Electric heating reactor

Abstract

An electric heating reactor is disclosed. The electric heating reactor comprises: at least one reaction tube having a first passage through which a reactant passes, so as to heat the reactant passing through the first passage; a shell which is spaced apart from the reaction tube so as to encompass all of the reaction tubes, and which has a second passage through which the reactant passes between the shell and the reaction tube, so as to heat the reactant passing through the second passage; a first power source for supplying power to the reaction tube; and a second power source for supplying power to the shell, wherein the first power source and the second power source can be independently controlled.

Description

Electrically heated reactor

[0001] Cross-citation with related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0074915, filed June 12, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] The present invention relates to an electrically heated reactor, and more particularly, to an electrically heated reactor that utilizes electrical heating technology to utilize not only the inside of a reaction tube but also the outside of a reaction tube as a reaction area.

[0004] In the chemical industry, natural gas is used as a fuel to maintain high temperatures in various equipment (e.g., crackers, reformers, reactors, boilers, etc.). However, heating through natural gas combustion is not only inefficient in terms of energy consumption but also a major contributor to carbon emissions. Therefore, efforts are being made to replace natural gas combustion heating with electric heating.

[0005] The information contained in this background section is intended to enhance understanding of the background of the invention and may include matters that are not prior art and are already known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0006] An embodiment of the present invention seeks to provide an electric heating reactor that can utilize not only the inside of a reaction tube but also the outside of a reaction tube as a reaction area by utilizing electric heating technology.

[0007] An electric heating reactor according to one aspect of the present invention may include at least one reaction tube having a first passage formed therein through which a reactant passes and configured to heat the reactant passing through the first passage; a shell spaced apart from the reaction tube and surrounding all the reaction tubes, and having a second passage formed between the reaction tubes through which the reactant passes and configured to heat the reactant passing through the second passage; a first power source configured to supply power to the reaction tube; and a second power source configured to supply power to the shell.

[0008] The first and second power sources can be controlled independently.

[0009] The first channel can define the first reaction area, and the second channel can define the second reaction area.

[0010] The electrically heated reactor may further include a first reactor inlet communicating with the first reaction region to supply reactants to the first reaction region; a first reactor outlet communicating with the first reaction region to discharge reactants from the first reaction region; a second reactor inlet communicating with the second reaction region to supply reactants to the second reaction region; and a second reactor outlet communicating with the second reaction region to discharge reactants from the second reaction region.

[0011] The first reaction zone and the second reaction zone within the electrically heated reactor may not be connected to each other.

[0012] In one example, the first reaction region and the second reaction region are controlled to the same temperature, and the same reactants are supplied to the first reaction region and the second reaction region so that the same reaction can occur.

[0013] In another example, the first reaction zone and the second reaction zone are controlled to the same temperature, and different reactants are supplied to the first reaction zone and the second reaction zone so that different reactions can occur simultaneously.

[0014] In another example, the first reaction zone and the second reaction zone are controlled at different temperatures, and different reactants are supplied to the first reaction zone and the second reaction zone so that different reactions can occur simultaneously.

[0015] The electrically heated reactor may further include a connecting passage connecting the first reaction zone and the second reaction zone outside the electrically heated reactor.

[0016] In another example, the first reaction zone and the second reaction zone are controlled to different temperatures, the same reactant is supplied to the first reaction zone and the second reaction zone, the reactant is preheated in one of the first reaction zone and the second reaction zone, and the preheated reactant is supplied to the other of the first reaction zone and the second reaction zone through a connecting passage so that the main reaction can occur.

[0017] In another example, the first reaction zone and the second reaction zone are controlled to different temperatures, a first reactant is supplied to one of the first reaction zone and the second reaction zone to cause a first reaction, the first reactant is supplied to the other of the first reaction zone and the second reaction zone through a connecting passage, and a second reactant is additionally supplied to the second reaction zone to cause the first and second reactants to cause a second reaction.

