SOEC-Methanation Heat Exchange for Stable Methane Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In methanation systems using solid oxide electrolysis cells, reusing reaction heat from the methane reactor is insufficient, leading to reduced methane conversion efficiency and instability in methane generation.
Innovation Solution
Thermally connecting an SOEC co-electrolysis device and a methanation reaction section for heat exchange, utilizing the reaction heat from the methane reactor to supply the required heat for the SOEC co-electrolysis device, enhancing heat transfer and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If only the heat from methane reaction in the methanation reaction section is reused, then the system structure remains simple, but the methane conversion efficiency decreases and methane generation becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the heat exchange function into two separate heat exchange sections: a first heat exchange section that performs heat exchange between the SOEC co-electrolysis device and the methane reactor, and a second heat exchange section that performs heat exchange between the methanation reaction section and the SOEC co-electrolysis device. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific heat exchange function independently, ensuring stable methane generation while maintaining manageable system complexity through functional decomposition.
2Productivity
If heat exchange between SOEC co-electrolysis device and methane reactor is implemented, then methane conversion efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the heat exchange functions by thermally connecting the SOEC co-electrolysis device and the methane reactor through the first heat exchange section, allowing heat from the exothermic methanation reaction to directly supply the endothermic electrolysis process. This merging of heat exchange pathways improves methane conversion efficiency by effectively utilizing reaction heat, while the integrated design keeps the overall system complexity manageable.
3Reliability
If reaction heat is not sufficiently reused, then the system operation remains simple, but methane generation amount becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the waste heat from the exothermic methanation reaction into a useful resource by using it to supply thermal energy to the endothermic SOEC co-electrolysis device through the heat exchange sections. This transforms what would otherwise be lost energy into a beneficial input that stabilizes methane generation and improves overall system efficiency.
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
Improves methane conversion efficiency and stabilizes methane generation by effectively reusing reaction heat, optimizing the heat exchange process.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchange section that performs heat exchange between the SOEC co-electrolysis device and the methane reactor
Implementation Method 2
a preliminary heat exchange section that heats the water or water vapor supplied through the water supply path to the SOEC co-electrolysis device by reaction heat of the methane reactor
Implementation Method 3
an SOEC co-electrolysis device that performs electrolysis (co-electrolysis) of carbon dioxide and water vapor simultaneously at a high temperature of 500° C. or higher
Data Source
AI summary
A methane generation system according to the present disclosure includes a water supply path that supplies water or water vapor, a carbon dioxide supply path that supplies carbon dioxide, a power supply path that supplies power, an SOLO co-electrolysis device to which the water supply path, the carbon dioxide supply path and the power supply path are connected, a methane reactor, a connection path that connects the SOEC co-electrolysis device and the methane reactor, and a first heat exchange section that performs heat exchange between the SOEC co electrolysis device and the methane reactor.