JP3639861B6 - Sabachie reactor and steam electrolyzer using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a Sabachie reaction apparatus capable of performing a Sabachie reaction without using a heat source such as a heater even in a space environment such as a spacecraft or a space station, and a steam electrolysis apparatus using the same.
(1) A reflecting mirror having a paraboloid that raises the temperature of the focal portion by reflecting incident light from outside and condensing it on the focal portion, and (2) provided at the focal portion of the reflecting mirror. A double tube in which the outer tube is a light-transmitting tube and the inner tube is a heat-conductive tube; (3) a vacuum degree adjusting means for adjusting the degree of vacuum between the outer tube and the inner tube; (4) reactive gas introduction means for introducing hydrogen and carbon dioxide into the inner pipe, (5) a ruthenium catalyst inserted into the inner pipe, and (6) a gas discharge means for taking out the gas converted in the inner pipe, A Sabachie reaction is caused in the inner tube.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a Sabatier reaction apparatus and a steam electrolysis apparatus using the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a Sabachie reactor for the purpose of maintaining life in a spacecraft that is a weightless space and a steam electrolyzer using the same.

In order to maintain life in a spacecraft, it is effective to develop a device that reduces carbon dioxide gas by the first Sabatier first reaction shown in Chemical Formula 1 (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Non-patent Document).
JP-A-4-235538 (paragraph 0003) “Living in space” Keiji Nitta et al., 1994, Ohmsha, p34-43

The present applicants developed an environmental purification circulation type water electrolysis apparatus using the first Sabachie reaction (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent No. 3479950 (paragraph 0011)

In order to cause the Sabatier reaction, it was necessary to raise the temperature of the reactor to the reaction temperature with a thermocouple or a heater (see, for example, Patent Document 3).
Japanese Patent No. 3479950 (paragraph 0031)

  However, the conventional Sabachie reaction apparatus has a problem that a large amount of energy is required to operate the heater. Especially in the space environment, securing energy is an important issue.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is that the reaction temperature cannot be maintained unless a heat source such as a heater is used.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem. Therefore, the object of the present invention is to enable a Sabachie reaction without using a heat source such as a heater even in a space environment such as a spacecraft or a space station. It is an object of the present invention to provide a Sabachie reactor and a steam electrolyzer using the same. As a result of intensive studies to achieve the above object, the present inventors have completed the present invention through trial and error.

  In order to achieve the above object, the Sabatier reaction device of the present invention is (1) a reflection having a paraboloid that raises the temperature of the focal part by reflecting incident light from the outside and condensing it on the focal part. (2) a double tube provided at the focal point of the reflecting mirror, in which the outer tube is a light-transmitting tube and the inner tube is a heat-conductive tube; (3) the outer tube and the inner tube; (4) Reactive gas introducing means for introducing hydrogen and carbon dioxide into the inner pipe, (5) Ruthenium catalyst inserted in the inner pipe, (6) Converted in the inner pipe And a gas discharge means for taking out the gas, and is characterized by causing a Sabatie reaction in the inner tube.

  The Sabatier reaction apparatus of the present invention is preferably (1) as the vacuum degree adjusting means, a vacuum pump connected to one end of the outer pipe, a valve and a solenoid valve connected to the other end of the outer pipe, and a temperature in the inner pipe And (2) when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor is equal to or lower than a set temperature, the temperature controller The vacuum between the outer tube and the inner tube is increased by the operation of the vacuum pump to prevent the temperature from being lowered in the inner tube, and (3) the temperature sensor When the measured temperature is higher than the set temperature, the temperature controller controls the solenoid valve to “open” to reduce the degree of vacuum between the outer tube and the inner tube, thereby causing air convection. (4) By adjusting the degree of vacuum between the outer tube and the inner tube Controlling the temperature within said tube.

  In the Sabatier reaction apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the outer wall surface of the inner tube is black, absorbs light, and promotes temperature rise in the tube.

  In the Sabatier reaction apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the reflecting mirror has a sun tracking function by a servo motor, and the incident light is sunlight.

  Further, in the Sabatier reaction apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the reaction gas introduction means introduces hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide gas into the inner pipe after the flow rate of hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide gas are controlled by a mass flow controller.

