Methane Purification Catalyst Heating to Prevent Moisture Inhibition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Water remaining on the catalyst inhibits the reaction between methane and ozone, reducing the efficiency of methane purification.
Innovation Solution
A heater is in contact with the catalyst structure to evaporate and remove moisture, promoting the reaction between methane and ozone by maintaining optimal catalyst temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the catalyst structure is used to purify methane by reacting ozone with methane, then methane purification is achieved, but water generated by the reaction remains on the catalyst and inhibits further reaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful water by introducing a heater to evaporate and remove water accumulated on the catalyst surface. The heater is specifically positioned to heat the catalyst structure, causing water to evaporate and be removed from the system, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of water accumulation on the methane purification reaction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the catalyst structure by introducing a heater. By controlling the temperature of the catalyst, the system prevents water accumulation and maintains optimal conditions for the methane purification reaction to proceed efficiently
2Productivity
If water remains on the catalyst, then the reaction between methane and ozone is inhibited, but adding heating components increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heater with the catalyst structure by making the heater in direct contact with the catalyst. This integration allows the heating function to be combined with the catalytic function in a single unified structure, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reaction efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The catalyst structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides the catalytic surface for the methane-ozone reaction and simultaneously acts as a heat transfer component when the heater is attached. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing device complexity
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 heater ensures effective contact between methane and ozone, enhancing the methane purification process by preventing moisture accumulation on the catalyst.
Implementation Method 1
A heater that is in contact with the catalyst structure in the flow path and heats the catalyst structure
Implementation Method 2
a heater that is in contact with the catalyst structure in the flow path and heats the catalyst structure
Implementation Method 3
a catalyst structure that is provided downstream of the ozone supply unit in the flow path and purifies the methane by causing the ozone to react with the methane
Implementation Method 4
the methane and ozone react on the catalyst to purify the methane. Specifically, the methane is purified by being decomposed into carbon dioxide and water through a reaction with ozone
Data Source
AI summary
A methane purification apparatus includes a flow path through which a gas containing methane flows, an ozone supply unit that supplies ozone to the gas, a catalyst structure that is provided downstream of the ozone supply unit in the flow path and purifies the methane by causing the ozone to react with the methane, and a heater that is in contact with the catalyst structure in the flow path and heats the catalyst structure.