Electrically heated reactor

Abstract

An electrically heated reactor is disclosed. The electrically heated reactor may comprise: a reaction tube unit which includes an inlet formed on one side thereof and an outlet formed on the other side thereof and in which a passage through which a reactant passes is formed in a longitudinal direction; and a power source configured to supply power to the reaction tube unit so as to heat the reactant passing through the passage, wherein the reaction tube unit comprises: a first reaction tube having a first length and a first resistivity; a second reaction tube linearly connected to the first reaction tube in the longitudinal direction and having a second length and a second resistivity; a pair of first electrodes which connect the power source to both end parts of the first reaction tube; a pair of second electrodes which connect the power source to both end parts of the second reaction tube; and a variable resistor connected in series to at least one of the first and second reaction tubes and having an adjustable resistance value, and the first electrodes and the second electrodes are connected to the power source in parallel with each other.

Description

electric heating reactor

[0001] Cross-citation with related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0184154 filed on December 11, 2024, and all contents disclosed in the document of said Korean patent application are incorporated herein as part of this specification.

[0003] The present invention relates to an electric heating reactor, and more specifically, to an electric heating reactor capable of optimally controlling the temperature within the reactor by utilizing electric heating technology.

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

[0005] Furthermore, heating by combustion causes localized temperature variations due to heat transfer by radiation, and temperature gradients can occur depending on the structure and location of the heat source and reactor, potentially affecting reaction products. Therefore, there is a need for technology that can optimally control the temperature inside the reactor using electric heating techniques.

[0006] The matters described in this background technology section are written to enhance understanding of the background of the invention and may include matters that are not prior art already known to those skilled in the art to which this technology belongs.

[0007] An embodiment of the present invention aims to provide an electric heating reactor capable of optimally controlling the temperature within the reactor by utilizing electric heating technology.

[0008] An electric heating reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a reaction tube unit having an inlet formed on one side and an outlet formed on the other side, with a passage formed longitudinally for a reactant to pass through inside; and a power source configured to supply power to the reaction tube unit to heat the reactant passing through the passage, wherein the reaction tube unit comprises a first reaction tube having a first length and a first resistivity, a second reaction tube connected in a straight line longitudinally to the first reaction tube and having a second length and a second resistivity, a pair of first electrodes connected to both ends of the power source, a pair of second electrodes connected to both ends of the power source, and a variable resistor connected in series to at least one of the first and second reaction tubes and having an adjustable resistance value, and the first electrode and the second electrode may be connected to the power source in parallel with each other.

[0009] In some embodiments, the variable resistor is connected in series with one of the first and second reaction tubes, and a temperature gradient within the reaction tube unit can be set by adjusting the position of the reaction tube unit to which the variable resistor is connected and the resistance value of the variable resistor.

[0010] In some embodiments, the variable resistor can be connected to a first reaction tube relatively close to the inlet and the resistance value of the variable resistor can be adjusted so as to obtain a temperature gradient in which the temperature increases from the inlet to the outlet.

[0011] In some embodiments, the variable resistor can be connected to a second reaction tube relatively close to the outlet and the resistance value of the variable resistor can be adjusted so as to obtain a temperature gradient in which the temperature decreases from the inlet to the outlet.

[0012] In some embodiments, the reaction tube unit may further include an insulator disposed between adjacent first and second electrodes, between adjacent first electrodes and a non-first reaction tube portion of the reaction tube unit, and / or between adjacent second electrodes and a non-second reaction tube portion of the reaction tube unit.

[0013] In some embodiments, the variable resistor includes a first variable resistor connected in series with a first reaction tube and a second variable resistor connected in series with a second reaction tube, and a temperature gradient within the reaction tube unit can be set by adjusting the resistance values ​​of the first and second variable resistors.

[0014] In some embodiments, the reaction tube unit comprises three or more reaction tubes including first and second reaction tubes, and a variable resistor is connected in series to at least one of the three or more reaction tubes, and a temperature gradient within the reaction tube unit can be set by adjusting the position of the reaction tube unit to which the variable resistor is connected and the resistance value of the variable resistor.

[0015] In some embodiments, the reaction tube unit includes a plurality of reaction tube units, and the plurality of reaction tube units may be connected to a power source in parallel with each other.

[0016] In some embodiments, the connection of a variable resistor and the resistance value of a plurality of reaction tubes included in one reaction tube unit may be the same as the connection of a variable resistor and the resistance value of a variable resistor included in another reaction tube unit.

