KR20150115207A - Apparatus and method for synthesis of gas - Google Patents

Abstract

According to a disclosed embodiment, provided is an apparatus for synthesizing gas which comprises: a probe having a first electrode and a second electrode configured to apply electric energy for plasma blasting; and a reactor which accommodates reactant gas reacting in a reversible exothermic reaction and also accommodates a blasting medium, and in which synthesis gas is produced from the reactant gas through the reversible exothermic reaction. The probe is arranged to enable at least a part of the first electrode and at least a part of the second electrode to touch the blasting medium. In the reactor, a plasma stream is generated from the blasting medium when the electric energy is applied through the first and second electrodes, and the synthetic gas is produced from the reactant gas in accordance with the generation of the plasma stream.

Description

[0001] APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SYNTHESIS OF GAS [0002]

The disclosed embodiments relate to an apparatus and method for synthesizing a gas, and more particularly to a technique for synthesizing a gas such as ammonia through a reversible exothermic reaction using plasma blasting.

Some gases are produced from reactants through reversible exothermic reactions. Particularly, in the reversible exothermic reaction in which the gas is synthesized as such, even when the equilibrium is maintained at a low temperature, the gas synthesis process can proceed at a high temperature to dissociate the molecules in the reaction material. Typically, in such a process, a catalyst is used to improve the yield. For example, ammonia (NH ₃ ), a commercially important material, is currently being produced annually by 160 million tons of ammonia at high temperature and high pressure. Commercialization of large-scale ammonia synthesis has begun with the discovery that nitrogen and hydrogen can be directly coupled when catalysts composed of iron oxide and a small amount of cerium and chromium at reaction conditions of about 550 ° C and 200 atmospheres are combined.

Of the reactors for the synthesis of conventional ammonia-like gases, the axial flow reactor is not suitable for use in low-pressure, high-capacity ammonia production facilities, as pressure is reduced through the catalyst bed and consequently energy consumption is involved. On the other hand, a radial flow reactor uses several catalyst layers, each of which must be sealed at both ends. A large volume of structure is required to prevent problems due to the expansion of materials used in the various components inside the radial flow reactor and the catalyst layer is disposed in a complex metal structure located inside the reactor, It is complicated to insert or withdraw.

Several approaches have been implemented commercially to address this aspect, most of which are characterized by reactor design and heat recovery. However, it is desirable to improve the configuration of the reactor so as to be suitable for the recent low-energy process, minimize the pressure drop of the gas in the reactor, facilitate the introduction of the heat exchanger, make the catalyst more convenient to put in or remove from the reactor, There is still a need to increase. In addition, there is also a need for improved techniques for effectively separating and recovering gases such as ammonia from the syngas produced in the reactor at a lower cost.

U.S. Patent No. 4,161,701

The disclosed embodiments provide an apparatus and method for synthesizing a gas (e.g., ammonia) through a reversible exothermic reaction using plasma blasting.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a probe having a first electrode and a second electrode configured to apply electrical energy for plasma blasting; And a reactor for receiving a reactant gas that reacts in a reversible exothermic reaction and further containing a blasting medium and a synthesis gas is formed from the reaction gas through the reversible exothermic reaction, Is arranged such that at least a portion of the first electrode and at least a portion of the second electrode are in contact with the blasting media, and in the reactor, the electrical energy is applied through the first electrode and the second electrode, A plasma stream is generated from the reaction gas and the synthesis gas is formed from the reaction gas as the plasma flow is generated.

The reaction gas may include a hydrogen gas and a nitrogen gas, and the syngas may include ammonia gas.

The gas synthesis apparatus may further comprise an adsorber for separating ammonia from the syngas.

The reactor comprising: a chamber for receiving the reaction gas and the blasting medium, the plasma flow being generated and the syngas formed; And a pressure transmitter for compressing the reaction gas in the chamber.

At least a portion of the inner wall of the chamber may be covered with a catalyst.

At least a portion of the probe may be inserted into the chamber through one side of the chamber such that at least a portion of the first electrode and at least a portion of the second electrode are in contact with the blasting media.

The reaction gas may include a hydrogen gas and a nitrogen gas, and the syngas may include ammonia gas.

The blasting medium may include hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas.

The reactor comprises: a first chamber in which the plasma flow is generated; A second chamber in which the synthesis gas is formed; And a pressure for compressing the reaction gas in the second chamber by transferring the pressure resulting from the generation of the plasma flow to the second chamber for forming the syngas to separate the first chamber and the second chamber, And may include a transfer portion.

The reactor comprising: a blasting medium inlet through which the blasting medium enters the first chamber; A reaction gas inlet through which the reaction gas flows into the second chamber; And a syngas outlet through which the syngas flows out of the second chamber.

The reaction gas may include a hydrogen gas and a nitrogen gas, and the syngas may include ammonia gas.

The blasting medium may include hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas.

The reactor may further include an exhaust gas outlet through which the other synthesis gas produced from the blasting medium is discharged from the first chamber to be used in the second chamber in response to the generation of the plasma flow in the first chamber.

At least a portion of the inner wall of the second chamber may be covered with a catalyst.

At least a portion of the probe may be inserted into the first chamber through one side of the first chamber such that at least a portion of the first electrode and at least a portion of the second electrode contact the blasting medium.

