Electric heating reactor

Abstract

An electric heating reactor is disclosed. The electric heating reactor comprises: a reactor housing; at least one reaction tube extending in a first direction in the reactor housing; a pipe which is disposed inside the reactor housing while in contact with or in proximity to the at least one reaction tube, and which receives heat from the at least one reaction tube or transmits heat to the at least one reaction tube; and a power supply for supplying power to the at least one reaction tube so as to heat a reactant passing through the at least one reaction tube, wherein each reaction tube generates heat by receiving the power from the power supply, and includes: a tube inlet which is formed at one end thereof and in through which the reactant flows; and a tube outlet which is formed at the other end thereof and from which a product having undergone a reaction flows out, and the pipe can include: a pipe inlet which is formed at one end thereof and in through which the reactant or steam flows; and a pipe outlet which is formed at the other end thereof and from which the preheated reactant or the heat-exchanged steam flows out.

Description

Electrically heated reactor

[0001] Cross-citation with related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0031399, filed March 5, 2024, 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 having improved energy efficiency by arranging a plurality of electrically heated reaction tubes within a reactor housing to use them as a heat source, and arranging a pipe within the reactor housing to intersect the plurality of reaction tubes to generate steam or preheat a reactant with heat that may be lost to the outside of the plurality of reaction tubes.

[0004] In the chemical industry, natural gas is used as 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, making it difficult to address the climate change crisis.

[0005] Additionally, additional thermal energy may be consumed to preheat the reactants before introducing them into the reactor or to generate steam for use in the reaction process. Conventional technologies that combust fuel utilize the convective heat generated by combustion to preheat the reactants or generate steam. However, utilizing convective heat for preheating the reactants or generating steam requires a convection section within the reactor, separate from the radiant section where the fuel is combusted to directly heat the reactants. This increases the size of the reactor and the space it occupies during the reaction process.

[0006] Therefore, efforts are being made to increase energy efficiency and improve space utilization efficiency by replacing the heating method through combustion of natural gas with electric heating method.

[0007] 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.

[0008] An embodiment of the present invention provides an electrically heated reactor that heats a reactant through a plurality of electrically heated reaction tubes within a reactor housing and at the same time preheats the reactant or generates steam through a pipe arranged to intersect the plurality of reaction tubes.

[0009] An electric heating reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a reactor housing; at least one reaction tube extending in a first direction from the reactor housing; a pipe disposed inside the reactor housing in contact with or close to the at least one reaction tube, the pipe receiving heat from the at least one reaction tube or transmitting heat to the at least one reaction tube; and a power source supplying power to the at least one reaction tube to heat a reactant passing through the at least one reaction tube, wherein each reaction tube comprises a tube inlet formed at one end through which a reactant flows in, and a tube outlet formed at the other end through which a reacted product flows out, and generates heat by receiving power from the power source, wherein the pipe may comprise a pipe inlet formed at one end through which a reactant or steam flows in, and a pipe outlet formed at the other end through which a preheated reactant or heat-exchanged steam flows out.

[0010] The at least one reaction tube may include a plurality of reaction tubes, and the spacing between adjacent pairs of reaction tubes may be the same as the spacing between another adjacent pair of reaction tubes.

[0011] The pipe may include at least one straight section arranged to intersect all of the plurality of reaction tubes.

[0012] The at least one straight portion may include a plurality of straight portions, the spacing between adjacent pairs of straight portions being equal to the spacing between another pair of adjacent straight portions, and the pipe may include at least one connecting portion connecting adjacent straight portions.

[0013] An insulator may be provided on the inner wall of the above reactor housing.

[0014] The two ends of each reaction tube are positioned outside the reactor housing, and each end of each reaction tube is provided with one of a pair of conductive sockets, and the power source can supply power to each reaction tube through the pair of conductive sockets.

[0015] A first supply line is connected to the tube inlet, a first discharge line is connected to the tube outlet, a second supply line is connected to the pipe inlet, a second discharge line is connected to the pipe outlet, and at least one intermediate line can be connected at different locations in the middle of the pipe.

[0016] The electric heating reactor may further include a first valve provided in the at least one intermediate line to open or close the intermediate line; and a second valve provided in the second discharge line to open or close the second discharge line.

[0017] The preheating temperature of the reactant or the temperature of the steam introduced into the above pipe can be controlled according to the flow rate or discharge location of the reactant or steam.

[0018] The above electric heating reactor may further include a connecting line connecting the second discharge line to the first supply line.

