Energy-saving reforming hydrogen production device

Abstract

An energy-saving reforming hydrogen production device, comprising: a reformer (1), a steam generator (2), a first heat exchange device (4), a second heat exchange device (5) and an adiabatic reactor (3), wherein the reformer (1) is connected to the steam generator (2), a first branch pipe and a second branch pipe are connected between the steam generator (2) and the adiabatic reactor (3), the first heat exchange device (4) is connected to the first branch pipe, and the second heat exchange device (5) is connected to the second branch pipe. A reformed gas generated by the reformer (1) is subjected to primary cooling by the steam generator (2), and the reformed gas passing through the steam generator (2) is subjected to secondary cooling in either the first heat exchange device (4) or the second heat exchange device (5).

Description

Energy-saving conversion hydrogen production unit

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411699052.2, filed with the Chinese Patent Office on November 26, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of hydrogen production equipment, such as an energy-saving conversion hydrogen production equipment. Background Technology

[0003] A hydrogen production unit is a device used to produce hydrogen. It uses high-temperature steam to convert hydrocarbons such as natural gas into hydrogen and carbon dioxide, which is currently the most commonly used method for hydrogen production in industry.

[0004] The above-mentioned hydrogen production method faces the following challenges: Please refer to Figure 1 in the accompanying drawings. In the hydrogen production device of the related technology, the high-temperature conversion gas (800℃+) from the outlet of the converter tube is sent to the steam generator for cooling. The steam generator has a built-in cooling function. The temperature of the gas output after the conversion gas reacts in the steam generator is 320-340℃. The outlet of the steam generator is equipped with a temperature control valve for control. The gas output from the steam generator then enters the adiabatic reactor, which heats the reaction gas. Finally, the outlet temperature of the adiabatic reactor reaches about 400℃. The intermediate reaction is more conducive to the production of hydrogen at a lower temperature, hence the necessity of cooling.

[0005] Because the steam generator needs to have temperature control function, it greatly increases the complexity and cost of the equipment. Secondly, the steam generator needs to reduce the temperature of the converted gas (800+℃) and the gas after the reaction to 200-400℃ before it can be delivered to the adiabatic reactor. This large temperature change will cause thermal stress in the materials, leading to cracks or deformation in the equipment and eventually damaging it. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides an energy-saving hydrogen production conversion device to solve the above problems, and the specific technical solution is as follows:

[0007] An energy-saving hydrogen production conversion device includes: a converter, a steam generator, a first heat exchange device, a second heat exchange device, and an adiabatic reactor. The converter is connected to the steam generator, and a first branch pipe and a second branch pipe are connected between the steam generator and the adiabatic reactor. The first heat exchange device is connected to the first branch pipe, and the second heat exchange device is connected to the second branch pipe. The converted gas generated by the converter is cooled once by the steam generator, and the converted gas after passing through the steam generator is cooled a second time by the first heat exchange device or the second heat exchange device.

[0008] In one embodiment, the first branch pipe and the second branch pipe are respectively equipped with a first valve and a second valve. The first valve is located between the steam generator and the first heat exchange device, and the second valve is located between the steam generator and the second heat exchange device.

[0009] In one embodiment, the device further includes an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe. The inlet of the first heat exchange device and the inlet of the second heat exchange device are respectively connected to the inlet pipe, and the inlet of the first heat exchange device and the outlet of the second heat exchange device are respectively connected to the outlet pipe.

[0010] In one embodiment, the first heat exchange device and the second heat exchange device are positioned above the steam generator.

[0011] In one embodiment, the system further includes a vertical water turbine, a water storage tank, and a water pump. The water storage tank is provided with a water storage trough, the water pump is installed in the water storage trough and connected to the water inlet pipe, a support is installed on the water storage trough, the vertical water turbine is rotatably connected to the support, and the outlet of the water outlet pipe is located above the vertical water turbine.

