Glycerol Atomization for Synthesis Gas Reforming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for producing synthesis gas from glycerol are economically inefficient due to the need for extensive equipment and high temperatures, which can lead to glycerol degradation and carbon formation, especially when processing large quantities.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the preparation of a vapor phase mixture with a high steam-to-carbon ratio, achieved by atomizing glycerol into droplets smaller than 500 µm using a steam-aided nozzle, ensuring rapid evaporation within 0.5 seconds, and subsequent catalytic conversion in a reformer, maintaining a steam-to-carbon ratio of at least 2, to prevent degradation and carbon formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If vacuum distillation is used to purify glycerol, then glycerol can be purified without high temperatures, but extensive equipment is needed and processing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state parameter of glycerol from liquid to vapor phase by atomizing it into fine droplets and rapidly evaporating them. This allows purification and reforming to occur at lower temperatures without requiring complex vacuum distillation equipment, thus resolving the contradiction between temperature control and equipment complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical vacuum distillation system with a thermal evaporation system where glycerol is atomized and evaporated in a vapor phase mixture. This substitution eliminates the need for complex vacuum equipment while achieving effective purification and enabling subsequent catalytic reforming
2Productivity
If high temperatures are used in reforming, then synthesis gas production is efficient, but glycerol degrades and carbon forms in tubes or pipes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the glycerol into fine droplets with diameters of 10-500 μm through atomization. This segmentation increases the surface area to volume ratio, allowing rapid and uniform evaporation and reforming at lower temperatures, thereby preventing glycerol degradation and carbon formation while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary atomization and evaporation of glycerol into fine vapor phase droplets before entering the reformer. This preliminary action ensures complete vaporization and prevents localized overheating and carbon formation during the subsequent reforming process, while maintaining efficient synthesis gas production
3Object-generated harmful factors
If steam to carbon ratio is increased to prevent carbon formation, then carbon formation is avoided, but equipment complexity and processing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state and distribution parameters of glycerol by atomizing it into fine droplets. This parameter change allows the system to achieve effective carbon prevention with moderate steam to carbon ratios (2.0-4.0), avoiding the need for excessive steam addition and associated equipment complexity
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 equipment needs, lowers costs, and prevents glycerol degradation and carbon formation, making the process more economically attractive and effective for large-scale synthesis gas production.
Implementation Method 1
the glycerol is present as droplets with a droplet size of less than 500 μm and the time to complete evaporation does not exceed 0.5 seconds
Implementation Method 2
the time to complete evaporation does not exceed 0.5 seconds
Implementation Method 3
catalytic conversion of the vapor phase mixture into synthesis gas in a reformer
Implementation Method 4
heating up to the desired temperatures for entering a reformer
Implementation Method 5
catalytic steam reforming of crude glycerol
Data Source
AI summary
A process for the production of synthesis gas is presented, which involves the steps of a) preparing a vapor phase mixture comprising steam and at least one hydrocarbon or oxygenated hydrocarbon by atomizing of the at least one hydocarbon or oxygenated hydrocarbon through a nozzle such that the at least one hydrocarbon or oxygenated hydrocarbon is present as droplets with a droplet size of less than 500 µm and the time to complete evaporation does not exceed 0.5 seconds, said at least one hydrocarbon or oxygenated hydrocarbon having an atmospheric boiling point in the range of -50 to 370 °C, said vapor phase having a H2O/C molar ratio of at least 2, and b) catalytic conversion of the vapor phase mixture into synthesis gas in a reformer.