Hydrogen Production Reactor with Integrated Catalyst and Membrane
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrogen production processes, such as steam reforming and water gas shift reactions, suffer from low heat efficiency due to equilibrium limitations and require large-scale facilities, and existing reactor configurations with separation membranes and catalysts are not scalable for efficient hydrogen production.
Innovation Solution
An integrated reaction/separation process is developed using a hydrogen production module with a specific arrangement of catalysts and separation membranes, allowing for efficient hydrogen production by laminating unit cells, which maximizes reaction efficiency and scalability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If steam reforming and water gas shift reactions are used for hydrogen production, then hydrogen concentration is improved, but heat efficiency deteriorates due to equilibrium limitations and large-scale facility requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the steam reforming reaction and water gas shift reaction into a single integrated reactor system. The reforming catalyst and shift catalyst are positioned in close proximity, allowing the endothermic reforming reaction and exothermic shift reaction to occur simultaneously, thereby improving heat efficiency by utilizing the heat generated from one reaction to drive the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heat transfer medium or structure that facilitates efficient thermal coupling between the reforming and shift reaction zones. This intermediary mechanism enables effective heat exchange, allowing the system to overcome equilibrium limitations and improve overall hydrogen production efficiency.
2Speed
If high temperature is used for steam reforming reaction, then reaction rate is improved, but heat efficiency deteriorates due to large-scale facilities and cooling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the high-temperature steam reforming reaction with the low-temperature water gas shift reaction in a single reactor. By positioning the shift reaction zone adjacent to the reforming zone, the system can maintain high reaction rates while utilizing the exothermic heat from the shift reaction to sustain reforming temperatures, eliminating the need for separate cooling and heating systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs catalysts with optimized properties that enable the reactions to proceed efficiently at reduced temperatures. The use of advanced catalyst formulations allows the steam reforming reaction to achieve acceptable reaction rates at lower temperatures, thereby reducing the energy input required and improving overall heat efficiency.
3Quantity of substance
If separation membrane is disposed around catalyst in existing reactors, then hydrogen separation is improved, but scalability deteriorates due to fixed configuration and structural limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the reactor into modular segments or units, each containing catalyst beds and separation membranes in a standardized configuration. These modular units can be easily replicated and assembled in series to scale up hydrogen production capacity, overcoming the limitations of fixed, non-scalable reactor designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional arrangement of catalyst and membrane to a three-dimensional integrated structure. The separation membrane is configured to wrap around or interpenetrate the catalyst beds in multiple dimensions, maximizing the membrane-catalyst contact area and hydrogen separation efficiency while maintaining a compact, scalable reactor geometry.
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 enables a compact, high-efficiency hydrogen production reactor that can be scaled up, improving heat efficiency and competitiveness in hydrogen production and utilization processes.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrogen separation membrane which separates hydrogen from a reformed gas
Implementation Method 2
a reforming catalyst which reforms a hydrocarbon and/or carbon monoxide
Implementation Method 3
a shift catalyst which conducts a water gas shift reaction of carbon monoxide
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a hydrogen production module by an integrated reaction/separation process, and a hydrogen production reactor using the same, and more specifically, provides a hydrogen production apparatus which laminates a plurality of layered unit cells, is mounted in a pressure-resistant chamber, and can be operated at a high pressure, wherein the unit cell comprises a first modified catalyst, and a second modified catalyst opposite to a hydrogen separator. The hydrogen production module can produce hydrogen using a hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide and an alcohol as sources. Particularly, all the modified catalysts are formed into a porous metal plate form, thereby maximizing the heat transfer effect necessary for reaction. While a reaction and separation of hydrogen simultaneously occur, separated reactants permeate the first modified catalyst so as to come in contact with the same, and then pass through the gap between the hydrogen separator and the second modified catalyst opposite to each other. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a high efficiency over the equilibrium conversion rate of reaction temperature, and high purity hydrogen can be obtained.