Integrated Water-Gas Shift and Oxidation Reactor for Naval Hydrogen
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrogen and steam production installations for underwater devices, utilizing diesel reformers and oxygen, are costly due to complex setups and high operational expenses.
Innovation Solution
A compact device integrating a single pressure enclosure for both Water-Gas Shift Reaction and catalytic oxidation processes, reducing the need for separate units and minimizing pipe complexity, with a tubular burner design for catalyst replacement ease and reduced leak risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If separate units are used for water-gas shift reaction and catalytic oxidation, then process functionality is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the water-gas shift reaction unit and catalytic oxidation unit into a single integrated device with a common pressure enclosure. The first heat exchanger-reactor performs water-gas shift reaction while the second heat exchanger-reactor performs catalytic oxidation, both within the same enclosure, thereby reducing device complexity and eliminating the need for separate units while maintaining both process functionalities
2Loss of energy
If multiple separate devices are used for hydrogen production, then functional requirements are met, but pipe complexity and energy losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging both reactions into a single pressure enclosure with internal fluid communication, the patent eliminates the need for external piping between separate units. The synthesis gas outlet of the first reactor directly connects to the fuel gas inlet of the second reactor through internal channels, reducing pipe complexity and minimizing energy losses associated with gas transport through external pipes
3Ease of repair
If conventional reactor designs are used, then reaction functionality is provided, but maintenance accessibility is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the catalytic oxidation unit (second heat exchanger-reactor) with a removable cover that can be opened from the top of the pressure enclosure. This segmentation allows the catalytic oxidation reactor to be accessed, opened, and maintained independently while remaining part of the integrated system, significantly improving catalyst replacement accessibility without requiring disassembly of the entire device
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 solution provides a more cost-effective hydrogen production system by simplifying the setup, reducing energy losses, and enhancing maintenance accessibility, making it suitable for underwater applications.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger-reactor located in the internal volume, fluidly connected to the second inlet and the second outlet, and adapted to carry out a reaction of the gas with water (in English: water-gas shift reaction) on the synthesis gas and obtain the modified synthesis gas
Implementation Method 2
a first heat exchanger-reactor located in the internal volume, fluidly connected to the second inlet and the second outlet, and adapted to carry out a reaction of the gas with water (in English: water-gas shift reaction) on the synthesis gas and obtain the modified synthesis gas, and to heat the water admitted into the internal volume and produce at least part of said steam
Implementation Method 3
a second exchanger-reactor fluidly connected to the third inlet, the fourth inlet and the third outlet, the second exchanger-reactor being adapted to carry out a catalytic oxidation of the fuel gas by the oxidizing gas and obtain the converted gases
Implementation Method 4
The second device transfers the heat released by catalytic oxidation to water to produce a water-steam mixture
Data Source
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AI summary
Integrated device for carrying out a water gas reaction and catalytic oxidation, system incorporating such a device and naval platform incorporating such a system (24) comprising: - an enclosure (34) defining an interior volume (36) and configured to contain a mixture of water and steam (38), - a first exchanger-reactor (50A) located in the interior volume, and suitable for carrying out a water gas reaction of a syngas (42) and obtaining a modified syngas (44), and for heating water (18) admitted into the interior volume and producing steam (40), and - a second exchanger-reactor (50B) suitable for carrying out the catalytic oxidation of a combustible gas (46) by an oxidising gas (20) and obtaining converted gases (48). The second exchanger-reactor is located in the interior volume and is suitable for heating the water (18) admitted into the interior volume and producing at least a part of said steam (40). System incorporating such a device, and naval platform incorporating such a system.