Multilayer Reactor Parallelogram Structure for Heat Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing reactors face challenges such as uneven current distribution, unequal porosities, and difficulties in catalyst filling and removal, which affect heat transport and catalytic efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A multi-layer reactor structure with periodically arranged parallelogram layers, featuring recesses and bridges, which allows for even fluid flow and heat transport, and facilitates easy catalyst filling and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If small structure dimensions are used to increase catalyst filling proportion, then catalyst volume proportion increases, but pressure loss increases and adhesive forces cause agglomeration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst volume proportionVSAvoidpressure loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The reactor structure is divided into multiple structural layers with periodically arranged parallelogram recesses and bridges. This segmentation creates a hierarchical structure that maintains small effective dimensions for catalyst filling while the layered architecture prevents agglomeration by distributing particles across multiple levels, thus increasing catalyst volume proportion without excessive pressure loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a single-plane structure to a three-dimensional multilayer configuration. By stacking multiple structural layers with offset parallelogram patterns, the system achieves high catalyst filling proportion in the vertical dimension while maintaining adequate flow channels in horizontal dimensions, resolving the contradiction between catalyst quantity and pressure loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stress or pressure

If small structure-to-particle size ratio is used to reduce pressure loss, then pressure loss decreases, but porosity near wall becomes uneven and flow uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure lossVSAvoidflow uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the reactor structure are given different functions: the parallelogram recesses provide uniform catalyst distribution zones, while the bridges create localized flow control elements. This local differentiation ensures that pressure loss is managed in bridge regions while flow uniformity is maintained in recess regions, resolving the contradiction between pressure loss and flow uniformity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of energy

If continuous connections perpendicular to flow direction are increased to improve heat transport, then heat transport improves, but manufacturing complexity increases and catalyst filling becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat transport efficiencyVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The structural layers serve dual functions: they provide the parallelogram recesses for catalyst filling and simultaneously create the continuous bridge connections for heat transport. By merging these two functions into a single integrated structure, the invention achieves efficient heat transport without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The parallelogram-based structural layers are designed to perform multiple functions: they define catalyst holding spaces, create flow channels, and establish thermal conduction paths through the bridges. This multi-functionality allows the same structural elements to contribute to both catalyst filling and heat transport, reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of manufacture

If rectangular channel structures are used to simplify manufacturing, then manufacturing is simplified, but preferential flows develop and temperature distribution becomes uneven

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidtemperature distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces symmetric rectangular channels with asymmetric parallelogram structures. The parallelogram geometry with specific angular orientations creates more uniform flow distribution patterns that prevent preferential flows, while still being manufacturable using standard fabrication techniques, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity while improving temperature distribution uniformity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 reactor design achieves uniform catalyst distribution, enhanced heat exchange, and improved catalytic performance by compensating for porosity differences and allowing for efficient catalyst handling.

Implementation Method 1

To dissipate the exothermic energy by thermal conduction, a material connection to the cooling passage is also required

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

heat exchange and heat transport should be as high as possible so that conditions in the reactor are as isothermal as possible

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP4355474B1Multilayer reactor with several structural layers
Publication Date: 2025.05.14 INERATEC GMBH
  • EP4355474B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4355474B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4355474B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a reactor with a multi-layer structure, wherein the different layers are structured in a particular way, in preferred embodiments having square recesses, to allow heat to be transported in an improved manner during catalytic reactions. The present invention also relates to multi-reactor structures, to methods for providing the reactors and multi-reactor structures, and to their uses and applications.