[0018] The electrically heated reactor may further include an insulator surrounding at least a portion of the shell to thermally insulate it.

[0019] According to the present invention, the temperature inside the reactor can be efficiently and uniformly maintained by utilizing electric heating technology.

[0020] Additionally, the reaction zone can be utilized not only within the reaction tube but also outside the tube, allowing for higher capacity in a reactor of the same size. Consequently, the energy efficiency of the reaction process can be improved.

[0021] In addition, the effects that can be obtained or expected from embodiments of the present invention will be disclosed directly or implicitly in the detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention. That is, the various effects expected from embodiments of the present invention will be disclosed in the detailed description that follows.

[0022] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be better understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals designate identical or functionally similar elements.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an electric heating reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 is a plan view showing a cross-section of an electric heating reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a side view showing a cross-section of a portion of an electric heating reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates one example of using an electric heating reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 5 illustrates another example using an electric heating reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] The drawings referenced above are not necessarily drawn to scale, but should be understood to present rather simplified representations of various preferred features that illustrate the fundamental principles of the present disclosure. For example, specific design features of the present disclosure, including specific dimensions, orientations, positions, and shapes, will be determined in part by the specific intended application and usage environment.

[0029] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It will also be understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any one or all combinations of the associated listed items.

[0030] Additionally, it is understood that one or more of the methods or aspects thereof below may be implemented by at least one controller. The term "controller" may refer to a hardware device comprising a memory and a processor. The memory is configured to store program instructions, and the processor is specifically programmed to execute the program instructions to perform one or more processes described in more detail below. The controller may control the operation of units, modules, components, devices, or the like, as described herein. It is also understood that the methods below may be implemented by a device comprising the controller in conjunction with one or more other components, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

[0031] Additionally, the controller of the present disclosure may be implemented as a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium containing executable program instructions executed by a processor. Examples of computer-readable recording media include, but are not limited to, read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), compact disc (CD) ROM, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, flash drives, smart cards, and optical data storage devices. The computer-readable recording medium may also be distributed across a computer network so that the program instructions are stored and executed in a distributed manner, such as on a telematics server or a Controller Area Network (CAN).

[0032] According to the present invention, an electric heating reactor comprises a reaction tube having a first passage formed therein through which a reactant passes and configured to heat the reactant passing through the first passage, a shell spaced apart from the reaction tube and surrounding the reaction tube, having a second passage formed between the reaction tube and the reaction tube through which the reactant passes and configured to heat the reactant passing through the second passage, a first power source configured to supply power to the reaction tube, and a second power source configured to supply power to the shell. In this way, the present invention can efficiently and uniformly maintain the temperature within the reactor by utilizing electric heating technology.

[0033] In addition, the first power source and the second power source can be independently controlled. That is, the supply of power to the first reaction region defined by the first passage and the supply of power to the second reaction region defined by the second passage can be independently controlled.

[0034] Additionally, the first reaction zone and the second reaction zone can be controlled to different temperatures. If the first reaction zone and the second reaction zone are controlled to the same temperature, the reaction zone can be expanded by supplying the same reactant to the first reaction zone and the second reaction zone. Conversely, if the first reaction zone and the second reaction zone are controlled to different temperatures, the first reactant can be supplied to the first reaction zone and the second reactant can be supplied to the second reaction zone, thereby allowing different reactions to proceed within a single reactor. In one example, the reactant can be supplied to the second reaction zone to preheat the reactant, and the preheated reactant can be supplied to the first reaction zone to proceed with the main reaction.

[0035] The above electric heating reactor further includes an insulator surrounding the shell to thermally insulate it. Accordingly, energy efficiency can be improved by reducing unnecessary heat loss that is discharged outside the electric heating reactor.

