WO2015152518A1

WO2015152518A1 - Gas synthesis apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: WO2015152518A1
Application number: PCT/KR2015/001447
Authority: WO
Inventors: 신용욱; 마노즈야다브; 이봉주
Original assignee: ㈜그린사이언스
Priority date: 2014-04-03
Filing date: 2015-02-13
Publication date: 2015-10-08
Also published as: KR20150115207A; KR101705676B1

Abstract

According to a disclosed embodiment, provided is a gas synthesis apparatus comprising: a probe having a first electrode and a second electrode configured to apply electrical 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, wherein the probe is arranged to enable at least a part of the first electrode and at least a part of the second electrode to contact the blasting medium, and a plasma stream is produced, in the reactor, from the blasting medium when the electrical energy is applied through the first electrode and the second electrode, and the synthesis gas is produced from the reactant gas as the plasma stream is produced.

Description

Gas synthesis apparatus and method

The disclosed embodiments relate to apparatus and methods for synthesizing gases, and more particularly to techniques for synthesizing gases, such as ammonia, through reversible exothermic reactions using plasma blasting.

Some gases are produced from reactants through reversible exothermic reactions. In particular, for such a reversible exothermic reaction in which the gas is synthesized, even if equilibrium is maintained at a low temperature, the gas synthesis process may proceed at high temperature for dissociation of molecules in the reactant. Typically, catalysts are used in these processes to improve yield. For example, commercially important ammonia (NH ₃ ) is currently producing 160 million tons of ammonia annually through high temperature and high pressure processes. The commercialization of large-scale ammonia synthesis began with the discovery that nitrogen and hydrogen can be directly bonded when there is a catalyst composed of iron oxide and a small amount of cerium and chromium at reaction conditions of approximately 550 degrees Celsius and 200 atmospheres.

Among the reactors for synthesizing a gas such as ammonia, the axial flow reactor is reduced in pressure through the catalyst bed and consequently consumes energy, and thus is not suitable for use in low pressure large-capacity ammonia manufacturing facilities. Radial flow reactors, on the other hand, use several catalyst beds, each of which must be sealed at both ends. In order to avoid problems due to the expansion of the materials used for the various components inside the radial flow reactor, a large volume of structure is required, and the catalyst layer is disposed in one complex metal structure located inside the reactor, the catalyst It is complicated to put in or take out.

In order to solve this aspect, various schemes have been commercially implemented. Most schemes are characterized by the design of the reactor and the heat recovery method. However, by improving the construction of the reactor to be suitable for recent low energy processes, it is possible to minimize the pressure drop of the gas in the reactor, to facilitate the introduction of heat exchangers, to make it more convenient to put the catalyst in or out of the reactor, and to improve the yield. There is still a need to increase. There is also a need for an improved technique for effectively separating and recovering gases such as ammonia from the synthesis gas produced in the reactor at lower cost.

[Preceding technical literature]

[Patent Documents]

(Patent Document 1) US Patent No. 4181701

The disclosed embodiments provide an apparatus and method for synthesizing a gas (eg, ammonia) via 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 accommodating a reactant gas reacting in the reversible exothermic reaction, and also containing a blasting medium, wherein a synthesis gas is formed from the reactant gas through the reversible exothermic reaction, the probe At least a portion of the first electrode and at least a portion of the second electrode are disposed in contact with the blasting medium, and in the reactor, the blasting medium is applied as the electrical energy is applied through the first electrode and the second electrode. There is provided a gas synthesizing apparatus from which a plasma stream is generated from which the syngas is formed from the reactant gas upon generation of the plasma stream.

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

The gas synthesizing apparatus may further include an adsorber for separating ammonia from the syngas.

The reactor includes a chamber for receiving the reaction gas and the blasting medium and generating the plasma flow and forming the synthesis gas; And a pressure transmission part 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 contact the blasting medium.

The blasting medium may comprise hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas.

The reactor includes a first chamber in which the plasma flow is generated; A second chamber in which the synthesis gas is formed; And a pressure for dividing the first chamber and the second chamber and for compressing the reaction gas in the second chamber by transferring a pressure corresponding to the generation of the plasma flow to the second chamber to form the synthesis gas. It may include a delivery unit.

The reactor includes a blasting medium inlet through which the blasting medium is introduced into the first chamber; A reaction gas inlet through which the reaction gas flows into the second chamber; And a synthesis gas outlet through which the synthesis gas is discharged from the second chamber.

The blasting medium may comprise hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas.