  The steam electrolysis apparatus of the present invention is an apparatus for performing steam electrolysis by introducing methane gas and steam discharged by the gas discharging means of the Sabatier reaction apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

  Since the Sabatier reaction apparatus and the steam electrolysis apparatus using the same according to the present invention are as described above, the Sabatier reaction can be performed without using a heat source such as a heater even in a space environment such as a spacecraft or a space station. .

  In order to cause the Sabatier reaction, a temperature of about 300 ° C. is required in the presence of a catalyst. It is important where to find the thermal energy to maintain this temperature. In the present invention, solar energy is directly converted into thermal energy. Therefore, heat energy can be obtained with high efficiency. Therefore, the present invention is very effective especially in outer space.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of Example 1 of the Sabatier reaction apparatus of the present invention.

  The Sabatier reaction device (22) of Example 1 of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 includes a reflecting mirror (1), a double pipe (4), a vacuum pump (5), a vacuum degree adjusting valve (6), and a solenoid valve. (7), temperature sensor (9), temperature controller (10), hydrogen supply tank (15), carbon dioxide supply tank (16), gas supply valves (20a, 20b), mixing tank (17), mass flow controller (12a, 12b), a ruthenium catalyst (8), a pipe (21), an orientation detector (18), an amplifier (19), and a servo motor (11).

  FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line AA ′ of Example 1 of the Sabatier reactor according to the present invention. In FIG. 2, components other than the reflecting mirror (1) and the double tube (4) are omitted. FIG. 3 is a schematic external view of Example 1 of the Sabachie reactor according to the present invention. In FIG. 3, the reflector (1) and the support, the double tube (4), and the orientation detector (18) of the Sabatier reaction device (22) of Example 1 of the present invention shown in FIG. Other parts are omitted.

  The reflecting mirror (1) has a paraboloid and can raise the temperature of the focal portion by reflecting incident light from the outside and condensing it on the focal portion. The reflecting mirror (1) of the Sabatier reactor (22) of Example 1 of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is obtained by extending an XY parabolic curve in the Z-axis direction. A reflecting mirror having a paraboloid or a compound paraboloid having a parabolic curve obtained by rotating the curve around the Z axis may be used.

  The reflecting mirror (1) has an orientation detector (18). The azimuth detector (18) is a light receiver having two photodiodes (not shown) attached to the light incident surface and arranged side by side with a partition. The azimuth detector (18) is adjusted so that the output difference between the two photodiodes becomes zero when the angle is perpendicular to the incident direction of light.

  When the reflecting mirror (1) deviates from the incident direction of light, an output difference between the two photodiodes occurs. Signals from the two photodiodes are transmitted to a comparison amplifier (not shown) connected to the azimuth detector (18), and the output difference is amplified by an amplifier (19) connected to the comparison amplifier. . A servo motor (11) connected to the amplifier (19) and the reflecting mirror (1) moves the reflecting mirror (1) so that the output difference becomes zero.

  As the light source, sunlight, a xenon lamp, an infrared lamp, or the like can be used. When sunlight is used as a light source, the reflecting mirror (1) always automatically tracks in the azimuth direction of the sun. The altitude of the sun can be adjusted manually.

  For example, when the reflectance of the mirror of the reflecting mirror is 85% and the light absorption rate of the inner tube is 95% (reflectance 5%), approximately 80% of solar energy is converted into thermal energy.

  In a vacuum space environment, there is not much light absorption by air than on the earth surrounded by air, so there is more solar energy that can be received in the same area even at the same distance from the sun. Therefore, the present invention is effective particularly in the space environment. In addition, because the sun can be tracked automatically and the solar energy can be used to the maximum extent, it is very effective not only on the earth but also in an environment where the energy supply means and supply amount are limited, such as in a spacecraft. .

