Methane pyrolysis reactor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a methane pyrolysis reactor comprising: a housing having a supply section and a discharge section; an insulating section disposed along the inner circumference of the housing and having an interior that is vertically perforated; a first liner disposed in close proximity to the supply section within the insulating section and having a first retention space formed therein; and a second liner disposed in close proximity to the discharge section within the insulating section and having a second retention space formed therein connected to the first retention space. The first liner and the second liner are connected, and the diameter of the first liner is smaller than the diameter of the second liner.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a methane pyrolysis reactor. Background Technology

[0002] Hydrogen production through the thermal decomposition of methane is attracting attention as a method for large-scale hydrogen production because, unlike conventional wet reforming, it does not generate CO2, a greenhouse gas, and is more economical than water electrolysis. In addition, solid carbon, a byproduct of methane thermal decomposition, has the advantage of being applicable to various industries.

[0003] Accordingly, to efficiently perform the thermal decomposition of methane, the methane thermal decomposition system comprises a reactor having a space where plasma is formed and where raw materials are thermally decomposed and cooled; a torch equipped in the reactor to supply a heat source to the supplied raw materials; a gas supply unit connected to the reactor to supply plasma discharge gas and raw materials gas to the reactor; a power supply device connected to the torch unit to supply power; a filter unit for filtering solids from the materials thermally decomposed and cooled in the reactor; and an exhaust unit for discharging the gas that has passed through the filter unit.

[0004] The internal space of the reactor was formed as a single insulated space, which hindered the smooth execution of the decomposition reaction. Additionally, the raw materials rapidly escaped from the reactor, failing to maintain an optimal residence time. Consequently, the hydrogen production rate decreased. Prior art literature

[0005] Republic of Korea Registered Patent No. 10-1882813 (Published July 27, 2018) Republic of Korea Registered Patent No. 10-0684933 (Published February 20, 2007) The problem to be solved

[0006] The present invention provides a methane pyrolysis reactor capable of maintaining an optimal residence time to facilitate a smooth reaction between hydrocarbons and plasma. means of solving the problem

[0007] A methane pyrolysis reactor according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a housing having a supply section and a discharge section, an insulating section disposed along the inner circumference of the housing and having an interior that is vertically perforated, a first liner disposed in close proximity to the supply section within the insulating section and having a first retention space formed therein, and a second liner disposed in close proximity to the discharge section within the insulating section and having a second retention space formed therein connected to the first retention space.

[0008] The first liner and the second liner are connected, and the minimum diameter of the first retention space may be smaller than the maximum diameter of the second retention space.

[0009] The diameter ratio of the first retention space and the second retention space may be 1:2 to 3.

[0010] The length ratio of the first liner and the second liner may be 1:2 to 3.

[0011] The residence space penetrating the interior of the first liner vertically may include a first region connected to the supply unit where a part of the plasma torch is located and the cross-sectional area decreases as it extends inward, and a second region connecting the first region and the second residence space and having no change in cross-sectional area.

[0012] The methane pyrolysis reactor may further include a support projection that protrudes from the inner perimeter of the housing and supports the insulation portion.

[0013] The methane pyrolysis reactor may further include a blocking member that protrudes into the interior of the housing from the periphery of the supply part and is inserted between the first liner and the insulating part.

[0014] The above insulating part may be ceramic.

[0015] The first liner and the second liner may be graphite.

[0016] A step may be formed on the inner circumference of the lower side of the insulation part, and a catch may be formed on the outer circumference of the lower side of the second liner to engage with the step.

[0017] The second retention space may include a connecting part that is connected to the first retention space and has a cross-sectional area that increases as it moves away from the first liner, and a conversion part that is connected to the connecting part, has no change in cross-sectional area, and converts hydrocarbons into hydrogen and carbon. Effects of the invention

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the diameter ratio of the first liner and the second liner is formed to be 1:2 to 3 and the length ratio is formed to be 1:2 to 3, so that the hydrocarbon stays in the first liner for 1 ms or less and stays in the second liner for 70 ms or more, so that the reaction between the hydrocarbon and the plasma is smoothly carried out, thereby increasing the production of blue-green hydrogen. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a methane pyrolysis reactor according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of the first liner and second liner of FIG. 1. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. However, the present invention may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Throughout the specification, similar parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0021] Then, a methane pyrolysis reactor according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, the methane pyrolysis reactor (1) according to the present embodiment includes a housing (10), an insulating part (40), a first liner (50), and a second liner (60), and is configured to maintain an optimal residence time so that the reaction between the hydrocarbon and the plasma proceeds smoothly.