The reactor may further comprise an outlet gas outlet exiting the first chamber such that other syngas generated from the blasting medium is used in the second chamber upon 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 synthesizing apparatus may further include 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 is in contact with the reaction gas. As the electrical 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 the 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.

The apparatus may further include an electrical energy storage configured to store the electrical energy to be delivered to the probe.

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

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

The probe may include an adjusting part for moving a probe tip including an end of one of the first and second electrodes and an end of the dielectric with respect to an end of the other of the first and second electrodes. It may further include.

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

According to another exemplary embodiment, the method comprises the steps of injecting a gas mixture reacting in a reversible exothermic reaction into a reactor; Compressing the gas mixture; Disposing a probe having a first electrode and a second electrode configured to apply electrical energy for plasma blasting 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; The electrical energy such that a plasma flow is generated from the gas mixture as the electrical energy is applied through the probe in the reactor and a synthesis gas is formed from the gas mixture through the reversible exothermic reaction as the plasma flow is generated. Provided is a gas synthesis method comprising the step of delivering to the probe.

The transferring may include charging the electrical energy storage unit at a first speed so that the electrical energy is stored in the electrical energy storage unit; And discharging the electrical energy storage unit at a second speed faster than the first speed to transfer the electrical energy from the electrical energy storage unit to the probe.

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

The gas synthesizing method may further include delivering the syngas to an adsorber to separate ammonia from the syngas; And it may further comprise the step of recovering the ammonia adsorbed in the adsorber.

The placing may include inserting at least a portion of the probe through one side of the reactor into 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 comprising an end of one of the first and second electrodes and an end of a dielectric that separates the first and second electrodes from the other of the first and second electrodes. Moving relative to the end of the.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment, the step of injecting a blasting medium into the first chamber; Injecting a reaction gas reacting in the reversible exothermic reaction into a second chamber; Disposing a probe having a first electrode and a second electrode configured to apply electrical energy for plasma blasting 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 as the electrical energy is applied through the probe in the first chamber, a plasma flow is generated from the blasting medium, and a pressure is transferred to the second chamber as the plasma flow is generated, thereby compressing the reaction gas and reacting the reaction. Delivering the electrical energy to the probe such that a synthesis gas is formed from the reaction gas through the reversible exothermic reaction upon compression of the gas.

The blasting medium may comprise hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas.

The disposing step may include inserting at least a portion of the probe through one side of the first chamber into 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. step; And a probe tip comprising an end of one of the first and second electrodes and an end of a dielectric that separates the first and second electrodes from the other of the first and second electrodes. Moving relative to the end of the.

The gas synthesizing method may further comprise arranging 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 reactant gas, wherein the plurality of electrodes in the second chamber The plasma may generate another plasma flow from the reaction gas as electrical energy is applied thereto, and the reactant gas may be further pressurized according to the generation of the other plasma flow to form the synthesis gas.

According to the disclosed embodiments, plasma blasting techniques for the synthesis of gases (eg, ammonia) through reversible exothermic reactions result in very low energy (eg, hundreds of kilowatts or more of power) compared to conventional high pressure and high temperature reactors. Applied for up to several tens of microseconds).

According to the disclosed embodiments, the reactor in which the plasma chemistry for the synthesis of gas takes place may have a simple structure, require a small amount of catalyst, and be easily accessible for maintenance and repair, More economical than existing large-scale reactors.

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

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

1 shows an apparatus for synthesizing ammonia according to an exemplary embodiment,

2 is a schematic representation of a probe according to an exemplary embodiment;

3 is a cross-sectional view of a probe according to an exemplary embodiment;

4 shows a reactor with a probe inserted in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

5 shows a reactor with a probe inserted in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

6 shows a reactor with a probe inserted in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

7 illustrates ammonia synthesis process according to an exemplary embodiment;

8 illustrates ammonia synthesis process 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 assist in a comprehensive understanding of the methods, devices, and / or systems described herein. However, this is only an example and the present invention is not limited thereto.

In describing the embodiments of the present invention, when it is determined that the detailed description of the known technology related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, terms to be described below are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present invention, which may vary according to the intention or custom of a user or an operator. Therefore, the definition should be made based on the contents throughout the specification. The terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing embodiments of the invention only and should not be limiting. Unless explicitly used otherwise, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural forms of meaning. In this description, expressions such as "comprises" or "equipment" are intended to indicate certain features, numbers, steps, actions, elements, portions or combinations thereof, and one or more than those described. It should not be construed to exclude the presence or possibility of other features, numbers, steps, actions, 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.

