Co (cobalt), Fe (iron), Pt (platinum), Ru (ruthenium), Rh (rhodium), and Pd (palladium). Only one of these may be used, or multiple types may be used in combination as long as they are effective in promoting the reaction. The surface area of ​​the porous body 62 is much larger than that of a corrugated fin having the same external dimensions, allowing for the promotion of the reaction.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken in the Y direction, illustrating the flow of the fluid 53 in the path-forming unit 60. The fluid 53 in the path-forming unit 60 flows from the upstream side (inlet side) of the flow path 51 toward the downstream side (outlet side) (from left to right in FIG. 1 ) while being disturbed by collisions with the porous body 62 as it passes through. The disturbance in the flow of the fluid 53 increases the frequency with which the fluid 53 enters the thermal boundary layer near the partition wall 55, thereby suppressing a decrease in heat transfer performance. Furthermore, heat is also transferred through the contact points between the path-forming unit 60 and the partition wall 55. This heat transfer contributes to the improvement in heat transfer performance described above.

[0032] Furthermore, the wall portions 61 are supported by the porous body 62 by being inserted into the groove portions 63. In other words, the porous body 62 itself functions as a support member for the wall portions 61, and the path forming portion 60 does not have a member that supports the multiple wall portions 61 together. Therefore, compared to when such a support member is provided, friction between the path forming portion 60 and the inner circumferential surface 56 of the flow path 51 (see FIG. 1) is reduced, making it easier to install the path forming portion 60 in the flow path 51 and remove it from the flow path 51. In other words, the workability of installation and removal can be improved.

[0033] 4, 5, and 6 are diagrams showing first, second, and third modified examples of the path configuration unit 60 according to this embodiment, respectively. As shown in FIG. 4, the height h2 of the wall portion 61 according to the first modified example is equal to the height h1 of the porous body 62. Meanwhile, the width w2 of the wall portion 61 is smaller than the width w1 of the porous body 62. The number of walls 61 along the X direction varies depending on the position along the Z direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, one wall portion 61 is disposed at the center of the width of the flow path 51, and two walls 61, 61 are disposed at both ends of the width of the flow path 51, and are alternately arranged along the Z direction. Therefore, the main flow of the fluid 53 is divided into two flows, which flow in the Z direction while meandering in the X direction, repeatedly merging and separating.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 5, the width w2 of the wall 61 in the second modified example is equal to the width w1 of the porous body 62. Meanwhile, the height h2 of the wall 61 is smaller than the height h1 of the porous body 62. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, the wall 61 is arranged alternately along the Z direction on one side and the other side of the flow path 51 in the Y direction. Therefore, the main flow of the fluid 53 flows in the Z direction while meandering in the Y direction. Note that, as in the first modified example, in the second modified example, the number of wall 61 along the Y direction may also vary depending on the position along the Z direction.

[0035] 6, the wall portions 61 according to the third modified example may be formed in the shape of plates (strips) extending in the Z direction and arranged parallel to each other at intervals in the X direction. For example, the wall portions 61 are formed in the shape of plates extending in the Y and Z directions. In this case, the height h2 of the wall portions 61 is equal to the height h1 of the porous bodies 62. Alternatively, the height h2 of the wall portions 61 may be set to be half or less of the height h1 of the porous bodies 62, and multiple rows of the porous bodies 62 and the wall portions 61 arranged alternately in the X direction may be provided in the Y direction so that the phases of the rows are shifted in the X direction.

[0036] (Second embodiment) A second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in the characteristics of the wall of the path forming portion, and the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the path forming portion 60 according to the second embodiment will be described, while the same reference numerals will be used to denote the same components as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0037] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view seen from the Y direction illustrating the configuration of a path configuration unit 60 according to the second embodiment and the flow of fluid therein. As in the first embodiment, the path configuration unit 60 includes a wall portion 61 and a porous body 62. The wall portion 61 configures a path for the main flow of the fluid 53, and the porous body 62 is provided within the path for the main flow of the fluid 53 configured by the wall portion 61. As in the first embodiment, the porous body 62 is permeable. Meanwhile, the wall portion 61 is also permeable to the fluid 53. Therefore, in the second embodiment, both the wall portion 61 and the porous body 62, which are components of the path configuration unit 60, are permeable.

