Alternating Heat Storage and Exchange Layers for Compact Reactor Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat storage reactors face challenges in efficiently generating chemical heat storage reactions and achieving sufficient heat output and radiation, with existing designs either complicating pressure control or requiring increased size to facilitate heat transfer.
Innovation Solution
A heat storage reactor with alternately stacked heat storage layers and heat exchange layers, where open ends for the second flow paths are on a different surface than those for the first flow paths, allowing independent pressure control and parallel or counter-flow heat exchange, thereby enhancing heat output and radiation without increasing size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the flow paths for reactant fluid and heat exchange fluid are orthogonal to each other, then pressure control can be performed independently, but the size of the heat storage reactor is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the flow paths of the reactant fluid (first fluid) and heat exchange fluid (second fluid) into a single layered structure where heat storage layers and heat exchange layers are alternately stacked. This allows both fluids to flow through the same reactor volume simultaneously, achieving independent pressure control while maintaining a compact size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a conventional orthogonal arrangement to a layered stacked arrangement where heat storage layers and heat exchange layers alternate in the vertical dimension. This dimensional reorganization allows parallel flow paths to coexist within the same footprint, reducing reactor size while maintaining independent pressure control capability.
2Loss of energy
If the flow paths are elongated to transfer sufficient heat, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the size of the heat storage reactor is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple heat storage layers and heat exchange layers in an alternating stacked configuration, creating numerous heat exchange interfaces within a compact volume. This multi-layered structure intensifies heat transfer efficiency without requiring elongated flow paths, as heat is exchanged across multiple adjacent layer interfaces simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested layered structure where heat storage layers and heat exchange layers are interleaved in an alternating sequence. This nesting arrangement maximizes the heat exchange surface area within a compact footprint, allowing sufficient heat transfer without increasing the overall reactor size through path elongation.
3Device complexity
If open ends for both flow paths are on the same surface, then the structure is simplified, but pressure independent control cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an asymmetric configuration where the open ends of the first flow paths and the open ends of the second flow paths are positioned on different surfaces of the reactor. This asymmetric arrangement enables independent pressure control for both fluids by providing separate access points, while the overall layered structure remains relatively simple and manufacturable.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design enables a larger heat output and increased heat radiation while minimizing the reactor's size, addressing the inefficiencies and size constraints of previous designs.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of heat storage layers (4) having first flow paths (2) through which a first fluid can flow, each of the first flow paths (2) being filled with heat storage materials (3)
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of heat exchange layers (6) having second flow paths (5) through which a second fluid can flow
Data Source
AI summary
A heat storage reactor, comprising: a plurality of heat storage layers including first flow paths through which a first fluid can flow, each of the first flow paths being filled with heat storage materials; and a plurality of heat exchange layers including second flow paths through which a second fluid can flow. In the heat storage reactor, the plurality of heat storage layers and the plurality of heat exchange layers are alternately stacked. Further, open ends for the second flow paths are formed on a surface different from a surface on which open ends of the first flow paths are formed. Furthermore, at least a part of the second flow paths is formed in parallel to the first flow paths.