The gas synthesis apparatus may further comprise an additional probe having a plurality of electrodes, wherein the additional probe may be arranged such that at least a portion of each of the plurality of electrodes contacts the reaction gas, and in the second chamber As the electric energy is applied through the plurality of electrodes, another plasma flow may be generated from the reaction gas, and the reaction gas may be further pressurized according to generation of the other plasma flow to form the synthesis gas.

At least a portion of the additional probe may be inserted into the second chamber through one side of the second chamber such that at least a portion of each of the plurality of electrodes contacts the reaction gas.

And an electric energy storage configured to store the electric energy to be transferred to the probe.

A power supply unit for charging the electric energy storage unit at a first speed so that the electric energy is stored in the electric energy storage unit; And a switch for discharging the electric energy storage unit at a second rate higher than the first rate so that the electric energy is transferred from the electric energy storage unit to the probe when activated.

The first electrode and the second electrode may be spaced apart by a dielectric.

The probe includes a control unit for moving a probe tip including an end of one of the first electrode and the second electrode and an end of the dielectric with respect to an end of the other one of the first electrode and the second electrode .

The first electrode and the second electrode may be coaxial electrodes.

According to another exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method comprising: injecting into a reactor a gas mixture that reacts in a reversible exothermic reaction; Compressing the gas mixture; Disposing a probe having a first electrode and a second electrode configured to apply electrical energy for plasma blasting so that at least a portion of the first electrode and at least a portion of the second electrode are in contact with the gas mixture; And a plasma generator configured to generate a plasma flow from the gas mixture as the electrical energy is applied through the probe and a syngas from the gas mixture through the reversible exothermic reaction as the plasma stream is generated, To the probe is provided.

Wherein the step of delivering comprises: charging the electrical energy storage at a first rate such that the electrical energy is stored in the electrical energy storage; And discharging the electrical energy storage at a second rate that is greater than the first rate to transfer the electrical energy from the electrical energy storage to the probe.

The gas mixture may include hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas, and the syngas may include ammonia gas.

The gas synthesis method comprising the steps of: delivering the synthesis gas to an adsorber to separate ammonia from the synthesis gas; And recovering ammonia adsorbed in the adsorber.

Inserting at least a portion of the probe into the reactor through one side of the reactor such that at least a portion of the first electrode and at least a portion of the second electrode are in contact with the gas mixture; And a probe tip including an end portion of one of the first electrode and the second electrode and an end portion of the dielectric separating the first electrode and the second electrode from each other among the first electrode and the second electrode, With respect to the end portion of the end effector.

According to another exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method comprising: injecting a blasting medium into a first chamber; Injecting a reaction gas to be reacted in the reversible exothermic reaction into the second chamber; Disposing a probe having a first electrode and a second electrode configured to apply electrical energy for plasma blasting so that at least a portion of the first electrode and at least a portion of the second electrode are in contact with the blasting medium; And a plasma generator for generating a plasma flow from the blasting medium as the electrical energy is applied through the probe in the first chamber and the pressure is transferred to the second chamber as the plasma flow is generated to compress the reaction gas, And transferring the electric energy to the probe so that a synthesis gas is formed from the reaction gas through the reversible exothermic reaction in accordance with the compression of the gas.

Wherein the step of delivering comprises: charging the electrical energy storage at a first rate such that the electrical energy is stored in the electrical energy storage; And discharging the electrical energy storage at a second rate that is greater than the first rate to transfer the electrical energy from the electrical energy storage to the probe.

The reaction gas may include a hydrogen gas and a nitrogen gas, and the syngas may include ammonia gas.

The blasting medium may include hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas.

The gas synthesis method comprising the steps of: delivering the synthesis gas to an adsorber to separate ammonia from the synthesis gas; And recovering ammonia adsorbed in the adsorber.

Wherein the disposing step comprises inserting at least a portion of the probe into one of the first chamber through one side of the first chamber such that at least a portion of the first electrode and at least a portion of the second electrode are in contact with the blasting medium step; And a probe tip including an end portion of one of the first electrode and the second electrode and an end portion of the dielectric separating the first electrode and the second electrode from each other among the first electrode and the second electrode, With respect to the end portion of the end effector.

The gas synthesis method may further include arranging an additional probe having a plurality of electrodes so that at least a part of each of the plurality of electrodes is in contact with the reaction gas, and in the second chamber, A different plasma flow may be generated from the reaction gas as electric energy is applied thereto, and the reaction gas may be further pressurized as the other plasma flow is generated to form the synthesis gas.

According to the disclosed embodiments, by employing the plasma blasting technique for the synthesis of a gas (for example, ammonia) through a reversible exothermic reaction, a very low energy (for example, several hundred kilowatt or more Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > microseconds < / RTI >

According to the disclosed embodiments, the reactor in which the plasma chemistry for the synthesis of the gas takes place can have a simple structure, can require a small amount of catalyst, is easily accessible for maintenance and repair, It is more economical than conventional large scale reactors.

According to the disclosed embodiments, the yield of syngas can be increased by creating a pressure greater than the pressure required in a conventional gas synthesis process and maintaining a low temperature.

According to the disclosed embodiments, a process of low cost and high efficiency for separating the product material such as ammonia from the flow extracted from the reactor can be provided.

