SiC Radiative Heating Elements Between Tube Rows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrically heated reactors face issues with local overheating of radiative heating elements, require shutdown upon premature failure, and are inefficient in large-scale high-temperature applications due to non-uniform heat distribution and heat loss.
Innovation Solution
An electrically heated apparatus with a compact design featuring tubular SiC radiative heating elements placed between rows of tubes, allowing for precise temperature control and easy replacement without shutdown, minimizing heat loss and by-product formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If electrical radiative heating elements are supported by furnace walls, then the structure is simple, but local overheating occurs and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces tube bundles as intermediary support structures between the furnace walls and heating elements. These tube bundles serve as a mediating platform that distributes the weight and heat load, preventing direct contact between heating elements and furnace walls, thereby eliminating local overheating while maintaining structural integrity and reliability.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple heating elements are used for large scale applications, then heating coverage is improved, but heat loss to ambient conditions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the support structure and heating arrangement by integrating tube bundles that serve dual purposes: structural support and heat distribution. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components and minimizes exposed surface area to ambient conditions, thereby reducing heat loss while maintaining adequate heating coverage for large numbers of tubes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional wall-mounted heating arrangement to a three-dimensional configuration where tube bundles extend into the furnace space. This spatial reorganization allows heating elements to be positioned optimally relative to multiple tube rows, improving heating efficiency and reducing the exposed surface area of the furnace walls to ambient conditions.
3Measurement precision
If heating elements are placed between tube rows, then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the heating system into multiple tube bundles, each responsible for heating specific rows of tubes. This segmentation allows independent control and optimization of temperature for different tube rows, achieving precise temperature control while keeping each individual tube bundle relatively simple in structure.
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 solution provides precise temperature control, reduces unwanted by-products, extends operation time, and allows for efficient high-temperature reactions with fewer heating elements, enhancing operational economics and ease of maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
The electrical radiative heating elements are heated using electrical resistance heating which makes use of the Joule effect
Implementation Method 2
The reactor tube is heated using at least one electrical radiative heating element
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an electrically heated apparatus (1) at least comprising: —an electrically heated furnace (2) having walls (2A, 2B) defining a space (3); —a first row (4) of tubes (10) running through the space (3), wherein the tubes (10) have an inlet (11) and outlet (12) outside of the space (3); —a second row (14) of tubes (10) running through the space (3), wherein the tubes (10) have an inlet (11) and outlet (12) outside of the space (3); —a first set (5) of electrical radiative heating elements (20) located in the space (3), wherein the first set (5) comprises electrical radiative heating elements (20) located between the first (4) and second rows (14) of tubes (10).