Electric heating reactor

Abstract

An electric heating reactor is disclosed. The electric heating reactor comprises: at least one first reaction tube having, therein, a first passage which a reactant passes, so that the reactant passing through the first passage is heated; at least one second reaction tube having, therein, a second passage through which a reactant passes, so that the reactant passing through the second passage is heated; a first power supply for supplying power to the at least one first reaction tube; and a second power supply for supplying power to the at least one second reaction tube, wherein the first power supply and the second power supply 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. 10-2023-0074916, filed June 12, 2023, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0075968, filed June 11, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] The present invention relates to an electrically heated reactor, which divides the inside of a reactor housing into a plurality of reaction zones and independently heats each reaction zone using an electrical heating technology.

[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 electrically heated reactor that divides the interior of a reactor housing into a plurality of reaction zones and independently heats each reaction zone using electrical heating technology.

[0007] An electric heating reactor according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: at least one first reaction tube having a first passage formed therein through which a reactant passes and configured to heat the reactant passing through the first passage; at least one second reaction tube having a second passage formed therein through which a reactant passes and configured to heat the reactant passing through the second passage; a first power source configured to supply power to the at least one first reaction tube; and a second power source configured to supply power to the at least one second reaction tube, wherein the first power source and the second power source can be independently controlled.

[0008] The first channel can define the first reaction area, and the second channel can define the second reaction area.

[0009] 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.

[0010] The first reaction zone and the second reaction zone within the electrically heated reactor may not be connected to each other.

[0011] In one example, the electrically heated reactor may further include a first mixer configured to receive and mix a first type of reactant from a first type of reactant supply source, and supply the mixed first type of reactant to a first reaction tube; and a second mixer configured to receive and mix a first type of reactant from the first type of reactant supply source, and supply the mixed first type of reactant to a second reaction tube.

[0012] The first reaction region and the second reaction region are controlled to the same temperature, and the first type of reactants are supplied from the first and second mixers to the first reaction region and the second reaction region, respectively, so that the same reaction can occur.

[0013] In another example, the electrically heated reactor may further include a first mixer configured to receive and mix a first type of reactant from a first type of reactant supply source, and supply the mixed first type of reactants to a first reaction tube; and a second mixer configured to receive and mix a second type of reactant from a second type of reactant supply source, and supply the mixed second type of reactants to a second reaction tube.

[0014] The first reaction zone and the second reaction zone are controlled at different temperatures, and the first type of reactants is supplied from the first mixer to the first reaction zone, and the second type of reactants is supplied from the second mixer to the second reaction zone, so that different reactions can occur simultaneously.

[0015] At least one first reaction tube and at least one second reaction tube are arranged longitudinally within the reactor housing, and a partition wall is installed longitudinally within the interior of the reactor housing to physically divide the space within the reactor housing into first and second zones, and at least one first reaction tube can be arranged in the first zone, and at least one second reaction tube can be arranged in the second zone.

[0016] The electrically heated reactor may further include an insulator surrounding and thermally insulating at least a portion of the first and second reaction tubes.

[0017] According to the present invention, the temperature inside the reactor can be efficiently and uniformly maintained by utilizing electric heating technology.

[0018] Additionally, the interior of the reactor housing can be divided into multiple reaction zones, each of which can be heated independently. Therefore, a single electrically heated reactor can support a variety of reactions, enabling the production of a variety of products.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an electric heating reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 is a plan view showing a cross-section of an electric heating reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates one example of using an electric heating reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 4 illustrates another example using an electric heating reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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).

[0029] According to the present invention, an electric heating reactor comprises at least one first reaction tube having a first passage formed therein through which a reactant passes and configured to heat the reactant passing through the first passage, at least one second reaction tube having a second passage formed therein through which a reactant passes and configured to heat the reactant passing through the second passage, a first power source configured to supply power to the at least one first reaction tube, and a second power source configured to supply power to the at least one second reaction tube. In this way, the present invention can efficiently and uniformly maintain a temperature within the reactor by utilizing electric heating technology.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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 type of reactant to the first and second reaction zones. Conversely, if the first reaction zone and the second reaction zone are controlled to different temperatures, the first type of reactant can be supplied to the first reaction zone and the second type of reactant can be supplied to the second reaction zone, thereby allowing different reactions to occur within a single reactor. Therefore, a single electrically heated reactor can support various reactions and produce a variety of products.

