Double Helix Gas Hydrate Reactor Temperature Uniformity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas hydrate reactors suffer from temperature gradients that reduce gas hydrate production efficiency, as gas hydrate forms predominantly on the reactor's sidewalls rather than centrally, and require separate dehydration processes due to residual water and gas.
Innovation Solution
A double helix gas hydrate reactor design with a hollow jacket and inner/outer helices that rotate in the same direction, featuring a channel system for uniform gas and water interaction, and a centrifugal separator for dehydration, allowing effective recirculation of unreacted water and gas, thereby enhancing production efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a conventional reactor with water bath or jacket cooling is used, then the outside portion of the reactor can easily reach low temperature conditions, but the central portion cannot easily reach the intended low temperature, causing temperature gradient
Solution Approach 1:
The reactor is divided into multiple cooling zones with independent cooling channels. The cooling system is segmented into inner and outer cooling sections that can independently control temperature in different regions, allowing the central portion to reach low temperature conditions just like the outside portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling approach transitions from surface-level cooling (jacket or water bath) to volumetric cooling by introducing cooling channels throughout the three-dimensional structure of the reactor, including the central region. This dimensional expansion of cooling coverage eliminates the temperature gradient between center and surface.
2Productivity
If temperature gradient is caused in the reactor, then gas hydrate forms only on the sidewall rather than in the central portion, reducing gas hydrate production rate
Solution Approach 1:
The reactor volume is segmented into multiple reaction zones with independent temperature control. By dividing the cooling system into inner and outer sections with separate channels, each zone can be optimized for gas hydrate formation, ensuring uniform production throughout the entire reactor volume rather than concentrating only at the sidewalls.
3Productivity
If water and gas that do not take part in the reaction stay in the reactor, then separate dehydration process is required, reducing production efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The dehydration function is merged with the main reaction system by incorporating a dehydration section directly into the reactor structure. This integrated design allows simultaneous completion of gas hydrate formation and water removal in a single continuous process, eliminating the need for separate dehydration steps and improving overall production efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The dehydration process is made continuous and integrated with the gas hydrate formation process. By maintaining continuous operation of both reaction and dehydration functions within the same system, the process eliminates idle time and sequential steps, ensuring continuous useful action throughout the operation.
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
The double helix reactor ensures uniform gas hydrate formation throughout the reactor, increases production rates, and reduces water content in the gas hydrate slurry through simultaneous dehydration, enhancing overall gas hydrate production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the outer helix and the inner helix rotate in the same direction, and the winding direction of an outer helix blade of the outer helix is opposite to the winding direction of an inner helix blade of the inner helix
Implementation Method 2
a centrifugal separator for dehydration
Data Source
AI summary
A double helix gas hydrate reactor is disclosed. The reactor includes an inlet port (510) into which water and gas are supplied, an outlet port (540) disposed opposite the inlet port, a hollow jacket (580) extending from the inlet port to the outlet port, a hollow outer helix (550) installed in the hollow jacket, and an inner helix (560) installed in the outer helix. The gas and water that are supplied into the inlet port react with each other to form gas hydrate in a channel defined between the inner helix and the hollow jacket.