Sorbent Flow Control in Hydrogen Production Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydrogen production methods, such as steam methane reforming, face challenges including the need for large fixed beds, catalyst deactivation, and high operating temperatures, while sorption-enhanced steam methane reforming (SE-SMR) systems lack control over the flow rates of used sorbents between reactors, affecting efficiency and carbon dioxide capture.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a reformer reactor, separator, regenerator reactor, and flow regulating devices, including a screw conveyor with adjustable rotation speed, to control the flow rate of used sorbents between reactors, optimizing the sorbent looping process and enhancing hydrogen production efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sorption-enhanced steam methane reforming (SE-SMR) is used to improve hydrogen production efficiency and CO2 capture, then hydrogen yield and CO2 capture efficiency are improved, but control over sorbent flow rates between reactors is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flow regulating device with adjustable rotation speed to dynamically control the sorbent transport process. The screw conveyor's rotation speed can be varied to match different production demands and CO2 content in feed materials, transforming a static system into a dynamically adjustable one that maintains both high productivity and operational control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of the screw conveyor from fixed rotation speed to variable rotation speed. By adjusting the rotation speed parameter, the system can control the flow rate of used sorbents between reactors, enabling adaptation to different feed material compositions and production requirements while maintaining the benefits of SE-SMR.
2Stress or pressure
If fixed bed reactors are used to minimize pressure drops, then pressure stability is improved, but reactor size and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a screw conveyor mechanism driven by rotational motion to transport solid sorbent particles between reactors. This pneumatic-mechanical transport system replaces the need for large fixed bed configurations, achieving pressure stability through controlled mechanical transport rather than through large reactor volumes, thereby reducing system complexity.
3Productivity
If high temperatures are maintained in reformer reactors to drive reforming reactions, then reaction efficiency is improved, but energy consumption and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a sorbent looping system where used sorbent is regenerated and fed back to the reformer reactor. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain optimal temperatures and reaction conditions while reducing energy consumption, as the regenerated sorbent carries thermal energy back into the reforming process, partially offsetting the energy input required.
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 controlled flow rate of used sorbents ensures optimal circulation and regeneration, maintaining high hydrogen production efficiency, allowing for variable sorbent supply based on feed material CO2 content and preventing sorbent overload or underload, thus ensuring continuous and efficient CO2 capture and release.
Implementation Method 1
a screw conveyor configured to transport the used sorbent from the separator to the regenerator reactor
Implementation Method 2
a carbon dioxide capturing sorbent forming a used sorbent when conditions for capturing carbon dioxide are present
Implementation Method 3
heated to around 900° C. for the endothermic reaction of releasing the CO2 from the carbonated limestone, CaCO3
Implementation Method 4
The separator(s) is/are configured to separate the used sorbent from the hydrogen gas
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for producing hydrogen gas. The system comprises at least one reformer reactor, at least one separator, at least one separator transport line, at least one regenerator reactor, at least one regenerator transport line and at least one recycling line. The reformer reactor is for containing a CO2 capturing sorbent A forming a used sorbent A*, wherein the reformer reactor is configured to allow reform of a feed material B and a steam C to produce a reformate gas mixture comprising H2 and CO2. The reformer reactor comprising a reformer inlet for feeding at least one of B and C into the reformer reactor and a reformer outlet for ejecting A* and H2. A separator configured to separate A* from H2. The separator comprising a separator inlet for feeding H2 and A* into the separator and a separator outlet for ejecting the separated A *. A separator transport line for transporting A* and H2 from the reformer outlet to the separator inlet. The regenerator reactor comprising a regenerator inlet for receiving at least a portion of A* separated in the separator. A regenerator power source configured to provide sufficient energy to the received A* for allowing release of CO2, thereby regenerating the sorbent. A regenerator outlet for ejecting the regenerated sorbent. A regenerator transport line for transporting the flow of A* from the separator outlet to the regenerator inlet. A recycling line arranged to transport at least a portion of the regenerated sorbent from the regenerator outlet into the reformer reactor. The regenerator transport line comprises a flow regulating device arranged to adjust the flow rate of A* being transported into the regenerator inlet.