[0032] In one example, the electrically heated reactor may further include a first mixer configured to receive first types of reactants from first types of reactant sources, mix them, and supply the mixed first types of reactants to a first reaction tube, and a second mixer configured to receive second types of reactants from second types of reactant sources, mix them, and supply the mixed second types of reactants to a second reaction tube. Accordingly, in the first reaction zone, the first reactants may be controlled to a first temperature and a first reaction may occur to produce a first product, and in the second reaction zone, the second reactants may be controlled to a second temperature and a second reaction may occur to produce a second product.

[0033] The above-described electric heating reactor further includes an insulator that surrounds and thermally insulates the first and second reaction tubes. Accordingly, energy efficiency can be improved by reducing unnecessary heat loss that is discharged outside the electric heating reactor.

[0034]

[0035] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0036] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an electric heating reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a cross-section of an electric heating reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, 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 first reaction tube (20), and at least one second reaction tube (30).

[0038] The reactor housing (11) is formed in a generally cylindrical shape, and a partition wall (19) is installed longitudinally inside the reactor housing (11) to physically divide the space inside the reactor housing (11) into two zones. Therefore, the first zone and the second zone are not connected to each other inside the reactor housing (11). The first zone is provided with at least one first reaction tube (20), and the second zone is provided with at least one second reaction tube (30).

[0039] A first reactor inlet (12) connected to the first zone is formed on one side of the reactor housing (11), and a first reactor outlet (14) connected to the first zone 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 first reaction tube (20), so that a reactant introduced into the first zone of the reactor housing (11) through the first reactor inlet (12) passes through the first reaction tube (20) and is electrically heated, and then is discharged out of the first zone of the reactor housing (11) through the first reactor outlet (14). Here, since the reactant is electrically heated within the first reaction tube (20) and a target reaction can occur, the region within the first reaction tube (20) will be referred to as a first reaction region (24).

[0040] In addition, a second reactor inlet (16) connected to the second zone is formed on one side of the reactor housing (11), and a second reactor outlet (18) connected to the second zone 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 a second reaction tube (30), so that a reactant introduced into the second zone of the reactor housing (11) through the second reactor inlet (16) passes through the second reaction tube (30) and is electrically heated, and then is discharged out of the second zone of the reactor housing (11) through the second reactor outlet (18). Here, since the reactant is electrically heated within the second reaction tube (30) and a target reaction can occur, the region within the second reaction tube (30) will be referred to as a second reaction region (34).

[0041] Meanwhile, the first reaction region (24) and the second reaction region (34) 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 (34) 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 (34) 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).

[0042] In addition, the number of partition walls (19), zones inside the reactor housing (11), and types of reaction tubes are not limited to 1, 2, and 2, respectively. As needed, those skilled in the art can appropriately set the number of partition walls (19), zones inside the reactor housing (11), and types of reaction tubes.

[0043] The first reaction tube (20) is placed in the first zone and is made of a metal material having high resistivity, and a first passage through which a reactant passes is formed longitudinally inside the tube. For example, the first 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 first reaction tube (20), the first reaction tube (20) generates heat due to the high resistivity, and the heat may heat the reactant in the first passage. Therefore, the first passage defines a first reaction region (24) in which a reaction of the reactant occurs.

[0044] One end of the first reaction tube (20) close to the first reactor inlet (12) defines the first tube inlet (21), and the other end of the first reaction tube (20) close to the first reactor outlet (14) defines the first tube outlet (22). The reactant introduced into the interior of the reactor housing (11) through the first reactor inlet (12) is introduced into the first reaction tube (20) through the first 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 first tube outlet (22) and the first reactor outlet (14).

[0045] The second reaction tube (30) is placed in the second zone and is made of a metal material having high resistivity, and a second passage through which the reactants pass is formed longitudinally inside the tube. For example, the second reaction tube (30) may be formed in an annular pipe shape, and the second passage may be formed longitudinally inside the tube. When power is applied to the second reaction tube (30), the second reaction tube (30) generates heat due to the high resistivity, and the heat may heat the reactants in the second passage. Therefore, the second passage defines a second reaction region (34) in which a reaction of the reactants occurs.

[0046] One end of the second reaction tube (30) close to the second reactor inlet (16) defines the second tube inlet (31), and the other end of the second reaction tube (30) close to the second reactor outlet (18) defines the second tube outlet (32). The reactant introduced into the interior of the reactor housing (11) through the second reactor inlet (16) is introduced into the second reaction tube (30) through the second tube inlet (31), and passes through the second reaction region (34) defined by the second passage, where it is electrically heated and a target reaction occurs. The reactant reacted in the second reaction region (34) is discharged to the outside of the reactor housing (11) through the second tube outlet (32) and the second reactor outlet (18).