[0023] The housing (10) forms the overall shape of the methane pyrolysis reactor (1) and is hollow inside. On the upper surface of the housing (10), a supply section (11) is formed where a plasma torch (P) and a methane inlet (I) are located, and on the lower surface, a discharge section (not shown) for discharging the produced hydrocarbon is formed. Accordingly, plasma forming gas and methane gas can be introduced into the interior of the housing (10). The plasma forming gas may be argon gas and may be supplied at a flow rate of 8 to 20 L / min, and the methane gas may be supplied at a flow rate of 15 L / min or less.

[0024] The interior of the housing (10) has a bottom (12) in which a discharge portion is formed. Inside the housing (10), a support ledge (20) is formed at a predetermined position located above the bottom (12). The support ledge (20) is formed along the circumferential direction, protruding toward the center from the inner circumference of the housing (10).

[0025] On the upper inner side of the housing (10), a blocking member (30) is formed along the periphery of the supply portion (11). The blocking member (30) is formed along the circumferential direction, protruding downward from the upper inner surface of the housing (10).

[0026] A coupling portion (13) is formed on the outer upper surface of the housing (10), in which a methane inlet (I) and a plasma torch (P) are disposed. The coupling portion (13) protrudes upward from the upper surface of the housing (10), and the cross-sectional area decreases as it protrudes. Accordingly, the outer perimeter of the coupling portion (13) is formed as an inclined surface, and the plasma torch (P) is disposed on the inclined surface and coupled perpendicularly to the inclined surface. The lower part of the plasma torch (P) is inserted into the interior of the housing (10) and is located inside the blocking member (30). The upper part of the plasma torch (P) protrudes outside the coupling portion (13), and a line (not shown) for supplying plasma forming gas is coupled thereto. The plasma torch (P) is arranged along the circumferential direction of the coupling portion (13). The arranged plasma torches (P) are spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals. The flow rate and output of the plasma gas supplied from the plasma torches (P) to the supply portion (11) are the same. If a difference between flow rate and output occurs, it is less than 10%.

[0027] The methane inlet (I) is also positioned at the center of the upper surface of the coupling part (13), with its lower portion located in the supply part (11) and its upper portion exposed to the outside of the coupling part (13). The methane inlet (I) and the plasma torch (P) form a predetermined angle in the supply part (11). The lower portion of the methane inlet (I) and the lower portion of the plasma torch (P) are separated from each other. Multiple methane inlets (I) are arranged to maintain a constant conversion rate and hydrocarbon supply amount.

[0028] The insulating part (40) is positioned inside the housing (10) to electrically insulate the plasma electrode. The insulating part (40) is supported by a support ledge (20). The upper surface of the insulating part (40) is separated from the upper inner surface of the housing (10).

[0029] The interior of the insulating part (40) is perforated vertically. A step (41) is formed on the lower interior side of the insulating part (40). The outer circumference of the blocking member (30) is in contact with the inner circumference of the insulating part (40).

[0030] The insulating part (40) is stably supported inside the housing (10) by the support jaw (20) and the blocking member (30). The insulating part (40) may be made of ceramic. The insulating part (40) may be formed of a high-temperature ceramic, such as industrial ceramic. The high-temperature ceramic may include, for example, aluminum oxide (Al2O3). This makes it possible to electrically insulate the plasma electrode from the wall of the housing.

[0031] The insulating part (40) is not limited to ceramic.

[0032] The first liner (50) is positioned inside the insulating part (40). The first liner (50) is positioned on the upper side of the insulating part (40) and is positioned close to the supply part (11). The upper surface of the first liner (50) is separated from the inner upper surface of the housing (10), and the outer perimeter of the upper side of the first liner (50) is in contact with the inner perimeter of the blocking member (30). Accordingly, the blocking member (30) is inserted between the first liner (50) and the insulating part (40).

[0033] The first liner (50) has a first retention space (51) that is vertically perforated inside. The first retention space (51) includes a first area (52) and a second area (53).

[0034] The first region (52) is formed on the upper side of the first liner (50), and its cross-sectional area decreases as it extends inward from the upper surface of the first liner (50). A portion of the plasma torch (P) and the methane injection port (I) is located in the first region (52). The upper space of the first region (52) is closed by the blocking member (30).

[0035] The second region (53) is connected to the first region (52) and penetrates the first liner (50) vertically. The second region (53) is formed with the same diameter along the length direction, so there is no change in cross-sectional area.

[0036] Here, the ratio of the maximum diameter dimension of the first region (52) to the diameter dimension of the second region (53) may be 1:4 to 5. The ratio of the maximum diameter dimension of the first region (52) to the diameter dimension of the second region (53) may be 1:4.5.

[0037] The first liner (50) can be made of graphite.

[0038] In such a first residence space (51), the plasma high-temperature region and the initially injected hydrocarbon can primarily react. At this time, the hydrocarbon residence time in the first residence space (51) may be 0.5 ms to 1.5 ms or less. The hydrocarbon residence time in the first residence space (51) may be 1 ms or less. Accordingly, there is a sufficient residence time for the plasma high-temperature region and the initially injected hydrocarbon to react.

