Internal Combustion Engine Reformer Heat Exchanger Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engine reformer installations face safety risks due to high surface temperatures and coking of hydrocarbons during preheating, and existing systems are inefficient in energy use.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of two separate heat exchangers for preheating fuel and air, with optional bypass and steam addition to manage temperatures, along with synthesis gas cooling to optimize energy efficiency and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If high preheating temperature is used for the fuel mixture, then energy efficiency is improved, but safety risk increases due to burnable mixture and coking of hydrocarbons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the preheating process into two separate heat exchangers: one for the fuel mixture and another for the air mixture. This segmentation allows independent temperature control for each stream, enabling the fuel mixture to be preheated to lower temperatures (reducing safety risks and coking) while the air mixture can be preheated to higher temperatures (improving overall energy efficiency).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different preheating temperatures to different substance flows based on their specific requirements. The fuel mixture receives preheating at moderate temperatures to prevent coking and maintain safety, while the air mixture receives preheating at higher temperatures to maximize energy recovery. This local differentiation of thermal conditions optimizes both safety and energy efficiency.
2Use of energy by moving object
If high preheating temperature is used for the fuel mixture, then energy efficiency is improved, but coking of hydrocarbons occurs
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the preheating of fuel and air into distinct heat exchangers, the system can control the temperature of the fuel mixture to remain below the coking threshold while still recovering thermal energy effectively. The fuel stream is preheated in a dedicated heat exchanger that prevents excessive temperature rise, thereby eliminating coking while maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the fuel mixture by controlling it through the first heat exchanger to stay within a safe range that prevents hydrocarbon coking. Simultaneously, the air mixture temperature is optimized through the second heat exchanger. This parameter control strategy decouples the temperature requirements of the two streams, allowing energy-efficient preheating without coking.
3Reliability
If separate heat exchangers are used for preheating fuel and air, then safety and coking control are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs heat exchangers that can handle multiple substance flows and configurations. The first heat exchanger handles fuel mixture preheating, while the second handles air mixture preheating. Both heat exchangers are designed with universal applicability to different flow types and can be configured in series or parallel arrangements, reducing the need for specialized equipment and simplifying the overall system despite the increased number of 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 approach reduces the risk of coking, enhances safety, and improves energy efficiency by allowing lower preheating temperatures and efficient energy utilization in internal combustion engine reformer installations.
Implementation Method 1
The fuel, optionally together with steam, and the air, optionally together with exhaust gas, is preheated by two heat exchangers separately from each other
Implementation Method 2
The fuel, optionally together with steam, and the air, optionally together with exhaust gas, is preheated by two heat exchangers separately from each other
Implementation Method 3
synthesis gas cooling can be arranged in the synthesis gas feed conduit. That cooling can be in the form of two series-connected cooling elements
Implementation Method 4
the heat transfer in the first heat exchanger is increased by way of the feed of steam from the steam feed conduit into the exhaust gas-air substance flow
Data Source
AI summary
An internal combustion engine reformer installation comprises an internal combustion engine, a mixing device having a first feed conduit for a first substance flow and a second feed conduit for a second substance flow, wherein a mixture can be produced from the first and second substance flows in the mixing device, a reformer for reforming the mixture to afford a synthesis gas, a mixture conduit connected to the mixing device and the reformer, and a synthesis gas feed conduit connected to the reformer and the internal combustion engine. A first heat exchanger in heat-coupling relationship with the first feed conduit and a second heat exchanger in heat-coupling relationship with the second feed conduit are arranged in the synthesis gas feed conduit.