[0019] According to the present invention, a plurality of electrically heated reaction tubes are arranged within a reactor housing to serve as a heat source, and a pipe is arranged within the reactor housing to intersect the plurality of reaction tubes, thereby generating steam or preheating a reactant using heat that would otherwise be lost to the outside of the plurality of reaction tubes. Accordingly, the energy efficiency of the electrically heated reactor can be improved.

[0020] Additionally, since multiple reaction tubes and pipes are arranged together in the space within the reactor housing, space utilization efficiency can be improved and the process can be simplified.

[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 according to 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 diagram illustrating an electric heating reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electric heating reactor according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electric heating reactor according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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).

[0030] According to the present invention, an electrically heated reactor comprises at least one reaction tube extending in a first direction in a reactor housing, and a pipe disposed inside the reactor housing so as to intersect the at least one reaction tube, and receiving heat from the at least one reaction tube or transferring heat to the at least one reaction tube. A reactant passes through the inside of the at least one reaction tube, and the at least one reaction tube is electrically heated to electrically heat the reactant passing through the inside thereof. Therefore, no harmful gases or greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide are generated during the heating process of the reactant.

[0031] In one example, a reactant or steam requiring preheating passes through the interior of the pipe, and the pipe receives heat from at least one reaction tube to preheat the reactant or generate steam. Energy efficiency can be improved by utilizing heat that would otherwise be lost to the exterior of at least one reaction tube to preheat the reactant or generate steam.

[0032] In another example, hot steam passes through the interior of the pipe, and the pipe transfers the heat of the steam to at least one reaction tube, thereby reducing temperature variations depending on the location of the reaction tube. Accordingly, the formation of cold spots can be suppressed in the case of an endothermic reaction.

[0033] The pipe comprises at least one straight section intersecting at least one reaction tube. The at least one straight section comprises a plurality of straight sections, and the pipe comprises at least one connecting section connecting adjacent straight sections. The at least one reaction tube comprises a plurality of reaction tubes. The plurality of reaction tubes are arranged uniformly, i.e., at equal intervals from each other, and the plurality of straight sections are arranged uniformly, i.e., at equal intervals from each other. Accordingly, the interior of the reactor housing can be evenly heated, and the temperature of the generated steam can be controlled depending on the steam discharge location, etc.

[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 diagram illustrating an electric heating reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electric heating reactor according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electric heating reactor according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, an electric heating reactor (10) according to embodiments of the present invention includes a reactor housing (20), at least one reaction tube (30), a pipe (40), a power source (60), and a pair of conductive sockets (first and second conductive sockets (36a, 36b)).

[0038] The reactor housing (20) may have a hollow cylindrical shape or a square pillar shape, but the shape of the reactor housing (20) is not particularly limited. An insulator is provided on the inner wall of the reactor housing (20) to insulate the inside of the reactor housing (20). That is, the heat inside the reactor housing (20) is not transferred to the outside of the reactor housing (20) but is used within the reactor housing (20), thereby improving energy efficiency.

[0039] At least one reaction tube (30) is arranged in a first direction inside the reactor housing (20). The at least one reaction tube (30) includes a plurality of reaction tubes (30), and the plurality of reaction tubes (30) may be arranged parallel to each other. In addition, the interval between a pair of adjacent reaction tubes (30) may be the same as the interval between another pair of adjacent reaction tubes (30). That is, the plurality of reaction tubes (30) may be arranged uniformly. Accordingly, the interior of the reactor housing (20) may be uniformly heated by the plurality of reaction tubes (30).

[0040] Each reaction tube (30) is configured to receive power, generate heat, and transfer heat to the reactants inside each reaction tube (30) using the heat generated. To this end, each reaction tube (30) is manufactured from an alloy material having a high resistivity (e.g., Ni-Cr, Fe-Cr, Fe-Ni-Cr, Fe-Cr-Al, etc.), and a passage through which the reactants pass is formed in the longitudinal direction (e.g., the first direction) inside the tube. For example, each reaction tube (30) may be formed in an annular pipe shape, and a passage may be formed inside the tube in the longitudinal direction. However, the shape of each reaction tube (30) is not limited to an annular pipe shape. Since each reaction tube (30) has a high resistivity, when power is applied to each reaction tube (30), heat is generated in each reaction tube (30), and the heat can be transferred to the reactants in the passage. Additionally, each reaction tube (30) can release a portion of the generated heat to the outside of each reaction tube (30) or receive heat from the outside of the reaction tube (30) (i.e., the inside of the reactor housing (20)).