[0017] In some embodiments, the connection of a plurality of reaction tubes and a variable resistor included in one reaction tube unit and the resistance value of the variable resistor may be different from the connection of a plurality of reaction tubes and a variable resistor included in another reaction tube unit and the resistance value of the variable resistor.

[0018] In some embodiments, the reaction tube unit may further include a cooler for cooling and recovering heat from the variable resistor.

[0019] In some embodiments, the reaction tube unit may further include an additional cooler for cooling the pair of first and second electrodes.

[0020] In high-temperature catalytic / non-catalytic chemical reactions, implementing a temperature gradient suitable for the reaction mechanism can maximize product yield, improve catalyst life, and improve process time.

[0021] By controlling the temperature in sections according to exothermic and endothermic reactions, the occurrence of localized hot or cold spots can be prevented, thereby improving process efficiency.

[0022] Furthermore, other effects that can be obtained or predicted by the embodiments of the present invention will be disclosed directly or implicitly in the detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention. That is, various effects predicted according to the embodiments of the present invention will be disclosed within the detailed description to be set forth below.

[0023] The embodiments of this specification may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which similar reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electric heating reactor according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electric heating reactor according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electric heating reactor according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electric heating reactor according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] The drawings referenced above are not necessarily drawn to scale and should be understood as presenting somewhat simplified representations of various preferred features illustrating the basic principles of the present disclosure. For example, specific design features of the present disclosure, including specific dimensions, orientations, positions, and shapes, will be partially determined by specific intended applications and usage environments.

[0029] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the invention. As used herein, singular forms are intended to include plural forms as well, unless explicitly otherwise indicated in the context. It will also be understood that the terms “include” and / or “include,” as used herein, specify the presence of the mentioned features, integers, steps, operations, components and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more of other features, integers, steps, operations, components, components and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any one or all combinations of the associated items listed.

[0030] Additionally, it is understood that one or more of the methods or aspects thereof described below may be executed by at least one controller. The term “controller” may refer to a hardware device comprising memory and a processor. The memory is configured to store program instructions, and the processor is specifically programmed to execute 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 similar things as described herein. Furthermore, it is understood that the methods below may be executed by a device comprising a controller together with one or more other components, as recognized by those skilled in the art.

[0031] Additionally, the controller of the present disclosure may be implemented as a non-transient computer-readable recording medium comprising executable program instructions executed by a processor. Examples of computer-readable recording media include, but are not limited to, ROM, 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 program instructions can be stored and executed in a distributed manner, such as, for example, a telematics server or a Controller Area Network (CAN).

[0032] According to the present invention, an electric heating reactor may include a reaction tube unit having an inlet formed on one side and an outlet formed on the other side, with a passage formed longitudinally for a reactant to pass through inside; and a power source configured to supply power to the reaction tube unit to heat the reactant passing through the passage. The reaction tube unit may include a first reaction tube having a first length and a first resistivity, a second reaction tube connected in a straight line longitudinally to the first reaction tube and having a second length and a second resistivity, a variable resistor connected in series with at least one of the first and second reaction tubes, a pair of first electrodes connected to both ends of the power source, and a pair of second electrodes connected to both ends of the second reaction tube, wherein the first reaction tube and the second reaction tube may be connected to the power source in parallel with each other. Here, the first length and the second length may be the same, and the first resistivity and the second resistivity may be the same. Accordingly, since the resistance of the first reaction tube and the resistance of the second reaction tube are equal to each other, when the same power is supplied to the first reaction tube and the second reaction tube, the first reaction tube and the second reaction tube generate heat equal to each other.

[0033] Since a variable resistor is connected in series to at least one of the first and second reaction tubes, adjusting the resistance value of the variable resistor can cause the first current passing through the first reaction tube and the second current passing through the second reaction tube to differ from each other. Therefore, when power from the power source is supplied to the reaction tube unit, the first and second currents passing through the first and second reaction tubes differ due to the variable resistor, and as a result, the first and second reaction tubes generate heat at different temperatures. Here, the number of reaction tubes is not limited to two.