[0012] In one embodiment, the system further includes a crank connecting rod, a guide tube, and a temperature detection mechanism. The adiabatic reactor is connected to an L-shaped pipe. A first branch pipe and a second branch pipe are respectively connected to the L-shaped pipe. The guide tube is connected to the outside of the corner of the L-shaped pipe. One end of the crank connecting rod is hinged to the edge of the side of the vertical water turbine. The other end of the crank connecting rod is slidably inserted into the guide tube. The temperature detection mechanism is disposed in the guide tube and connected to the other end of the crank connecting rod. The L-shaped pipe has an opening to accommodate the temperature detection mechanism.

[0013] In one embodiment, a cover plate is hinged to the inner wall of the L-shaped pipe to cover the opening.

[0014] In one embodiment, the L-shaped pipe includes a transverse section and a longitudinal section, with an opening disposed on the longitudinal section and located in front of the center of the transverse section.

[0015] In one embodiment, the outlet of the water pipe is positioned biased toward the side of the vertical water turbine.

[0016] The technical effect of this application is that the converted gas generated by the converter is cooled once by the steam generator, and then cooled a second time by the first or second heat exchange device after passing through the steam generator. This avoids the occurrence of a one-time large temperature drop. The gas temperature after the reaction is low, which is more conducive to the conversion of carbon monoxide into hydrogen and improves the hydrogen conversion rate of the overall device.

[0017] The high-temperature converted gas is diverted through pipelines into the first and second heat exchange units. This not only significantly reduces the load on individual heat exchangers but also increases the residence time of the gas in each heat exchanger, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency and effectively reducing the gas temperature to the required range. Secondly, it reduces pressure drop and energy consumption: because the gas flow is distributed to two parallel pipelines, the gas velocity processed in each heat exchanger decreases, thus significantly reducing the system pressure drop. This design optimizes the stability of gas flow, reduces the load on the compressor, and ensures the efficient operation of the system. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the hydrogen production device of the relevant technology.

[0019] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the hydrogen production device of this application.

[0020] Figure 3 is another schematic diagram of the hydrogen production device of this application.

[0021] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the crank connecting rod of this application.

[0022] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of point A in Figure 3.

[0023] In the diagram: 1. Converter; 2. Steam generator; 3. Insulated reactor; 4. First heat exchanger; 5. Second heat exchanger; 6. Vertical water turbine; 7. Crank connecting rod; 8. Water pump; 9. Water storage tank; 10. Inlet pipe; 11. Outlet pipe; 12. Guide pipe; 13. L-shaped pipe; 14. Temperature detection mechanism; 15. Cover plate. Detailed Implementation

[0024] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a mutually exclusive, independent, or alternative embodiment. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0025] The hydrogen production method involved in this application is steam reforming, which is one of the most common hydrogen production methods, especially natural gas hydrogen production. Its core reaction is the reaction of methane (or other light hydrocarbon gases) with high-temperature steam to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide under the action of a catalyst (such as a nickel-based catalyst).

[0026] In the related technology, the converter 1 reacts hydrocarbons with water vapor at high temperature to generate converted gas, which is then transported to the steam generator 2. The steam generator 2 cools the converted gas (800+℃) and the reacted gas to 200-400℃ before transporting them to the adiabatic reactor 3. Because such a large temperature change will cause thermal stress in the materials, it will cause cracks or deformation in the equipment and thus damage the equipment. Therefore, please refer to Figures 1-5. This application provides an energy-saving conversion hydrogen production device to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. The energy-saving conversion hydrogen production device includes: converter 1, steam generator 2, first heat exchange device 4, second heat exchange device 5 and adiabatic reactor 3. The converter 1 is connected to the steam generator 2. A first branch pipe and a second branch pipe are connected between the steam generator 2 and the adiabatic reactor 3. The first heat exchange device 4 is connected to the first branch pipe and the second heat exchange device 5 is connected to the second branch pipe.