1 shows an apparatus for synthesizing ammonia according to an exemplary embodiment,
2 is a diagrammatic view of a probe according to an exemplary embodiment,
3 is a cross-sectional view of a probe according to an exemplary embodiment,
Figure 4 illustrates a reactor in which a probe is inserted according to an exemplary embodiment;
Figure 5 illustrates a reactor in which a probe is inserted according to an exemplary embodiment;
Figure 6 shows a reactor in which a probe is inserted according to an exemplary embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a process of synthesizing ammonia according to an exemplary embodiment;
8 is a view showing a process of synthesizing ammonia according to an exemplary embodiment;

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following detailed description is provided to provide a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatus, and / or systems described herein. However, this is merely an example and the present invention is not limited thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail. The following terms are defined in consideration of the functions of the present invention, and may be changed according to the intention or custom of the user, the operator, and the like. Therefore, the definition should be based on the contents throughout this specification. The terms used in the detailed description are intended only to describe embodiments of the invention and should in no way be limiting. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the singular forms of the expressions include plural forms of meanings. In this description, the expressions "comprising" or "comprising" are intended to indicate certain features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts or combinations thereof, Should not be construed to preclude the presence or possibility of other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, portions or combinations thereof.

For example, the synthesis of ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen is a reversible exothermic reaction, which can be described as follows.

The equilibrium constant of the above chemical reaction is as follows.

These chemical reactions are equilibrium reactions at low temperature and high pressure. However, the reaction for ammonia synthesis does not proceed at a typical ambient temperature. Lowering the temperature may limit the reverse reaction, but requires significantly higher temperatures (e.g., 250 to 400 degrees Celsius) to dissociate the nitrogen and hydrogen molecules. In this way, a catalyst is used to improve the yield of ammonia to be lowered when the temperature is increased so that the reaction for the synthesis of ammonia takes place properly.

The disclosed embodiments involve plasma blasting for the formation of syngas through a reversible exothermic reaction. For example, a plasma blasting technique may be used to initiate a chemical reaction for the synthesis of ammonia. When a plasma flow is formed around a probe to which electric energy is applied for plasma blasting, nitrogen molecules and hydrogen molecules contained in the reaction gas of the above chemical reaction can be dissociated. In addition, the rate of reaction for ammonia synthesis can be dramatically increased by causing pressure waves using electrical pulses transmitted through the probe. As the pressure wave propagates, the temperature of the plasma stream decreases and the yield of ammonia can be higher even if the reaction gas comes in contact with a small amount of catalyst. Various embodiments are described below in terms of an apparatus and method for synthesizing ammonia from a reactant comprising hydrogen and nitrogen, but other reversible exothermic reactions (e. G., Reversible exothermic reactions where chemical equilibrium is maintained at low temperatures) The same / similar approach may also be applied to apparatus and methods for forming other product materials.

1 shows an apparatus for synthesizing ammonia in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

Exemplary ammonia synthesis apparatus 100 includes a plasma blasting apparatus 110, a reactor 120, an adsorber 130, a heat recovery unit 140 and a blower 150.

The plasma blasting device 110 is used to transfer electrical energy to the reactor 120 to cause plasma blasting in the reactor 120. 1, the plasma blasting apparatus 110 includes a power supply unit 111, an electric energy storage unit 112, a voltage protection unit 113, a switch 114, an inductor 115, and a probe (not shown) 116). The power supply unit 111 may be electrically connected to the electric energy storage unit 112 and the voltage protection unit 113. The electric energy storage unit 112 and the voltage protection unit 113 may be electrically connected to the switch 114. The switch 114 may be electrically connected to the probe 116 (e.g., via the inductor 115). A transmission cable may be used for such electrical connections. In some embodiments, the transmission cable may comprise a coaxial cable. Alternatively, the transmission cable may comprise any cable configured to transmit power (e.g., in the form of pulses).

The power supply unit 111 is configured to supply power to the electric energy storage unit 112. In some embodiments, the electrical energy storage 112 may comprise one or more capacitors or other suitable electrical energy storage means for storing electrical energy in accordance with the voltage provided from the power supply 111. [ The voltage protection unit 113 includes a circuit for preventing a voltage reversal that damages the plasma blasting apparatus 110. [

The switch 114 receives a specific voltage and / or current from the electrical energy storage 112. The switch 114 allows the received voltage and / or current to be selectively transferred from the electrical energy storage 112 to the probe 116. For example, when the switch 114 is activated, the switch 114 discharges the electrical energy storage 112 at a much faster rate than the charge (e.g., for a few tens of microseconds) , A pulse corresponding to a power of several hundred kilowatts or more) can be transmitted to the probe 116. [ As such, activation of the switch 114 may cause electrical energy to be transferred from the electrical energy storage 112 to the probe 116.

The reactor 120 can accommodate a reaction gas therein, which includes hydrogen gas (H ₂ ) and nitrogen gas (N ₂ ) required to synthesize ammonia. Also, the reactor 120 may contain a blasting medium therein. The blasting medium may be at least partially plasmaized in response to the electrical energy applied at the probe 116. For example, the blasting medium may comprise vaporized or liquefied hydrogen and nitrogen. In some embodiments, the blasting medium and the reactant gas may be supplied to the reactor 120 through the same inlet of the reactor 120. In some other embodiments, the blasting medium and the reactant gas may be supplied to the reactor 120 through different inlets of the reactor 120.