[0038] The wall 61 is made of the same material as the porous body 62. That is, the wall 61 is a metal foam (metal foam) made of open cells (i.e., an open-cell structure) or a porous sintered body having many communicating holes (i.e., through-holes). However, the permeability of the wall 61 is lower than the permeability of the porous body 62 for the fluid 53.

[0039] Like the wall 61 according to the first embodiment, the wall 61 according to the second embodiment also functions as a wall that deflects the mainstream flow of the fluid 53. However, as described above, the wall 61 is permeable, and its permeability is lower than that of the porous body 62. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7 , most of the mainstream flow of the fluid 53 is deflected by the wall 61 and flows inside the porous body 62. Furthermore, a portion of the mainstream flow of the fluid 53 can pass through the wall 61. By allowing the fluid 53 to pass through the wall 61, pressure loss can be reduced compared to when a non-permeable wall is used. Note that the configuration of the first embodiment can be applied except for the permeability of the wall 61. Therefore, the second embodiment also achieves the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0040] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing various modified examples of the wall portion 61 and the porous body 62. As shown in this figure, the porous body 62 may be made up of an assembly of multiple blocks 62B arranged as a path for the main flow of the fluid 53. Similarly, the wall portion 61 may be made up of an assembly of multiple blocks 61B arranged as a wall for the main flow of the fluid 53. By subdividing the porous body 62 and the wall portion 61, the degree of freedom in setting the path for the main flow is improved. Furthermore, when it is difficult to form a desired path using a single porous member, the path can be formed by laying blocks.

[0041] The spacing between adjacent wall portions 61 in the Z direction may be constant or may vary. The spacing between adjacent wall portions 61 in the X direction may also be constant or may vary. By varying the spacing, the local overall heat transfer coefficient can be changed along the Z direction or the X direction.

[0042] The external shapes of the blocks 61B and 62B are not limited to the rectangular parallelepiped shown in FIG. 8 . That is, the blocks 61B and 62B may be other polyhedrons as long as they can stably exist as the smallest structural unit constituting the main flow path or the wall of the path, and their outer surfaces do not need to be perfectly flat. For example, if the block 61B of the wall portion 61 or the block 62B of the porous body 62 is formed from metal particles, the outer surface of the block may have fine undulations. In this case, adjacent blocks may be in contact (bonded) at some of their boundaries, and other portions may form spaces significantly larger than the pores within the block. Furthermore, the shape of the wall portion 61 is not limited to the shape shown in FIGS. 2 and 8 . For example, the wall portion 61 may have a rod-like shape extending in a predetermined direction (e.g., the X direction or the Y direction).

[0043] (Other embodiments) Another embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described. In this embodiment, the materials, dimensions, and relative positional relationship of the wall portion 61 and the porous body 62 in the path forming portion 60 are the same as those in the first and second embodiments.

[0044] 9A to 9E are side views of a path-forming section in a heat exchange structure according to another embodiment. Note that wall portions 61 are not shown in each drawing. The overall length of the path-forming section 60 described above is not limited to a value close to the overall length of the flow path 51. That is, as shown in FIG. 9A, the path-forming section 60 may be disposed continuously from the inlet 51a to the outlet 51b of the flow path 51, or may be divided into multiple sections arranged along the flow path 51 as shown in FIG. 9B. In the latter case, dividing the path-forming section 60 can prevent deformation such as bending during installation of the flow path 51.

