RU2721105C1 - Hydrogen generator - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: ecology; power engineering.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to power engineering and ecology, where water is used as environmentally safe fuel for heat and electricity production. Hydrogen generator (1) comprises control unit (20) with hydrogen production control valves, as well as water pump (2), reactor (3) and receiver (4) of water and hydrogen connected in series by pipelines. Hydrogen output of receiver (4) through valve (15) of hydrogen outlet is connected to coupling (19) of connection of hydrogen consumer and through dosing unit (8) to feed inlet of gas burner (7) of device of heating of plate heat exchanger. Reactor (3) is made in form of plate-type heat exchanger installed in gas chamber (6) of hydrogen combustion. Plates (5) of heat exchanger are made from alloy of aluminum and additive destroying oxidised film of aluminum at interaction with water. Reactor (3) is installed in cavity of combustion chamber above gas burner (7), and hydrogen proportioner is made in form of electromagnetic valve, control input of which is connected to corresponding output of control unit 20.

EFFECT: technical result consists in increase in the generator operation time, as well as in increase in the production volume of hydrogen fuel synthesized from water.

3 cl, 1 dwg

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to the fields of energy and ecology, using water as an environmentally friendly fuel for the production of heat and electricity.

State of the art

Famous hydrogen generators / Varshavsky I.L. Energy storage substances, because of the “Science Dumka”, 1980; SU 78259, 1948; SU 1802863, 1993; SU 535364, 1976; RU 2253606, 2005 /, based on the use of an exothermic reaction (1)

Al + 2H2O = AlOOH + 1.5H2 + 415.24 kJ / mol (99.17 kcal / mol) ... (1)

aluminum with water in the presence of a catalyst that destroys the oxide film of aluminum and provides heat and hydrogen.

The closest in purpose and technical nature and purpose of the claimed invention relates to a hydrogen generator / RU 2253606, 2005 /, containing a water pump, a reactor and a receiver of water and hydrogen connected in series with pipelines. The reactor is made in the form of a plate heat exchanger. The heat exchanger plates are made of an alloy of aluminum and an additive that destroys the aluminum oxide film when interacting with water.

Such a design of a hydrogen generator provides a continuous process for the generation of hydrogen due to the circulation of water through the reactor, and the amount of hydrogen generated - due to the speed of its circulation.

The problem of the known hydrogen generator / RU 2253606 / is the insufficient time of its operation, associated with overheating of the catalyst due to the intrinsic heat of the exothermic reaction (1), depletion of the chemical properties of the catalyst in time without its periodic regeneration or replacement, and termination of hydrogen production.

The objective of the invention is to solve the problem of increasing the operating time of the generator / RU 2253606 /, and the technical result achieved by increasing the time of its operation is to increase the volume of hydrogen production.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The solution of this problem and the achievement of the claimed technical result is ensured by the fact that the hydrogen generator contains a water pump, a reactor and a receiver of water and hydrogen connected in series by pipelines. The reactor is made in the form of a plate heat exchanger, the plates of which are made of an aluminum alloy, an aluminum alloy and an additive that destroys the aluminum oxide film when interacting with water.

According to the invention, the main differences of the hydrogen generator relative to / RU 2253606 / are:

- Additional introduction of the plate heat exchanger heating device.

- The implementation of the heating device in the form of a gas chamber for burning hydrogen.

- Installation of the reactor in the cavity of the combustion chamber above the gas burner.

- Connection of the gas burner to the hydrogen output of the receiver through a hydrogen dispenser.

- Introduction of a digital control unit with appropriate valves for the production of hydrogen.

The introduction of a plate heat exchanger heating device, the installation of a reactor in it above the gas burner of the combustion chamber, the connection of the gas burner with the hydrogen outlet of the receiver, and the introduction of a digital control unit with appropriate shutoff valves for hydrogen production allow the generator to be transferred to use part of the accumulated a hydrogen receiver for additional heating of water vapor in the reactor and put it into an endothermic reaction of converting water molecules into Brown gas containing a combustible mixture of oxygen and hydrogen molecules, followed by the release of pure hydrogen in the receiver from Brown gas.

The invention is illustrated by the functional diagram of the hydrogen generator shown in the figure.

In the figure, the positions indicated:

1 - hydrogen generator;

2 - water pump;

3 - reactor (converter of water to combustible fuel);

4 - receiver (water and hydrogen storage - water lock);

5 - reactor plates reactive to water;

6 - device for heating a plate heat exchanger (gas chamber for burning hydrogen);

7 - gas burner;

8 - hydrogen dispenser;

9 - controlled grate;

10 - spark plug (ignition of the hydrogen-air fuel mixture);

11 - - water dispenser;

12 - mud filter (sump);

13 - check valve;

14 - sludge discharge valve;

15 - valve output hydrogen;

16 - valve for supplying water to the receiver 4;

17 - coupling to connect an external water source;

18 - coupling connecting the sewer pipe;

19 - a coupling for connecting a hydrogen consumer;

20 - control unit for the generation of hydrogen;

21 - flame sensor of the burner 7;

22 - water level sensor in the receiver 4;

Disclosure of the invention.