  In the double pipe (4), the outer pipe is the outer pipe (3) and the inner pipe is the inner pipe (2). The double tube (4) is provided at the focal point of the reflecting mirror (1). In the reflector (1) of the Sabatier reactor (22) of the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, the focal point is a line parallel to the double tube, and therefore, temperature unevenness in the tube is unlikely to occur. As the outer tube (3), one having translucency is suitable. A glass tube was used as the outer tube (3) of the Sabatier reactor (22) of Example 1 of the present invention shown in FIG. As the inner tube (2), one having thermal conductivity is suitable. The inner tube (2) of the Sabatier reactor (22) of the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is a metal tube, but an SiC tube or the like can also be used. In the inner tube (2) of the Sabatier reactor (22) of the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, the outer wall surface of the tube is painted black. Therefore, the tube wall absorbs light and promotes temperature rise in the tube.

  A vacuum pump (5), a vacuum degree adjusting valve (6), a solenoid valve (7), a temperature sensor (9), and a temperature controller (10) are disposed between the outer pipe (3) and the inner pipe (2). It plays a role as a vacuum degree adjusting means for adjusting the vacuum degree. The temperature in the inner tube can be controlled by adjusting the degree of vacuum.

  The vacuum pump (5) is connected to one end of the outer tube (3). The other end of the outer tube (3) is connected to a vacuum degree adjusting valve (6) and a solenoid valve (7). The temperature sensor (9) measures the temperature in the inner pipe (2). The temperature controller (10) controls the solenoid valve (7).

  When the temperature measured by the temperature sensor (9) is equal to or lower than the set temperature, the temperature controller (10) controls the solenoid valve (7) to be “closed” and the vacuum pump (5) is operated to operate the outer pipe ( By increasing the degree of vacuum between 3) and the inner pipe (2), a vacuum is insulated to prevent a temperature drop in the inner pipe (2). On the other hand, when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor (9) is higher than the set temperature, the temperature controller (10) controls the solenoid valve (7) to “open” and the outer pipe (3) and the inner pipe ( By reducing the degree of vacuum during 2), air convection is generated and heat energy is released. That is, by adjusting the degree of vacuum between the outer tube (3) and the inner tube (2), the temperature in the inner tube (2) heated by the reflecting mirror can be controlled to be constant.

  A hydrogen supply tank (15), a carbon dioxide supply tank (16), a gas supply valve (20a, 20b), a mixing tank (17), and a mass flow controller (12a, 12b) It plays a role as a reaction gas introduction means for introducing carbon dioxide.

  The hydrogen flows from the hydrogen supply tank (15) into the mixing tank (17) with the mass flow controller (12a) controlled by opening and closing the gas supply valve (20a). Carbon dioxide flows from the carbon dioxide supply tank (16) into the mixing tank (17) with the flow controlled by the mass flow controller (12b) by opening and closing the gas supply valve (20b). After mixing at a constant rate in the mixing tank (17), it is introduced into the inner pipe (2).

  The ruthenium catalyst (8) is inserted into the inner pipe (2). In the inner pipe (2), the introduced hydrogen and carbon dioxide undergo a Sabatier first reaction in the presence of the ruthenium catalyst (8) to generate methane and water vapor. The pipe (21) serves as a gas discharge means for taking out methane and water vapor which are gases converted in the inner pipe (2).

  The Sabatier reaction apparatus (22) of Example 1 of the present invention can supply water vapor necessary for water vapor electrolysis to the water vapor electrolysis apparatus.

  According to the first embodiment of the Sabachie reactor of the present invention, sunlight and the like can be concentrated to increase the temperature in the inner tube, and the temperature can be controlled. Also, the Sabatier reaction is possible without using a heat source such as a heater.

  FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of Embodiment 1 of the steam electrolysis apparatus of the present invention. In the steam electrolysis apparatus (23) of the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4, the Sabatier reaction apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the steam electrolysis section (13). The pipe (21) guides the water vapor generated by the Sabatier reactor (22) to the water vapor electrolysis unit (13). The pipe (21) is wrapped with a heat retaining heater (14) to prevent water vapor from becoming liquid water due to a temperature drop.

  The water vapor electrolysis unit (13) has means for introducing water vapor into the electrolytic cell from the Sabachie reactor (22), and the cathode having water vapor permeability is made of a fluororesin ion exchange membrane A and a fluororesin system with a catalyst. The electrolytic cell is sandwiched between ion exchange membranes B, a water vapor introduction phase is arranged outside the ion exchange membrane A, and an anode is arranged outside the ion exchange membrane B.