[0045] Furthermore, the divided path-forming sections 60 may be arranged at intervals along the flow path 51 (see FIG. 9C). By ensuring this interval P, the restriction of the wall sections 61 on the direction of travel of the mainstream of the fluid 53 is temporarily alleviated within the interval, thereby reducing resistance to the flow of the fluid 53. The effect of setting this interval is particularly effective when the continuity of the path of the mainstream of the fluid 53 is interrupted (for example, when the permeability of the porous body 62 varies depending on the position of the porous body 62 (the position of the path-forming section 60 including the porous body 62)).

[0046] 9D, the spacing P between the divided path-constituting sections 60 or the length L of the divided path-constituting sections 60 may vary stepwise along the flow path 51. By adjusting the spacing or length, the density of the path-constituting sections 60 within the flow path 51 (i.e., the total length of the path-constituting sections 60 per unit length) can be adjusted for each installation position. Therefore, the heat transfer area and heat transfer performance of the path-constituting sections 60 in the flow path 51 can be adjusted.

[0047] The permeability of the porous body 62 may vary stepwise depending on the position on the flow path 51. For example, as shown in FIG. 9E , when three path-configuration sections 60A, 60B, and 60C are arranged from the inlet 51a to the outlet 51b of the flow path 51, the permeability of the porous body 62 of the path-configuration section 60B may be set to be smaller than the permeability of the porous body 62 of the path-configuration section 60A, and the permeability of the porous body 62 of the path-configuration section 60C may be set to be smaller than the permeability of the porous body 62 of the path-configuration section 60B. This setting allows the required heat transfer performance to be changed depending on the flow position of the fluid 53. Furthermore, changing the permeability changes the area of ​​contact between the fluid 53 and the porous body 62. Therefore, for example, the probability of contact with a catalyst supported on the porous body 62 can be changed.

[0048] As described above, the heat transfer coefficient H1 increases by increasing the frequency with which the mainstream of the fluid 53 flows near the partition wall 55. This tendency also applies to the heat transfer coefficient H2. In particular, when the mainstream flow of at least one of the fluids 53 and 54 is made to meander in the X direction or the Y direction, the length of the fluid flow path increases, and the frequency with which the mainstream of the fluid flows in the thermal boundary layer near the partition wall 55 increases. This promotes heat transfer between the fluid and the partition wall 55. Since at least one of the heat transfer coefficients H1 and H2 increases, the overall heat transfer coefficient U increases, and ultimately the heat quantity Q increases. That is, the overall heat transfer coefficient between the two fluids can be improved in a space of limited length. In other words, this can at least suppress a decrease in heat transfer performance.

[0049] (Example of heat exchange structure application) Below, a reactor (catalytic reactor) 1 will be described as an example to which a heat exchange structure 50 is applied. The reactor 1 includes a heat exchange section 2 as the heat exchange structure 50. As will be described later, the first heat transfer body 10 and the second heat transfer body 20 are stacked in the Y direction, and the flow path (hereinafter referred to as the first flow path) 11 and the flow path (hereinafter referred to as the second flow path) 21 extend in the Z direction. The width direction of each flow path is defined as the above-mentioned X direction. The X direction is also the arrangement direction when multiple first flow paths 11 (second flow paths 21) are provided in parallel.

[0050] Fig. 10 is a side view showing a reaction apparatus (catalytic reactor) 1 including a heat exchange structure 50 according to this embodiment. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI in Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII in Fig. 10. Fig. 13 is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view showing a part of a heat exchange section 2 serving as the heat exchange structure 50.

[0051] The reactor 1 heats or cools a reaction fluid R containing reaction raw materials, thereby promoting (accelerating) the reaction of the reaction fluid R. For this heating or cooling, the reactor 1 is provided with a heat exchange section 2 as a heat exchange structure 50 (see FIG. 1 ) that exchanges heat between a heat transfer fluid M and the reaction fluid R. The heat exchange section 2 is provided with a first heat transfer body 10, a second heat transfer body 20, and a cover plate 30. The first heat transfer body 10, the second heat transfer body 20, and the cover plate 30 are plate-like members formed of a heat-resistant, thermally conductive material, and have a thickness sufficient to withstand the high internal pressure generated when the reaction fluid R flows through them.

