Ammonia Evaporator-Reactor Heat Recovery for Low-Energy Fuel Gas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for converting ammonia into hydrogen require high energy input and cannot efficiently produce a combustible, hydrogen-containing gas mixture suitable for use as a fuel in thermal processes or engines.
Innovation Solution
A device and method involving a reactor, burner, and evaporator are used to indirectly heat ammonia, utilizing the thermal energy of a generated gas mixture to evaporate and partially convert ammonia into a combustible gas mixture, with a partition wall separating the combustion chamber to minimize direct contact and maximize energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If ammonia is completely converted into hydrogen and nitrogen using ammonia cracking reactors, then hydrogen is produced, but the energy required is too high for the resulting hydrogen to be used as a fuel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial conversion of ammonia instead of complete conversion. The ammonia cracking reactor is operated to produce a combustible gas mixture containing unreacted ammonia, hydrogen, and nitrogen, rather than converting all ammonia to hydrogen. This partial action reduces the energy input required while still producing a usable fuel mixture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the conversion parameter from complete conversion (100%) to partial conversion (approximately 50-70% conversion rate). By controlling the residence time, temperature, and catalyst properties, the system optimizes the conversion level to produce a combustible mixture that maintains sufficient heating value while minimizing energy consumption
2Ease of manufacture
If a separate evaporator and reactor system is used for ammonia evaporation and conversion, then ammonia can be processed, but the device complexity increases and energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the evaporator and reactor into a single integrated device. The ammonia evaporation chamber and cracking reactor are combined with shared walls and integrated heating systems, eliminating the need for separate equipment while reducing overall energy losses through heat recovery between sections
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device performs multiple functions simultaneously: evaporation of liquid ammonia, heating of ammonia gas, catalytic cracking conversion, and product cooling. The same structural components serve multiple purposes, such as reactor walls that also act as heat exchangers and catalyst supports
3Productivity
If high temperature cracking is used to convert ammonia, then conversion efficiency improves, but heat loss increases and temperature regulation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control through temperature sensors positioned at multiple locations within the reactor, with automated adjustment of heating power and ammonia flow rate. This closed-loop control maintains optimal conversion efficiency while preventing excessive heat loss and regulating temperature within desired ranges
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of ammonia from liquid to gas within the reactor system. The evaporation process absorbs heat, providing natural cooling that helps regulate temperature during the exothermic cracking reaction, reducing the need for additional cooling systems and minimizing heat loss
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 approach allows for the production of an ignitable gas mixture with minimal additional energy expenditure, suitable for heating processes or operating engines, while reducing heat loss and maintaining efficient temperature regulation.
Implementation Method 1
the reactor has an inlet connected to a first outlet of the evaporator, an outlet for the gas mixture, and a partition wall to the combustion chamber in order to indirectly heat the ammonia in the reactor by means of the burner
Implementation Method 2
ammonia provided as a liquid starting material can be fed to the evaporator for evaporation via a first inlet, and ammonia evaporated in the evaporator can be discharged in gaseous form at a first outlet of the evaporator
Implementation Method 3
the outlet of the reactor is connected to a second inlet of the evaporator in order to indirectly heat the liquid ammonia supplied for evaporation by means of the gas mixture flowing out of the reactor
Implementation Method 4
the reactor is configured to at least partially split ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen to produce the gas mixture
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a device and a method for evaporating ammonia and for partially converting ammonia into a gas mixture containing ammonia, wherein in a reactor (3) ammonia (1) is at least partially split into hydrogen and nitrogen to produce the gas mixture (2), wherein ammonia (1) supplied in liquid form as a starting material is supplied upstream of the reactor (3) via a first inlet (51) to an evaporator (5) for evaporation and evaporated ammonia (1) is discharged from the evaporator (5) via a first outlet (52), wherein evaporated ammonia (1) discharged via the first outlet of the evaporator (5) is supplied to the reactor (3), wherein heat is indirectly supplied to the reactor (3) via a partition wall (33) to a combustion chamber (40) of a burner (4) in order to evaporate the ammonia (1) in the reactor (3) by means of of the burner (4) to heat indirectly,and wherein a gas mixture (2) discharged via an outlet (32) of the reactor (3) is fed to a second inlet (53) of the evaporator (5) in order to indirectly heat the liquid ammonia (1) supplied by means of the gas mixture (2) flowing out of the reactor (3) for evaporation.