[0047] The first power source (40) is configured to supply power to the first reaction tube (20). That is, the first power source (40) is electrically connected to all the first reaction tubes (20) and can supply power of the same magnitude to all the first 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 second reaction tubes (30). That is, the second power source (42) is electrically connected to all second reaction tubes (30) so as to supply power of the same magnitude to all second reaction tubes (30). The second power source (42) may be an AC power source or a DC power source.

[0049] The first power source (40) and the second power source (42) can be independently controlled. In particular, the magnitude of the power supplied by the second power source (42) to the second reaction tube (30) may be different from the magnitude of the power supplied by the first power source (40) to the first reaction tube (20). Accordingly, the temperature of the first reaction region (24) and the temperature of the second reaction region (34) may be controlled differently, and the reaction occurring in the first reaction region (24) and the reaction occurring in the second reaction region (34) may be different from each other.

[0050] A socket (not shown) is mounted on one end and the other end of the first reaction tube (20), so that the first power source (40) can supply power to the first reaction tube (20) through the socket. Similarly, a socket (not shown) is mounted on one end and the other end of the second reaction tube (30), so that the second power source (42) can supply power to the second reaction tube (30) through the socket. In addition, a cooling device is mounted on each of the sockets so that the sockets can be cooled.

[0051] The insulator (50) surrounds and thermally insulates at least a portion of the first and second reaction tubes (20, 30). As illustrated in FIG. 2, the insulator (50) may surround the entire first and second reaction tubes (20, 30), but is not limited thereto and may also surround only a portion of the first and second reaction tubes (20, 30). Since the insulator (50) surrounds and thermally insulates the first and second reaction tubes (20, 30), energy efficiency can be improved by reducing unnecessary heat loss that is discharged to the outside of the first and second reaction tubes (20, 30), and the temperature within the first and second reaction tubes (20, 30) can be efficiently and uniformly maintained.

[0052] In addition, the insulator (50) electrically blocks the first and second reaction tubes (20, 30) and their exterior, thereby preventing safety accidents that may occur due to current that may flow in the first and second reaction tubes (20, 30).

[0053] Figure 3 illustrates one example of using an electrically heated reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one example, but not limited thereto, the first reactant supply source (60) is configured to supply steam, the second reactant supply source (62) is configured to supply naphtha, and the third reactant supply source (64) is configured to supply ethane. Figure 3 illustrates a case where the first reaction zone (24) and the second reaction zone (34) are controlled to the same temperature, so that naphtha steam cracking occurs in both the first reaction zone (24) and the second reaction zone (34).

[0054] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the electric heating reactor (10) further includes a first mixer (70) configured to receive first reactants from at least one of the first, second, and third reactant supply sources (60, 62, 64), mix them, and supply the mixed first reactants to the first reaction tube (20), and a second mixer (72) configured to receive second reactants from at least one of the first, second, and third reactant supply sources (60, 62, 64), mix them, and supply the mixed second reactants to the second reaction tube (30).

[0055] The first reactant supply source (60) is configured to constantly supply steam to both the first and second mixers (70, 72), the second reactant supply source (62) is configured to selectively supply naphtha to the first and second mixers (70, 72) under the control of a controller (not shown), and the third reactant supply source (64) is configured to selectively supply ethane to the first and second mixers (70, 72) under the control of a controller (not shown). In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the first reactant supply source (60) supplies steam to both the first and second mixers (70, 72), the second reactant supply source (62) supplies naphtha to both the first and second mixers (70, 72), and the third reactant supply source (64) does not supply ethane to either the first or second mixers (70, 72).

[0056] The first mixer (70) receives steam from the first reactant supply source (60) and naphtha from the second reactant supply source (62), mixes the steam and naphtha, and supplies the mixed steam and naphtha to the first reaction tube (20). The second mixer (72) also receives steam from the first reactant supply source (60) and naphtha from the second reactant supply source (62), mixes the steam and naphtha, and supplies the mixed steam and naphtha to the second reaction tube (30). That is, mixed steam and naphtha are supplied to the first reaction area (24) and the second reaction area (34).

[0057] The controller controls the first and second power sources (40, 42) to control the first and second reaction zones (24, 34) to the same temperature. Mixed steam and naphtha are supplied to both the first and second reaction zones (24, 34), and the first and second reaction zones (24, 34) are controlled to the same temperature, so that naphtha steam cracking occurs in both the first and second reaction zones (24, 34).

