Electric Heating Reactor With Integrated Tubes and Pipes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional chemical reactors using natural gas combustion for heating are inefficient in energy consumption and contribute to carbon emissions, requiring separate convective and radiant sections that increase reactor size and space occupation.

Innovation Solution

An electric heating reactor with internally arranged reaction tubes and intersecting pipes within a reactor housing to heat and preheat reactants or generate steam, utilizing electric heating to improve energy efficiency and space utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If natural gas combustion is used for heating in chemical reactors, then heating function is provided, but energy consumption is inefficient and carbon emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumption efficiencyVSAvoidcarbon emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical combustion system (natural gas burning) with an electrical heating system. Electrically heated reaction tubes generate heat through electrical resistance, eliminating combustion-related carbon emissions while providing a more efficient and controllable heating method for reactants and steam generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If separate convective and radiant sections are provided for preheating reactants and generating steam, then heating functions are achieved, but reactor size and space occupation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating function capabilityVSAvoidreactor size

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple heating functions (reactant heating, steam generation, and preheating) into a single integrated reactor housing. The reaction tubes and pipes are arranged concentrically within the same space, allowing heat to be transferred to both reactants and steam simultaneously without requiring separate sections, thereby reducing overall reactor volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a nested arrangement where pipes for steam generation and preheating are positioned inside or around the reaction tubes within the reactor housing. This concentric nesting allows multiple heating functions to share the same spatial envelope, maximizing space utilization while maintaining all necessary heating capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Loss of energy

If electric heating is used to heat reactants and generate steam within the reactor housing, then energy efficiency is improved and space utilization is enhanced, but heating capacity must be sufficient for both functions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidheating capacity requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different heating intensities to different locations within the reactor housing. The reaction tubes are positioned to receive direct electrical heating for reactant processing, while the concentric pipes are positioned to capture residual heat for steam generation and preheating. This localized heat distribution ensures that both functions receive appropriate heating capacity without requiring excessive power input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Enhances energy efficiency and space utilization by electrically heating reactants and generating steam within the reactor housing, reducing carbon emissions and eliminating the need for separate heating sections.

Implementation Method 1

receives power from the power source to generate the heat, and the pipe includes a pipe inlet formed at one end and through which the reactant or steam is introduced and a pipe outlet formed at the other end and through which the preheated reactant or the heat-exchanged steam is discharged

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a pipe disposed in contact with or close to the at least one of the reaction tubes inside the reactor housing, and receiving heat from the at least one reaction tube or transferring heat to the at least one reaction tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4706813A1Electric heating reactor

Publication Date: 2026.03.11 LG CHEM LTD

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AI summary

An electric heating reactor is disclosed. The electric heating reactor includes a reactor housing; at least one reaction tube extending in a first direction in the reactor housing; a pipe disposed in contact with or close to the at least one of the reaction tubes inside the reactor housing, and receiving heat from the at least one reaction tube or transferring heat to the at least one reaction tube; and a power source for supplying power to the at least one reaction tube to heat a reactant passing through the at least one reaction tube, wherein each reaction tube includes a tube inlet formed at one end and through which a reactant is introduced, and a tube outlet formed at the other end and through which a reacted product is discharged, and receives power from the power source to generate the heat, and the pipe includes a pipe inlet formed at one end and through which the reactant or steam is introduced and a pipe outlet formed at the other end and through which the preheated reactant or the heat-exchanged steam is discharged.