Adduction system for a thermal reactor

Abstract

A thermal reactor is described comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, a combustion chamber, and an injector for the separate supply of a fuel gas and an oxidizer gas into the combustion chamber. The injector comprises a fuel gas supply and a plurality of delivery ports opening onto a mixing region of the combustion chamber and an oxidizer gas supply and a plurality of delivery ports opening onto the mixing region. The mixing region comprises a concave surface in which the delivery ports open, and each of the capillary channels is arranged at a predetermined angle with respect to a vertical axis of the combustion chamber.

Description

[0001] Adduction system for a thermal reactor

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention lies, generally, in the sector of combustion thermal reactors; in particular, the invention refers to a hydrogen-metal thermal reactor.

[0004] Prior Art

[0005] Traditional hydrogen combustion systems are based on the controlled oxidation of hydrogen in the presence of oxygen to release energy.

[0006] These systems are generally designed to minimize emissions, with water as the main byproduct.

[0007] Known technologies in this sector include hydrogen burners and turbines, developed for applications in stationary power generation and propulsion systems.

[0008] However, these systems often encounter difficulties in managing high combustion temperatures, optimizing thermal efficiency, and mitigating the formation of nitrogen oxides (NOx) under extreme operating conditions.

[0009] Hydrogen-metal energy devices represent a multidisciplinary innovation combining hydrogen energy systems, electrochemical processes, and thermal management technologies.

[0010] The use of hydrogen as a clean and sustainable energy carrier has been widely studied and implemented in various forms, including fuel cells, combustion systems, and hybrid devices.

[0011] The integration of metal electrodes subjected to a potential differential to catalyze hydrogen combustion and exploit the resulting thermal energy remains a relatively innovative approach that allows precise control of combustion processes. Hydrogen-metal devices are known which comprise a pair of metal alloy electrodes inside a combustion chamber into which synthesis gas mixtures comprising fuel and oxidizer are introduced.

[0012] By applying a high-voltage pulse to the electrodes, an electric field is generated between the electrodes, which accelerates the free electrons present in the synthesis gas, ionizing the gas itself. This ionization process generates a plasma discharge, generating thermal energy.

[0013] Disadvantageously, the storage and supply of hydrogen in synthesis gas entails critical safety challenges in high-pressure and high-temperature environments.

[0014] On the other hand, the separate supply of fuel and oxidizer gases can result in non- homogeneous mixtures with low levels of energy efficiency.

[0015] Summary of the Invention

[0016] The aim of the present invention is to realize a thermal reactor capable of overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art, in particular a thermal reactor comprising a system for the separate supply of oxidizer and fuel but which allows, at the same time, obtaining an efficient thermodynamic reaction.

[0017] The aforesaid and other aims and advantages, which will be better understood hereinafter, are achieved, according to the present invention, by a thermal reactor having the characteristics defined in the attached claim 1.

[0018] Particular embodiments form the subject of the dependent claims, the content of which is to be intended as an integral part of the present description.

[0019] In summary, the thermal reactor comprises an injector for the separate supply of a fuel gas and an oxidizer gas into a combustion chamber. The injector comprises, for both the fuel gas and the oxidizer gas, a supply and a plurality of delivery ports opening onto a mixing region of the combustion chamber, and a first series of capillary channels establishing fluid communication between the supply and the inlet ports of said fuel gas.

[0020] Advantageously, the injector allows keeping the oxidizer and fuel gases separate outside the combustion chamber, improving the safety of the device by exercising efficient static mixing of the gases without the use of moving mechanical parts.

[0021] The functional and structural characteristics of some embodiments of a thermal reactor according to the invention will now be described. Reference is made to the attached drawings, in which:

[0022] Figure 1 is a side view of an injector of a thermal reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 shows a top view of components of the thermal reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 shows a view of the fluid domain in a thermal reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 shows an internal section of a thermal reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 shows a side view of external elements of a combustion chamber of a thermal reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 6 shows a side view of a first external element of a thermal reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 7 shows a side view of an inner element of a thermal reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Detailed

[0030] Before explaining in detail a plurality of embodiments of the invention, it should be clarified that the invention is not limited in its application to the construction details and the configuration of the components presented in the following description or illustrated in the drawings.