[0058] Figure 4 illustrates another example using an electric heating reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 illustrates a case where the first reaction zone (24) and the second reaction zone (34) are controlled to different temperatures, so that naphtha steam cracking occurs in the first reaction zone (24) and ethane steam cracking occurs in the second reaction zone (34).

[0059] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the first reactant supply source (60) supplies steam to both the first and second mixers (70, 72), the second reactant supply source (62) supplies naphtha to the first mixer (70) but not to the second mixer (72), and the third reactant supply source (64) supplies ethane to the second mixer (72) but not to the first mixer (70).

[0060] The first mixer (70) receives steam from the first reactant supply source (60) and naphtha from the second reactant supply source (62), mixes the steam and naphtha, and supplies the mixed steam and naphtha to the first reaction tube (20). The second mixer (72) receives steam from the first reactant supply source (60) and ethane from the third reactant supply source (64), mixes the steam and ethane, and supplies the mixed steam and ethane to the second reaction tube (30). That is, the mixed steam and naphtha are supplied to the first reaction area (24), and the mixed steam and ethane are supplied to the second reaction area (34).

[0061] The controller controls the first and second power sources (40, 42) to control the first and second reaction zones (24, 34) to different temperatures. Mixed steam and naphtha are supplied to the first reaction zone (24), and mixed steam and ethane are supplied to the second reaction zone (34). The first and second reaction zones (24, 34) are controlled to different temperatures, so that naphtha steam cracking occurs in the first reaction zone (24), and ethane steam cracking occurs in the second reaction zone (34).

[0062] Although FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a case where the electric heating reactor (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention is used in at least one of naphtha steam cracking and ethane steam cracking, the use of the electric heating reactor (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the examples of FIGS. 3 and 4. In one example, the electric heating reactor (10) may be used in a reaction in which the types of reactants supplied to the first and second reaction zones (24, 34) are similar and the reaction temperatures are similar. Examples of reactions that satisfy these conditions may include, but are not limited to, methane wet reforming, methane dry reforming, methane pyrolysis, etc. In another example, the first reaction zone (24) and the second reaction zone (34) can be connected to each other through a connecting passage (not shown) outside the reactor housing (11) so that the reactant can be preheated in one of the first and second reaction zones (24, 34), and the preheated reactant can be supplied to the other of the first and second reaction zones (24, 34) so ​​that the main reaction can occur in the other of the first and second reaction zones (24, 34).

[0063]

[0064] 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 first reaction tube having a first passage formed therein through which a reactant passes and configured to heat the reactant passing through the first passage; At least one second reaction tube having a second passage formed therein through which a reactant passes and configured to heat the reactant passing through the second passage; a first power source configured to supply power to at least one of the first reaction tubes; and A second power source configured to supply power to at least one of the second reaction tubes; 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, A first mixer configured to receive a first type of reactant from a first type of reactant supply source, mix the first type of reactant, and supply the mixed first type of reactant to a first reaction tube; and A second mixer configured to receive a first type of reactant from a first type of reactant supply source, mix the first type of reactant, and supply the mixed first type of reactant to a second reaction tube; An electric heating reactor further comprising:

6. In paragraph 5, The first reaction region and the second reaction region are controlled to the same temperature, An electrically heated reactor in which the first type of reactants is supplied from the first and second mixers to the first reaction zone and the second reaction zone, respectively, and the same reaction occurs.

7. In paragraph 3, A first mixer configured to receive a first type of reactant from a first type of reactant supply source, mix the first type of reactant, and supply the mixed first type of reactant to a first reaction tube; and A second mixer configured to receive a second type of reactant from a second type of reactant supply source, mix the second type of reactant, and supply the mixed second type of reactant to a second reaction tube; An electric heating reactor further comprising:

8. In paragraph 7, The first reaction zone and the second reaction zone are controlled at different temperatures, An electrically heated reactor in which a first type of reactant is supplied from a first mixer to a first reaction zone and a second type of reactant is supplied from a second mixer to a second reaction zone, so that different reactions occur simultaneously.

9. In paragraph 3, At least one first reaction tube and at least one second reaction tube are arranged longitudinally within the reactor housing, Inside the reactor housing, a bulkhead is installed longitudinally to physically divide the space inside the reactor housing into zones 1 and 2. An electrically heated reactor in which at least one first reaction tube is disposed in a first zone and at least one second reaction tube is disposed in a second zone.

10. In paragraph 1, An electrically heated reactor further comprising an insulator surrounding at least a portion of the first and second reaction tubes to thermally insulate them.

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