Product for thermochemical reactor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermochemical reactors face limitations in reactivity, temperature, and reaction kinetics due to fluctuations in the temperature of the hot source used for regeneration, leading to restrictive and time-consuming adaptations of the solid reactive medium.
Innovation Solution
A solid reactive medium comprising at least two different reactive compounds, with a separator element of expanded natural graphite to prevent migration and enhance thermal conductivity, allowing for broader performance spectra without requiring changes to the reactor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the solid reactive medium is adapted to match the hot source temperature, then the reaction performance is optimized, but the adaptation process is time-consuming and restrictive
Solution Approach 1:
The solid reactive medium is divided into multiple blocks, each containing a different reactive compound suited for specific temperature ranges. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high performance across varying hot source temperatures without requiring full adaptation, as the appropriate blocks can be selectively engaged based on current operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The reactor is designed to accommodate multiple types of reactive compounds within the same solid reactive medium structure. This multi-functionality enables the system to handle a broader range of hot source temperatures and reactants without requiring separate reactor configurations, thereby eliminating time-consuming adaptation processes.
2Ease of operation
If a single reactive compound is used in the solid reactive medium, then the system is simpler to operate, but the performance spectrum is limited and requires reactor changes to adapt to different conditions
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple reactive compounds are combined within a single solid reactive medium structure, each compound being capable of reacting with the reactive fluid under different temperature conditions. This merging maintains system simplicity by using a single reactor configuration while expanding the performance spectrum to handle various hot source temperatures and reactant types.
Solution Approach 2:
The solid reactive medium is constructed as a composite structure containing different reactive compounds, each optimized for specific temperature ranges. This composite approach enables the system to maintain ease of operation with a single reactor design while achieving broad adaptability across different operating conditions through the diverse chemical properties of the incorporated compounds.
3Device complexity
If the reactive compounds are placed in direct contact without separators, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reactive compounds may migrate between blocks causing performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
Separator elements are introduced as intermediary components between different reactive compound blocks. These separators prevent migration of reactive compounds between blocks while maintaining relatively simple device architecture. The separators ensure performance stability by keeping each reactive compound in its designated zone, allowing the system to achieve reliable operation without excessive structural 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
This configuration maintains high performance despite temperature fluctuations, preventing reactor shutdowns and improving heat exchange efficiency, while minimizing performance drops and handling issues.
Implementation Method 1
a separator element capable of preventing the migration of reactive compound(s) from a block of solid reactive medium towards another block, said separator element being interposed between blocks of different solid reactive medium
Implementation Method 2
the separator element is devoid of compound reactive with respect to the reactive fluid and comprises expanded natural graphite
Implementation Method 3
each of said two reactive compounds being capable of reacting chemically with said reactive fluid to produce heat
Implementation Method 4
the chemical reaction between the gaseous compound and the solid reactive compound is exothermic and causes heat to be released at the reactor
Implementation Method 5
the fluid undergoes an expansion during which it vaporizes and will react chemically with the solid reactive compound
Implementation Method 6
The change in state of the fluid (from liquid to gas) consumes energy and therefore induces a drop in temperature
Implementation Method 7
heating the solid reactive compound, which causes the separation of the solid reactive compound and the gaseous compound
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a product (50) intended to be used in a thermochemical reactor for the production of thermal energy by reaction with a reactive fluid, which comprises a solid reactive medium comprising at least two different reactive compounds in solid form, each being able to react chemically with said reactive fluid to produce heat, said solid reactive medium being in the form of at least two separate blocks (51 A, 51 B), preferably juxtaposed or stacked, each of said blocks comprising respectively one of said different reactive compounds and, said product (50) comprising at least one separating element (52) interposed between said blocks, said separating element comprising expanded natural graphite and being capable of preventing the migration of reactive compound(s) from one block (51A) of solid reactive medium to another block (51B).