Formula 1

The equilibrium constant of the above chemical reaction is

Formula 2

This chemical reaction is an equilibrium reaction at low temperature and high pressure. However, the reaction for ammonia synthesis does not proceed at normal ambient temperature. Lower reactions can be limited by lowering the temperature, but considerably higher temperatures (eg, 250-400 degrees Celsius) are required for the nitrogen and hydrogen molecules to dissociate. As such, a catalyst is used to improve the yield of ammonia that will be lowered when the temperature is increased so that the reaction for ammonia synthesis occurs properly.

The disclosed embodiments involve plasma blasting for the formation of syngas via a reversible exothermic reaction. For example, plasma blasting techniques can be used to initiate chemical reactions for ammonia synthesis. When a plasma flow is formed around a probe to which electrical energy is applied for plasma blasting, nitrogen molecules and hydrogen molecules included in the reaction gas of the above chemical reaction may be dissociated. In addition, it is possible to increase the speed of the reaction for the ammonia synthesis by causing the pressure wave using the electrical pulse transmitted through the probe. As the pressure wave propagates, the temperature of the plasma flow decreases, and the ammonia yield may be higher even if the reaction gas comes into contact with a small amount of catalyst. Various embodiments are described below in terms of apparatus and methods for synthesizing ammonia from reactants comprising hydrogen and nitrogen, but through other reversible exothermic reactions (eg, reversible exothermic reactions that maintain chemical equilibrium at low temperatures). The same / similar approach can be applied to apparatus and methods for forming other product materials.

1 shows an apparatus for synthesizing ammonia according to an exemplary embodiment.

Exemplary ammonia synthesizing 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 apparatus 110 is used to deliver electrical energy to the reactor 120 to cause plasma blasting within the reactor 120. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the plasma blasting apparatus 110 may include a power supply 111, an electrical energy storage 112, a voltage protector 113, a switch 114, an inductor 115, and a probe ( 116). The power supply unit 111 may be electrically connected to the electrical energy storage unit 112 and the voltage protection unit 113. The electrical 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 (eg, via the inductor 115). Transmission cables can 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 (eg in the form of a pulse).

The power supply 111 is configured to supply power to the electrical energy storage 112. In some embodiments, electrical energy storage 112 may include one or more capacitors or other suitable electrical energy storage means for storing electrical energy in accordance with the voltage provided from power supply 111. The voltage protection unit 113 includes a circuit for preventing 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 delivered from the electrical energy store 112 to the probe 116. For example, when switch 114 is activated, switch 114 discharges electrical energy store 112 at a much faster rate than its charge (eg, for several tens of microseconds) to cause a pulse of a particular voltage / current (e.g., , A pulse corresponding to power of several hundred kilowatts or more) may be delivered to the probe 116. As such, activation of the switch 114 may cause electrical energy to be transferred from the electrical energy store 112 to the probe 116.

The reactor 120 may contain a reaction gas therein, which includes hydrogen gas (H ₂ ) and nitrogen gas (N ₂ ) required to synthesize ammonia. In addition, the reactor 120 may accommodate a blasting medium therein. The blasting medium may be plasmatized at least in part in response to the electrical energy applied by 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, reactor 120 may comprise one chamber. In addition, the chamber may introduce a reaction gas and a blasting medium. Both the reactant gas and the blasting medium may comprise hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas. For example, a gas mixture comprising hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas may enter the chamber and be used as blasting medium and also as reaction gas. According to some other embodiments, the reactor 120 may include a plurality of chambers, and reactant gas and blasting medium may be introduced into different chambers, respectively. For example, a gas mixture comprising vaporized hydrogen and nitrogen is introduced into the first chamber of the reactor 120 as a blasting medium, and a gas mixture comprising hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas is introduced into the second chamber of the reactor 120 as the reaction gas. Can be introduced as.