  The water vapor introduced into the water vapor introduction phase passes through the ion exchange membrane A and the cathode, is absorbed by the ion exchange membrane B, is electrolyzed by applying voltage to both electrodes, and passes through the ion exchange membrane B. Proton moves from the anode side to the cathode side, hydrogen is generated on the cathode surface, and oxygen is generated on the anode surface, so that water is not mixed into the generated oxygen and hydrogen.

  The steam electrolysis section (13) has (a) a compartment A having means for introducing steam from the Sabachie reactor (22), (b) a fluororesin-based ion exchange membrane, (c) hydrogen discharge means, and , Compartment B filled with a sponge-like cathode, (d) a fluororesin ion exchange membrane plated with platinum, iridium, rhodium or iridium-rhodium alloy, (e) an anode plated with platinum on porous titanium, (f) oxygen It is an electrolytic cell in which the compartment C having the discharge means is sandwiched in the order of (A) to (F).

  A heat insulation heater (14) is wound around the pipe for introducing water vapor from the Sabachie reactor (22) for heat insulation.

  The Sabachie reactor of the present invention and a steam electrolysis apparatus using the same are important technologies useful for maintaining human life by extracting oxygen from carbon dioxide discharged by humans in a closed space such as outer space.

It is a block diagram of Example 1 of the Sabatier reaction apparatus of this invention. It is an AA 'line section schematic diagram of Example 1 of the Sabatier reaction device of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is the external appearance schematic of Example 1 of the Sabatier reaction apparatus of this invention. It is a block diagram of Example 1 of the steam electrolysis apparatus of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reflector 2 Inner tube 3 Outer tube 4 Double tube 5 Vacuum pump 6 Vacuum degree adjustment valve 7 Electromagnetic valve 8 Ruthenium catalyst 9 Temperature sensor 10 Temperature controller 11 Servo motor 12 Mass flow controller 13 Steam electrolysis unit 14 Heating heater 15 Hydrogen Supply tank 16 Carbon dioxide supply tank 17 Mixing tank 18 Orientation detector 19 Amplifier 20 Gas supply valve 21 Pipe 22 Sabachie reactor 23 Steam electrolyzer

Claims (4)

(1) A reflecting mirror having a paraboloid that raises the temperature of the focal portion by reflecting incident light from the outside and condensing it on the focal portion.
(2) a double tube provided at the focal point of the reflecting mirror, wherein the outer tube is a light-transmitting tube and the inner tube is a heat-conductive tube;
(3) Vacuum degree adjusting means for adjusting the degree of vacuum between the outer pipe and the inner pipe,
(4) Reactive gas introduction means for introducing hydrogen and carbon dioxide into the inner pipe,
(5) a ruthenium catalyst inserted into the inner tube,
(6) Gas discharge means for taking out the gas converted in the inner pipe,
Have a Sabatie reaction in the inner tube,
And as said vacuum degree adjustment means,
(2-1) A vacuum pump connected to one end of the outer pipe, a valve and a solenoid valve connected to the other end of the outer pipe, a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature in the inner pipe, and a temperature controller for controlling the solenoid valve Have
(2-2) When the temperature measured by the temperature sensor is equal to or lower than the set temperature, the temperature controller controls the solenoid valve to “closed”, and the vacuum between the outer tube and the inner tube is activated by the operation of the vacuum pump. By increasing the degree, vacuum insulation, to prevent a temperature drop in the inner tube,
(2-3) When the temperature measured by the temperature sensor is higher than the set temperature, the temperature controller controls the solenoid valve to “open” to lower the degree of vacuum between the outer tube and the inner tube. Causes air convection to escape thermal energy,
(2-4) A Sabatier reactor characterized in that the temperature in the inner pipe is controlled by adjusting the degree of vacuum between the outer pipe and the inner pipe. The Sabatier reaction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outer wall surface of the inner tube is black, absorbs light, and promotes temperature rise in the tube. The Sabatier reaction device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reflecting mirror has a sun tracking function by a servo motor, and the incident light is sunlight. A steam electrolysis apparatus, wherein steam electrolysis is performed by introducing methane gas and water vapor discharged by the gas discharge means of the Sabatier reactor according to any one of claims 1 to 3.