[0034] By arranging each of a plurality of reaction tubes that generate heat at different temperatures in each of a plurality of sections, the temperature of the reaction tube unit can be controlled section by section. For example, a plurality of reaction tubes having the same resistance value can be arranged in a straight line, and a variable resistor can be connected in series to at least one of the reaction tubes. By adjusting the resistance value of the variable resistor, the amount of heat generated by the reaction tube connected in series with the variable resistor can be controlled differently from the amount of heat generated by other reaction tubes. For example, a reaction tube without a variable resistor (or connected with a variable resistor with a resistance value adjusted to 0) can be placed in a section where a cold spot is likely to occur in an endothermic reaction, or a reaction tube with a variable resistor can be placed in a section where a hot spot is likely to occur in an exothermic reaction. In this way, by connecting a plurality of reaction tubes in parallel and connecting a variable resistor in series to some of the reaction tubes to adjust the resistance value of the variable resistor, a temperature gradient suitable for the reaction mechanism occurring in the reactor can be implemented. That is, the present invention can efficiently control the temperature within the reaction tube unit by utilizing electric heating technology. Accordingly, the product yield can be maximized, the catalyst life can be improved, and the process operating time can be improved.

[0035]

[0036] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0037] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electric heating reactor according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 1, an electric heating reactor (10) according to the first embodiment of the present invention is configured to generate heat by receiving power and to heat a reactant inside using the generated heat. The electric heating reactor (10) includes a reaction tube unit (22) and a power source (40).

[0039] The reaction tube unit (22) has a passage formed in the longitudinal direction through which reactants pass inside. For example, the reaction tube unit (22) may be formed in the shape of a hollow circular pipe, with a passage formed in the longitudinal direction inside. However, the shape of the reaction tube unit (22) is not limited to a hollow circular pipe shape and may be a hollow polygonal pipe shape.

[0040] An inlet (24) is formed at one end of the reaction tube unit (22), and a supply line (not shown) is connected to the inlet (24). Reactants are supplied into the reaction tube unit (22) through the supply line and the inlet (24). An outlet (26) is formed at the other end of the reaction tube unit (22), and a discharge line (not shown) is connected to the outlet (26). Products that have been reacted and / or unreacted materials that have not been reacted are discharged through the outlet (26) to the discharge line after passing through the interior of the reaction tube unit (22).

[0041] The reaction tube unit (22) comprises at least two reaction tubes (20a, 20b) made of an alloy material having high resistivity (e.g., Ni-Cr, Fe-Cr, Fe-Ni-Cr, Fe-Cr-Al, etc.). Accordingly, when power is applied to the reaction tube unit (22), the reaction tube unit (22) generates heat due to the high resistivity of the at least two reaction tubes (20a, 20b), and the generated heat can be used to heat the reactant passing through the passage.

[0042] In the first embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the reaction tube unit (22) comprises first and second reaction tubes (20a, 20b) arranged in a row, and at least one variable resistor (60) connected in series to at least one of the first and second reaction tubes (20a, 20b). The first reaction tube (20a) is provided at one end of the reaction tube unit (22) and has a first resistivity (ρ1) and a first length (L1). An inlet (24) is formed at one end of the first reaction tube (20a), and reactants flow into the reaction tube unit (22), specifically the first reaction tube (20a), through the inlet (24). The second reaction tube (20b) is provided at the other end of the reaction tube unit (22), and one end of the second reaction tube (20b) is connected to the other end of the first reaction tube (20a). An outlet (26) is formed at the other end of the second reaction tube (20b), and reactants that have completed the reaction and / or unreacted materials that have not completed the reaction are discharged from the reaction tube unit (22), particularly the second reaction tube (20b), through the outlet (26).

[0043] In one example, the second resistivity (ρ2) may be the same as the first resistivity (ρ1) and the second length (L2) may be the same as the first length (L1). That is, the resistance (R1) of the first reaction tube (20a) and the resistance (R2) of the second reaction tube (20b) may be the same. In another example, the first and second reaction tubes (20a, 20b) may be manufactured to have different resistances. The first and second reaction tubes (20a, 20b) are connected in parallel to each other to the power source (40). That is, the voltage (V) across the ends of the first reaction tube (20a) and the voltage (V) across the ends of the second reaction tube (20b) are the same. If the resistances (R1, R2) of the first and second reaction tubes (20a, 20b) are equal to each other and are connected to the power source (40) in parallel, the first and second reaction tubes (20a, 20b) can be placed in the first and second sections of the reaction tube unit (22), so that the amount of heat generated in the first and second sections can be equal.