[0031] The invention is capable of assuming other embodiments and of being implemented or realized practically in different ways. It must also be understood that the phraseology and terminology have a descriptive purpose and are not to be intended as limiting. The use of “include” and “comprise” and their variations are to be intended as encompassing the elements stated thereafter and their equivalents, as well as additional elements and their equivalents.

[0032] A thermal reactor 2 according to the present invention comprises a first surface 41 of a first electrode 40 and a second surface 51 of a second electrode 50, to which a potential difference is applicable.

[0033] The thermal reactor 2 further comprises a combustion chamber 30 into which the first and second surfaces 41, 51 are facing.

[0034] The potential difference is applicable, for example, by means of electrical generators of predetermined pulses or pulses of a type modulated in amplitude and / or duration.

[0035] Oxidizer and fuel gases are supplied into the combustion chamber 30, generating a synthesis gas mixture.

[0036] The thermal reactor 2 forming the subject of the present invention is arranged to receive hydrogen H2 and oxygen O2 in the combustion chamber 30.

[0037] However, such a combination of fuel and oxidizer gas is not to be considered limiting.

[0038] When the high-voltage pulse is applied, an electric field is generated between the two surfaces 41, 51 which accelerates the free electrons present in the synthesis gas, causing them to collide with the hydrogen atoms and ionizing the gas itself.

[0039] This ionization process generates a plasma discharge of the hydrogen synthesis gas. When the gaseous hydrogen is ionized and forms a plasma, collisions occur between ions and electrons, developing thermal energy which will be transmitted to the outer wall 70 of the combustion chamber.

[0040] By targeting the outer wall 70 of the combustion chamber 30 with centrally directed radial sprays of water controlled by a solenoid valve, or by immersing it partially or totally in water, a high concentration of steam will be obtained which can be conducted outside the thermal reactor 2 towards a microturbine for the production of electrical energy.

[0041] Referring now to Figure 1, an injector 1 of a thermal reactor 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0042] To improve the interpretation of the figures, in some cases, not all occurrences of every element have been indicated with a reference number but only some elements by way of example; corresponding elements are to be interpreted as indicated by the same reference numbers.

[0043] The injector 1 comprises a fuel gas supply 10 for the supply of fuel gas inside the combustion chamber 30 of the thermal reactor 2, a plurality of fuel gas delivery ports 11 opening onto a mixing region 31 of the combustion chamber 30, and a first series of capillary channels 12 establishing fluid communication between the gas supply 10 and the plurality of delivery ports 11.

[0044] The injector 1 further comprises an oxidizer gas supply 20 for the supply of oxidizer gas inside the combustion chamber 30 of the thermal reactor 2, a plurality of oxidizer gas delivery ports 21 opening onto a mixing region 31 of the combustion chamber 30, and a second series of capillary channels 12 establishing fluid communication between the gas supply 10 and the plurality of delivery ports 11.

[0045] In the non-limiting embodiment shown in Figure 1, the injector comprises eight fuel gas capillary channels 12 and six oxidizer gas capillary channels 22 which present the respective delivery ports 12, 22 in proximity to a lower part of the combustion chamber 30.

[0046] The mixing region 31 is to be considered as a sub- volume of the combustion chamber 30 in the fluid domain where the mixing of separately supplied fuel gas and oxidizer gas takes place.

[0047] Advantageously, the separate supply allows improving the safety of the thermal reactor 2 by keeping fuel and oxidizer gases separate until the moment the synthesis gas is needed to realize the thermal reaction.

[0048] According to a further embodiment, the fuel gas delivery ports 11 and the oxidizer gas delivery ports 21 are arranged adjacent in the mixing region 31.

[0049] The mixing region 31 comprises a concave surface 32 facing towards the inside of the combustion chamber 30 in which the delivery ports 11, 21 of the fuel gas and oxidizer gas open.

[0050] Such a configuration allows more efficient mixing of fuel gas and oxidizer gas, improving the operating parameters of the thermal reactor 2.