[0036]

[0037] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0038] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an electric heating reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a cross-section of an electric heating reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating a cross-section of a part of an electric heating reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, an electric heating reactor (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured to receive power, generate heat, and heat a reactant therein using the heat generated. The electric heating reactor (10) includes a reactor housing (11), at least one reaction tube (20), and a shell (30).

[0040] The reactor housing (11) is formed in a generally cylindrical shape, and at least one reaction tube (20) and a shell (30) are provided inside the reactor housing. A first reactor inlet (12) is formed on one side of the reactor housing (11), and a first reactor outlet (14) is formed on the other side of the reactor housing (11). The first reactor inlet (12) and the first reactor outlet (14) are fluidly connected to the reaction tube (20), so that a reactant introduced into the reactor housing (11) through the first reactor inlet (12) passes through the reaction tube (20), is electrically heated, and is then discharged out of the reactor housing (11) through the first reactor outlet (14). Here, since the reactant is electrically heated within the reaction tube (20) and a target reaction can occur, the region within the reaction tube (20) will be referred to as a first reaction region (24).

[0041] In addition, a second reactor inlet (16) is formed on one side of the reactor housing (11), and a second reactor outlet (18) is formed on the other side of the reactor housing (11). The second reactor inlet (16) and the second reactor outlet (18) are fluidly connected to the outside of the reaction tube (20) and the inside of the shell (30), so that the reactant introduced into the reactor housing (11) through the second reactor inlet (16) passes through the outside of the reaction tube (20) and the inside of the shell (30), is electrically heated, and is then discharged to the outside of the reactor housing (11) through the second reactor outlet (18). Here, since the reactant is electrically heated outside of the reaction tube (20) and the inside of the shell (30) and a target reaction can occur, the region outside of the reaction tube (20) and the inside of the shell (30) will be referred to as a second reaction region (32).

[0042] Meanwhile, the first reaction region (24) and the second reaction region (32) are not connected to each other inside the reactor housing (11), but may be connected to each other outside the reactor housing (11). More specifically, the reactant introduced into the first reaction region (24) through the first reactor inlet (12) cannot be introduced into the second reaction region (32) inside the reactor housing (11) but is discharged to the outside of the reactor housing (11) through the first reactor outlet (14). Similarly, the reactant introduced into the second reaction region (32) through the second reactor inlet (16) cannot be introduced into the first reaction region (24) inside the reactor housing (11) but is discharged to the outside of the reactor housing (11) through the second reactor outlet (18).

[0043] The reaction tube (20) is made of a metal material having high resistivity, and a first passage through which reactants pass is formed longitudinally inside the tube. For example, the reaction tube (20) may be formed in an annular pipe shape, and the first passage may be formed longitudinally inside the tube. When power is applied to the reaction tube (20), the reaction tube (20) generates heat due to the high resistivity, and the heat may heat the reactants in the first passage. Therefore, the first passage defines a first reaction region (24) in which a reaction of reactants occurs.

[0044] One end of the reaction tube (20) close to the first reactor inlet (12) defines a tube inlet (21), and the other end of the reaction tube (20) close to the first reactor outlet (14) defines a tube outlet (22). A reactant introduced into the interior of the reactor housing (11) through the first reactor inlet (12) is introduced into the reaction tube (20) through the tube inlet (21), and passes through the first reaction region (24) defined by the first passage, where it is electrically heated and a target reaction occurs. The reactant reacted in the first reaction region (24) is discharged to the outside of the reactor housing (11) through the tube outlet (22) and the first reactor outlet (14).

[0045] The shell (30) is made of a metal material having high resistivity, and a second passage is formed longitudinally on the outside of the reaction tube (20) and inside the shell (30) through which the reactants pass. For example, when power is applied to the shell (30), the shell (30) generates heat due to the high resistivity, and the heat can heat the reactants in the second passage. Accordingly, the second passage defines a second reaction region (32) in which the reactants react.

