Open Geometry Reactor for Hydrogen Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reactor devices for gas release from a starting material, such as hydrogen from a liquid hydrogen carrier, face issues like pressure loss, flow dead zones, impaired heat input, and reduced reaction volume due to closed geometries, which limit the effectiveness and efficiency of the gas release process.
Innovation Solution
A reactor device with an open geometry design, featuring a starting material flow channel connected directly to a gas collection chamber, allowing for improved heat transfer and increased dwell time of the starting material, which enhances the release of gas, particularly hydrogen, by using a heating unit to efficiently heat the catalyst and starting material, and a modular design for adaptable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a closed reactor geometry is used, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the heat transfer efficiency is impaired and flow dead zones are created
Solution Approach 1:
The reactor is divided into multiple segments including a reaction chamber, gas collection chamber, and liquid collection chamber separated by a first partition wall. This segmentation allows optimized heat transfer in the reaction chamber while maintaining structural integrity through the partition walls, resolving the contradiction between heat transfer efficiency and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a vertical dimension with multiple chambers stacked above each other (reaction chamber at bottom, gas collection chamber in middle, liquid collection chamber at top). This three-dimensional arrangement improves heat transfer efficiency by allowing heating from below while preventing flow dead zones through proper channel design, resolving the contradiction between heat transfer and flow efficiency.
2Productivity
If the starting material flow channel is extended to increase reaction volume, then the gas release capacity increases, but the pressure loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow channel is segmented into multiple sections with catalyst arranged in different zones. The channel includes a first section, second section, and third section with varying characteristics that optimize both reaction volume and pressure drop. This segmentation allows extended reaction path for higher productivity while managing pressure loss through strategic catalyst placement and channel geometry variations.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the flow channel have different local qualities - the first section has specific catalyst arrangement, the second section has different catalyst loading, and the third section has yet another configuration. This local quality variation allows the channel to achieve high gas release capacity in critical zones while minimizing pressure loss in other sections, resolving the contradiction between productivity and pressure loss.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If heating is applied only from below, then the structural design is simplified, but the heat input into the reaction medium is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is designed with multi-functionality - the heating element serves both to heat the reaction medium directly and to heat the catalyst. The heating chamber is positioned to provide thermal energy to multiple components simultaneously, improving overall heat input efficiency without significantly increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The reaction chamber acts as an intermediary between the heating source and the starting material. The heating element heats the reaction chamber, which then transfers heat to the starting material and catalyst flowing through it. This intermediary approach improves heat input efficiency by creating a dedicated heat transfer zone while maintaining relatively simple heating system design.
4Productivity
If the catalyst is densely packed to increase reaction rate, then the gas release rate increases, but the flow dead zones are created
Solution Approach 1:
The catalyst arrangement is segmented into multiple zones along the flow channel - first catalyst arrangement, second catalyst arrangement, and third catalyst arrangement with different densities and configurations. This segmentation allows high catalyst density in zones where it maximizes gas release rate while maintaining adequate flow distribution, resolving the contradiction between productivity and flow uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the channel have different local catalyst qualities - some sections have denser catalyst packing to maximize reaction rate, while other sections have more open structure to maintain flow distribution. This local quality variation allows the system to achieve high gas release rate in critical zones while preventing flow dead zones in other areas, resolving the contradiction between gas release rate and flow distribution uniformity.
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 open geometry design increases the ratio of surface area to volume, facilitating efficient heat transfer and gas release, resulting in a gas volume up to 700 times greater than the starting material volume, while reducing the risk of gas escape and catalyst blocking, and allowing for flexible operation and adaptation of reaction volumes.
Implementation Method 1
A heating unit is provided to heat the catalyst and/or the starting material in particular directly
Implementation Method 2
The reactor device ensures an improved heat transfer from the heating unit into the catalyst and/or the starting material
Implementation Method 3
A catalyst is provided in the starting material flow channel. The catalyst facilitates the release of the gas from the starting material
Implementation Method 4
Gas, in particular hydrogen, released from the starting material, in particular a liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) or another hydrated material, which is in particular present in a liquid state, is able to flow from the starting material flow channel into the gas collection chamber automatically
Data Source
AI summary
A reactor device for the release of a gas from a starting material includes a reactor housing having a longitudinal axis and at least one single reactor arranged in the reactor housing, the single reactor including a base plate oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis, a starting material flow channel defining a starting material flow direction, a catalyst arranged in the starting material flow channel, a heating unit for heating the catalyst and/or the starting material and a gas collection chamber arranged above the starting material flow channel for collecting the gas released from the starting material.