Hydrogen Generation Device Dual Desulfurization Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydrogen generation devices face issues due to sulfur compounds not being converted into hydrogen sulfide being adsorbed onto hydrodesulfurization catalysts, leading to degradation of the reforming catalyst and increased costs due to the need for larger CuZnO catalyst volumes and reduced desulfurization capability.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a hydrogen generation device with a first desulfurization unit for removing sulfur compounds and a second desulfurization unit for hydrodesulfurization, where the hydrogen-containing gas is supplied to the second desulfurization unit before or at the start-up, ensuring that unhydrogenated sulfur compounds are hydrogenated and removed, thereby reducing the risk of adsorption on the hydrodesulfurization catalyst.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If normal-temperature adsorption/desulfurization is used, then ease of operation is improved (no heating and hydrogen needed), but adsorption capacity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The desulfurization process is divided into two distinct stages: normal-temperature adsorption/desulfurization for initial sulfur removal, followed by hydrodesulfurization for deep desulfurization. This segmentation allows each method to operate in its optimal performance range, combining the ease of operation of adsorption with the high capacity of hydrodesulfurization.
Solution Approach 2:
Normal-temperature adsorption/desulfurization is performed as a preliminary step before hydrodesulfurization. This preliminary action removes the bulk of sulfur compounds under mild conditions, preparing the feedstock for subsequent hydrodesulfurization and preventing catalyst poisoning during the high-temperature process.
2Quantity of substance
If hydrodesulfurization is used, then adsorption capacity is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates (heating and hydrogen needed)
Solution Approach 1:
Normal-temperature adsorption/desulfurization is performed as a preliminary step before hydrodesulfurization. This preliminary action removes the bulk of sulfur compounds under mild conditions, preparing the feedstock for subsequent hydrodesulfurization and preventing catalyst poisoning during the high-temperature process.
Solution Approach 2:
The normal-temperature adsorption unit acts as an intermediary between the feedstock and the hydrodesulfurization catalyst. It pre-treats the feedstock by removing easily adsorbable sulfur compounds, thereby protecting the hydrodesulfurization catalyst from poisoning and extending its operational life.
3Reliability
If sulfur compounds are not converted into hydrogen sulfide, then they are adsorbed onto the hydrodesulfurization catalyst, but this leads to catalyst degradation and reduced desulfurization capability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the potentially harmful adsorption of sulfur compounds on the catalyst into a beneficial process by using the adsorbed sulfur compounds as a indicator to trigger the switch to hydrodesulfurization mode. This ensures that sulfur is effectively removed while preventing catalyst degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback control where the performance of the normal-temperature adsorption unit is monitored, and when sulfur removal efficiency decreases (indicating catalyst saturation or sulfur compound adsorption), the system automatically switches to or enhances hydrodesulfurization to restore desulfurization capability.
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 likelihood of sulfur compound adsorption on the hydrodesulfurization catalyst, preventing catalyst degradation and maintaining desulfurization efficiency, thus enhancing the operational stability and cost-effectiveness of the hydrogen generation process.
Implementation Method 1
a first desulfurization unit for removing a sulfur compound from the raw material
Implementation Method 2
a second desulfurization unit for hydrodesulfurizing the sulfur compound in the raw material
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A hydrogen generation device of the present invention comprises a first path (31) used to supply a raw material to a reformer (1) through at least a first desulfurization unit (2); a second path (32) used to supply the raw material to the reformer (1) through only the second desulfurization unit (3); a switch unit (6); a flow control unit (8) which selectively enables or inhibits a flow of the hydrogen-containing gas generated in the reformer 1 toward the second desulfurization unit (3); and a controller (12) configured to execute processing in such a manner that in at least either a time point before generation of the hydrogen-containing gas is stopped, or start-up, the switch unit 6 performs switching to select the first path (31), and the flow control unit (8) enables the flow of the hydrogen-containing gas, while the reformer 1 is generating the hydrogen-containing gas.