[0046] The reactant introduced into the reactor housing (11) through the second reactor inlet (16) passes through the second reaction region (32) defined by the second passage, is electrically heated, and the desired reaction occurs. The reactant reacted in the second reaction region (32) is discharged to the outside of the reactor housing (11) through the second reactor outlet (18).

[0047] The first power source (40) is configured to supply power to the reaction tubes (20). That is, the first power source (40) is electrically connected to all reaction tubes (20) and can supply power of the same magnitude to all reaction tubes (20). The first power source (40) may be an AC power source or a DC power source.

[0048] The second power source (42) is configured to supply power to the shell (30). The first power source (40) and the second power source (42) can be independently controlled. In particular, the amount of power supplied by the second power source (42) to the shell (30) may be different from the amount of power supplied by the first power source (40) to the reaction tube (20). Accordingly, the temperature of the first reaction region (24) and the temperature of the second reaction region (32) may be controlled differently, and the reaction occurring in the first reaction region (24) and the reaction occurring in the second reaction region (32) may be different from each other. The second power source (42) may be an AC power source or a DC power source.

[0049] Sockets (not shown) are mounted on one end and the other end of the reaction tube (20), so that a first power source (40) can supply power to the reaction tube (20) through the sockets. Similarly, sockets (not shown) are mounted on one end and the other end of the shell (30), so that a second power source (42) can supply power to the shell (30) through the sockets. In addition, cooling devices are mounted on each of the sockets so that the sockets can be cooled.

[0050] The insulator (50) surrounds and thermally insulates at least a portion of the shell (30). As illustrated in FIG. 2, the insulator (50) may surround the entire shell (30), but is not limited thereto and may also surround only a portion of the shell (30). Since the insulator (50) surrounds and thermally insulates the shell (30), energy efficiency can be improved by reducing unnecessary heat loss that is discharged to the outside of the shell (30), and the temperature within the shell (30) can be efficiently and uniformly maintained.

[0051] In addition, the insulator (50) can electrically block the shell (30) and its exterior, thereby preventing safety accidents that may occur due to current that may flow in the shell (30).

[0052] Figure 4 illustrates one example of using an electric heating reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 illustrates a case where the first reaction zone (24) (i.e., the interior of the reaction tube (20)) and the second reaction zone (32) (i.e., the exterior of the reaction tube (20) and the interior of the shell (30)) are controlled to the same temperature.

[0053] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the first reactant (60) is supplied to the first reaction region (24) and also to the second reaction region (32) simultaneously. Since the first reactant (60) is supplied to the first reaction region (24) and the second reaction region (32) and the first reaction region (24) and the second reaction region (32) are controlled to the same temperature, the first reactant (60) causes the target reaction in both the first and second reaction regions (24, 32). Accordingly, the reaction region in which the same reaction occurs can be expanded.

[0054] Fig. 5 illustrates another example of using an electric heating reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 illustrates a case where the first reaction zone (24) (i.e., the interior of the reaction tube (20)) and the second reaction zone (32) (i.e., the exterior of the reaction tube (20) and the interior of the shell (30)) are controlled to different temperatures.

[0055] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the second reactant (62) is supplied to the second reaction region (32) through the second reactor inlet (16), where the target reaction occurs to become the first reactant (60), and is discharged from the second reaction region (32) through the second reactor outlet (18). The second reactor outlet (18) is connected to the first reactor inlet (12) through a connecting passage (34), so that the first reactant (60) is supplied to the first reaction region (24) through the first reactor inlet (12). The first reactant (60) undergoes the target reaction in the first reaction region (24), and is discharged from the first reaction region (24) through the first reactor outlet (14).