[0051] Furthermore, each of the capillary channels 12 of the first series of capillary channels 12 and each of the capillary channels 12 of the second series of capillary channels 12 is arranged at a predetermined angle with respect to a vertical axis of the combustion chamber 30. In particular, each capillary channel 12 can be arranged according to an incident direction with respect to said axis such that at least a pair of the extensions of such channels intersect at a point of said mixing region 31.

[0052] Advantageously, such a configuration allows better mixing of oxidizer and fuel, improving the efficiency of the thermal reactor 1.

[0053] In a preferable embodiment, each of the capillary channels 12 of the first series of capillary channels 12 and each of the capillary channels 12 of the second series of capillary channels 12 is arranged normal to the concave surface 32.

[0054] To further optimize the mixing of the gases supplied into the combustion chamber 30, the delivery ports 11, 21 of the fuel and oxidizer gas can be distributed in an angularly uniform manner around at least one same radial distance from a point P of the mixing region 31.

[0055] Figure 2 shows a bottom view of components of the thermal reactor 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] In the embodiment exemplified by Figure 2, the fuel gas delivery ports 11 are distributed in an angularly uniform manner at a greater distance from a point P, for example central to the mixing region, than a distance at which the oxidizer gas delivery ports 21 are distributed in an angularly uniform manner. In particular, the oxidizer gas delivery ports 21 are placed in an angularly alternating manner to the fuel gas delivery ports 11.

[0057] In a further embodiment, the injector further comprises a fuel gas distribution conduit 13 and / or an oxidizer gas distribution conduit 23.

[0058] Said distribution conduits 13, 23 are placed in an intermediate manner between the respective supplies 10, 20 and delivery ports 11, 22.

[0059] The distribution conduits 13, 23 present a plurality of fittings 14 each connected to a respective delivery port 11, 22 via a respective capillary channel 12.

[0060] In such an embodiment, the fuel gas supply 10 and / or said oxidizer gas supply 20 can comprise at least one transverse conduit section 15 joining the respective supply conduit 10, 20 to the respective distribution conduit 13, 23.

[0061] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, each fuel gas supply network or oxidizer gas supply network comprises a plurality of transverse conduits 15 arranged in a radial pattern starting from the supply conduit 10, 20 and connecting to the distribution conduit 13, 23 at different points of the latter, distributing the respective fuel or oxidizer gas. The main conduit of the fuel gas supply 16 has a development axially central to the injector 1, while the main conduit of the oxidizer gas supply 26 is translated with respect to the central position to facilitate the presence of the main conduit of the fuel gas supply 16.

[0062] Advantageously, the presence of distribution conduits favors a flow at homogeneous pressure and velocity of the gases towards the mixing region 31.

[0063] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the fuel gas distribution conduit 13 and / or the oxidizer gas distribution conduit 23 has a ring shape with a diameter corresponding to a diameter of the injector 1.

[0064] Figure 4 shows an internal section of a thermal reactor 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] In an embodiment exemplified by Figure 4, the first electrode 40 comprises lateral surfaces 42 of the combustion chamber and a vertically developing core 43 inside the combustion chamber.

[0066] According to such an embodiment, the combustion chamber 30 is configured as a tubular cavity defined by coaxial cylindrical surfaces electrically connected to form the first surface 41 of the first electrode 40.

[0067] The first electrode 40 may be made, for example, of steel, steel alloys, or titanium or tungsten.

[0068] The second surface 51 of the second electrode 50 is defined by a metal alloy coil housed in the tubular cavity defined by the coaxial cylindrical surfaces electrically connected to form the first surface 41.

[0069] The coil conformation shown in Figure 4 is not to be considered limiting as the second surface 51 of the second electrode may be defined, for example, by a cage structure with crossed, toroidal meshes, with round or square holes.

[0070] The mesh density, the coil passes, and the distance of the second surface 51 from the first surface 41 may vary depending on the required operating parameters of the thermal reactor 2.

[0071] The second electrode may be made, for example, of nickel-copper (Ni-Cu), iridium-rhodium (Ir-Rh), or nickel-chromium (Ni-Cr) alloy.

