Switching Air Flow Route to Prevent Catalyst Overheating
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Solution Overview
Problem
In heat and hydrogen generation devices using partial oxidation reforming, the reformer catalyst temperature rises due to self-heating, leading to degradation as the air fed into the system is heated by combustion gases, causing a feedback loop that increases the catalyst temperature excessively.
Innovation Solution
A heat and hydrogen generation device with a switching device that allows for the introduction of either high temperature or low temperature air to the burner combustion chamber, preventing the reformer catalyst from overheating by switching to a low temperature air flow route when the catalyst temperature approaches a critical level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air is heated by combustion gases in the heat exchange part, then the air temperature increases improving combustion efficiency, but the reformer catalyst temperature rises excessively causing catalyst degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a switching device that dynamically changes the air flow route based on catalyst temperature conditions. When the catalyst temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold, the system switches from the heat exchange part (high temperature route) to a bypass route (low temperature route), and vice versa. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the air heating approach to current operational conditions, preventing catalyst degradation while maintaining combustion efficiency when appropriate.
2Productivity
If the air feed device continuously heats air using combustion gases, then combustion efficiency is maintained, but a feedback loop causes uncontrolled temperature rise of the catalyst
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a feedback control mechanism where the switching device monitors catalyst temperature and adjusts the air flow route accordingly. When catalyst temperature rises above the predetermined threshold, the system automatically switches to the bypass route to reduce heating, and when temperature drops below the threshold, it returns to the heat exchange route. This feedback loop prevents uncontrolled temperature rise while maintaining hydrogen generation 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
This solution effectively prevents the degradation of the reformer catalyst by maintaining its temperature below a critical threshold, ensuring continuous operation and efficient hydrogen generation while avoiding heat-induced damage.
Implementation Method 1
the air feed device being provided with a heat exchange part for heating air fed to the air feed port by the burner combustion gas
Implementation Method 2
a reformer catalyst arranged in the housing and to which a burner combustion gas generated in the burner combustion chamber is fed
Implementation Method 3
to cause a partial oxidation reforming reaction, air and fuel are made to react in a state where the O2/C molar ratio of the air and fuel is maintained at 0.5
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A burner combustion chamber (3), a burner (7) for performing a burner combustion in the burner combustion chamber (3), a reformer catalyst (4) to which burner combustion gas is fed, and a heat exchange part (13a) for heating the air fed to the burner (7) are provided. A switching device(16, 17) able to switch an air flow route for introducing the outside air to the burner (7) between a high temperature air flow route (13) for introducing the outside air flowing within the heat exchange part (13a) and heated at the heat exchange part(13a) to the burner (7) and a low temperature air flow route (14) for feeding the outside air, which does not flow within the heat exchange part(13a) and thereby is lower in temperature than the outside air heated at the heat exchange part (13a), to the burner (7) is provided.