[0041] Each reaction tube (30) has two ends positioned outside the reactor housing (20), and each end of each reaction tube (30) is provided with one of a pair of conductive sockets (36a, 36b). A tube inlet (32) is formed at one end of each reaction tube (30), and the tube inlet (32) is connected to a first supply line (24). The first supply line (24) is connected to a reactant supply source (not shown), and the reactant required for reaction is introduced into each reaction tube (30) through the first supply line (24) and the tube inlet (32). A tube outlet (34) is formed at the other end of each reaction tube (30), and the tube outlet (34) is connected to a first discharge line (26). The product of the reaction and / or the unreacted product of the reaction that has not been completed are discharged from each reaction tube (30) through the tube outlet (34) and flow into the first discharge line (26).

[0042] A pipe (40) is disposed within the reactor housing (20) to receive heat emitted from at least one reaction tube (30) to heat a reactant or steam within the pipe (40), or to transfer heat of hot steam flowing within the pipe (40) to at least one reaction tube (30). The pipe (40) may be disposed in contact with at least one reaction tube (30), or may not be disposed in contact with at least one reaction tube (30), but near at least one reaction tube (30) so that heat transfer can sufficiently occur between the reactant or steam within the pipe (40) and the reactant within the at least one reaction tube (30).

[0043] The above pipe (40) includes one end and the other end, and both ends of the pipe (40) can be located inside the reactor housing (20) or outside the reactor housing (20). A pipe inlet (42) is formed at one end of the pipe (40), and the pipe inlet (42) is connected to a second supply line (50). The second supply line (50) is connected to a reactant supply source (not shown) or a steam supply source (not shown), so that a reactant requiring preheating, low-temperature steam or water, or high-temperature steam is introduced into the pipe (20) through the second supply line (50) and the pipe inlet (42). A pipe outlet (44) is formed at the other end of the pipe (40), and the pipe outlet (44) is connected to a second discharge line (52). The preheated reactant or steam or water that has received heat from at least one reaction tube (30) or has transferred heat to at least one reaction tube (30) can flow through the pipe outlet (44) to the second discharge line (52).

[0044] The reactant or steam introduced into the pipe (40) through the pipe inlet (42) may have a preheating temperature of the reactant or the temperature of the steam controlled according to its flow rate or discharge location. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, at least one intermediate line (54) is connected to different locations in the middle of the pipe (40), and a first valve (56) for opening or closing the at least one intermediate line (54) may be provided, and a second valve (58) for opening or closing the second discharge line (52) may be provided in the second discharge line (52). In this case, the temperature of the reactant or steam passing through the pipe (40) may vary depending on the distance flowed within the pipe (40) based on the type of reaction occurring within at least one reaction tube (30) (e.g., exothermic reaction or endothermic reaction). In one example, if the reaction occurring in at least one reaction tube (30) is an endothermic reaction, the temperature (T1) of the reactant or steam flowing through the intermediate line (54) is lower than the temperature (T2) of the reactant or steam flowing through the second discharge line (52). In another example, if the reaction occurring in at least one reaction tube (30) is an exothermic reaction, the temperature (T1) of the reactant or steam flowing through the intermediate line (54) is higher than the temperature (T2) of the reactant or steam flowing through the second discharge line (52). Therefore, by connecting the intermediate line (54) to a location of a pipe (40) through which the reactant or steam of the target temperature passes, opening the first valve (56), and closing the second valve (58), the reactant or steam of the target temperature can be obtained through the intermediate line (54).

[0045] Meanwhile, depending on the type of reaction occurring within at least one reaction tube (30) (e.g., exothermic reaction or endothermic reaction), low-temperature steam may be supplied to the pipe inlet (42) to cool the reactant within the at least one reaction tube (30) or high-temperature steam may be supplied to the pipe inlet (42) to heat the reactant within the at least one reaction tube (30), thereby controlling the temperature distribution or deviation within the at least one reaction tube (30). In one example, if the reaction occurring within the at least one reaction tube (30) is an exothermic reaction, low-temperature steam may be supplied to the pipe inlet (42) to cool the reactant within the at least one reaction tube (30), thereby alleviating the local difference in reaction heat and reducing the temperature deviation. In another example, if the reaction occurring within the at least one reaction tube (30) is an endothermic reaction, high-temperature steam may be supplied to the pipe inlet (42) to heat the reactant within the at least one reaction tube (30), thereby alleviating the local difference in reaction heat and reducing the temperature deviation. Accordingly, the occurrence of cold spots may be suppressed.

