Reactor and method for producing carbon product

Abstract

The application relates to a reactor and a method for producing a solid carbon product by a chemical reaction. The reactor comprises a catalyst, at least one inlet for supplying a reactant into the reactor, at least one outlet for discharging the product, and at least one magnetic or electromagnetic device and / or electric means to provide movement of the catalyst in the reactor.

Description

[0001] REACTOR AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING CARBON PRODUCT

[0002] FIELD

[0003] The application relates to a reactor for a chemical reaction forming at least a solid carbon product, as defined in claim 1. Further, the application relates to a method defined in claim 9 for producing at least a solid carbon product by a chemical reaction with the catalyst .

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] It is known to use different reactors in chemical processes for forming different products . For example, tube reactors with a catalyst may be used in the reactions for forming carbon products, e . g. in a ther-mocatalytic conversion or pyrolysis processes .

[0006] OBJECTIVE

[0007] The obj ective is to disclose a novel type of reactor for a reaction in which solid carbon products are produced. Further, the obj ective is to disclose a novel type of method for producing solid carbon products . Further, the obj ective is to disclose an improved process for thermocatalytic decomposition or pyrolysis . Further, the objective is to achieve an effective reactor and process for forming solid carbon products .

[0008] SUMMARY

[0009] The reactor and method for producing at least a carbon solid product are characterized by what are presented in the claims .

[0010] The reactor for a chemical reaction forming at least a solid carbon product comprises a catalyst, at least one inlet for supplying a reactant into the reactor, at least one outlet for discharging the product, and at least one magnetic device, electromagnetic deviceand / or electric means to provide at least a movement of the catalyst in the reactor .

[0011] The method for producing at least a solid carbon product by a chemical reaction comprises supplying a reactant into a reactor, which comprises a catalyst and at least one magnetic device, electromagnetic device and / or electric means to provide movement of the catalyst, and arranging the reactant into contact with the catalyst to perform the chemical reaction in the reactor, performing the chemical reaction in the reactor and moving the catalyst in the reactor, and recovering at least the solid carbon product .

[0012] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] The reactor for a chemical reaction forming at least a solid carbon product comprises a catalyst, at least one inlet for supplying a reactant into the reactor, at least one outlet for discharging the product, and at least one magnetic or electromagnetic device and / or electric means to provide at least a movement of the catalyst in the reactor . Further, the reactor comprises at least a mechanical stirrer part, balls, mixing particles, and / or grinder particles or pieces inside the reactor for facilitating a mixing or movement of the catalyst and / or a removal of carbon from the catalyst . In one embodiment, magnetic or electromagnetic device and / or electric means are further arranged to provide also mixing in the reactor, such as mixing of the catalyst and / or reactant in the reactor . In one embodiment, a catalyst, a carbon and / or a mixture of the catalyst and carbon has magnetic properties . In one embodiment, the catalyst or the mixture of the catalyst and carbon has magnetic properties . In one embodiment, the catalyst, the carbon and / or the mixture of the catalyst and carbon is electrically conductive . In one embodiment, the mechanical stirrer part, balls, mixing particles,and / or grinder particles or pieces have magnetic properties and they are operated magnetically or electro-magnetically for facilitating a mixing or movement of the catalyst and / or a removal of carbon from the catalyst .

[0014] The method, for producing at least a solid carbon product by a chemical reaction with a catalyst, comprises supplying a reactant into a reactor, which comprises a catalyst and at least one magnetic or electromagnetic device and / or electric means to provide movement of the catalyst, and arranging the reactant into contact with the catalyst for performing the chemical reaction in the reactor, in which the reactor comprises at least a mechanical stirrer part, balls, mixing particles, and / or grinder particles or pieces inside the reactor for facilitating a mixing or movement of the catalyst and / or a removal of carbon from the catalyst; performing the chemical reaction at a temperature of 500 - 1000 °C in the reactor and moving the catalyst, preferably magnetically, electromagnetically and / or electrically, in the reactor; and recovering at least the solid carbon product . In one embodiment, the method further comprises mixing of the catalyst and / or reactant, preferably magnetically, electromagnetically and / or electrically, in the reactor .