[0044] The cross-sections of the first and second reaction tubes (20a, 20b) are identical to the cross-sections of the reaction tube unit (22). That is, the passage formed inside the first reaction tube (20a) has the same cross-section as the passage formed inside the second reaction tube (20b), and the passage formed inside the first reaction tube (20a) is connected to the passage formed inside the second reaction tube (20b). Accordingly, reactants introduced into the passage formed inside the first reaction tube (20a) through the inlet (24) react as they pass through the passages inside the reaction tube unit (22) in sequence and are discharged from the passage formed inside the second reaction tube (20b) through the outlet (26). Furthermore, since the passage formed inside the first reaction tube (20a) has the same cross-section as the passage formed inside the second reaction tube (20b), the flow resistance of the reactants passing through the passages inside the reaction tube unit (22) does not increase.

[0045] The above at least one variable resistor (60) is connected in series to at least one of the first and second reaction tubes (20a, 20b). FIG. 1 illustrates the variable resistor (60) being connected in series to the second reaction tube (20b), but is not limited thereto. As the variable resistor (60) is connected to the second reaction tube (20b) among the first and second reaction tubes (20a, 20b) connected in parallel with each other, the first current (I1) passing through the first reaction tube (20a) does not change, but the second current (I2) passing through the second reaction tube (20b) is affected by the resistance value (R) of the variable resistor (60). var,A It varies by ). That is, the first current (I1) and the second current (I2) are defined by the following Equation 1.

[0046] [Formula 1]

[0047] I1 = V / R1

[0048] I2 = V / (R2 + R var,A )

[0049] If the variable resistor (60) is not connected to the second reaction tube (20b) while R1 and R2 are identical, the first current (I1) and the second current (I2) are identical to each other, and accordingly, the first and second reaction tubes (20a, 20b) generate heat with the same amount of heat (equal to the product of voltage and current). In this state, if the variable resistor (60) is connected in series with the second reaction tube (20b) and the resistance value of the variable resistor (60) is adjusted, the first current (I1) does not change, while the second current (I2) changes according to the resistance value (R) of the variable resistor (60). var,A It is reduced by ). Accordingly, the amount of heat generated by the first reaction tube (20a) does not change, whereas the amount of heat generated by the second reaction tube (20b) is reduced by the resistance value (R) of the variable resistor (60). var,A It is reduced by ). Accordingly, a variable resistor (60) can be connected in series to at least one of the first and second reaction tubes (20a, 20b) according to the desired temperature gradient within the reaction tube unit (22), and the resistance value of the variable resistor (60) can be adjusted. For example, if a temperature gradient in which the temperature within the reaction tube unit (22) decreases from the inlet (24) to the outlet (26) is required, a variable resistor (60) can be connected in series to the second reaction tube (20b) while the resistances of the first and second reaction tubes (20a, 20b) are the same. In another example, if a temperature gradient in which the temperature within the reaction tube unit (22) increases from the inlet (24) to the outlet (26) is required, a variable resistor (60) can be connected in series to the first reaction tube (20a) while the resistances of the first and second reaction tubes (20a, 20b) are the same.

[0050] The above reaction tube unit (22) further includes a pair of first electrodes (30a), a pair of second electrodes (30b), and an insulator (50).

[0051] A pair of first electrodes (30a) supply power from the power source (40) to the first reaction tube (20a) to cause the first reaction tube (20a) to generate heat. A pair of first electrodes (30a) are mounted on both ends of the first reaction tube (20a), and the power source (40) and both ends of the first reaction tube (20a) are electrically connected through a wire (42).

[0052] A pair of second electrodes (30b) supply power from the power source (40) to the second reaction tube (20b) to cause the second reaction tube (20b) to generate heat. A pair of second electrodes (30b) are mounted on both ends of the second reaction tube (20b), and the power source (40) and both ends of the second reaction tube (20b) are electrically connected through a wire (42).

[0053] A pair of second electrodes (30b) are electrically connected to a power source (40) in parallel with a pair of first electrodes (30a), and a variable resistor (60) is electrically connected in series to at least one of the first and second electrodes (30a, 30b) (e.g., the second electrode (30b)). Power from the same power source (40) is transmitted to the first and second reaction tubes (20a, 20b) through the first and second electrodes (30a, 30b), but since the variable resistor (60) is connected to the second reaction tube (20b), the first and second reaction tubes (20a, 20b) generate heat at different temperatures. Additionally, the temperature at which the second reaction tube (20b) generates heat can be adjusted by adjusting the resistance value of the variable resistor (60). Therefore, the temperatures of the first and second reaction tubes (20a, 20b) can be set differently through wiring with only one power source (40) and variable resistor (60), and a desired temperature gradient can be obtained.