[0046] To facilitate heat transfer between the reactant within at least one reaction tube (30) and the reactant or steam within the pipe (40), the pipe (40) is arranged within the reactor housing (20) so as to intersect the at least one reaction tube (30). In one example, the pipe (40) includes at least one straight section (46), and the at least one straight section (46) can intersect all the reaction tubes (30). In another example, the at least one straight section (46) includes a plurality of straight sections (46), and the pipe (40) further includes at least one connecting section (48) connecting adjacent straight sections (46). In this case, each straight section (46) can intersect all the reaction tubes (30). For example, one straight section (46) may be arranged parallel to another straight section (46), and each straight section (46) may be arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction or may be arranged at an angle to the second direction that can intersect all reaction tubes (30).

[0047] The pipe (40) can preheat a reactant passing through its interior and supply the preheated reactant to at least one reaction tube (30). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the electric heating reactor (10) further includes a connecting line (53), and the connecting line (53) connects the second discharge line (52) to the second supply line (50) so that a fluid flows therethrough. Accordingly, the reactant preheated while passing through the pipe (40) is discharged to the second discharge line (52), and the reactant is supplied to at least one reaction tube (30) sequentially through the connecting line (53) and the second supply line (50).

[0048] The power source (60) is configured to supply power to at least one reaction tube (30). The power source (60) may be an AC power source or a DC power source.

[0049] A pair of conductive sockets (36a, 36b) electrically connect a power source (60) and each reaction tube (30). When the power source (60) supplies power to each reaction tube (30) through the pair of conductive sockets (36a, 36b), each reaction tube (30) generates heat. The heat is transferred to reactants passing through the interior of each reaction tube (30), thereby heating the reactants. A first conductive socket (36a) is mounted at one end of each reaction tube (30) and electrically connects the power source (60) and one end of each reaction tube (30) through a wire (62). In addition, a second conductive socket (36b) is mounted at the other end of each reaction tube (30) and electrically connects the power source (60) and the other end of each reaction tube (30) through a wire (62). Accordingly, power from the power source (60) is supplied to each reaction tube (30) through the first and second conductive sockets (36a, 36b), and each reaction tube (30) generates heat and transmits it to the reactants passing through each reaction tube (30).

[0050]

[0051] 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 and deemed equivalent by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains from the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. Reactor housing; At least one reaction tube extending in a first direction in the reactor housing; A pipe disposed inside the reactor housing in contact with or close to at least one reaction tube, and receiving heat from or transferring heat to at least one reaction tube; and A power source for supplying power to at least one reaction tube to heat a reactant passing through said at least one reaction tube; Includes, Each reaction tube includes a tube inlet formed at one end and through which reactants flow in, and a tube outlet formed at the other end and through which reacted products flow out, and receives power from the power source and generates heat. An electrically heated reactor comprising a pipe inlet formed at one end and through which reactants or steam are introduced, and a pipe outlet formed at the other end and through which preheated reactants or heat-exchanged steam are discharged.

2. In paragraph 1, wherein said at least one reaction tube comprises a plurality of reaction tubes, An electrically heated reactor in which the spacing between adjacent pairs of reaction tubes is the same as the spacing between another adjacent pair of reaction tubes.

3. In paragraph 2, An electrically heated reactor wherein the pipe comprises at least one straight section arranged to intersect all of the plurality of reaction tubes.

4. In paragraph 3, wherein at least one straight section comprises a plurality of straight sections, The spacing between adjacent pairs of straight lines is equal to the spacing between another pair of adjacent straight lines, An electrically heated reactor, wherein the pipe comprises at least one connecting portion connecting adjacent straight sections.

5. In paragraph 1, An electric heating reactor having an insulator provided on the inner wall of the reactor housing.

6. In paragraph 1, The two ends of each reaction tube are located outside the reactor housing, At each end of each reaction tube, one of a pair of conductive sockets is provided, The above power supply is an electrically heated reactor that supplies power to each reaction tube through a pair of conductive sockets.

7. In paragraph 1, A first supply line is connected to the above tube inlet, and a first discharge line is connected to the above tube outlet. A second supply line is connected to the pipe inlet, and a second discharge line is connected to the pipe outlet. An electric heating reactor having at least one intermediate line connected at different positions in the middle of the above pipe.

8. In paragraph 7, A first valve provided in at least one intermediate line to open or close said intermediate line; and A second valve provided on the second discharge line to open or close the second discharge line; An electric heating reactor further comprising:

9. In paragraph 8, An electrically heated reactor in which the preheating temperature of the reactant or the temperature of the steam introduced into the pipe is controlled according to the flow rate or discharge position of the reactant or steam.

10. In paragraph 7, An electric heating reactor further comprising a connecting line connecting the second discharge line to the first supply line.

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