[0015] In this context, the reactor means any reactor, chamber or the like, where the chemical reaction can be carried out . In one embodiment, the reactor comprises one or parts, e . g . chambers or reaction spaces . In one embodiment, the reactor is a horizontal reactor or vertical reactor . In one embodiment, the reactor is a horizontal reactor . In one embodiment, the reactor is a vertical reactor . The reactor may be selected from reactors generally used in process technology. The reactor may be a batch reactor or a continuous reactor. In one embodiment, the reactor is selected from the groupconsisting of a tube reactor, fluidized bed reactor, packed bed reactor, fixed bed reactor, moving bed reactor, trickle bed reactor, rotary kiln reactor, bubble column reactor, autoclave reactor, stirred tank reactor, plug flow reactor, membrane reactor, or any combination thereof . In one embodiment, the reactor is selected from the group consisting of a tube reactor, fluidized bed reactor, packed bed reactor, rotary kiln reactor, autoclave reactor or any combination thereof . In one embodiment, the reactor comprises one or more tubes, e . g. in parallel and / or in series . In one embodiment, the reactor is a pressurized reactor, e . g. a pressurized autoclave reactor or other reactor.

[0016] Any suitable magnetic device, electromagnetic device and / or electric means may be used in the reactor. In one embodiment, the reactor comprises at least one magnetic or electromagnetic device . In one embodiment, the reactor comprises at least one electric means . In one embodiment, the reactor comprises at least one magnetic or electromagnetic device and electric means . In one embodiment, the magnetic device, electromagnetic device and / or electric means are placed outside the reactor . In one embodiment, the magnetic device, electromagnetic device and / or electric means are placed inside the reactor. In one embodiment, depending on the catalyst properties and magnetic and / or electric conductive properties, the magnetic or electromagnetic device may be arranged in different places of the reactor. In one embodiment, the magnetic or electromagnetic device is located on the side, below or on top of the reactor or reactor tube, to make sure and / or control the optimal movement and / or mixing of the particles .

[0017] In one embodiment, the magnetic or electromagnetic device comprises at least one electromagnet . In one embodiment, the magnetic or electromagnetic device comprises more than one electromagnet . In one embodiment,the electromagnet is placed inside the reactor. In one embodiment, the electromagnet is placed outside the reactor .

[0018] The reactor can comprise the mechanical stirrer part, balls, mixing particles, and / or grinder particles or pieces inside the reactor for mixing or moving of the catalyst and / or removing of carbon from the catalyst . The mechanical stirrer part, balls, mixing particles, and / or grinder particles or pieces inside may be operated magnetically or electromagnetically, e . g. by the magnetic device or electromagnetic device .

[0019] In one embodiment, the magnetic or electromagnetic device comprises at least one magnetic stirrer, such as a mechanical magnetic stirrer, which is arranged in the reactor . In one embodiment, the magnetic or electromagnetic device comprises more than one magnetic stirrer . Preferably, the magnetic stirrer is a stirrer or blade without an axle arranged out of the reactor . In one embodiment, the reactor comprises at least one mechanical stirrer part in the reactor. In one embodiment, the reactor comprises at least one mechanical stirrer part in the reactor, and the mechanical stirrer part is operated magnetically or electromagnetically. In one embodiment, the mechanical stirrer part is arranged to stay put in the reactor or moves mechanically through a limited path in the reactor.

[0020] In one embodiment, the reactor comprises balls, mixing particles and / or grinder particles or pieces inside the reactor . The balls, mixing particles, grinder particles or pieces may have any shape . In one embodiment, the reactor comprises at least balls . In one embodiment, the balls are arranged to move freely in the reactor. By means of the balls the catalyst may be moved in the reactor and / or the carbon may be removed easily from the catalyst . In one embodiment, the reactor comprises at least mixing particles to facilitate the mixingin the reactor . In one embodiment, the reactor comprises at least grinder particles or pieces to facilitate the removal of the carbon from the catalyst . In one embodiment, the method further comprises arranging balls, mixing particles and / or grinder particles or pieces to the reactor and moving them inside the reactor.

