Thermochemical Hydrogen Reactor with Recirculating Fluid Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for hydrogen production, such as steam reforming of natural gas and electrolysis of water, face challenges including reliance on fossil fuels, inefficiency, high costs, and lack of flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A thermochemical cycle system for hydrogen production from water, utilizing a reactor with interconnected reaction zones and fluid circuits to recirculate reaction products as reactants, enhancing energy efficiency and reactant utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional hydrogen production methods (steam reforming, electrolysis) are used, then hydrogen can be produced, but they rely on fossil fuels and are inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen production feasibilityVSAvoidenergy efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The hydrogen production process is divided into multiple sequential reaction zones (first reaction zone, second reaction zone, third reaction zone) that operate in series. Each zone performs a specific function in the thermochemical cycle, allowing optimized energy utilization at each stage and eliminating the need for fossil fuels while maintaining high energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple reaction zones into a single integrated reactor system with interconnected fluid circuits. Reaction products from one zone are directly fed to another zone, creating a coupled system that improves overall energy efficiency by utilizing heat and chemical energy throughout the entire process chain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional hydrogen production methods are used, then hydrogen can be produced, but they are expensive to manufacture, install and run

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen production feasibilityVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reactor system is designed to perform multiple functions within a single integrated structure: it conducts thermochemical reactions, separates products, recirculates reactants, and manages heat transfer. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate equipment, lowering both capital costs and operational expenses while maintaining high hydrogen production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system recovers and recirculates reaction products and unreacted materials back through the fluid circuits to subsequent reaction zones. This recovery approach maximizes reactant utilization, reduces waste, and lowers operational costs by eliminating the need for continuous fresh reactant input and product disposal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional hydrogen production methods are used, then hydrogen can be produced, but they lack flexibility in operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen production feasibilityVSAvoidoperational flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The reactor system incorporates dynamic control capabilities with adjustable flow rates, temperatures, and pressure differentials that can be modified in real-time. The fluid circuits can be configured to handle varying reactant inputs and product outputs, allowing the system to adapt to different operational requirements and scale flexibly based on demand.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

The system achieves efficient hydrogen production with reduced energy consumption and costs, offering a scalable and low-carbon solution for hydrogen production.

Implementation Method 1

recirculate fluid around said at least one fluid circuit whereby at least one reaction product from at least one of said at least one reaction is recirculated to the respective reaction zone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid recirculation:

Implementation Method 2

Heat generated in one or more reaction zone is advantageously reused, preferably by one or more heat exchanger, to heat fluid being delivered to one or more other reaction zones

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 3

direct at least one reaction product from at least one of said at least one reaction to the respective reaction zone of at least one other of said at least one reaction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProduct separation:

Data Source

PatentUS20250033021A1Hydrogen production system and method

Publication Date: 2025.01.30 CATAGEN LTD

AI summary

A system for producing hydrogen from water by a thermochemical cycle, for example the sulphuriodine cycle, comprises a reactor having reaction zones for implementing the reactions of the cycle. The reaction zones are interconnected by a fluid circuit and the reactor is configured to direct reaction product(s) from any reaction zone to another reaction zone to provide reactant(s) for the other reaction zone. Fluid is recirculated around the fluid circuit so that reaction product(s) from downstream reaction zone(s) are reused as reactant(s) for upstream reaction zone(s). Heat generated in reaction zone(s) is also reused in other reaction zone(s). The resulting system is energy efficient as well as being efficient in its use of reactants.