[0027] By setting up a first heat exchange device 4 and a second heat exchange device 5 in conjunction with a steam generator 2 to cool the converted gas multiple times, the temperature of the reaction gas is prevented from dropping drastically at once, which could affect the related reaction equipment. The steam generator 2 can indirectly affect the temperature of the converted gas by adjusting its operating conditions. Although it is not specifically designed to directly adjust the temperature of the converted gas, the main function of the steam generator 2 is to heat water and convert it into steam. Therefore, it can change the temperature and pressure of the output steam. In this embodiment, during the reaction process of the converted gas entering the steam generator 2, the temperature of the converted gas can be adjusted by the steam generator 2, which means that the converted gas is cooled down for the first time.

[0028] The converted gas or reactant gas output from the steam generator 2 is sent to the first heat exchanger 4 and the second heat exchanger 5 for a second cooling process. This is understandable because the conversion furnace 1 produces extremely high-temperature converted gas with a very large flow rate, and the gas needs to be cooled to a precise temperature range (e.g., 210-250°C) before entering the adiabatic reactor 3. If the gas temperature cannot be reduced to the appropriate range in a short time, it will lead to low reaction efficiency within the reactor and may even produce byproducts, affecting the final hydrogen purity.

[0029] However, when faced with high-flow-rate, high-temperature gases, although those skilled in the art can conceive of using heat exchangers for cooling, a single heat exchanger often falls short of the requirements for precise temperature control and heat load distribution. Specifically, this manifests in several ways: insufficient heat exchange efficiency – due to the limited heat exchange area, a single heat exchanger cannot adequately reduce the gas temperature at high flow rates, resulting in the converted gas entering the downstream reactor at a higher temperature, affecting reaction efficiency; excessive pressure drop – a single heat exchanger handling high-flow-rate gases can cause severe pressure drops, increasing system energy consumption and potentially leading to unstable gas flow, affecting the operation of subsequent equipment; and equipment overload risk – high-temperature, high-flow-rate gases can impose excessive heat loads on a single heat exchanger, causing overheating and material fatigue during long-term operation, shortening its service life and posing safety hazards.

[0030] Under the aforementioned conditions, employing a parallel first heat exchanger 4 and a second heat exchanger 5 becomes a necessary solution to meet these stringent requirements. The high-temperature conversion gas is diverted into the two heat exchangers via pipelines, which not only significantly reduces the load on individual heat exchangers but also increases the residence time of the gas in each heat exchanger, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency and effectively reducing the gas temperature to the required range. Furthermore, it reduces pressure drop and energy consumption: because the gas flow is distributed to two parallel pipelines, the gas velocity processed in each heat exchanger decreases, significantly reducing the system's pressure drop. This design optimizes the stability of gas flow, reduces the compressor load, and ensures efficient system operation.

[0031] In one embodiment, the first branch pipe and the second branch pipe are respectively equipped with valves to flexibly respond to gas flow fluctuations: Since the gas flow in the hydrogen production process often fluctuates greatly, by setting the first heat exchange device 4 and the second heat exchange device 5, the flow changes can be flexibly responded to. Under low flow conditions, one of the heat exchangers can be shut down to save resources; while under high flow conditions, the two heat exchangers work together to ensure the accuracy and stability of gas temperature regulation.

[0032] In some embodiments, the first heat exchange device 4 and the second heat exchange device 5 are both shell-and-tube heat exchangers. The inlet of the first heat exchange device 4 and the inlet of the second heat exchange device 5 are connected to an inlet pipe 10, and the outlet of the first heat exchange device 4 and the second heat exchange device 5 are connected to an outlet pipe 11. Water is used as the medium. Water flows into the first heat exchange device 4 and the second heat exchange device 5 from the inlet pipe 10 and flows out through the outlet pipe 11 after the heat exchange is completed.

[0033] Considering that the converted gas delivered after the reaction in the steam generator 2 is discharged upward, the first heat exchange device 4 and the second heat exchange device 5 are positioned higher than the steam generator 2, so that the converted gas after the reaction in the steam generator 2 can efficiently enter the first heat exchange device 4 and the second heat exchange device 5 to participate in heat exchange.