Probe 116 may be inserted into reactor 120 such that at least a portion of probe 116 contacts the blasting medium in reactor 120. For example, probe 116 may comprise at least two electrodes configured to apply electrical energy for plasma blasting, and probe 116 may be inserted into reactor 120. In embodiments in which the probe 116 is positioned such that at least a portion (eg, an end) of each electrode of the probe 116 is in contact with the blasting medium such that the insertion inserts such that the insertion is soaked into the blasting medium in the reactor 120. As electrical energy is applied to the blasting medium in the reactor 120 through the electrodes of 116, a plasma stream can be generated from the blasting medium, and the reaction gas in the reactor 120 is generated according to the generation of the plasma flow. From this a synthesis gas comprising ammonia gas (NH ₃ ) can be formed. Specifically, plasma may be generated as electrical energy is applied to the blasting medium at a fairly high rate through the probe 116. This plasmaization occurring in reactor 120 increases the temperature of the blasting medium (eg, up to about 3000 to 4000 degrees Celsius), and the heat generated reacts with other portions of the blasting medium to Sharply increasing pressure; This increase in pressure produces high pressure shock waves (eg, spherical shock waves that spread all the way) within 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 wave generated by the plasma blasting causes the plasma chemical reaction to be initiated from the reaction gas. For example, the pressure represented by the wavefront of the shock wave can reach 2.5x10 ⁹ Pa, which is sufficient to form a synthesis gas comprising ammonia gas, which is higher than the pressure used in conventional ammonia synthesis. As the shock wave emanates in the reactor 120, the temperature and pressure are reduced while ammonia may 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 may react with the catalyst to promote ammonia synthesis. This mechanism employs a plasma blasting technique to produce a pressure greater than that required in a conventional ammonia synthesis process in a relatively simple reactor 120 and to control the temperature of the reaction gas reacting with the catalyst on the inner wall of the reactor 120. Lowered sufficiently, it is possible to reduce the amount of catalyst used for ammonia synthesis. In particular, by applying a power of hundreds of kilowatts or more for several tens of microseconds or less for plasma blasting, it is possible to use less than 1% of energy compared to conventional ammonia synthesis techniques. Furthermore, the yield of ammonia can be increased more effectively and economically.

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. Subsequently, 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.

In the adsorber 130, ammonia is separated from the synthesis gas. The ammonia adsorbed by the adsorber 130 may be recovered to an ammonia collector (not shown) through a desorption process. For example, ammonia may enter the ammonia collector by lowering the pressure in the adsorber 130. The gas remaining in the adsorber 130 after the ammonia is adsorbed in the adsorber 130 may include nitrogen gas and hydrogen gas, and at least some of the remaining gas passes through a blower 150 to the reactor 120. Can be injected again).

A technique for improving ammonia yield may be applied to the adsorber 130 for separating ammonia from the synthesis gas. For example, according to a pressure swing adsorption technique that enables 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. In particular, a porous material having a large surface area may be selected as the adsorbent for the pressure swing adsorption technique. The gas flow through such adsorption bed in the adsorber 130 only contains trace amounts of residual ammonia. The gas stream discharged from the adsorber 130 may include nitrogen gas and hydrogen gas, which may be blown 150 to compensate for pressure changes in facilities such as the adsorber 130 and other pipes. Enter). On the other hand, such exhaust gas may be cooled in the blower 150 to a temperature suitable to be introduced back into the reactor 120.

2 illustrates a probe according to an exemplary embodiment.

The exemplary probe 200 includes a controller 210, a first electrode 220, a second electrode 230, and a dielectric 240. Electrical energy may 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. 2. The probe 200 may be electrically connected to the remaining components (eg, the power supply 111, the electrical energy storage 112, and the switch 114) of the plasma blasting apparatus 100 through the transmission cable 270. 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. In some embodiments, the probe 220 may include a plurality of high voltage electrodes and / or a plurality of ground electrodes.

As can be seen in the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 3, the first electrode 220 and the second electrode 230 may be coaxial electrodes having the same central axis. The dielectric 240 spaced apart from the first electrode 220 and the second electrode 230 may also have the same central axis as the first electrode 220 and the second electrode 230. For example, one electrode of the first electrode 220 and the second electrode 230 and the dielectric 240 surround the other electrode 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 arrangement of the high voltage electrode 220, the dielectric 240, and the ground electrode 230 exemplified above is merely exemplary, 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 of the first electrode 220 and an end of the dielectric 240 as the distal portion of the probe 200. In particular, the adjusting unit 210 may move the probe tip 250 with respect to the end of the second electrode 230 along the central 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. As a result, 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 may be adjusted.

Through such adjustment, the controller 210 may adjust the resistance of the probe 200 in the blasting medium in contact with the probe 200. As a result, the adjusting unit 210 may adjust the power delivered from the probe 200 to the blasting medium 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 respond to the transfer of electrical energy from the probe 200 and thus the probe tip 250 High energy can be given within a small volume around).

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

4 shows a reactor with a probe inserted in accordance with 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. 4.