According to some embodiments, the reactor 120 may include a single chamber. In addition, reaction gas and blasting medium may be introduced into the chamber. The reaction gas and the blasting medium may both contain hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas. For example, a gas mixture containing hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas may be introduced into the chamber and used as a blasting medium and also as a reaction gas. According to some other embodiments, the reactor 120 includes a plurality of chambers, and the reaction gas and the blasting medium may each be introduced into different chambers. For example, in the first chamber of the reactor 120, a gas mixture containing vaporized hydrogen and nitrogen is introduced as a blasting medium, and a gas mixture comprising hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas is introduced into the second chamber of the reactor 120, Lt; / RTI >

At least a portion of the probe 116 may be inserted into the reactor 120 such that the probe 116 is in contact with the blasting medium within the reactor 120. For example, the probe 116 may include at least two electrodes configured to apply electrical energy for plasma blasting, and the probe 116 may be inserted into the reactor 120. In embodiments in which the probes 116 are disposed in contact with the blasting medium such that at least a portion (e.g., an end) of each electrode of the probe 116 is immersed in the blasting media within the reactor 120 through such insertion, A plasma stream can be generated from the blasting medium as electric energy is applied to the blasting medium in the reactor 120 through the electrodes of the reactor 116 and the reaction gas in the reactor 120 A synthesis gas containing ammonia gas (NH ₃ ) can be formed. In particular, plasma can be generated as the electrical energy is applied to the blasting medium at a significantly faster rate through the probe 116. [ This plasmaization occurring in the reactor 120 increases the temperature of the blasting medium (e.g., to about 3000 to 4000 degrees Celsius), and the generated heat reacts with another portion of the blasting medium to form a reaction gas The pressure is increased rapidly. This increase in pressure results in a high-pressure shock wave (for example, spherical shock waves spreading in all directions) in the reactor 120. When electrical energy is applied to the blasting medium in the reactor 120 through the electrodes of the probe 140, the shock waves generated by the plasma blasting cause the plasma chemical reaction to be initiated from the reactive gas. For example, the pressure indicated by the wavefront of the shock wave can reach 2.5 x ^{10 9} Pa, which is sufficient to form a syngas containing ammonia gas, which is higher than the pressure used in conventional ammonia synthesis. As the shock wave diverges in the reactor 120, the temperature and pressure are reduced while ammonia can be synthesized from the reaction gas. At least a portion of the inner wall of the reactor 120 is covered with a catalyst, and the reaction gas in the reactor 120 reacts with the catalyst to promote ammonia synthesis. Such a mechanism employs a plasma blasting technique to generate a pressure greater than that required in a conventional ammonia synthesis process in a reactor 120 having a relatively simple structure and to increase the temperature of the reaction gas that reacts with the catalyst on the inner wall of the reactor 120 Sufficiently low, and the amount of catalyst used for ammonia synthesis to be reduced. In particular, less than 1% energy can be used for plasma blasting compared to conventional ammonia synthesis techniques, for example by applying a power of several hundred kilowatts or more for tens of microseconds or less. Furthermore, the yield of ammonia can be increased more effectively and economically.

The syngas formed in the reactor 120 may be discharged from the reactor 120 and cooled in a heat recovery unit 140 such as a buffer tank. The synthesis gas having a sufficiently low temperature in the heat recovery unit 140 may be introduced into the adsorber 130 from the heat recovery unit 140.

At adsorber 130, ammonia is separated from syngas. Ammonia adsorbed by the adsorber 130 may be recovered through an adsorption process to an ammonia collecting unit (not shown). For example, by reducing the pressure in the adsorber 130, ammonia can enter the ammonia collection section. The remaining gas in the adsorber 130 after adsorption of ammonia in the adsorber 130 may include nitrogen gas and hydrogen gas and at least a portion of the residual gas is passed through the reactor 120 ). ≪ / RTI >

A technique for improving the ammonia yield may be applied to the adsorber 130 for separating ammonia from syngas. For example, according to a pressure swing adsorption technique that allows for ammonia recovery at a much lower cost, the adsorber 130 includes a layer of adsorbent that is effective to absorb ammonia from the gas stream entering the adsorber 130 . The adsorbent may comprise activated carbon, silica gel, alumina and / or zeolite. Particularly, for the pressure swing adsorption technique, a porous substance having a wide surface area can be selected as the adsorbent. The gas flow through adsorbent layer in adsorber 130 contains at most only trace amounts of residual ammonia. The gas stream exiting adsorber 130 may include nitrogen gas and hydrogen gas so that the exhausted gas may be supplied to blower 150 to compensate for pressure variations within the apparatuses such as adsorber 130 and other pipes. ). On the other hand, such off-gas may be cooled in the blower 150 to a temperature suitable for re-entering the reactor 120.

Figure 2 shows a probe according to an exemplary embodiment.

The exemplary probe 200 includes an adjuster 210, a first electrode 220, a second electrode 230, and a dielectric 240. Electric energy can be transmitted to the probe 200 through the transmission cable 270. The probe 116 shown in FIG. 1 may include the probe 200 of FIG. The probe 200 may be electrically connected to the remaining components of the plasma blasting apparatus 100 via the transmission cable 270 (e.g., power supply 111, electrical energy storage 112 and switch 114) have.

The first electrode 220 and the second electrode 230 are different electrodes for applying electrical energy for plasma blasting. The first electrode 220 and the second electrode 230 may be spaced apart by the dielectric 240. In some embodiments, the first electrode 220 is a high voltage electrode and the second electrode 230 is a ground electrode. In some other embodiments, the first electrode 220 is a ground electrode and the second electrode 230 is a high voltage electrode. The probe 220 is not limited to having one high voltage electrode and one ground electrode, and in some embodiments, a plurality of high voltage electrodes and / or a plurality of ground electrodes may be provided in the probe 220.

