Manufacturing device and manufacturing method for hydrogen and synthetic natural gas

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hydrogen and synthetic natural gas production systems face inefficiencies in heat management and carbon dioxide emission, particularly due to the endothermic nature of dehydrogenation reactions and the need for external heat sources, which hampers energy efficiency and increases carbon footprint.

Innovation Solution

The system integrates a synthetic natural gas production unit with high and low temperature units to utilize exothermic methanation reaction heat for dehydrogenation, minimizing external heat input and optimizing heat recovery, while also converting carbon dioxide into synthetic natural gas to reduce emissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If external heat supply is used for dehydrogenation reaction, then dehydrogenation can proceed, but energy efficiency decreases and carbon footprint increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidexternal heat input
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the dehydrogenation reactor and methanation reactor into a single integrated system where heat is exchanged between the two reactions. The exothermic methanation reaction provides heat to the endothermic dehydrogenation reaction, eliminating the need for external heat supply and improving overall energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts carbon dioxide, which is typically a waste product or harmful emission, into a useful resource by using it as a reactant in the methanation reaction to produce synthetic natural gas. This not only reduces carbon footprint but also generates additional energy carrier.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Productivity

If dehydrogenation reaction is performed, then hydrogen is produced, but external heat supply is required which increases system complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrogen productionVSAvoidheat supply system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the dehydrogenation and methanation processes into a single integrated reactor system with internal heat exchange. This eliminates the need for separate external heat supply equipment and simplifies the overall system structure while maintaining hydrogen production capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system achieves self-sufficiency in heat supply by using the heat generated from the methanation reaction to fuel the dehydrogenation reaction. This internal heat circulation eliminates dependence on external heat sources and reduces system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Power

If carbon dioxide is emitted from power generation, then energy is supplied, but environmental impact increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectric power supplyVSAvoidcarbon dioxide emission
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent captures carbon dioxide that would otherwise be emitted as a harmful waste product and converts it into a valuable reactant for methanation. This transforms carbon dioxide emissions into synthetic natural gas, a useful energy carrier, thereby reducing environmental impact while maintaining power generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of discarding carbon dioxide as waste emission, the system recovers and utilizes it as a feedstock for the methanation reaction. This recovery process converts a harmful emission into a useful resource, reducing environmental impact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 enhances heat utilization efficiency, increases synthetic natural gas yield, and significantly reduces carbon dioxide emissions by leveraging the exothermic methanation reaction heat for dehydrogenation, thereby improving overall energy consumption and environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

the hydrogen may be converted into a synthetic natural gas (substitute natural gas) consisting mainly of methane by a methanation reaction of the hydrogen with recycled carbon dioxide gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMethanation reaction: Chemical Transport Reactions

Implementation Method 2

because the methanation reaction is an exothermic reaction, the heat from the methanation reaction can also be used

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectExothermic reaction: Exothermic Reaction

Implementation Method 3

the dehydrogenation reaction of a hydrogenated aromatic compound is an endothermic reaction, external heat supply is required

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDehydrogenation reaction: Chemical Transport Reactions

Implementation Method 4

Because the dehydrogenation reaction of a hydrogenated aromatic compound is an endothermic reaction, external heat supply is required

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEndothermic reaction: Endothermic Reaction

Implementation Method 5

to perform a heat exchange between the exhaust gas expelled from the electric power generator or the engine and the hydrogen production system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP3045425B1Manufacturing device and manufacturing method for hydrogen and synthetic natural gas
Publication Date: 2019.11.06 CHIYODA CORP
  • EP3045425B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3045425B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3045425B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To improve the heat efficiency of a system for production of hydrogen and synthetic natural gas, the system (1) comprises a synthetic natural gas production unit (2) for producing synthetic natural gas from hydrogen and carbon dioxide by a reverse shift reaction and a methanation reaction, and a hydrogen production unit (3) for producing hydrogen from a hydrogenated aromatic compound by a dehydrogenation reaction, wherein heat is supplied from the synthetic natural gas production unit to the hydrogen production unit so that a reaction heat of the methanation reaction which is an exothermic reaction is used for the dehydrogenation reaction which is an endothermic reaction.