Methods of conducting simultaneous exothermic and endothermic reactions
AssigneeBattelle Memorial Institute
InventorsAnna Lee Tonkovich, Gary L. Roberts, Steven T. Perry, Sean P. Fitzgerald
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Integrated Combustion Reactors (ICRs) and methods of making ICRs are described in which combustion chambers (or channels) are in direct thermal contact to reaction chambers for an endothermic reaction. Superior results were achieved for combustion chambers which contained a gap for free flow through the chamber. Particular reactor designs are also described. Processes of conducting reactions in integrated combustion reactors are described and results presented. Some of these processes are characterized by unexpected and superior results.
Claims30
A method of conducting an endothermic reaction in an integrated combustion reaction, comprising:
- passing an exothermically reacting composition into at least one exothermic reaction chamber,
- wherein the exothermic reaction chamber comprises at least one exothermic reaction chamber wall that is adjacent at least one endothermic reaction chamber,
- wherein the exothermic reaction chamber comprises an exothermic reaction catalyst in contact with at least the at least one exothermic reaction chamber wall that is adjacent at least one endothermic reaction chamber,
- wherein the exothermic reaction catalyst has an exposed surface within the exothermic reaction chamber, and wherein the exposed surface of the exothermic reaction catalyst and a second surface within the exothermic reaction chamber define an open channel within the exothermic reaction chamber,
- wherein the gap has a thickness, in a direction perpendicular to net flow where the direction of net flow is the direction that gas would travel through the exothermic reaction chamber during operation, of 2 mm or less;
- wherein the exothermic reaction composition reacts in the exothermic reaction chamber and generates heat;
- and
- passing an endothermic reaction mixture into the at least one endothermic reaction chamber;
- and
- wherein the method has a volumetric heat flux of at least 1 W/cc.
A method of conducting an endothermic reaction in an integrated combustion reaction, comprising:
- passing an endothermic reaction composition into at least one endothermic reaction chamber,
- passing an exothermic reaction composition into at least one exothermic reaction chamber,
- wherein the exothermic reaction chamber comprises at least one exothermic reaction chamber wall that is adjacent at least one endothermic reaction chamber,
- wherein the endothermic reaction chamber comprises an endothermic reaction catalyst in contact with at least the at least one endothermic reaction chamber wall that is adjacent at least one exothermic reaction chamber,
- wherein the endothermic reaction catalyst comprises an exposed surface within the endothermic reaction chamber, and wherein the exposed surface of the endothermic reaction catalyst and a second surface within the endothermic reaction chamber define a gap within the endothermic reaction chamber,
- wherein the gap has a thickness, in a direction perpendicular to net flow where the direction of net flow is the direction that gas would travel through the endothermic chamber during operation, of 2 mm or less;
- wherein the method is controlled such that heat flux between the at least one exothermic chamber and the at least one endothermic reaction chamber is 1 W/cc or more.
A method of conducting an endothermic reaction in an integrated combustion reaction, comprising:
- passing an endothermic reaction composition into at least one endothermic reaction chamber,
- passing an exothermic reaction composition into at least one exothermic reaction chamber,
- wherein the exothermic reaction chamber comprises at least one exothermic reaction chamber wall that is adjacent at least one endothermic reaction chamber,
- wherein the endothermic reaction chamber comprises an endothermic reaction catalyst in contact with at least the at least one endothermic reaction chamber wall that is adjacent at least one exothermic reaction chamber,
- wherein the endothermic reaction catalyst comprises an exposed surface within the endothermic reaction chamber, and wherein the exposed surface of the endothermic reaction catalyst and a second surface within the endothermic reaction chamber define a gap within the endothermic reaction chamber,
- wherein the gap has a thickness, in a direction perpendicular to net flow where the direction of net flow is the direction that gas would travel through the endothermic chamber during operation, of 2 mm or less;
- wherein the exothermic reaction composition comprises air and a fuel;
- and wherein the exothermic reaction composition is converted to products and the products have less than 100 ppm NOx.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.