[0056] FIG. 5 illustrates a case where a second reactant (62) reacts in a second reaction region (32) to become a first reactant (60), and a reaction occurs in the first reaction region (24) of the first reactant (60). However, the use of the electric heating reactor (10) of FIG. 5 is not limited to the illustrated example. In one example, the first reactant (60) causes a first reaction in the first reaction region (24), the second reactant (62) causes a second reaction in the second reaction region (32), and the first and second reactants (60, 62) may be reaction-independent of each other. In this case, the connecting passage (34) does not connect the first and second reaction regions (24, 32) to each other. In another example, the first reactant (60) is preheated in one of the first and second reaction zones (24, 32) and supplied to the other of the first and second reaction zones (24, 32) through the connecting passage (34), and the main reaction can occur in the other of the first and second reaction zones (24, 32). In another example, the first reactant (60) causes (or is preheated) the first reaction in one of the first and second reaction zones (24, 32) and is supplied to the other of the first and second reaction zones (24, 32) through the connecting passage (34), and the second reactant (62) is supplied together with the first reactant (60) to the other of the first and second reaction zones (24, 32), so that the reaction of the first and second reactants (60, 62) can occur in the other of the first and second reaction zones (24, 32).

[0057]

[0058] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and includes all changes that can be easily modified by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains and are recognized as equivalent.

Claims

1. At least one reaction tube having a first passage formed therein through which a reactant passes and configured to heat the reactant passing through the first passage; A shell configured to surround all reaction tubes and be separated from the reaction tubes, and to form a second passage through which reactants pass between the reaction tubes and to heat the reactants passing through the second passage; a first power source configured to supply power to the above reaction tube; and A second power source configured to supply power to the shell; An electrically heated reactor comprising:

2. In paragraph 1, The first and second power sources are independently controlled electrical heating reactors.

3. In paragraph 1, The first channel defines the first reaction area, the second channel defines the second reaction area, The above electric heating reactor A first reactor inlet connected to the first reaction zone to supply reactants to the first reaction zone; A first reactor outlet communicating with the first reaction zone to discharge reactants from the first reaction zone; a second reactor inlet connected to the second reaction zone to supply reactants to the second reaction zone; and A second reactor outlet connected to the second reaction zone to discharge reactants from the second reaction zone; An electric heating reactor further comprising:

4. In paragraph 3, An electrically heated reactor in which the first reaction zone and the second reaction zone are not connected to each other.

5. In paragraph 3, The first reaction region and the second reaction region are controlled to the same temperature, An electrically heated reactor in which the same reactants are supplied to the first reaction zone and the second reaction zone, and the same reaction occurs.

6. In paragraph 3, The first reaction zone and the second reaction zone are controlled at the same temperature, An electrically heated reactor in which different reactants are supplied to the first reaction zone and the second reaction zone, and different reactions occur simultaneously.

7. In paragraph 3, The first reaction zone and the second reaction zone are controlled at different temperatures, An electrically heated reactor in which different reactants are supplied to the first reaction zone and the second reaction zone, and different reactions occur simultaneously.

8. In paragraph 3, The electrically heated reactor further includes a connecting passage connecting the first reaction zone and the second reaction zone outside the electrically heated reactor, The first reaction region and the second reaction region are controlled at different temperatures, The same reactants are supplied to the first reaction zone and the second reaction zone. An electrically heated reactor in which reactants are preheated in one of the first reaction zone and the second reaction zone, and the preheated reactants are supplied to the other of the first reaction zone and the second reaction zone through a connecting passage, whereby the main reaction occurs.

9. In paragraph 3, The electrically heated reactor further includes a connecting passage connecting the first reaction zone and the second reaction zone outside the electrically heated reactor, The first reaction region and the second reaction region are controlled at different temperatures, An electrically heated reactor in which a first reactant is supplied to one of a first reaction region and a second reaction region to cause a first reaction, the first reactant is supplied to the other of the first reaction region and the second reaction region through a connecting passage, and a second reactant is additionally supplied to the second reaction region to cause a second reaction of the first and second reactants.

10. In paragraph 1, An electrically heated reactor further comprising an insulator surrounding at least a portion of the shell to thermally insulate it.

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