Formic Acid Dehydrogenation Reactor With Tangential Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for hydrogen production from formic acid often result in high carbon monoxide (CO) generation due to inadequate temperature control, leading to impure hydrogen production.
Innovation Solution
A system and method involving a reactor vessel with a temperature control arrangement outside the reactor space, a pump, and a tangentially directed inflow conduit to maintain uniform temperature and mixing, avoiding mechanical stirrers, and using a catalyst like Ru-based carbene complexes for dehydrogenation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heating means is provided inside the reactor space to heat the mixture, then the reaction temperature can be controlled, but local high temperatures are generated leading to increased CO generation rate
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is segmented from the reaction zone. The temperature control arrangement is positioned outside the reactor space, separating the heating function from the reaction zone to avoid local temperature spikes that promote CO generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temperature control arrangement as an intermediary component positioned outside the reactor. This intermediary controls the temperature of the formic acid feed without directly heating the reaction mixture inside the reactor, thereby preventing local overheating and CO generation.
2Ease of operation
If mechanical stirrers are used to mix the catalyst and formic acid, then mixing efficiency is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical stirrer is completely removed from the system. Instead of using mechanical mixing, the patent extracts the mixing function and replaces it with a simpler system where formic acid is fed directly onto the catalyst in a configured reactor geometry, eliminating complex mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical mixing system is replaced with a chemical/physical approach where the formic acid feed strategy and reactor geometry create effective mixing without mechanical stirrers, reducing device complexity while maintaining mixing efficiency.
3Productivity
If high temperature is used to increase hydrogen production rate, then productivity is improved, but CO generation increases reducing hydrogen purity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature control parameter from high temperature to a more moderate temperature range (20-200°C). This parameter change slows down the reaction rate but prevents excessive CO generation, allowing for purer hydrogen production while maintaining acceptable productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a controlled reaction environment that minimizes CO generation, effectively creating an 'inert' chemical environment regarding CO production. By controlling temperature and feed strategies, the system maintains an environment favorable for hydrogen production without significant CO contamination.
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
Produces relatively pure hydrogen by minimizing CO generation through precise temperature control and effective mixing, ensuring a robust and cost-effective process.
Implementation Method 1
hydrogen production by dehydrogenation of formic acid
Implementation Method 2
a catalyst provided in the fuel cells
Implementation Method 3
heating and/or cooling, in use, said mixture withdrawn from said reactor space to a predetermined temperature range
Implementation Method 4
precise temperature control
Implementation Method 5
a pump, communicatively coupled for fluid flow, via said mixture inflow opening and said mixture outflow opening, to said reactor space
Implementation Method 6
said mixture, in use, is introduced in said reactor space, via said mixture inflow opening, in a predetermined direction having a tangential component, preferably arranged for stirring and/or mixing
Data Source
AI summary
The system includes a reactor vessel having a reactor space bound by a reactor wall. The reactor vessel is arranged for holding a mixture of a catalyst and formic acid in the reactor space. The reactor vessel includes a mixture inflow opening for allowing the mixture to enter the reactor space and a mixture outflow opening for allowing said mixture to exit the reactor space, and a gas outflow opening for allowing hydrogen originating from the mixture to exit the reactor space. A method for hydrogen production includes: providing the formic acid and the catalyst into the reactor space; withdrawing the mixture from the reactor space; heating and/or cooling the mixture to a predetermined temperature range outside the reactor space; and introducing the heated and/or cooled mixture into the reactor space in a predetermined direction having a tangential component arranged for stirring said mixture in the reactor space.