Reactor with Inert Zone for High-Purity Hydrogen
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing compressed hydrogen are inefficient due to nitrogen and CO2 contamination, requiring additional purification steps, high energy consumption for liquefaction and compression, and the risk of equipment failure under high pressure, as well as the need for separate devices for compression and purification.
Innovation Solution
A method and device using a pressure-stable reactor with a metal-containing contact mass, where water is introduced to react with the metal, producing hydrogen at elevated pressure without the need for external compressors, and a valve system controls pressure to discharge compressed hydrogen through an inert area, reducing impurities and energy requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional steam reforming or partial oxidation methods are used to produce hydrogen, then hydrogen can be generated, but the produced hydrogen is contaminated with nitrogen, CO2, unreacted CO, and feedstock requiring additional purification steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful nitrogen component from the reaction system by using a two-chamber reactor design where the first chamber contains an inert material that selectively absorbs nitrogen from the synthesis gas produced in the second chamber. This extraction principle eliminates the need for complex purification steps while maintaining high hydrogen purity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary inert material in the first reactor chamber that acts as a mediator to selectively remove nitrogen from the gas stream. This intermediary substance enables the separation of hydrogen from nitrogen without requiring additional purification equipment or complex processing steps.
2Manufacturing precision
If additional purification equipment and compression devices are added to produce pure compressed hydrogen, then hydrogen purity and pressure can be improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hydrogen production, nitrogen removal, and compression functions into a single integrated reactor system. The two-chamber reactor combines the synthesis gas generation chamber with the nitrogen absorption chamber, and the water injection system simultaneously provides both reactant and pressure generation, eliminating the need for separate purification and compression equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing the reactor system to simultaneously perform hydrogen production, nitrogen removal, and pressure generation. The water injection serves both as a reactant source and a pressure-building mechanism, while the inert material performs both structural support and nitrogen absorption functions.
3Stress or pressure
If hydrogen is compressed using external compressors to high pressure for storage, then hydrogen can be stored in pressure vessels, but energy consumption increases and equipment risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the reactor system to generate and maintain high pressure internally through controlled water injection and evaporation. The system uses its own operational parameters (water injection rate, heating power) to self-regulate and maintain the desired pressure level without requiring external compression equipment or additional energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of water (liquid to vapor) as a mechanism for pressure generation. By injecting liquid water that rapidly evaporates in the heated reactor chamber, the system generates high pressure through the volume expansion associated with the phase change, eliminating the need for mechanical compression.
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 the production of high-purity compressed hydrogen with reduced energy consumption and eliminates the need for additional purification steps, while minimizing equipment risks by maintaining pressure internally and discharging hydrogen through an inert area, resulting in a more efficient and safer process.
Implementation Method 1
the water-containing medium is evaporated before or in the reactor chamber, thereby increasing the pressure inside the reactor chamber above the ambient pressure
Implementation Method 2
the evaporated water reacts with the metal of the contact mass to form hydrogen and the metal to form metal oxide
Implementation Method 3
the at least one discharge line is provided with a device for controlling or regulating the flow rate, preferably with a valve, for adjusting the pressure within the reactor chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for producing compressed hydrogen, comprising a pressure-resistant reactor (1) with a reactor chamber having a metal-containing contact mass (2), wherein the reactor (1) comprises at least one feed line (3) for feeding fluids into the reactor chamber and at least one discharge line (4) for discharging fluids from the reactor chamber, wherein the at least one discharge line is provided with a device (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) for controlling or regulating the flow rate, preferably having a valve, for adjusting the pressure within the reactor chamber, wherein a conveyance means is provided on at least one feed line for introducing a water-containing medium into the reactor chamber and wherein at least one discharge line (4) protrudes into the reactor chamber or opens directly into the reactor chamber, through which the compressed hydrogen is discharged from the reactor chamber, wherein the reactor chamber exhibits at least two areas that are separate from each other and connected in a gas-conducting manner, of which at least one area comprises the metal-containing contact mass (2) and at least one additional area comprises at least one inert material (7, 13).