[0052] The first heat transfer body 10 has a first flow path 11 through which a heat transfer fluid M flows. On the other hand, the second heat transfer body 20 has a second flow path 21 through which a reaction fluid R flows. The first heat transfer body 10 and the second heat transfer body 20 are alternately stacked in the Y direction (stacking direction), and a cover plate 30 is placed on the top thereof.

[0053] As a result of the above-described stacking, the first flow paths 11 and the second flow paths 21 are adjacent to each other via the first partition wall 13 or the second partition wall 23 (see FIG. 13). In other words, the first flow paths 11 and the second flow paths 21 are stacked in a non-contact state in the stacking direction of the first heat transfer body 10 and the second heat transfer body 20. As described above, the first heat transfer body 10 and the second heat transfer body 20 are formed of a thermally conductive material. Therefore, the first flow paths 11 and the second flow paths 21 are thermally coupled to each other.

[0054] The heat exchange section 2 has a counterflow structure in which the reaction fluid R and the heat transfer fluid M flow in opposite directions. The above-mentioned path configuration section 60 is installed in at least one of the first flow path 11 and the second flow path 21. Note that the second flow path 21, through which the reaction fluid R flows, may be installed with a path configuration section 60 including a porous body 62 supporting a catalyst.

[0055] The heat exchange unit 2 is composed of at least one set of a first heat transfer body 10 and a second heat transfer body 20. The number of each heat transfer body may be increased to improve the heat exchange performance. The number of flow paths formed in each heat transfer body is set taking into consideration the design conditions and heat transfer efficiency of the heat exchange unit 2. Furthermore, to reduce heat loss due to heat radiation from the heat exchange unit 2, the heat exchange unit 2 may be surrounded by a housing or a heat insulating material.

[0056] Both ends of the heat exchange unit 2, which is a laminate, are held by fixing members 32, 33. A heat transfer medium inlet 34 is attached to the fixing member 32. The heat transfer medium inlet 34 is a concavely curved cover, and forms a space S1 between it and the heat exchange unit 2. First inlets 12 of multiple first flow paths 11 open into the space S1 (see FIG. 10). In other words, the first inlets 12 open on the side surface (end surface) 2a of the heat exchange unit 2 facing the heat transfer medium inlet 34. The heat transfer medium inlet 34 has a first inlet pipe 36 that introduces a heat transfer fluid M. The heat transfer fluid M flows into each of the first flow paths 11 via the first inlet pipe 36.

[0057] The heat medium introduction section 34 is installed so as to be detachable or openable to the fixing member 32. By this attachment and detachment, for example, an operator can insert or remove the path formation section 60 into or from the first flow path 11.

[0058] The heat medium discharge section 41 is a box-shaped member having one open surface. The heat medium discharge section 41 is installed in the heat exchange section 2 so that the open surface is aligned with the first discharge port 18 of the first heat transfer body 10. The heat medium discharge section 41 also has a first discharge pipe 42. The first discharge pipe 42 discharges the heat medium fluid M that has circulated through the heat exchange section 2.

[0059] A reactant fluid inlet 35 is attached to the fixing member 33. The reactant fluid inlet 35 is a concavely curved cover, similar to the heat transfer medium inlet 34, and forms a space S2 between it and the heat exchanger 2. Second inlets 22 of the plurality of second flow paths 21 open into the space S2 (see FIG. 10 ). In other words, the second inlets 22 open to the side surface (end surface) 2b of the heat exchanger 2 facing the reactant fluid inlet 35. The reactant fluid inlet 35 has a second inlet pipe 37 for introducing the reactant fluid R. The reactant fluid R flows into each second flow path 21 via the second inlet pipe 37.

[0060] The reaction fluid inlet 35 is installed so as to be detachable or openable to the fixing member 33. By this attachment and detachment, for example, an operator can insert or remove the path forming part 60 into or from the second flow path 21.

