Pyrolysis and combustion control in pyrolysis reactors, and associated systems and methods

A pyrolysis system, comprising:

• a combustion chamber comprising an end region and defining a first flow path;
• a burner coupled to the end region of the combustion chamber, the burner configured to generate heat via combustion generating a hot flue gas that flows along the first flow path;
• a pyrolysis chamber coaxial with and surrounding the combustion chamber, wherein:
• the pyrolysis chamber is fluidly couplable to a supply of reaction fuel;
• a space between the pyrolysis chamber and the combustion chamber defines a second flow path for the reaction fuel through the pyrolysis chamber;
• the second flow path is thermally coupled to the combustion chamber to receive a portion of the heat from the combustion;
• and
• the portion of the heat received from the combustion chamber drives a pyrolysis reaction to generate a product stream along the second flow path, the product stream comprising hydrogen gas and solid carbon;
• and
• a heat recycling component thermally coupled to an output of the pyrolysis chamber such that the heat recycling component absorbs excess heat from the product stream.

A pyrolysis system, comprising:

• a combustion chamber comprising an end region and defining a first flow path;
• a combustion component positioned to drive combustion at the end region of the combustion chamber, wherein the combustion generates heat carried by a hot flue gas along the first flow path;
• a pyrolysis chamber coaxial with and surrounding the combustion chamber, wherein:
• the pyrolysis chamber is fluidly couplable to a supply of reaction fuel;
• the pyrolysis chamber defines a second flow path for the reaction fuel through the pyrolysis chamber radially around the combustion chamber;
• and
• the second flow path is thermally coupled to the combustion chamber such that the second flow path receives a portion of the heat from the combustion, wherein the portion of the heat drives a pyrolysis reaction along the second flow path;
• and
• a heat recycling component thermally coupled to an output of the combustion chamber such that the heat recycling component absorbs unused heat from the hot flue gas.