[0021] In one embodiment, the magnetic or electromagnetic device and / or electric means are arranged to move the catalyst in the reactor, to adjust a fill factor of the reactor, to adjust a residence time in the reactor, to feed the catalyst into the reactor, to provide a linear movement of the catalyst and / or to recirculate the catalyst from an end of the reactor to a front of the reactor. In one embodiment, a fill factor of the reactor and / or a residence time in the reactor is adjusted by the magnetic or electromagnetic device and / or electric means . In one embodiment, the catalyst is fed by using the magnetic or electromagnetic device and / or electric means into the reactor. In one embodiment, the catalyst is recirculated by the magnetic or electromagnetic device and / or electric means from an end of the reactor to a front of the reactor or to a first part, e . g. first chamber or reaction space, of the reactor. In one embodiment, a movement of the catalyst is accelerated or decelerated magnetically or elect romagneti cal ly.

[0022] In one embodiment, the catalyst, grinder particles, mixing particles and / or balls are moved in the reactor . In one embodiment, the catalyst is moved by rotating, bouncing, fluidizing, e . g. partially fluidizing or totally fluidizing, adjusting an angle of incline of the reactor and / or moving linearly in the reactor. In one embodiment, the catalyst is arranged to move by rotating, bouncing, fluidizing, e . g. partially or totally fluidizing, adjusting an angle of incline of the reactor and / or moving linearly in the reactor, preferably using the magnetic device, electromagnetic device and / orelectric means . In one embodiment, the grinder particles, mixing particles and / or balls are arranged to move by rotating, bouncing, adjusting an angle of incline of the reactor and / or moving linearly in the reactor, preferably using the magnetic device, electromagnetic device and / or electric means .

[0023] In one embodiment, the catalyst is moved magnetically or electromagnetically using the magnetic or electromagnetic device . In one embodiment, the catalyst is moved electrically using the electric means . In one embodiment, the catalyst is moved by the magnetic or electromagnetic device and by the electric means . In one embodiment, the catalyst and / or reactant are further mixed magnetically or electromagnetically by the magnetic or electromagnetic device . In one embodiment, the catalyst and / or reactant are further mixed electrically by the electric means . In one embodiment, the catalyst is moved, and the catalyst and / or reactant are mixed magnetically or electromagnetically. In one embodiment, the catalyst is moved, and the catalyst and / or reactant are mixed electrically. In one embodiment, the catalyst is moved, and the catalyst and / or reactant are mixed magnetically or electromagnetically and electrically. In one embodiment, the catalyst may lose magnetic properties by the action of heat during the chemical reaction, and then the catalyst, e . g. electrically conductive catalyst, is moved and / or mixed by using the electric means . In one embodiment, the electrically conductive catalyst is moved and / or mixed by using the electric means .

[0024] In one embodiment, the carbon is separated from the catalyst by the magnetic device, electromagnetic device and / or electric means and / or grinder particles . In one embodiment, the carbon is separated from the catalyst by the magnetic or electromagnetic device and / or electric means and by utilizing grinder particles or balls . In oneembodiment, carbon blocks can be decreased or removed by the magnetic or electromagnetic device and / or electric means and by utilizing grinder particles or balls, and thus fouling prevention can be performed.

[0025] In one embodiment, the movement of the catalyst, the recirculation of the catalyst or the purification of the catalyst, i . e . carbon separation is carried out at temperature of below 800 °C. In one embodiment, the chemical reaction is carried out at temperature of 500 - 800 °C. Then the catalyst has better magnetic properties .

[0026] Preferably, the chemical reaction is carried out by the catalyst in the reactor, preferably inside the reactor. The catalyst can be formed from the catalyst material . The catalyst may contain a catalytically active agent (s) , such as metal (s) . In one embodiment, the catalyst comprises catalyst particles, catalyst structure and / or molten catalyst . In one embodiment, the catalyst comprises a desired shape or structure, e . g. particles or structure . In one embodiment, the catalyst is the molten catalyst, such as metal and / or salt .