[0039] The second liner (60) is positioned on the inner lower side of the insulating part (40), with its upper surface connected to the first liner (50) and its lower surface supported by the step (41). A catch (61) is formed on the outer perimeter of the lower side of the second liner (60) to engage with the step (41). The second liner (60) does not detach from the bottom (12) of the housing (10) due to the step (41) and the catch (61).

[0040] The interior of the second liner (60) has a second retention space (62) that is vertically perforated and connected to the first retention space (51). The second retention space (62) includes a connecting part (63) that is connected to the second region (53) and has a gradually increasing cross-sectional area, and a conversion part (64) that has no change in cross-sectional area and is connected to the discharge part. The minimum diameter (second region) of the first retention space (51) is smaller than the maximum diameter (conversion part) of the second retention space (62). The ratio of the diameter dimension of the second region (53) to the diameter dimension of the conversion part (64) may be 1:2 to 3. The ratio of the diameter dimension of the second region (53) to the diameter dimension of the conversion part (64) may be 1:2.6. Also, the length ratio of the first liner (50) and the second liner (60) may be 1:2 to 3.

[0041] In the second residence space (62), the decomposed hydrocarbon is converted into hydrogen and carbon. At this time, the residence time may be 60 ms to 80 ms or less. The residence time may be 70 ms or less. Accordingly, the decomposed hydrocarbon in the second residence space (62) has a sufficient residence time to be converted into hydrogen and carbon.

[0042] Accordingly, due to the ratio of the diameter and length of the first residence space (51) and the second residence space (62), the residence time of the hydrocarbon in the first residence space (51) is 1 ms or less, and the residence time of the hydrocarbon in the second residence space (62) is maintained at 70 ms or more, so that the reaction between the hydrocarbon and the plasma proceeds smoothly and the decomposition proceeds smoothly.

[0043] Next, other embodiments of the first liner and the second liner will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 2, another embodiment of the present invention has most of the components of the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 1. However, In the second liner (60), only a conversion part (64) having the same diameter is formed. In the first liner (50), a part of the connecting part (63) and the conversion part (64) is formed. Accordingly, in the first liner (50), a first region (52), a second region (51), a part of the connecting part (63), and a part of the conversion part (64) are formed.

[0045] And a part of the first liner (50) is inserted into the interior of the second liner (60) and joined. Accordingly, the part where the first liner (50) and the second liner (60) come into contact with each other forms a step.

[0046] Many of the features examined in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 can be applied to this embodiment.

[0047] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention as defined in the following claims also fall within the scope of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0048] 1: Methane pyrolysis reactor 10: Housing 11: Supply section 12: Floor 13: Joint 20: Support jaw 30: Blocking member 40: Insulating part 41: Chin 50: First liner 51: First Stay Space 52: First Area 53: Zone 2 60: Liner 2 61: Obstruction 62: Second dwelling space 63: Connection part 64: Conversion part P: Plasma Torch I: Methane Injector

Claims

Claim 1 A housing having a supply section and an exhaust section; an insulating section disposed along the inner perimeter of the housing and having an interior that is vertically perforated; a first liner disposed in close proximity to the supply section within the insulating section and having a first retention space formed therein; a second liner disposed in close proximity to the exhaust section within the insulating section and having a second retention space formed therein connected to the first retention space; a blocking member inserted between the first liner and the insulating section on the inner upper surface of the housing and protruding downward and formed along the circumferential direction; and a support projection formed along the circumferential direction and protruding toward the center from the inner perimeter at a predetermined position located above the inner bottom of the housing and supporting the insulating section, wherein the first retention space includes a first region connected to the supply section where a part of the plasma torch is located and whose cross-sectional area decreases as it extends inward, and a second region connecting the first region and the second retention space and having no change in cross-sectional area; the second retention space includes a connecting section connected to the second region and whose cross-sectional area increases as it moves away from the first liner, and a connecting section connected to the connecting section and having no change in cross-sectional area. A methane pyrolysis reactor comprising a conversion section in which hydrocarbons are converted into hydrogen and carbon. Claim 2 A methane pyrolysis reactor according to claim 1, wherein the diameter ratio of the first retention space and the second retention space is 1:2 to 3. Claim 3 A methane pyrolysis reactor according to claim 1, wherein the length ratio of the first liner and the second liner is 1:2 to 3. Claim 4 delete Claim 5 delete Claim 6 delete Claim 7 In paragraph 1, the insulating part is a ceramic methane pyrolysis reactor. Claim 8 In claim 1, the first liner and the second liner are graphite methane pyrolysis reactors. Claim 9 A methane pyrolysis reactor according to claim 1, wherein a step is formed on the inner circumference of the lower side of the insulating part, and a catch is formed on the outer circumference of the lower side of the second liner to engage with the step. Claim 10 delete

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