[0072] Referring now to Figure 5, a side view of external components of a thermal reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0073] The thermal reactor 2 subject of the present invention comprises, in a further embodiment, an outer wall 70 presenting a plurality of angularly spaced surfaces 71 around a predetermined central axis Y and each comprising a central region 73 closer to said central axis Y and hotter in use of the thermal reactor, said central regions 73 being suitable to be the target of respective centrally directed radial sprays of water to be vaporized or to be totally or partially immersed in water.

[0074] The central regions 73 reach higher temperatures during use of the thermal reactor 2 as a function of the shorter distance from the combustion chamber 30 of the thermal reactor 2.

[0075] In a particular embodiment, the angularly spaced surfaces 71 comprise concave surfaces facing outwards.

[0076] The angularly spaced surfaces 71 can be three as shown in Figure 5; such number is not to be considered limiting.

[0077] Notwithstanding the principle of the invention, the forms of implementation and details of construction may be varied widely with respect to what has been described and illustrated purely by way of non-limiting example, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the invention defined by the attached claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Thermal reactor (2) comprising: a first surface (41) of a first electrode (40) and a second surface (51) of a second electrode (50), to which electrodes (40, 50) a potential difference is applicable; a combustion chamber (30) into which said first and second surfaces (41, 51) are facing; and an injector (1) for the separate supply of a fuel gas and an oxidizer gas into said combustion chamber (30), said injector (1) comprising: a fuel gas supply (10) and a plurality of delivery ports of said fuel gas (11) opening onto a mixing region (31) of the combustion chamber (30), and a first series of capillary channels (12) establishing fluid communication between the fuel gas supply (10) and the plurality of delivery ports of said fuel gas (11); and an oxidizer gas supply (20) and a plurality of delivery ports of said oxidizer gas (21) opening onto said mixing region (31) of the combustion chamber (30), and a second series of capillary channels (12) establishing fluid communication between the oxidizer gas supply (20) and the plurality of delivery ports of said oxidizer gas (21); wherein said mixing region (31) comprises a concave surface (32), facing towards the inside of the combustion chamber (30), in which said fuel gas delivery ports (11) and said oxidizer gas delivery ports (21) open; and wherein each of said capillary channels (12) of said first series of capillary channels (12) and each of said capillary channels (12) of said second series of capillary channels (12) is arranged at a predetermined angle with respect to a vertical axis of said combustion chamber(30).

2. Thermal reactor (2) according to claim 1, wherein each of said capillary channels (12) of said first series of capillary channels (12) and each of said capillary channels (12) of said second series of capillary channels (12) is arranged normal to said concave surface (32).

3. Thermal reactor (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein said fuel gas delivery ports (11) and the oxidizer gas delivery ports (21) are adjacent in said mixing region4. Thermal reactor (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said fuel gas delivery ports (11) and said oxidizer gas delivery ports (21) are distributed in an angularly uniform manner around at least one same radial distance from a point of the mixing region (31).

5. Thermal reactor (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said injector (1) further comprises a fuel gas distribution conduit (13), intermediate between said fuel gas supply (10) and said fuel gas delivery ports (11), where said fuel gas distribution conduit (13) presents a plurality of fittings (14) each connected to a respective fuel gas delivery port (11) via a respective capillary channel (12) of said first series of capillary channels (12).

6. Thermal reactor (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said injector further comprises an oxidizer gas distribution conduit (23), intermediate between said oxidizer gas supply (20) and said oxidizer gas delivery ports (21), where said oxidizer gas distribution conduit (23) presents a plurality of fittings (14) each connected to a respective oxidizer gas delivery port (21) via a respective capillary channel (12) of said second series of capillary channels (12).

7. Thermal reactor (2) according to claim 6 as dependent on claim 5, wherein said fuel gas distribution conduit (13) and / or said oxidizer gas distribution conduit (23) has a ring shape with a diameter corresponding to a diameter of said injector (1).

8. Thermal reactor (2) according to claim 7, wherein said fuel gas supply (10) and / or said oxidizer gas supply (20) each comprise at least one transverse conduit section (15) joining the respective supply conduit (10, 20) to the respective distribution conduit (13, 23).

9. Thermal reactor (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said combustion chamber (30) is configured as a tubular cavity defined by coaxial cylindrical surfaces electrically connected to form said first surface (41) of said first electrode (40).

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