Electrosynthesis Gas Flow Control for Methane Synthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
The efficiency of methane synthesis in electrosynthesis systems is reduced due to fluctuations in the concentration ratio of hydrogen gas to carbon monoxide gas obtained from electrolysis, leading to decreased hydrocarbon synthesis efficiency and increased waste generation.
Innovation Solution
An electrosynthesis system with an electrolysis device, hydrocarbon synthesizing device, hydrogen gas storage, carbon monoxide gas storage, concentration sensors, and an adjustment device to maintain a predetermined 3:1 ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide gas flow rates, ensuring stable hydrocarbon synthesis without waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the concentration ratio of hydrogen gas to carbon monoxide gas is maintained at 3:1, then the efficiency of methane synthesis is improved, but the system complexity increases due to the need for separate storage devices and adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the gas handling process by providing separate storage devices for hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide gas, allowing independent control and mixing in the desired 3:1 ratio. This segmentation enables precise control of gas concentrations while maintaining synthesis efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an adjustment device as an intermediary component that mixes the hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide gas in the predetermined 3:1 ratio before supplying them to the methane synthesis device. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by enabling precise ratio control without requiring complete system redesign.
2Ease of operation
If the concentration ratio of hydrogen gas to carbon monoxide gas fluctuates, then the system operation is simpler, but the efficiency of hydrocarbon synthesis is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates concentration sensors that detect the actual concentration ratio of hydrogen gas to carbon monoxide gas and provide feedback to the adjustment device. This feedback mechanism automatically corrects ratio deviations, maintaining synthesis efficiency while requiring minimal manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment device automatically regulates the gas flow rates based on the concentration sensor feedback, enabling the system to self-correct ratio fluctuations without external intervention. This self-service capability maintains synthesis efficiency while preserving operational simplicity.
3Device complexity
If the concentration ratio of hydrogen gas to carbon monoxide gas is not controlled, then the device complexity is reduced, but waste generation increases due to inefficient synthesis
Solution Approach 1:
The system controls the concentration ratio parameter of hydrogen gas to carbon monoxide gas at the optimal 3:1 value, ensuring complete and efficient methane synthesis. This parameter control prevents waste generation from unreacted gases while maintaining reasonable system complexity through standardized control components.
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 configuration stabilizes hydrocarbon synthesis, enhances efficiency, and converts exhaust gases into valuable products, significantly reducing waste generation.
Implementation Method 1
an electrolysis device configured to perform electrolysis on a raw material gas containing carbon dioxide gas and water vapor, and thereby generate a generated gas containing hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide gas
Implementation Method 2
a hydrocarbon synthesizing device configured to synthesize hydrocarbons based on the generated gas
Data Source
AI summary
An electrosynthesis system is equipped with an adjustment device that adjusts a flow rate of a hydrogen gas supplied from a hydrogen gas storage device to a generated gas flow path, and a flow rate of a carbon monoxide gas supplied from the carbon monoxide gas storage device to the generated gas flow path, based on a detection result of a first concentration sensor, in a manner so that the hydrogen gas and the carbon monoxide gas are supplied to a hydrocarbon synthesizing device at a predetermined concentration ratio.