[0054] An insulator (50) is placed between adjacent first and second electrodes (30a, 30b), between adjacent first electrode (30a) and a part other than the first reaction tube (20a) of the reaction tube unit (22), and / or between adjacent second electrode (30b) and a part other than the second reaction tube (20b) of the reaction tube unit (22). The insulator (50) electrically insulates between the first reaction tube (20a) and a part other than the first reaction tube (20a) of the reaction tube unit (22) and / or between the second reaction tube (20b) and a part other than the second reaction tube (20b) of the reaction tube unit (22) to prevent a short circuit of the reaction tube unit (22).

[0055] Meanwhile, the resistance value (R) of the variable resistor (60) var,A When increasing the variable resistor (60), a significant amount of heat may be generated in the variable resistor (60). A cooler (not shown) may be provided near the variable resistor (60) to cool the variable resistor (60) and recover the heat generated in the variable resistor (60). The cooler is fluidly connected to the variable resistor (60) through a cooling water inlet line (70) to send cold cooling water to the variable resistor (60), and is fluidly connected to the variable resistor (60) through a cooling water outlet line (72) to receive the cooling water that has passed through the variable resistor (60) and cooled the variable resistor (60) through the cooling water outlet line (72).

[0056] Additionally, an additional cooler (not shown) may be provided at or near the first and second electrodes (30a, 30b) to cool the first and second electrodes (30a, 30b).

[0057] The power source (40) is configured to supply power to the reaction tube unit (22). The power source (40) may be an AC power source or a DC power source. The power source (40) is electrically connected to a pair of first electrodes (30a) and electrically connected to a pair of second electrodes (30b), and the pair of first electrodes (30a) and the pair of second electrodes (30b) are connected to the power source (40) in parallel with each other.

[0058] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electric heating reactor according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the electric heating reactor (10) according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a reaction tube unit (22) and a power source (40). Here, the electric heating reactor (10) according to the second embodiment of the present invention is identical to the electric heating reactor (10) according to the first embodiment of the present invention, except for the number of variable resistors (60, 60') included in the reaction tube unit (22). Therefore, only the reaction tube unit (22) will be described.

[0060] The reaction tube unit (22) comprises first and second reaction tubes (20a, 20b) arranged in a row. The first reaction tube (20a) is provided at one end of the reaction tube unit (22) and has a first resistivity (ρ1) and a first length (L1). An inlet (24) is formed at one end of the first reaction tube (20a), and reactants are introduced into the reaction tube unit (22), specifically the first reaction tube (20a), through the inlet (24). The second reaction tube (20b) is provided adjacent to the first reaction tube (20a), and one end of the second reaction tube (20b) is connected to the other end of the first reaction tube (20a). The second reaction tube (20b) has a second resistivity (ρ2) that is equal to or different from the first resistivity (ρ1) and a second length (L2) that is equal to or different from the first length (L1). An outlet (26) is formed at the other end of the second reaction tube (20b), and reactants that have completed the reaction and / or unreacted materials that have not completed the reaction are discharged from the reaction tube unit (22), particularly the second reaction tube (20b), through the outlet (26).

[0061] The passage formed inside the first reaction tube (20a) is connected to the passage formed inside the second reaction tube (20b). The passages formed inside the first and second reaction tubes (20a, 20b) are identical. Accordingly, reactants introduced into the first reaction tube (20a) through the inlet (24) react while passing through the passage inside the reaction tube unit (22) and are discharged from the second reaction tube (20b) through the outlet (26). In addition, since the passages formed inside the first and second reaction tubes (20a, 20b) are identical, the flow resistance of the reactants passing through the passages does not increase.

[0062] A first variable resistor (60) is electrically connected in series to the first reaction tube (20a), and a second variable resistor (60') is electrically connected in series to the second reaction tube (20b), and the resistance value (R) of the first and second variable resistors (60, 60') var,A , R var,B) can be set according to the desired temperature gradient within the reaction tube unit (22). More specifically, the first current (I1) and the second current (I2) are defined by the following Equation 2.

