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US 12,172,894 B1Granted
Systems and methods for producing synthesis gas
AssigneeBoard of Regents, The University of Texas System
InventorsBrian H. Dennis, Frederick M. MacDonnell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
System and methods for producing synthesis gas are provided. The system includes a reactor and a steam generation system designed to provide precise control of the rate of steam generation to mix steam with fuel gas to produce humidified fuel gas, which is then fed into a combustion chamber of the reactor. The molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide in the synthesis gas output from the reactor may be accurately controlled by adjusting the humidity of the fuel gas input into the combustion chamber.
Claims20
A method for producing synthesis gas, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a reactor comprising a combustion chamber;
- providing a steam generation system comprising an electric heater, a water pump, and a control system comprising a controller and a sensor, wherein the electric heater comprises a heating element disposed vertically within a pressure vessel, wherein the control system is configured to control a water level in the pressure vessel;
- generating steam using the electric heater, wherein the step of generating steam comprises:
- operating the water pump to continuously pump water into a bottom end of the pressure vessel, supplying power to the heating element such that a free surface is formed within the pressure vessel between a liquid water phase and a saturated steam phase, and outputting steam from the pressure vessel;
- controlling a rate of steam generation from the pressure vessel by controlling the water level within the pressure vessel, wherein the water level is controlled by adjusting the power supplied to the heating element;
- mixing the steam output from the pressure vessel with a fuel gas delivered at a controlled flow rate to produce humidified fuel having a controlled ratio of steam to fuel;
- delivering the humidified fuel and oxygen gas to the combustion chamber of the reactor;
- and
- combusting the humidified fuel and oxygen to produce synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide within the reactor.
6 more elements
A method for producing synthesis gas, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a reactor comprising a combustion chamber;
- providing a steam generation system comprising a heat exchanger, a water pump, and a control system comprising a controller and a sensor, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a vertically oriented shell and a plurality of tubes disposed within the shell, wherein the tubes are not in fluid communication with an interior of the shell, wherein the control system is configured to control a water level in the shell of the heat exchanger;
- generating steam using the heat exchanger, wherein the step of generating steam comprises:
- operating the water pump to continuously pump water into a bottom end of the shell of the heat exchanger, flowing a heated fluid through the tubes of the heat exchanger such that a free surface is formed within the shell between a liquid water phase and a saturated steam phase, and outputting steam from the shell of the heat exchanger;
- controlling a rate of steam generation from the heat exchanger by controlling the water level within the shell, wherein the water level is controlled by adjusting a flow rate of the heated fluid through the tubes of the heat exchanger;
- mixing the steam output from the heat exchanger with a fuel gas delivered at a controlled flow rate to produce humidified fuel having a controlled ratio of steam to fuel;
- delivering the humidified fuel and oxygen gas to the combustion chamber of the reactor;
- and
- combusting the humidified fuel and oxygen to produce synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide within the reactor.
6 more elements
A method for producing synthesis gas, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a reactor comprising a combustion chamber;
- providing a steam generation system comprising a boiler and a water pump;
- generating steam using the boiler, wherein the step of generating steam comprises:
- operating the water pump to continuously pump water to the boiler, boiling the water in the boiler to generate steam, and outputting the steam from the boiler;
- controlling a rate of steam generation from the boiler by controlling a water flow rate continuously discharged from the pump to the boiler, wherein the water flow rate is controlled at a constant rate by adjusting a speed of the pump;
- mixing the steam output from the boiler with a fuel gas delivered at a controlled flow rate to produce humidified fuel having a controlled ratio of steam to fuel;
- delivering the humidified fuel and oxygen gas to the combustion chamber of the reactor;
- and
- combusting the humidified fuel and oxygen to produce synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide within the reactor.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.