Hydrocarbon Pyrolysis Reactor with Agitated Metal Oxide Bed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for generating oxygen from hydrocarbons through pyrolysis do not efficiently recycle carbon and hydrogen, leading to suboptimal gas production and resource conservation.
Innovation Solution
The system combines hydrocarbon pyrolysis with a carbon loop and an oxygen chain, where pyrolysis generates hydrogen and carbon, which are then recycled through carbon-coated oxide particles, and oxygen is produced by oxidizing carbon with oxide moieties, facilitating efficient recycling and gas generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hydrocarbon pyrolysis is used to generate hydrogen gas, then hydrogen production is achieved, but solid carbon accumulates and blocks gas flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers solid carbon by coating it onto oxide particles, transforming it from a waste product that blocks flow into a useful intermediate material. The carbon is not discarded but recovered and utilized in subsequent oxidation reactions to generate oxygen, thereby maintaining gas flow continuity while preserving hydrogen production efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Oxide particles serve as an intermediary medium that facilitates carbon removal from the pyrolysis zone. The carbon coats these oxide particles, which are then transported to an oxidation zone where the carbon reacts with oxide moieties to generate oxygen. This intermediary approach prevents carbon accumulation in the pyrolysis reactor while enabling oxygen production.
2Reliability
If carbon is removed from pyrolysis zone, then gas flow blockage is prevented, but carbon recycling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of simply removing carbon from the system, the patent recovers it by coating oxide particles with carbon. This recovered carbon is then transported to an oxidation zone where it reacts with oxide moieties to generate oxygen. This approach maintains gas flow continuity in the pyrolysis zone while achieving efficient carbon recycling through the oxidation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a continuous cycle where carbon generated in the pyrolysis zone is continuously coated onto oxide particles, transported to the oxidation zone, and converted to oxygen. This continuous action prevents carbon accumulation while maintaining high recycling efficiency, as the carbon is constantly transformed into a useful oxygen-generating resource.
3Productivity
If oxide particles are used as substrate, then oxygen generation is enabled, but particle aggregation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a fluidized bed reactor configuration, transforming the static oxide particle bed into a dynamic fluidized state. This allows the oxide particles to remain suspended and dispersed during the carbon coating process, preventing aggregation while enabling efficient heat and mass transfer. The fluidized state maintains particle mobility throughout the pyrolysis and oxidation zones, facilitating continuous oxygen generation without structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes gas flow to fluidize the oxide particle bed, employing pneumatic forces to keep particles suspended and dispersed. This pneumatic approach prevents particle aggregation while enabling efficient contact between carbon-coated particles and oxide moieties. The gas flow dynamics maintain particle separation and mobility, facilitating oxygen generation without requiring complex mechanical mixing or handling systems.
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 enables efficient recycling of carbon and hydrogen, promoting the conservation of resources and enhancing the overall efficiency of gas production, including the generation of hydrogen and oxygen.
Implementation Method 1
a pyrolysis reactor configured to pyrolyze a hydrocarbon to generate hydrogen and carbon
Implementation Method 2
The oxide particles may be introduced in a pyrolysis reactor and agitated to form an agitated bed in the pyrolysis reactor
Implementation Method 3
The technique may further include thermally treating the carbon-coated particles in a carbothermal reactor to produce carbon monoxide
Implementation Method 4
reacting the carbon monoxide by the carbothermal reactor and the hydrogen produced by the pyrolysis reactor over a catalyst in a Sabatier reactor to produce water and methane
Implementation Method 5
electrolyzing the water in an electrolysis module to produce oxygen and hydrogen
Data Source
AI summary
A system for generating a gas may include a pyrolysis reactor configured to pyrolyze a hydrocarbon to generate hydrogen and carbon. The pyrolysis reactor is further configured to contact the carbon with an agitated bed comprising metal oxide substrate particles to generate carbon-coated metal oxide particles. A technique for generating a gas may include agitating metal oxide substrate particles to form an agitated bed in a pyrolysis reactor. The technique may further include pyrolyzing, in the pyrolysis reactor, a hydrocarbon to generate hydrogen and carbon. The technique may further include contacting, in the pyrolysis reactor, the carbon with the agitated bed to generate carbon-coated metal oxide particles.