[0063] [Equation 2]

[0064] I1 = V / (R1 + R var,A )

[0065] I2 = V / (R2 + R var,B )

[0066] When R1 and R2 are in the same state, a first variable resistor (60) is connected in series to the first reaction tube (20a) and a second variable resistor (60') is connected in series to the second reaction tube (20b), and the resistance values ​​of the first and second variable resistors (60, 60') are adjusted, the first current (I1) and the second current (I2) change, and the amount of heat generated by the first and second reaction tubes (20a, 20b) is each the resistance value (R) of the first and second variable resistors (60, 60'). var,A , R var,B It is changed by ). Therefore, the resistance value (R) of the first and second variable resistors (60, 60') var,A , R var,B By adjusting the ), a desired temperature gradient can be created within the reaction tube unit (22).

[0067] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electric heating reactor according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the electric heating reactor (10) according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a reaction tube unit (22) and a power source (40). Here, the electric heating reactor (10) according to the third embodiment of the present invention is identical to the electric heating reactor (10) according to the first embodiment of the present invention, except for the number of reaction tubes (20a, 20b, 20c) and variable resistors (60, 60') included in the reaction tube unit (22). Therefore, only the reaction tube unit (22) will be described.

[0069] The reaction tube unit (22) comprises first, second, and third reaction tubes (20a, 20b, 20c) arranged in a row. The first reaction tube (20a) is provided at one end of the reaction tube unit (22) and has a first resistivity (ρ1) and a first length (L1). An inlet (24) is formed at one end of the first reaction tube (20a), and reactants are introduced into the reaction tube unit (22), specifically the first reaction tube (20a), through the inlet (24). The second reaction tube (20b) is provided adjacent to the first reaction tube (20a), and one end of the second reaction tube (20b) is connected to the other end of the first reaction tube (20a). The second reaction tube (20b) has a second resistivity (ρ2) equal to or different from the first resistivity (ρ1) and a second length (L2) equal to or different from the first length. A third reaction tube (20c) is provided adjacent to a second reaction tube (20b), and one end of the third reaction tube (20c) is connected to the other end of the second reaction tube (20b). The third reaction tube (20c) has a third resistivity (ρ3) that is equal to or different from the first and second resistivity (ρ1, ρ2), and a third length (L3) that is equal to or different from the first and second lengths. An outlet (26) is formed at the other end of the third reaction tube (20c), and reactants that have completed the reaction and / or unreacted materials that have not completed the reaction are discharged from the reaction tube unit (22), particularly the third reaction tube (20c), through the outlet (26).

[0070] The passage formed inside the first reaction tube (20a) is connected to the passage formed inside the second reaction tube (20b), and the passage formed inside the second reaction tube (20b) is connected to the passage formed inside the third reaction tube (20c). The passages formed inside the first, second, and third reaction tubes (20a, 20b, 20c) are identical to each other. Accordingly, the reactant introduced into the first reaction tube (20a) through the inlet (24) reacts while passing through the passage inside the reaction tube unit (22) and is discharged from the third reaction tube (20c) through the outlet (26). In addition, since the passages formed inside the first, second, and third reaction tubes (20a, 20b, 20c) are identical to each other, the flow resistance of the reactant passing through the passages does not increase.

[0071] A first variable resistor (60) is electrically connected in series to the first reaction tube (20a), a second variable resistor (60') is electrically connected in series to the second reaction tube (20b), and a third variable resistor (60'') is electrically connected in series to the third reaction tube (20c), and the resistance values ​​(R) of the first, second, and third variable resistors (60, 60', 60'') var,A , R var,B , R var,C ) can be set according to the desired temperature gradient within the reaction tube unit (22). More specifically, the first current (I1), the second current (I2), and the third current (I3) are defined by the following Equation 3.

[0072] [Equation 3]

[0073] I1 = V / (R1 + R var,A )

[0074] I2 = V / (R2 + R var,B )

[0075] I3 = V / (R3 + R var,C )

[0076] With R1, R2, and R3 in the same state, if a first variable resistor (60) is connected in series to the first reaction tube (20a), a second variable resistor (60') is connected in series to the second reaction tube (20b), and a third variable resistor (60'') is connected in series to the third reaction tube (20c), and the resistance values ​​of the first, second, and third variable resistors (60, 60', 60'') are adjusted, the first current (I1), the second current (I2), and the third current (I3) change, and the amount of heat generated by the first, second, and third reaction tubes (20a, 20b, 20c) is each [variable] according to the resistance value (R) of the first, second, and third variable resistors (60, 60', 60''). var,A , R var,B , R var,C It is changed by ). Therefore, the resistance value (R) of the first, second, and third variable resistors (60, 60', 60'') var,A , R var,B , R var,C By adjusting the ), a desired temperature gradient can be created within the reaction tube unit (22).