[0027] In one embodiment, the catalyst and / or carbon is pre-treated and / or post-treated. In one embodiment, the catalyst or its surface may be pre-treated by modifying for improving the activity of the catalyst . In one embodiment, the catalyst or its surface may be posttreated by modifying for regenerating the catalyst and / or improving the activity of the catalyst, for example when the catalyst is recirculated in the reactor. In one embodiment, the catalyst comprising carbon is post-treated . In one embodiment, the carbon is posttreated. In one embodiment, the catalyst is treated by a chemical and / or physical activation treatment . In one embodiment, the catalyst is treated by the chemical and / or physical activation treatment, which is selected from the group consisting of an acid treatment, steam activation, air activation, mechanical treatment, or anycombination thereof . In one embodiment, the catalyst is activated using at least acid treatment, steam activation and / or air activation to form the catalyst material . In one embodiment, heat is used during the activation treatment . In one embodiment, the catalyst is pretreated or post-treated at least by an acid, heat or their combination. In one embodiment, heat is generated by heating, e . g. inductive heating, and / or mixing.

[0028] In one embodiment, the catalyst is calcined and / or reduced, preferably after the activation treatment or as one step of the activation treatment . In one embodiment, an activation-treated catalyst is calcined and / or reduced. In one embodiment, the catalyst is reduced. In one embodiment, the catalyst is calcined and reduced. In one embodiment, the catalyst is calcined and / or reduced in the reactor by inductive heating and / or mixing, e . g. magnetic or electromagnetic mixing.

[0029] In one embodiment, the magnetic or electromagnetic device and / or electric means may be used for pretreatment or post-treatment of the catalyst or the carbon and catalyst . In one embodiment, the catalyst is posttreated, e . g. by the regeneration and / or activation, utilizing the magnetic or electromagnetic device and / or electric means . In one embodiment, the catalyst comprising carbon is post-treated by separating the carbon from the catalyst, utilizing the magnetic or electromagnetic device and / or electric means . In one embodiment, the catalyst comprising carbon is post-treated by separating the carbon from the catalyst and / or by regenerating and / or activating the catalyst, preferably utilizing the magnetic or electromagnetic device and / or electric means .

[0030] In one embodiment, the reactor is used to pretreat and / or activate the catalyst before an actual chemical reaction. In one embodiment, the reactor is used to post-treat the catalyst, e . g. by separating the carbon or by regenerating and / or activating. In one embodiment,the catalyst is activated in the reactor . In one embodiment, the catalyst is calcined and / or reduced in the reactor. In one embodiment, the reactor comprises separate reactor parts, e . g. chambers or reaction spaces . In one embodiment, the system or method comprises several reactors . In one embodiment, the first reactor or the first part of the reactor is arranged to perform the calcination and optionally reduction, or alternatively the next reactor or the next part of the reactor is arranged to perform reduction, and the second or third reactor or the second or third part of the reactor is arranged to perform the chemical reaction and optionally a post-treatment of the catalyst comprising carbon, e . g. by separating the carbon from the catalyst, and optionally a catalyst recirculating. In one embodiment, the post-treatment, such as the regeneration or activation of the catalyst, can be performed in the first reactor or the first part of the reactor. In one embodiment, the part of the reactor or each part of the reactor may comprise the magnetic device, electromagnetic device and / or electric means to move and / or control the catalyst or particles of the catalyst .

[0031] In one embodiment, the catalyst is moved from a previous reactor or reactor part, e . g. chamber or reaction space, to a next reactor or reactor part, e . g. chamber or reaction space, preferably using the magnetic device, electromagnetic device and / or electric means .