3, the first electrode 220 and the second electrode 230 may be coaxial electrodes having the same center axis. The dielectric 240 separating the first electrode 220 and the second electrode 230 may also have the same center axis as the first electrode 220 and the second electrode 230. For example, one of the first electrode 220 and the second electrode 230 and the dielectric 240 surround the other of the first electrode 220 and the second electrode 230, and the dielectric 240, May be disposed between the first electrode (220) and the second electrode (230). However, the arrangements of the high voltage electrode 220, the dielectric 240, and the ground electrode 230 shown above are exemplary only, and various other arrangements are not excluded from the disclosure of the present specification.

The adjuster 210 is configured to move the probe tip 250. The probe tip 250 includes an end portion of the first electrode 220 and an end portion of the dielectric 240 as a distal end portion of the probe 200. In particular, the adjuster 210 may move the probe tip 250 about the end of the second electrode 230 along the center axis of the first electrode 220 and the second electrode 230. For example, the adjuster 210 may move the probe tip 250 such that the probe tip 250 extends from the end of the second electrode 230 or retracts toward the end of the second electrode 230. Thus, the distance between the end of the first electrode 220 and the end of the second electrode 230, that is, the inter-electrode gap 260 can be adjusted.

With this adjustment, the adjustment unit 210 can adjust the resistance of the probe 200 in the blasting medium in contact with the probe 200. As a result, the regulator 210 can adjust the power delivered to the blasting medium from the probe 200 as desired. For example, when the end of the first electrode 220 and the end of the second electrode 230 are in contact with the blasting medium, the blasting medium may be responsive to the transfer of electrical energy from the probe 200, ) Can be given a high energy within a small volume around it.

Exemplary implementations of the ammonia synthesis apparatus are described below with reference to Figures 4-6.

Figure 4 shows a reactor in which a probe is inserted according to an exemplary embodiment.

Exemplary reactor 400 includes a chamber 410, a pressure transmitter 420 such as a piston, an inlet 430 and an outlet 440. The reactor 120 of FIG. 1 may include the reactor 400 of FIG.

The chamber 410 may receive the reaction gas and the blasting medium. 4, at least a portion of the inner wall of the chamber 410 is covered with a catalyst 450 and a pair of latches 460 for locking the pressure transmitting portion 420 are provided in the chamber 410 As shown in Fig. Also, at least a portion of the probe 200 may be inserted into the chamber 410 through one side of the chamber 410. 4 shows that the probe 200 is mounted horizontally in the reactor 400, but the probe 200 may be mounted vertically or at any other angle to the reactor 400 depending on the purpose.

Referring to Figure 7, an exemplary process 700 in which ammonia is synthesized in reactor 400 using direct compression plasma blasting is described below.

A gas mixture comprising hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas may be injected 705 into the chamber 410 of the reactor 400. The gas mixture may enter the chamber 410 through the inlet 430. After inlet of the gas mixture, the inlet 430 may be closed.

After the chamber 410 of the reactor 400 is filled to a predetermined level with the reactive gas, the gas mixture may be compressed 710 using the pressure transfer part 420. For example, if the pressure transfer portion 420 (e.g., piston) is moved downwardly and locked to the latch 460 after injection of the gas mixture, the gas mixture can be compressed until it has a predetermined pressure.

The probe 200 may be disposed such that at least a portion of the first electrode 220 of the probe 200 and at least a portion of the second electrode 230 are in contact with the gas mixture, And is used as a blasting medium for plasma blasting using the probe 200. For this arrangement, the inter-electrode gap 260 of the probe 200 may be adjusted 715. For example, the inter-electrode gap 260 can be adjusted by using the adjuster 210 to extend or retract the probe tip 250 along the central axis of the probe 200. [ Subsequently, at least a portion of the probe 200 may be inserted into the reactor 400 (720). At least a portion of the probe 200 penetrates one side of the chamber 410 so that at least a portion of the first electrode 220 of the probe 200 and at least a portion of the second electrode 230 are in contact with the gas mixture, (Not shown). Alternatively, at least a portion of the probe 200 may be inserted into the chamber 410 through one side of the chamber 410 before the interelectrode gap 260 is adjusted.

Thereafter, the electrical energy storage 112 may be charged 725 by the power supply 111 at a relatively slow first speed (e.g., for a few seconds).

The switch 114 may then be activated (730). Activation of the switch 114 may cause electrical energy stored in the electrical energy storage 112 to be discharged at a very fast second rate (e.g., tens of microseconds). Accordingly, a pulse of electrical energy (corresponding to a power of, for example, several hundred kilowatts) may be formed and transmitted to the first electrode 220 and the second electrode 230 of the probe 200. As a result, a plasma flow can be generated from the blasting medium over the gap 260 between the first electrode 220 and the second electrode 230 in contact with the blasting medium (gas mixture). When a plasma flow is generated in the chamber 410, a plasma chemical reaction for ammonia synthesis can be performed in the chamber 410 using the gas mixture compressed in the chamber 410 as a reaction gas. Specifically, in response to a discharge in the probe 200, the blasting medium (gas mixture) is subjected to a sudden temperature increase (e.g., about 3000 to 4000 degrees centigrade) due to the plasma flow between the first electrode 220 and the second electrode 230 ). The resulting heat reacts with a portion of the blasting media to cause a sudden pressure rise in the chamber 410 of the reactor 400. Thus, a shock wave of a high pressure is generated through a discharge for a very short time. This shock wave, which can be diverted to the wall surface of the chamber 410 with the gas mixture as a medium, is ultimately introduced into the chamber 410 of the reactor 400 by adding pressure to the compressed gas mixture, . In this regard, the gas mixture can also be referred to as the reaction gas. On the other hand, when the reaction gas contacts the catalyst 450 on the inner wall of the chamber 410, the synthesis of ammonia can be promoted.

