Clathrate Hydrate Production in Microreactors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing clathrate hydrates for hydrogen storage are inefficient and unsafe due to high pressure requirements and batch production processes, which pose safety hazards and inefficiencies in heat management.
Innovation Solution
The use of multiphase segmented microfluidic flows in microreactors to form clathrate hydrates under controlled conditions, incorporating a secondary guest molecule like tetrahydrofuran (THF) to reduce pressure requirements and enable continuous, safe, and efficient hydrogen storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If batch production processes are used to produce clathrate hydrates, then production flexibility is maintained, but safety hazards increase and heat management efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from batch production to continuous production methods using microreactors. The continuous flow process maintains constant operating conditions, enabling efficient heat management through continuous heat exchange while eliminating the safety hazards associated with batch processing of hazardous materials at high pressures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs microreactor technology that segments the reaction process into small, controlled units. This segmentation allows for better heat management through increased surface area to volume ratio and enables safer handling of hazardous materials by limiting the quantity present in each reactor unit at any given time.
2Stability of the object's composition
If high pressure conditions are applied to form clathrate hydrates, then hydrate formation is achieved, but energy input requirements increase and safety hazards worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes secondary guest molecules like tetrahydrofuran (THF) to modify the thermodynamic parameters of hydrate formation. These additives change the phase behavior and stability conditions, enabling hydrate formation at lower pressures and temperatures, thereby reducing energy input requirements while maintaining hydrate stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces secondary guest molecules as intermediaries that facilitate hydrate formation. These molecules act as templates or structure promoters that enable the water-gas system to form stable clathrate hydrates under milder conditions, reducing the extreme pressure requirements of conventional methods.
3Volume of stationary object
If conventional production methods are used, then equipment volume is large, but transport resistances increase and thermodynamic losses worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from macro-scale conventional equipment to micro-scale reactor systems. This dimensional change from millimeter/cm scale to micrometer scale fundamentally alters the transport phenomena, reducing diffusion path lengths and eliminating transport resistances that cause thermodynamic losses in conventional large-scale equipment.
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 eliminates transport resistances and thermodynamic losses, providing a safe and efficient platform for hydrogen storage by reducing energy input and enhancing thermodynamic efficiency, while minimizing hazardous material quantities and equipment volumes.
Implementation Method 1
forming the clathrate hydrate under hydrate forming conditions
Implementation Method 2
incorporating a secondary guest molecule like tetrahydrofuran (THF) to reduce pressure requirements
Implementation Method 3
The use of multiphase segmented microfluidic flows in microreactors to form clathrate hydrates
Implementation Method 4
forming the clathrate hydrate under hydrate forming conditions
Data Source
AI summary
Clathrate hydrates and methods of their production and separation are described herein. Methods of using the clathrate hydrates for energy storage are also described herein. Further described herein are hydrogen storage devices.