[0034] In some embodiments, the system also includes a vertical water impeller 6, a water storage tank 9, and a water pump 8. The water storage tank 9 is provided with a water storage trough, the water pump 8 is located in the water storage trough and is connected to the water inlet pipe 10, a support is mounted on the water storage trough, the vertical water impeller 6 is rotatably connected to the support, the outlet of the water outlet pipe 11 is located above the vertical water impeller 6, and the water outlet pipe 11 is biased towards either side of the vertical water impeller 6. It is understood that the water itself is at a high temperature after heat exchange, so it needs to quickly leave the water outlet pipe 11 and come into contact with the outside air to complete the cooling. However, since the above-mentioned heat exchange and cooling is required for the high-temperature converted gas, the water flow rate is required to be fast and the flow rate is large. Combined with the above-mentioned arrangement of the water outlet pipe 11, the water sprayed from the water outlet pipe 11 will also be affected by the gravitational acceleration and directly impact the water storage tank 9. This direct impact can easily damage the water storage tank 9. Therefore, it is necessary to set a buffer mechanism between the water storage tank 9 and the water outlet pipe 11. In this embodiment, the vertical water impeller 6 is set as the above-mentioned buffer mechanism.

[0035] Although secondary cooling of the converted gas can be achieved by setting up the first heat exchange device 4 and the second heat exchange device 5, the gas after reaction by the steam generator 2 is uncontrollable when entering the first and second branch pipes. This leads to uneven distribution of gas flow or heat load between the first and second heat exchange devices 4 and 5, which may cause some heat exchangers to be too efficient or too inefficient, thus affecting the overall temperature control effect. In one embodiment, a crank connecting rod 7, a guide pipe 12, and a temperature detection mechanism 14 are also included. The adiabatic reactor 3 is connected to... L-shaped pipe 13, first branch pipe and second branch pipe are respectively connected to L-shaped pipe 13, first branch pipe and second branch pipe are connected to adiabatic reactor 3 through L-shaped pipe 13, and guide pipe 12 is connected to the outside of the corner of L-shaped pipe 13. One end of crank connecting rod 7 is hinged to the edge of the side of vertical water wheel 6, and the other end of crank connecting rod 7 is slidably inserted into guide pipe 12. Temperature detection mechanism 14 is set in guide pipe 12 and connected to the other end of crank connecting rod 7. L-shaped pipe 13 has an opening to accommodate temperature detection mechanism 14.

[0036] The specific operating principle is as follows:

[0037] After heat exchange, the water flows out from the outlet pipe 11. The high-speed water flow (affected by gravity) impacts either side of the vertical water wheel 6. The vertical water wheel 6 begins to rotate slowly due to the impact of the water flow. During the rotation, the vertical water wheel 6 drives the crank connecting rod 7 and causes the temperature detection mechanism 14 connected to the crank connecting rod 7 to perform a lateral reciprocating motion. Specifically, the temperature detection mechanism 14 performs a lateral reciprocating motion inside the guide pipe 12. During its forward movement, the temperature detection mechanism 14 passes through the opening of the L-shaped pipe 13 and enters the L-shaped pipe 13. At this time, the temperature detection mechanism 14 is located at the center of the L-shaped pipe 13. The temperature detection mechanism 14 then detects the temperature of the converted gas in the L-shaped pipe 13. Since the temperature detection mechanism 14 is located at the center of the L-shaped pipe 13, the data detected by the temperature detection mechanism 14 is more accurate. In one embodiment, the temperature detection mechanism 14 includes a thermocouple.

[0038] Understandably, the high-temperature water vapor in the converted gas within the L-shaped pipe 13 is highly corrosive, especially in oxygen-containing environments. The thermocouple material may be corroded by the high-temperature water vapor, particularly the K-type thermocouple (nickel-chromium-nickel-silicon). Long-term exposure to steam will cause oxidation and corrosion, thus affecting its accuracy and lifespan. Therefore, in this embodiment, the temperature detection mechanism 14, driven by the crank connecting rod 7, does not remain in the L-shaped pipe 13 for extended periods. Instead, it intermittently enters the L-shaped pipe 13 for detection. The advantage of this approach is that it protects the thermocouple while ensuring that the temperature detection mechanism 14 does not significantly affect the transmission efficiency of the converted gas.