The syngas formed in the chamber 410 may be removed 735 from the chamber 410 through the outlet 440. The syngas flowed out through the outlet 440 may be sufficiently cooled (e.g., in the heat recovery unit 140) and then delivered 740 to an adsorber 130 for separating the ammonia gas from the syngas. In the adsorber 130, ammonia is adsorbed from the dilute ammonia stream flowing into the adsorber 130. After the ammonia has been adsorbed, an offgas containing hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas in the adsorber 130 may be delivered 745 to the blower 150 for pressure replenishment and recycling. On the other hand, the ammonia adsorbed in the adsorber 130 can be recovered by reducing the pressure through the desorption process (750).

Figure 5 shows a reactor in which a plasma blasting probe is inserted according to an exemplary embodiment.

Exemplary reactor 500 includes a reaction chamber 510, a blasting chamber 515, a pressure transmitter 520 such as a piston, a reaction gas inlet 530, a syngas outlet 540, a blasting medium inlet 535, And an exhaust gas outlet 545. The reactor 120 of FIG. 1 may include the reactor 500 of FIG.

The reaction chamber 510 can receive the reaction gas and the blasting chamber 515 can receive the blasting medium. As shown in FIG. 5, the reaction chamber 510 and the blasting chamber 515 are separated by the pressure transmitting portion 520. As described below, in the blasting chamber 515, a plasma flow can be generated from the blasting medium in the blasting chamber 515, and in the reaction chamber 510, the ammonia gas from the reaction gas in the reaction chamber 510 Syngas can be formed. In this regard, after the plasma flow is generated in the blasting chamber 515, a predetermined gas flow may flow out of the blasting chamber 515 through the outlet gas outlet 545. For example, the blasting medium used in the blasting chamber 515 may be a mixture of nitrogen gas and hydrogen gas, or other gases. When a gas mixture of nitrogen gas and hydrogen gas is used as the blasting medium, ammonia gas may be formed from the blasting medium by plasma blasting in the blasting chamber 515. The syngas can be discharged through the outlet gas outlet 545 to be used as a reaction gas in the reaction chamber 510.

At least a part of the inner wall of the reaction chamber 510 is covered with the catalyst 550 and a pair of latches 560 for locking the pressure transmission part 520 are installed on the inner wall of the reaction chamber 510. Also, at least a portion of the probe 200 may be inserted into the blasting chamber 515 through one side of the blasting chamber 515. The probe 200 may be mounted to the reactor 500 at any angle, either horizontally, vertically or at any other angle depending on the purpose.

Referring to FIG. 8, an exemplary process 800 in which ammonia is synthesized in reactor 500 using indirect compression plasma blasting is described below.

The reaction chamber 510 and the blasting chamber 515 may be filled with a reaction gas and a blasting medium, respectively. The reaction gas includes hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas. Further, according to some embodiments, the blasting medium may be a gaseous mixture comprising vaporized hydrogen and nitrogen. The blasting media may be injected (805) into the blasting chamber 515 through the blasting media inlet 535. The reaction gas may be injected into the reaction chamber 510 through the reaction gas inlet 530 (810). The inlet of the blasting medium and the inlet of the reaction gas can be performed simultaneously.

The probe 200 may be disposed such that at least a portion of the first electrode 220 of the probe 200 and at least a portion of the second electrode 230 are in contact with the blasting medium. According to some embodiments, the blasting medium for plasma blasting using the probe 200 may include a hydrogen gas and a nitrogen gas, similar to the reaction gas. Specifically, the probes 200 can be arranged as follows. At least a portion of the probe 200 may be inserted into the blasting chamber 515 (815). For example, at least a portion of the probe 200 may penetrate one side of the blasting chamber 515 such that at least a portion of the first electrode 220 of the probe 200 and at least a portion of the second electrode 230 are in contact with the blasting medium May be inserted into the blasting chamber 515. The inter-electrode gap 260 of the inserted probe 200 may then be adjusted 820. For example, the inter-electrode gap 260 can be adjusted by using the adjuster 210 to extend or retract the probe tip 250 along the central axis of the probe 200. [ Alternatively, at least a portion of the probe 200 may be inserted into the blasting chamber 515 after the interelectrode gap 260 is adjusted.

The electrical energy storage 112 may then be charged 825 by a power supply 111 at a relatively slow first speed (e.g., for a few seconds).