[0032] In the method, the reactant is fed to the reactor . In this context, the reactant means any suitable reactant, which can be treated in the process, such as in the reactor . In one embodiment, the reactant is a hydrocarbon selected from the group of Ci-io-alkanes , such as methane and ethane, C2-io_alkenes , and C2-io_al-kynes, or a mixture of hydrocarbons, or any combinations thereof . In one embodiment, the reactant comprises at least methane .In one embodiment, the chemical reaction is performed at a pressure between 0 - 100 bar and / or at a temperature between 500 - 1000 °C . In one embodiment, the chemical reaction is performed at a reaction temperature of between 500 - 1000 °C, or at temperature of 600 - 900 °C, or at temperature of 650 - 850 °C . In one embodiment, the chemical reaction is performed under the pressure of between 0 - 100 bar, in one embodiment 0 -20 bar, and in one embodiment 0 - 5 bar . In one embodiment, the chemical reaction is performed under the atmospheric pressure . In one embodiment, the reactor is pressurized. In one embodiment, the contact time of the reactant with the catalyst is selected based on the reactant and the catalyst . In one embodiment, the chemical reaction is the reaction, in which the hydrocarbon is treated, and the hydrocarbon is selected from the group of Ci-io-alkanes , such as methane and ethane, C2-io_alkenes and C2-io_alkynes , or a mixture of hydrocarbons, or any combinations thereof . In one embodiment, the mixture of hydrocarbons, e . g. natural gas, biogas, tail gases, e . g. from refining, or any combination thereof, is treated in the chemical reaction. Preferably, the reactant is fed to the reactor, and the chemical reaction is performed in the reactor, and at least carbon is formed, and it can be recovered. Preferably, the reactant is arranged to contact with the catalyst in the reactor .

[0033] In one embodiment, the chemical reaction is selected from the group consisting of a methane splitting, catalysed pyrolysis, catalysed hydrocarbon pyrolysis, catalysed methane pyrolysis, catalytic hydrocarbon decomposition, catalytic methane decomposition, thermo-catalytic decomposition, thermocatalytic methane decomposition, chemical vapor deposition, other reaction, or any combination thereof . In one embodiment, the chemical reaction is the thermocatalytic decomposition. In oneembodiment, the chemical reaction is the methane splitting .

[0034] In one embodiment, the reactant is arranged to flow from top to bottom in the vertical reactor . The reactant flow direction from top to bottom enables easier carbon recovery from the bottom. In one embodiment, the reactant is arranged to flow from bottom to top in the vertical reactor, especially if a fluidized reactor is used. In one embodiment, the reactant is arranged to flow horizontally in the horizontal reactor .

[0035] When the catalyst particles are moved and / or mixed, the particles warm up . In one embodiment, the reactor and / or catalyst is heated, e . g. using a suitable heating device and / or using a suitable heating method. In one embodiment, the heating method selected from gas heating, resistance heating and / or inductive heating is used to heat the reactor, reactant, catalyst, balls, grinder particles and / or mixing particles . In one embodiment, the catalyst, balls, mixing particles and / or grinder particles are heated. In one embodiment, the reactor and / or reactant is heated.

[0036] In one embodiment, the reactor comprises an induction heating device to heat the reactor, reactant, catalyst, balls, mixing particles and / or grinder particles inductively. In one embodiment, the method comprises heating the reactor, reactant, catalyst, balls, mixing particles and / or grinder particles inductively. In one embodiment, the method comprises heating the catalyst, balls, mixing particles and / or grinder particles inductively. In one embodiment, the inductive heating device is the same electromagnetic device, which is used for moving and / or mixing. In one embodiment, the inductive heating device is a separate device . In one embodiment, the catalyst is calcined and / or reduced by inductive heating, e . g. in the pre-treatment or post-treatment . In one embodiment, the heat generated by the inductiveheating is used in the pre-treatment or post-treatment of the catalyst and / or carbon.

[0037] In one embodiment, the reactor comprises a control device for controlling the magnetic device, electromagnetic device and / or electric means . Then the movement and / or mixing may be controlled in the reactor. In one embodiment, the control device is arranged to control the process, e . g. the conditions of the chemical reaction, the mixing or movement of the catalyst, reactant grinder particles, mixing particles and / or balls .

[0038] The solid carbon product comprises at least carbon, especially an allotrope of carbon or a mixture of allotropes . Preferably, the carbon product is formed as the reaction product in the solid form. In one embodiment, the allotrope of the carbon product is formed, and the allotrope comprises carbon nanofibers, carbon nanotubes, single wall carbon nanotubes, multiwalled carbon nanotubes, carbon nano onions, carbon nano shells, carbon micro shells, carbon coils, amorphous carbon, graphene, graphite fibers, graphite, or any combination thereof . In one embodiment, the allotrope of the carbon product is formed, and the allotrope comprises graphite fibers and / or graphite, e . g. any graphite, any graphite fibers, filamentous graphite fibers or the like . In one embodiment, the allotrope of the carbon product is a mixture of the allotropes . The allotrope of the carbon product may contain also other graphitic type carbon and / or metal or metal oxide impurities .