[0077] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electric heating reactor according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 4, the electric heating reactor (10) according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of reaction tube units (22) and a power source (40).

[0079] A plurality of reaction tube units (22) may include a plurality of reaction tubes, and the plurality of reaction tubes may be connected to a power source (40) in parallel with each other. Additionally, a variable resistor (60, 60', 60'') is connected in series to at least one of the plurality of reaction tubes included in one reaction tube unit (22).

[0080] In this way, by connecting multiple reaction tube units (22) in parallel to a single power source (40), a single reaction can be carried out in large quantities or multiple reactions can be carried out using multiple reaction tube units (22).

[0081]

[0082] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and includes all modifications within the scope recognized as equivalent that can be easily made by those skilled in the art from the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A reaction tube unit comprising an inlet formed on one side and an outlet formed on the other side, with a passage formed longitudinally inside through which a reactant passes; and A power source configured to supply power to the reaction tube unit to heat the reactant passing through the above passage; Includes, The above reaction tube unit is A first reaction tube having a first length and a first resistivity, and A second reaction tube connected in a straight line in the longitudinal direction to a first reaction tube and having a second length and a second resistivity, and A pair of first electrodes connecting the above power source to both ends of the first reaction tube, and A pair of second electrodes connecting the above power source to both ends of the second reaction tube, and A variable resistor with an adjustable resistance value connected in series with at least one of the first and second reaction tubes Includes, An electric heating reactor in which the first electrode and the second electrode are connected to a power source in parallel.

2. In Paragraph 1, An electric heating reactor in which the variable resistor is connected in series to one of the first and second reaction tubes, and a temperature gradient within the reaction tube unit is set by adjusting the position of the reaction tube unit to which the variable resistor is connected and the resistance value of the variable resistor.

3. In Paragraph 2, An electric heating reactor that connects the variable resistor to a first reaction tube relatively close to the inlet and adjusts the resistance value of the variable resistor so as to obtain a temperature gradient in which the temperature increases from the inlet to the outlet.

4. In Paragraph 2, An electric heating reactor that connects the variable resistor to a second reaction tube relatively close to the outlet and adjusts the resistance value of the variable resistor so as to obtain a temperature gradient in which the temperature decreases from the inlet to the outlet.

5. In Paragraph 1, An electric heating reactor comprising an insulator disposed between adjacent first and second electrodes, between adjacent first electrodes and a non-first reaction tube portion of the reaction tube unit, and / or between adjacent second electrodes and a non-second reaction tube portion of the reaction tube unit.

6. In Paragraph 1, The above variable resistor includes a first variable resistor connected in series with a first reaction tube and a second variable resistor connected in series with a second reaction tube, and An electric heating reactor that sets a temperature gradient within a reaction tube unit by adjusting the resistance values ​​of the first and second variable resistors.

7. In Paragraph 1, The above reaction tube unit includes three or more reaction tubes, including first and second reaction tubes, and a variable resistor is connected in series to at least one of the three or more reaction tubes. An electric heating reactor that sets a temperature gradient within a reaction tube unit by adjusting the position of the reaction tube unit to which the variable resistor is connected and the resistance value of the variable resistor.

8. In Paragraph 1, The reaction tube unit includes a plurality of reaction tube units, and The above plurality of reaction tube units are electric heating reactors connected to a power source in parallel with each other.

9. In Paragraph 8, An electric heating reactor in which the connection of multiple reaction tubes and a variable resistor included in one reaction tube unit and the resistance value of the variable resistor are the same as the connection of multiple reaction tubes and a variable resistor included in another reaction tube unit and the resistance value of the variable resistor.

10. In Paragraph 8, An electric heating reactor in which the connection of a variable resistor and the resistance value of the variable resistor between a plurality of reaction tubes included in one reaction tube unit is different from the connection of a variable resistor and the resistance value of the variable resistor between a plurality of reaction tubes included in another reaction tube unit.

11. In Paragraph 1, The above reaction tube unit is an electric heating reactor further comprising a cooler for cooling and recovering the heat of the variable resistor.

12. In Paragraph 11, The above reaction tube unit is an electric heating reactor further comprising an additional cooler for cooling the pair of first and second electrodes.

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