According to the presented functional diagram, the hydrogen generator 1 contains a water pump 2, a reactor 3, a receiver 4 (a water and hydrogen storage tank), and a device 6 for heating the reactor 3 connected in series with the pipelines. The reactor 3 is made in the form of a plate heat exchanger. The plate 5 of the heat exchanger 3 is made of an aluminum alloy and an additive that destroys the aluminum oxide film when interacting with water. The additive that destroys the aluminum oxide film when interacting with water is made of anhydrous alkali metal hydroxide or an alloy of gallium, indium and tin. The hydrogen outlet of the reactor 3 is connected to the gas inlet of the receiver 4. The receiver 4 is made in the form of a storage of hydrogen and water and contains a sealed container with water, which acts as a water shutter for oxygen. In the cavity of the receiver 4, a water level sensor 22 is mounted, connected by a signal output to the corresponding input of the hydrogen generation control unit 20. The water inlet of the receiver 4 is connected by a pipe through a valve 16 with a coupling 17 for connecting an external water source. The hydrogen outlet of the receiver 4 through the hydrogen outlet valve 15 is connected to a hydrogen consumer coupling 19 and through a hydrogen dispenser 8 to a supply inlet of a gas burner 7 of a plate heat exchanger heating device 6. The outlet of the receiver 4 through the circulating purified water is connected to the inlet of the water pump 2 through a controlled water dispenser 11 and a mud filter 12. The second outlet of the filter 12 through the check valve 13 and the sludge discharge valve 14 is connected to the sewer pipe coupling 18 (not shown in the figure). The device 6 for heating the plate heat exchanger is made in the form of a gas chamber for burning hydrogen. In the lower part of the chamber above the controlled grate 9 air intake is installed a gas burner 7 for burning hydrogen. To prevent melting of the burner nozzles 7 with a high-temperature hydrogen torch, the latter is made of tungsten or refractory ceramic material of the Weifang type with silicon carbide nozzles and ceramic oxidation of their inner surface. In the upper part of the chamber 6 above the burner 7 is installed a reactor 3 - a converter of water to combustible gas fuel. Inside the chamber 6 from 21 opposite sides there is a sensor 21 of the flame of the burner 7 and a spark plug 10 for igniting the fuel mixture “air + hydrogen”. The flame sensor 21 is made of type Airtronic with the ability to control temperature, flame and overheating in the gas chamber 8 for burning fuel. The signal output of the flame sensor 21 is connected to the corresponding signal input of the control unit 6. Candle 10 ignition type Vfster Gas Seul (art. 2020337) with automatic "630 EUROSiT" safety ignition. The control inputs of the candles 10, pump 2, grate 9, dispensers 8 and 11, valves 14, 15, 16 are connected to the corresponding control outputs of the control unit 20. Dispensers 8 and 11, as well as valves 14, 15, 16 of shutoff valves, are made in the form of controlled electromagnetic valves.

The operation of the hydrogen generator 1, when using a catalyst with room temperature, the beginning of the exothermic reaction (1), is as follows.

In the initial state, all the valves of the hydrogen generator 1 are closed; a program for controlling the production of hydrogen is introduced into block 20.

To produce hydrogen on the control unit 20, press the "Start" button (not shown in the figure). According to this command, the control unit 20, in accordance with the specified control program, opens the water supply valve 16 with an initial temperature t _o sufficient to initiate an exothermic reaction (1) in the reactor 3. Through an open valve 16, water flows through the sleeve 17 into the cavity of the receiver 4, forming water seal for gases other than hydrogen. When the water reaches the height of the sensor 22, located above the level of the hydrogen inlet pipe 4, the sensor 22 is activated and sends a signal to the control unit 20 to close the valve 16 for supplying water to the receiver 4. After closing the valve 16, the control unit 20 opens the dispensing valve 11 water and turns on pump 2. Under the action of the retracting force of pump 2, water from receiver 4 passes through open valve 11, filter 12 and enters pump inlet 2. Next, water under pressure from pump 3 enters reactor 3. In reactor 3, water passes between chemically active water plates 5. As a result of the chemical interaction of water with the material of the plates 5, an exothermic reaction (1) occurs with the release of heat and hydrogen. Hydrogen from the outlet of the reactor 3 freely passes through the water gate and accumulates in the upper part of the receiver 4. At the same time, under the influence of heat generated during the exothermic reaction (1), the unreacted part of the water in the reactor 3 turns into steam, ionizes, and decomposes into hydrogen and oxygen ions, forming Brown gas (a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen gases). Brown gas, as well as hydrogen synthesized by reaction (2), enters the water gate of receiver 4. The hydrogen gas of Brown gas freely passes through the water gate, and oxygen is absorbed by the water of the water gate. With a further increase in temperature in the reactor 3, the catalytic material of the plates 5 of the reactor 3 depletes. The temperature of the exothermic reaction (1) decreases and the yield of hydrogen and Brown gas from the reactor 3 to the receiver 4 (hydrogen storage) decreases. After a time specified in the memory of the control unit 20, corresponding to a predetermined time of the percentage reduction in the chemical active properties of the plates 5 and the specific hydrogen output obtained during experimental tests of the reactor 3, the control unit 20 opens the dispenser 8 for dosed supply of hydrogen into the burner 7 of the gas chamber 6 for hydrogen combustion . At the same time, the control unit 20 includes a spark plug 10 in the chamber 6 for burning hydrogen fuel.