[0039] In one embodiment, the method further comprising producing hydrogen in the reactor . The hydrogen is formed by the chemical reaction, and the hydrogen is recovered from the reactor.

[0040] Thanks to the invention an effective process can be provided to produce solid carbon products and hydrogen. The catalyst can be moved in the reactor, andthe carbon can be separated and removed from the catalyst during the reaction. Further, an undesired aggregation of the catalyst and carbon can be avoided during the reaction. Further, the mass of the active bed can be increased in the reactor, and thus efficiency of the reactor and conversion of the process can be improved. Further, the pre-treatment and post-treatment of the catalyst can be improved. Thus, the effective continuous process can be achieved. Further, the apparatus with simple mechanical structure can be used to produce the carbon product continuously, in which special device components are not needed, and thus need for maintenance can be decreased.

[0041] The invention offers a possibility to achieve the carbon product and hydrogen with good properties easily. The carbon product having high purity can be achieved. The carbon yield and methane conversion can be increased. Further, the carbon formation and allotropes may be modified during the reaction. Further, efficiency can be improved in the thermocatalytic decomposition process, e . g. methane splitting.

[0042] EXAMPLES

[0043] The reactor, e . g. tube reactor or fluidized bed reactor, for a chemical reaction forming a solid carbon product comprises a catalyst, an inlet for supplying a reactant into the reactor, an outlet for discharging the product, and a magnetic or electromagnetic device and / or electric means to provide a movement of the catalyst in the reactor . Further, magnetic or electromagnetic device and / or electric means provide also mixing, such as mixing of the catalyst and / or reactant, in the reactor . The magnetic or electromagnetic device and / or electric means can be placed outside the reactor, and alternatively a part of the magnetic or electromagnetic device, e . g. an electromagnet or magnetic stirrer, and / or a part of theelectric means can be placed inside the reactor. According to the example, the reactor comprises the magnetic or electromagnetic device and electric means .

[0044] The solid carbon product is produced in the reactor by a chemical reaction with the catalyst . A hydrocarbon reactant, e . g. methane, is supplied into the reactor, and the reactant is arranged into contact with the catalyst for performing the chemical reaction. The chemical reaction is carried out at a temperature of 500 - 1000 °C in the reactor, and simultaneously the catalyst is moved in the reactor, preferably magnetically, electromagnetically and / or electrically. Further, the catalyst and / or reactant may be mixed, preferably magnetically, electromagnetically and / or electrically, during the chemical reaction in the reactor . The solid carbon product, preferably comprising an allotrope or allotropes of the carbon, is formed in the reactor, and the product is recovered. The product may be recovered directly from the reactor or in a next step of the process after further processing.

[0045] According to one example, the catalyst may be treated by a chemical and / or physical activation treatment, e . g. by an acid-treatment and / or by heat, in the reactor, preferably before the actual chemical reaction. Further, the catalyst may be calcined and / or reduced, after the activation treatment, in the reactor. According to an example, the catalyst or carbon may be post-treated, e . g. by separating carbon from the catalyst and / or by regenerating and / or activating. The catalyst may be regenerated and / or activated, when the catalyst is recirculated, e . g. to a front of the reactor, and / or reused.

[0046] According to one example, the reactor comprises an induction heating device to heat the reactor, catalyst, balls, mixing particles and / or grinder particles inductively. Alternatively, the heat may be generated by moving and / or mixing in the reactor.Further, hydrogen can be produced in the chemical reaction, such as in the thermocatalytic decomposition .

[0047] Example 1

[0048] In this example, the reactor comprises at least the magnetic or electromagnetic device comprising at least one electromagnet or magnetic stirrer . The electromagnet or magnetic stirrer is placed inside the reactor without an axle arranged out of the reactor, and the magnetic or electromagnetic device is outside the reactor . Then a conventional movement or mixing can be replaced with the magnetic or electromagnetic mixing in the chemical reaction, e . g. thermocatalytic decomposition. Further, for example, a rotation or movement of the reactor may be replaced with the magnetic or electromagnetic mixing. Further, the catalyst can be moved in the reactor magnetically and / or electromagnetically .