[0039] In some embodiments, a cover plate 15 is hinged to the inner wall of the L-shaped pipe 13. By default, the cover plate 15 will cover the opening. When the crank connecting rod 7 drives the temperature detection mechanism 14 forward, the temperature detection mechanism 14 will pass through the opening of the L-shaped pipe 13 and push open the cover plate 15 before entering the L-shaped pipe 13. When the crank connecting rod 7 drives the temperature detection mechanism 14 back, the cover plate 15 will be pressed by the pressure of the conversion gas transmitted in the L-shaped pipe 13 and will close the opening tightly.

[0040] In one embodiment, the vertical water turbine 6 includes several ring-shaped support plates. The support plates are L-shaped and have grooves on their inner sides. Water flows out of the outlet pipe 11 and falls directly into the grooves. The grooves on the support plates help to dissipate heat from the water flow and also facilitate the driving of the vertical water turbine 6.

[0041] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., used in this document are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the stated features.

Claims

1. An energy-saving hydrogen production device comprising a converter, a steam generator, a first heat exchange device, a second heat exchange device, and an adiabatic reactor, wherein the converter is connected to the steam generator, and a first branch pipe and a second branch pipe are connected between the steam generator and the adiabatic reactor, the first heat exchange device is connected to the first branch pipe, the second heat exchange device is connected to the second branch pipe, the converted gas generated by the converter is cooled once by the steam generator, and the converted gas passing through the steam generator is cooled a second time by the first heat exchange device or the second heat exchange device.

2. The energy-saving conversion hydrogen production device according to claim 1, wherein, The first branch pipe and the second branch pipe are respectively equipped with a first valve and a second valve. The first valve is located between the steam generator and the first heat exchange device, and the second valve is located between the steam generator and the second heat exchange device.

3. The energy-saving conversion hydrogen production device according to claim 2 further includes an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe, wherein the inlet of the first heat exchange device and the inlet of the second heat exchange device are respectively connected to the inlet pipe, and the inlet of the first heat exchange device and the outlet of the second heat exchange device are respectively connected to the outlet pipe.

4. The energy-saving conversion hydrogen production device according to claim 3, wherein, The first and second heat exchange devices are positioned above the steam generator.

5. The energy-saving conversion hydrogen production device according to claim 4 further includes a vertical water turbine, a water storage tank, and a water pump. The water storage tank is provided with a water storage tank, the water pump is installed in the water storage tank and connected to the water inlet pipe, a support is installed on the water storage tank, the vertical water turbine is rotatably connected to the support, and the outlet of the water outlet pipe is located above the vertical water turbine.

6. The energy-saving conversion hydrogen production device according to claim 5 further includes a crank connecting rod, a guide pipe, and a temperature detection mechanism. The adiabatic reactor is connected to an L-shaped pipe. The first branch pipe and the second branch pipe are respectively connected to the L-shaped pipe. The guide pipe is connected to the outside of the corner of the L-shaped pipe. One end of the crank connecting rod is hinged to the edge of the side of the vertical water turbine. The other end of the crank connecting rod is slidably inserted into the guide pipe. The temperature detection mechanism is disposed in the guide pipe and connected to the other end of the crank connecting rod. The L-shaped pipe has an opening to accommodate the temperature detection mechanism.

7. An energy-saving hydrogen production device according to claim 6, wherein, A cover plate is hinged to the inner wall of the L-shaped pipe to cover the opening.

8. An energy-saving hydrogen production device according to claim 7, wherein, The L-shaped pipe includes a transverse section and a longitudinal section, with the opening located on the longitudinal section and in front of the center of the transverse section.

9. An energy-saving hydrogen production device according to claim 5, wherein, The outlet of the water pipe is set off to the side of the vertical water turbine.

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