Wall-Climbing Gas Hydrate Generation in L-Shaped Reactors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for promoting gas hydrate generation, such as stirring, bubbling, and spraying, are energy-intensive, costly, and limited to small-scale production, resulting in low generation efficiency and environmental concerns.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a wall-climbing process in a √-shaped reactor with a temperature gradient and metal-surface-modified interior, enhancing gas-liquid-solid mass transfer without external energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional mass transfer enhancement methods (stirring, bubbling, spraying) are used to promote hydrate generation, then gas-liquid contact degree is improved, but energy consumption increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reactor design allows the system to self-promote mass transfer through its geometry. The L-shaped configuration creates natural liquid circulation and extended contact paths without requiring external stirring or bubbling devices, achieving enhanced hydrate generation rate while consuming minimal energy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical enhancement systems (stirrers, bubbling apparatus, spraying devices) with a geometric design solution. The L-shaped reactor structure substitutes for mechanical means of enhancing gas-liquid contact, eliminating the need for complex mechanical systems while maintaining high productivity
2Productivity
If traditional mass transfer enhancement methods are used to promote hydrate generation, then gas-liquid contact degree is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reactor structure itself performs the mass transfer enhancement function through its L-shaped geometry, which naturally promotes liquid circulation and gas-liquid contact. This self-service design eliminates the need for additional enhancement devices, reducing device complexity while maintaining high hydrate generation rate
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes complex mechanical enhancement systems with a simple geometric configuration. The L-shaped reactor design replaces stirrers, bubbling apparatus, and spraying devices, achieving the same mass transfer enhancement effect with significantly reduced device complexity
3Productivity
If traditional hydrate generation methods are used, then hydrates grow to liquid phase during reaction, but gas stripping amount is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The L-shaped reactor introduces a vertical dimension to the reaction process, allowing hydrates to grow upward along the wall surface rather than simply expanding in the liquid phase. This dimensional change enables hydrates to maintain solid structure while increasing gas stripping amount, as the vertical growth path facilitates better gas release
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 wall-climbing process significantly enhances hydrate generation efficiency, reduces operational costs, and prolongs apparatus effectiveness, enabling growth of hydrates in a gas-rich phase and improving gas stripping amounts.
Implementation Method 1
wall-climbing process
Implementation Method 2
gas-liquid interfacial tension
Implementation Method 3
temperature gradient
Implementation Method 4
metal-surface-modified interior
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for promoting generation of gas hydrates by a wall-climbing process is provided. The hydrate is induced to grow upward along a wall surface, in this process, the initially generated hydrate will form many capillary channels, a reaction liquid will move upward along these capillary channels under the action of a capillary force until the front end contacts with a gas-rich phase to form the hydrate, and so on until the reaction of all the reaction liquid is finished. In the reaction process, the hydrate needs to be induced to climb the wall upward to be generated, rather than grow into a liquid phase, which can enhance not only a gas-liquid mass transfer, but also a gas-hydrate mass transfer.