[0049] According to one example, the movement of the electromagnet or magnetic stirrer may be adjusted electrically.

[0050] Example 2

[0051] In this example, the reactor comprises at least the magnetic or electromagnetic device . The magnetic or electromagnetic device is arranged to adjust a fill factor of the reactor, to adjust a residence time in the reactor, and / or to feed the catalyst into the reactor . The fill factor of the reactor may be adjusted by a magnetic or electromagnetic kinetic energy controller, which is arranged to an end of the reactor. By means of the kinetic energy controller, material flowing freely can be prevented, until the desired criteria are reached from process control perspective . The residence time may be adjusted by a magnetic or electromagnetic decelerator and / or magnetic or electromagnetic accelerator in thereactor. The catalyst can be fed accurately into the reactor by the magnetic or electromagnetic device .

[0052] According to one example, a fill factor of the reactor and / or a residence time in the reactor is adjusted by the magnetic or electromagnetic device and electric means . According to one example, the catalyst is fed by using the magnetic or electromagnetic device and electric means into the reactor.

[0053] Example 3

[0054] In this example, the reactor comprises at least the magnetic or electromagnetic device . The magnetic or electromagnetic device is arranged to move the catalyst in the reactor. The catalyst may be moved by rotating, bouncing, fluidizing, adjusting an angle of incline of the reactor and / or moving linearly in the reactor. The catalyst or catalyst particles can be moved by the magnetic or electromagnetic field. Thus, also a fluidization of the catalyst particles can be performed easily in the reactor .

[0055] According to one example, the catalyst is moved by the magnetic or electromagnetic device and electric means in the reactor.

[0056] In one example, the catalyst particles are moved inside a fixed catalyst structure . Then, by means of the catalyst particles, the carbon can be removed by scrubbing from the surface of the catalyst structure . Thus, the clogging of the fixed catalyst structure may be avoided .

[0057] Example 4

[0058] In this example, the reactor comprises at least the magnetic or electromagnetic device . The magnetic or electromagnetic device is arranged to provide a linear movement of the catalyst in the reactor and / or to recirculate the catalyst from an end of the reactor to a frontof the reactor . The active catalyst can be moved from the end of the reactor to the front of the reactor by the magnetic or electromagnetic device .

[0059] According to one example, the catalyst is recirculated by the magnetic or electromagnetic device and electric means from the end of the reactor to the front of the reactor .

[0060] Example 5

[0061] According to this example, the reactor comprises balls, mixing particles and / or grinder particles inside the reactor. The balls, mixing particles and / or grinder particles are moved magnetically or electromag-netically in the reactor, and they are arranged to move freely in the reactor. Then the catalyst may be moved effectively in the reactor and the carbon may be removed and separated easily from the catalyst . Simultaneously, the mixing can be improved in the reactor, especially using the mixing particles .

[0062] Example 6

[0063] In this example, the reactor comprises at least the magnetic or electromagnetic device . The carbon may be removed and separated and / or purified from the catalyst magnetically or electromagnetically using a magnetic or electromagnetic impact in the end of the reactor.

[0064] Example 7

[0065] In this example, the reactor comprises at least the magnetic or electromagnetic device and / or electric means, and a post-treatment of the catalyst and / or carbon may be performed using the magnetic or electromagnetic device and / or electric means . The carbon may be removed and separated from the catalyst and / or purified magnetically or electromagnetically, and optionally balls or grinder particles may be utilized.According to one example, the catalyst is posttreated by regeneration and / or activation for improving the activity of the catalyst . For example, the regeneration and / or activation of the catalyst is carried out, when the catalyst is recirculated to the front of the reactor or to the first reactor or first reactor part .

[0066] It was observed that the reactor is suitable for producing a solid carbon product .

[0067] The reactor and method are suitable in different embodiments for using in different processes where carbon is formed. Further, the invention is suitable in different embodiments for producing carbon products and other products, such as hydrogen.

[0068] The invention is not limited merely to the examples referred to above; instead, many variations are possible within the scope of the inventive idea defined by the claims .