[0061] The product discharge section 43 is a box-shaped member having one open surface, similar to the heat medium discharge section 41. The product discharge section 43 is installed in the heat exchange section 2 so that the open surface is aligned with the second discharge port 28 of the second heat transfer body 20. The product discharge section 43 also has a second discharge pipe 44. The second discharge pipe 44 discharges the reaction gas G containing products derived from the reaction fluid R.

[0062] 11, the first heat transfer body 10 has a plurality of first flow paths 11. The plurality of first flow paths 11 extend in the Z direction and are arranged in the X direction (width direction). The first flow paths 11 supply heat from the heat transfer fluid M to the first heat transfer body 10.

[0063] The first flow path 11 is a groove formed on one surface (the upper surface in this embodiment) of the first heat transfer body 10. This groove has a rectangular cross section (see FIG. 13) with a width w3 and a height h3, and extends in one direction with a length of a depth d3 (see FIG. 11). The width w3 is equal to or greater than the width w1 of the porous body 62. Similarly, the height h3 is equal to or greater than the height h1 of the porous body 62. The depth d3 is greater than the depth d1 of the porous body 62.

[0064] The first flow paths 11 extend linearly from the first inlet 12 located on the fixing member 32 side toward the fixing member 33. As shown in Fig. 11, the plurality of first flow paths 11 are provided in parallel. The width, height, and length of the first flow paths 11 and the first flow paths 11 may be different from each other.

[0065] The first heat transfer body 10 includes a first partition wall 13, two first side walls 14, a plurality of first intermediate walls 15, and a first end wall 16. The first side wall 14, the plurality of first intermediate walls 15, and the first end wall 16 are provided on one surface of the first partition wall 13. That is, they are provided on the same surface of the first partition wall 13 as the surface on which the first side wall 14 and the like are provided. The first partition wall 13 is a rectangular wall portion that defines the overall shape of the first heat transfer body 10. The first side walls 14 are wall portions provided on both sides of the first flow path 11 in the extension direction. The plurality of first intermediate walls 15 are wall portions located between the two first side walls 14 and provided in parallel with each of the first side walls 14.

[0066] The first end wall 16 is a wall portion provided on the opposite side of the first flow passage 11 from the first inlet 12, and extending in the arrangement direction of the first flow passages 11. The first end wall 16 prevents the heat transfer fluid M from flowing into the space S2.

[0067] The first heat transfer body 10 has a first communication flow passage 17 extending along the first end wall 16. The first communication flow passage 17 communicates with all of the first flow passages 11 and also communicates with a first discharge port 18.

[0068] As shown in Figure 12, the second heat transfer body 20 has multiple second flow paths 21 including a reaction region. The second flow paths 21 have their central portions as the main reaction regions. The multiple second flow paths 21 extend in the Z direction and are arranged in the X direction (width direction). The second flow paths 21 receive heat from the heat transfer fluid M flowing through the first flow paths 11 in the first heat transfer body 10, causing the reaction fluid R to react, and generating a reaction gas G containing products derived from the reaction fluid R.

[0069] The second flow paths 21 are grooves formed on one surface (the upper surface in this embodiment) of the second heat transfer body 20. The grooves have a rectangular cross section (see FIG. 13) with a width w3 and a height h3, and extend in one direction with a depth d3 (see FIG. 12). The second flow paths 21 extend linearly from the second inlet 22 located on the fixing member 33 side toward the fixing member 32. As shown in FIG. 12, the multiple second flow paths 21 are arranged in parallel.

[0070] The second heat transfer body 20 includes a second partition wall 23, two second side walls 24, a plurality of second intermediate walls 25, and a second end wall 26. The second side wall 24, the second intermediate wall 25, and the second end wall 26 are provided on one surface of the second partition wall 23. The second partition wall 23 is a rectangular wall portion and defines the overall shape of the second heat transfer body 20. The second side walls 24 are wall portions provided on both sides of the second flow path 21 in the extension direction. The plurality of second intermediate walls 25 are wall portions located between the two second side walls 24 and provided in parallel with each second side wall 24.