The switch 114 may then be activated (830). Activation of the switch 114 may cause electrical energy stored in the electrical energy storage 112 to be discharged at a very fast second rate (e.g., tens of microseconds). Accordingly, a pulse of electrical energy (corresponding to tens of thousands of amperes, for example) can be formed and transmitted to the first electrode 220 and the second electrode 230 of the probe 200. As a result, a plasma flow can be generated from the blasting medium as described above. Further, high pressure shock waves can be generated in the blasting chamber 515 as the plasma flow is generated. The high pressure thus generated can move the pressure transmitting portion 520 such as the piston and the pressure transmitting portion 520 can be locked to the latch 560. [ Accordingly, pressure can be transferred to the reaction chamber 510 to compress the reaction gas in the reaction chamber 510. The compressed reaction gas is contacted with the catalyst coated on the inner wall of the reactor 510, so that ammonia can be formed in the reaction chamber 510.

The syngas formed in the reaction chamber 510 may be removed 835 from the reaction chamber 510 through the syngas outlet 540. Synthesis gas may then be delivered 840 to the adsorber 130 (e.g., via the heat recovery unit 140) for adsorption of ammonia, similar to that described above in connection with the reactor 400, A portion of the gas discharged from the adsorber 130 may be transferred to the blower 150 for pressure replenishment and recycling 845 and the adsorbed ammonia may be recovered through the desorption process 850.

Figure 6 shows a reactor in which a plasma blasting probe is inserted according to an exemplary embodiment.

The reactor 600 of FIG. 6 is configured similarly to the reactor 500 of FIG. 5, but is different from the reactor 500 of FIG. 5 in that an additional probe 201 is insertable within the reaction chamber 510. The reactor 120 of FIG. 1 may include the reactor 600 of FIG. The additional probe 201 may have the same configuration as the probe 200. Further, the additional probe 201 may be included in the plasma blasting apparatus 110 including the probe 200 or may be included in another plasma blasting apparatus (not shown) configured similarly to the plasma blasting apparatus 110. The additional probe 201 may be electrically connected to the remaining components of the plasma blasting apparatus 110 or other plasma blasting apparatus via an additional transmission cable 271.

Ammonia can be synthesized in the reactor 600 using indirect compression plasma blasting. Hereinafter, the process for synthesizing ammonia will be described in detail with respect to the process 800 which is different from the process 800 illustrated in FIG.

Separate probes 200 and 201 may be inserted into the blasting chamber 515 and the reaction chamber 510 of the reactor 600, respectively. When a high pressure shock wave is generated in the blasting chamber 515 using the probe 200, a high pressure is transmitted to the reaction gas in the reaction chamber 510 through the piston 520. Furthermore, unlike the reactor 500 of FIG. 5, electrical energy may be applied to the reactive gas through additional probes 201 so that other plasma blasting occurs in the reaction chamber 510. Thereby, a very large pressure is generated in the reaction chamber 510, and the reaction gas in the reaction chamber 510 can be further pressurized. As a result, the synthesis of ammonia in the reaction chamber 510 can be further promoted.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but, on the contrary, . Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the above-described embodiments, but should be determined by equivalents to the appended claims, as well as the appended claims.

100: Ammonia synthesis apparatus
110: Plasma blasting device
120: reactor
130: adsorber

Claims (34)