In this case, in chamber 6, an exothermic environmentally friendly hydrogen combustion reaction is initiated with the release of heat and water vapor, which are harmless to the environment

2Н2 + О2 → 2Н2О + 137 kcal / mol. (2)

Under the influence of heat released during the exothermic reaction (2) of hydrogen combustion, the thermal ionization of water molecules in reactor 3 is maintained and Brown gas is generated, with further hydrogen evolution from it in receiver 4.

Further, the production of hydrogen from water occurs mainly due to the thermal dissociation of water in the reactor 3 under the action of the heat of burning hydrogen and a reduced temperature of the exothermic reaction (1). The temperature of the burning hydrogen in the chamber 6 is controlled by the flame sensor 21 in terms of brightness and flame temperature and is transmitted to the control unit 20. The control unit 20 using the dispenser 11 and the grate 7 controls the quality of the mixture "hydrogen + oxygen”, maintaining a stable combustion temperature of the hydrogen mixture and a stable hydrogen output due to feedback through the flame sensor 21. When sufficient pressure is accumulated in the receiver 4, the control unit 20 opens the valve 15 and gives out hydrogen to the consumer, for example, a boiler connected to the coupling 19 of the hydrogen generator 1.

To stop the hydrogen generator 1 for preventive maintenance, a safe reboot is performed and the generator 1 is reset. For this, the control unit 20 closes the dispenser 8 and stops the supply of hydrogen to the gas burner 7. The hydrogen from the receiver 4 is downloaded through an open valve 15 into a separate dielectric container connected to the coupling 19. Next, the hydrogen outlet valve 15 is closed. The valve 14 for discharging water and sludge to the sewer pipe connected to the coupling 18 is opened. Next, the pressure pump 2 and the remaining water from the reactor 3 and receiver 4 are turned on, and also the sludge from the filter 12 is squeezed out into the sewer pipe connected to the coupling 18 of the hydrogen generator 1. After draining the water and sludge, the reactor 3 is replaced or regenerated (restoration of its chemical plates) by purging the reactor 3 with a gas suitable for regeneration.

Industrial applicability

The invention was developed at the level of technical design and physical modeling of the process of producing hydrogen from water. Physical modeling showed the possibility to significantly increase the operating time of the hydrogen generator compared to the generator / RU 2253606 /, to increase the volume of production of hydrogen fuel synthesized from water. Hydrogen fuel synthesized from water can be used as an environmentally friendly fuel for the production of heat and electricity in conditions of a shortage of hydrocarbon fuel. For example, in areas of the Far North and rural areas remote from oil and gas pipelines.

Claims (1)

1. A hydrogen generator containing a water pump, a reactor and a water and hydrogen receiver connected in series by pipelines, the reactor being made in the form of a plate heat exchanger, the plates of which are made of an aluminum alloy and an additive that destroys the aluminum oxide film when interacting with water, characterized in that it further comprises a digital control unit and a plate heat exchanger heating device, including a gas chamber for burning hydrogen, a gas burner through a hydrogen meter connected to the hydrogen output of the receiver, the reactor installed in the cavity of the combustion chamber above the gas burner, and the hydrogen meter is made in the form of an electromagnetic valve, the control input of which connected to the corresponding output of the control unit. 2. The generator according to claim 1, characterized in that the additive that destroys the aluminum oxide film when interacting with water is made of anhydrous alkali metal hydroxide or an alloy of gallium, indium and tin. 3. The generator according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas burner is made of tungsten or a refractory ceramic material of Weifang type with silicon carbide nozzles and ceramic oxidation of their inner surface.

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