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A reactor for a chemical reaction forming at least a solid carbon product , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the reactor comprises a catalyst , at least one inlet for supplying a reactant into the reactor, at least one outlet for discharging the product , and at least one magnetic or electromagnetic device and / or electric means to provide movement of the catalyst in the reactor, and the reactor comprises at least a mechanical stirrer part , balls , mixing particles , and / or grinder particles or pieces inside the reactor for facil itating a mixing or movement of the catalyst and / or a removal of carbon from the catalyst .2 . The reactor according to claim 1 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the catalyst comprises catalyst particles , catalyst structure and / or molten catalyst .3 . The reactor according to claim 1 or 2 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the magnetic or electromagnetic device comprises at least one electromagnet .4 . The reactor according to any one o f claims 1 to 3 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the reactor comprises balls , mixing particles , and / or grinder particles or pieces inside the reactor .

5. The reactor according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the reactor comprises at least one mechanical stirrer part in the reactor, and the mechanical stirrer part is operated magnetically or electromagnetically .

6. The reactor according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the magnetic or electromagnetic device and / or electric means are arranged to move the catalyst in the reactor, to adj ust a fill factor of the reactor, to adj ust a residence time in the reactor, to feed the catalyst into the reactor, to provide a linear movement of the catalyst and / or torecirculate the catalyst from an end of the reactor to a front of the reactor .7 . The reactor according to any one o f claims 1 to 6 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the catalyst is arranged to move by rotating, bouncing, fluidizing, adj usting an angle of incline of the reactor and / or moving linearly in the reactor .8 . The reactor according to any one o f claims 1 to 7 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the reactor is selected from the group consisting of a tube reactor, fluidized bed reactor, packed bed reactor, fixed bed reactor, moving bed reactor, trickle bed reactor, rotary kiln reactor, bubble column reactor, autoclave reactor, stirred tank reactor, plug flow reactor, membrane reactor, or any combination thereof .9 . A method for producing at least a solid carbon product by a chemical reaction, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the method comprisesa ) supplying a reactant into a reactor, which comprises a catalyst and at least one magnetic or electromagnetic device and / or electric means to provide movement of the catalyst , and arranging the reactant into contact with the catalyst for performing the chemical reaction in the reactor, in which the reactor comprises at least a mechanical stirrer part , balls , mixing particles , and / or grinder particles or pieces inside the reactor for facilitating a mixing or movement of the catalyst and / or a removal of carbon from the catalyst ; b ) performing the chemical reaction at a temperature of 500 - 1000 ° C in the reactor and moving the catalyst in the reactor ; andc ) recovering at least the solid carbon product .10 . The method according to claim 9 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the method further comprises arranging balls , mixing particles and / or grinderparticles or pieces to the reactor and moving them inside the reactor .11 . The method according to claim 9 or 10 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the catalyst is moved by rotating, bouncing, fluidi zing, adj usting an angle of incline of the reactor and / or moving linearly in the reactor .12 . The method according to any one o f claims 9 to 11 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a fill factor of the reactor and / or a residence time in the reactor is adj usted by the magnetic or electromagnetic device and / or electric means .13 . The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the catalyst is fed by using the magnetic or electromagnetic device and / or electric means into the reactor .14 . The method according to any one of claims 9 to 13 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the catalyst is recirculated by the magnetic or electromagnetic device and / or electric means from an end of the reactor to a front of the reactor .

15. The method according to any one o f claims 9 to 14 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the carbon is separated from the catalyst by the magnetic or electromagnetic device and / or electric means and / or grinder particles .

16. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 15 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the catalyst and / or carbon is pre-treated and / or post-treated .17 . The method according to any one of claims 9 to 16 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the reactor, reactant , catalyst, balls , mixing particles and / or grinder particles are heated inductively .18 . The method according to any one of claims 9 to 17 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the chemical reaction is selected from the group consisting of amethane splitting, catalysed pyrolysis, catalysed hydrocarbon pyrolysis, catalysed methane pyrolysis, catalytic hydrocarbon decomposition, catalytic methane decomposition, thermocatalytic decomposition, thermocatalytic methane decomposition, chemical vapor deposition, other reaction, or any combination thereof .