A probe having a first electrode and a second electrode configured to apply electrical energy for plasma blasting; And
And a reactor for receiving a reactant gas reacted in a reversible exothermic reaction and accommodating a blast medium and forming a synthesis gas from the reactant gas through the reversible exothermic reaction,
Wherein the probe is disposed such that at least a portion of the first electrode and at least a portion of the second electrode are in contact with the blasting medium and wherein in the reactor the electrical energy is applied through the first electrode and the second electrode, Wherein a plasma stream is generated from the blasting medium and the syngas is formed from the reaction gas as the plasma stream is generated,
Gas synthesis device. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the reaction gas comprises a hydrogen gas and a nitrogen gas, and the synthesis gas comprises ammonia gas. The method of claim 2,
Further comprising an adsorber for separating ammonia from the synthesis gas. The method according to claim 1,
The reactor comprises:
A chamber for receiving the reaction gas and the blasting medium, the plasma flow being generated and the synthesis gas being formed; And
And a pressure transmitting portion for compressing the reaction gas in the chamber.
Gas synthesis device. The method of claim 4,
Wherein at least a portion of the inner wall of the chamber is covered with a catalyst. The method of claim 4,
Wherein at least a portion of the probe is inserted into the chamber through one side of the chamber such that at least a portion of the first electrode and at least a portion of the second electrode are in contact with the blasting medium. The method of claim 4,
Wherein the reaction gas comprises a hydrogen gas and a nitrogen gas, and the synthesis gas comprises ammonia gas. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the blasting medium comprises a hydrogen gas and a nitrogen gas.
Gas synthesis device. The method according to claim 1,
The reactor comprises:
A first chamber in which the plasma flow is generated;
A second chamber in which the synthesis gas is formed; And
And a second chamber for separating the first chamber and the second chamber from each other and transferring the pressure resulting from the generation of the plasma flow to the second chamber for forming the syngas, ≪ / RTI >
Gas synthesis device. The method of claim 9,
The reactor comprises:
A blasting medium inlet through which the blasting medium enters the first chamber;
A reaction gas inlet through which the reaction gas flows into the second chamber; And
Further comprising a syngas outlet through which said syngas flows out of said second chamber,
Gas synthesis device. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the reaction gas comprises a hydrogen gas and a nitrogen gas, and the synthesis gas comprises ammonia gas. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the blasting medium comprises a hydrogen gas and a nitrogen gas. The method of claim 12,
Wherein the reactor further comprises an outlet gas outlet through which the other synthesis gas produced from the blasting medium flows out of the first chamber for use in the second chamber in response to the generation of the plasma flow in the first chamber. . The method of claim 9,
Wherein at least a portion of the inner wall of the second chamber is covered with a catalyst. The method of claim 9,
Wherein at least a portion of the probe is inserted into the first chamber through one side of the first chamber such that at least a portion of the first electrode and at least a portion of the second electrode are in contact with the blasting medium. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the gas composition apparatus further comprises an additional probe having a plurality of electrodes, wherein the additional probe is arranged such that at least a portion of each of the plurality of electrodes is in contact with the reaction gas, and in the second chamber, Wherein another plasma flow is generated from the reaction gas as electric energy is applied through the gas flow channel and the reaction gas is further pressurized to form the synthesis gas as the other plasma flow is generated. 18. The method of claim 16,
Wherein at least a portion of the additional probe is inserted into the second chamber through one side of the second chamber such that at least a portion of each of the plurality of electrodes is in contact with the reaction gas. The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising an electrical energy storage configured to store the electrical energy to be delivered to the probe. 19. The method of claim 18,
A power supply unit for charging the electric energy storage unit at a first speed so that the electric energy is stored in the electric energy storage unit; And
Further comprising a switch for discharging the electric energy storage unit at a second rate higher than the first rate so that the electric energy is transferred from the electric energy storage unit to the probe when activated. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are separated by a dielectric. The method of claim 20,
The probe includes a control unit for moving a probe tip including an end of one of the first electrode and the second electrode and an end of the dielectric with respect to an end of the other one of the first electrode and the second electrode ≪ / RTI > The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are coaxial electrodes. Injecting into the reactor a gas mixture that reacts in a reversible exothermic reaction;
Compressing the gas mixture;
Disposing a probe having a first electrode and a second electrode configured to apply electrical energy for plasma blasting so that at least a portion of the first electrode and at least a portion of the second electrode are in contact with the gas mixture; And
Wherein the electrical energy is generated from the gas mixture as the electrical energy is applied through the probe and a syngas is formed from the gas mixture through the reversible exothermic reaction as the plasma flow is generated, And transmitting the probe to the probe.
Gas synthesis method. 24. The method of claim 23,
The method of claim 1,
Charging the electrical energy storage at a first rate such that the electrical energy is stored in the electrical energy storage; And
And discharging the electrical energy storage at a second rate that is greater than the first rate to transfer the electrical energy from the electrical energy storage to the probe.
Gas synthesis method. 24. The method of claim 23,
Wherein the gas mixture comprises a hydrogen gas and a nitrogen gas, and the syngas comprises an ammonia gas. 26. The method of claim 25,
Transferring the syngas to an adsorber to separate ammonia from the syngas; And
Further comprising recovering ammonia adsorbed in the adsorber.
Gas synthesis method. 24. The method of claim 23,
Wherein the disposing comprises:
Inserting at least a portion of the probe into the reactor through one side of the reactor such that at least a portion of the first electrode and at least a portion of the second electrode are in contact with the gas mixture; And
A probe tip including an end of one of the first electrode and the second electrode and an end of a dielectric that separates the first electrode and the second electrode from each other, Comprising the steps of:
Gas synthesis method. Injecting a blasting medium into the first chamber;
Injecting a reaction gas to be reacted in the reversible exothermic reaction into the second chamber;
Disposing a probe having a first electrode and a second electrode configured to apply electrical energy for plasma blasting so that at least a portion of the first electrode and at least a portion of the second electrode are in contact with the blasting medium; And
A plasma flow is generated from the blasting medium as the electrical energy is applied through the probe in the first chamber and pressure is transferred to the second chamber as the plasma flow is generated to compress the reactive gas, And transferring the electric energy to the probe so that a synthesis gas is formed from the reaction gas through the reversible exothermic reaction in accordance with the compression of the reaction gas.
Gas synthesis method. 29. The method of claim 28,
The method of claim 1,
Charging the electrical energy storage at a first rate such that the electrical energy is stored in the electrical energy storage; And
And discharging the electrical energy storage at a second rate that is greater than the first rate to transfer the electrical energy from the electrical energy storage to the probe.
Gas synthesis method. 29. The method of claim 28,
Wherein the reaction gas comprises a hydrogen gas and a nitrogen gas, and the synthesis gas comprises ammonia gas. 32. The method of claim 30,
Wherein the blasting medium comprises a hydrogen gas and a nitrogen gas. 32. The method of claim 30,
Transferring the syngas to an adsorber to separate ammonia from the syngas; And
Further comprising recovering ammonia adsorbed in the adsorber.
Gas synthesis method. 29. The method of claim 28,
Wherein the disposing comprises:
Inserting at least a portion of the probe into the first chamber through one side of the first chamber such that at least a portion of the first electrode and at least a portion of the second electrode are in contact with the blasting medium; And
A probe tip including an end of one of the first electrode and the second electrode and an end of a dielectric that separates the first electrode and the second electrode from each other, Comprising the steps of:
Gas synthesis method. 29. The method of claim 28,
Further comprising disposing an additional probe having a plurality of electrodes such that at least a portion of each of the plurality of electrodes is in contact with the reactive gas,
Wherein the second chamber generates another plasma flow from the reactive gas as electric energy is applied through the plurality of electrodes and the reactive gas is further pressurized according to generation of the other plasma flow to form the syngas,
Gas synthesis method.

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