[0071] The second end wall 26 is a wall portion provided on the opposite side of the second flow passage 21 from the second inlet 22, and extending in the arrangement direction of the second flow passage 21. The second end wall 26 prevents the flow of the reaction gas G into the space S1.

[0072] The second heat transfer body 20 has a second communication flow path 27 extending along the second end wall 26. The second communication flow path 27 communicates with all of the second flow paths 21 and also communicates with a second outlet 28. Like the first flow path 11, the second communication flow path 27 is also a fluid flow path, and there is no substantial difference between the two.

[0073] The heat exchange section 2 can be used as any of a liquid-liquid heat exchanger, a gas-gas heat exchanger, and a gas-liquid heat exchanger. The reaction fluid R and the heat transfer fluid M may be either gas or liquid. The reaction apparatus 1 of this embodiment also enables chemical synthesis through various thermal reactions, such as endothermic reactions and exothermic reactions. Examples of such synthesis through thermal reactions include endothermic reactions such as the methane steam reforming reaction shown in formula (3) and the methane dry reforming reaction shown in formula (4), as well as exothermic reactions such as the shift reaction shown in formula (5), the methanation reaction shown in formula (6), and the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction shown in formula (7). Note that the reaction fluid R in these reactions is gas.

[0074] CH4+ H2O → 3H2+ CO ···(3) CH4+ CO2→ 2H2+ 2CO ···(4) CO + H2O → CO2 + H2 (5) CO + 3H2→ CH4+ H2O ···(6) (2n+1)H2+ nCO → C n H 2n+2 + nH2O (7)

[0075] The heat transfer fluid M is preferably a substance that does not corrode the constituent materials of the reaction apparatus 1. When a heated gas is used as the heat transfer fluid M, a gaseous substance such as combustion gas or heated air can be used. The heat transfer fluid M may also be a liquid substance such as water or oil.

[0076] Although several embodiments have been described, the embodiments can be modified or varied based on the above disclosure. All components of the above embodiments and all features described in the claims may be individually extracted and combined, unless they contradict each other.

Claims

1. a flow channel that is thermally coupled to other flow channels stacked together in the stacking direction; a path configuration portion provided in the flow path; Equipped with The path configuration unit a plurality of wall portions that form a path for a main flow of fluid; a porous body that is provided in the path and is permeable to the fluid; Including, the plurality of walls are permeable to the fluid; The permeability of the plurality of wall portions is lower than the permeability of the porous body to the fluid. Heat exchange structure.

2. The plurality of wall portions have surfaces extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the flow channel, the plurality of wall portions are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the flow channel and offset in a direction parallel to the extension direction of the surface; The heat exchange structure according to claim 1 .

3. The plurality of wall portions are formed in a plate shape extending in the longitudinal direction of the flow channel, The plurality of wall portions are arranged parallel to one another at intervals in the width direction of the flow channel. The heat exchange structure according to claim 1 .

4. Each of the plurality of wall portions is formed by an assembly of a plurality of blocks. The heat exchange structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The plurality of wall portions are made of an open-cell metal foam. The heat exchange structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The porous body is composed of an aggregate of a plurality of blocks. The heat exchange structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. The porous body is a metal foam body made of open cells. The heat exchange structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. The path configuration portion is continuously arranged from the inlet to the outlet of the flow path. The heat exchange structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

9. The path configuration portion is divided into a plurality of portions arranged along the flow path. The heat exchange structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

10. The divided path constituent portions are arranged at intervals along the flow path. The heat exchange structure according to claim 9.

11. the intervals or the lengths of the divided path components vary stepwise along the flow path; The heat exchange structure according to claim 10.

12. the permeability of the porous body changes stepwise depending on the position on the flow path; The heat exchange structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

13. The path configuration portion is formed separately from the flow path. The heat exchange structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

14. A catalyst is supported on the porous body. The heat exchange structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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