Chamber 410 may receive a reaction gas and a blasting medium. As shown in FIG. 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 transmitter 420 are provided with the chamber 410. ) Is installed on the inner wall. In addition, 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 to the reactor 400 horizontally, however, depending on the purpose, the probe 200 may be mounted to the reactor 400 vertically or at any other angle.

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

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. The inlet 430 may be closed after the inlet of the gas mixture.

After the chamber 410 of the reactor 400 is filled with the reaction gas to a predetermined level, the gas mixture may be compressed using the pressure transmitter 420 (710). For example, after injection of the gas mixture, the pressure transmitter 420 (eg, piston) is moved downward to lock it to the latch 460 so that the gas mixture can be compressed until it has a predetermined pressure.

Meanwhile, the probe 200 may be disposed such that at least a portion of the first electrode 220 and at least a portion of the second electrode 230 of the probe 200 contact the gas mixture, and the gas mixture in the chamber 410 may be It 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 may be adjusted by extending or retracting the probe tip 250 along the central axis of the probe 200 using the adjuster 210. Subsequently, at least a portion of the probe 200 may be inserted into the reactor 400 (720). For example, 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 and at least a portion of the second electrode 230 of the probe 200 contact the gas mixture. It can be inserted into 410. 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 inter-electrode gap 260 is adjusted.

The electrical energy store 112 may then be charged 725 by the power supply 111 at a relatively slow first rate (eg, for several seconds).

The switch 114 may then be activated (730). Activation of the switch 114 may cause electrical energy stored in the electrical energy store 112 to be discharged at a very fast second rate (eg, for tens of microseconds). Accordingly, a pulse of electrical energy (e.g., equivalent to a few hundred kilowatts of power) may be formed and delivered 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 across the gap 260 between the first electrode 220 and the second electrode 230 in contact with the blasting medium (gas mixture). When the plasma flow is generated in the chamber 410 as described above, a plasma chemical reaction for synthesizing ammonia may occur in the chamber 410 by using the compressed gas mixture in the chamber 410 as a reaction gas. Specifically, in response to the discharge at the probe 200, the blasting medium (gas mixture) is suddenly increased in temperature (eg, about 3000 to 4000 degrees Celsius) due to the plasma flow between the first electrode 220 and the second electrode 230. ). The generated heat reacts with a portion of the blasting medium causing a rapid pressure rise in the chamber 410 of the reactor 400. In such a short discharge time, high-pressure shock waves are generated. This shock wave, which can emanate to the wall of the chamber 410 with the gas mixture as a medium, adds pressure to the compressed gas mixture and ultimately contains ammonia gas in the chamber 410 of the reactor 400. To be formed. In this sense, the gas mixture can also be seen as a reactive gas. On the other hand, when the reaction gas is in contact with the catalyst 450 on the inner wall of the chamber 410 may promote ammonia synthesis.

Syngas formed in the chamber 410 may be removed 735 from the chamber 410 through the outlet 440. The synthesis gas flowing out through the outlet 440 may be sufficiently cooled (eg, in the heat recovery unit 140) and then transferred to the adsorber 130 for separating ammonia gas from the synthesis gas (740). In the adsorber 130, ammonia is adsorbed from the dilute ammonia stream introduced into the adsorber 130. After ammonia is adsorbed, a discharge gas including hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas in the adsorber 130 may be delivered to the blower 150 for pressure replenishment and recycling (745). On the other hand, ammonia adsorbed in the adsorber 130 may be recovered by lowering the pressure through the desorption process (750).

5 shows a reactor with a plasma blasting probe inserted in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

Exemplary reactor 500 includes reaction chamber 510, blasting chamber 515, pressure transmitter 520, such as a piston, reactant gas inlet 530, syngas outlet 540, blasting medium inlet 535, and Exhaust gas outlet 545. The reactor 120 of FIG. 1 may include the reactor 500 of FIG. 5.

The reaction chamber 510 may receive a reaction gas and the blasting chamber 515 may receive a blasting medium. As shown in FIG. 5, the reaction chamber 510 and the blasting chamber 515 are separated by a pressure transmitter 520. As described below, a plasma flow may be generated from the blasting medium in the blasting chamber 515 in the blasting chamber 515, and in the reaction chamber 510 containing ammonia gas from the reaction gas in the reaction chamber 510. Syngas may be formed. In this regard, after a plasma flow is generated in the blasting chamber 515, a predetermined gas flow may exit the blasting chamber 515 through the exhaust 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 gas. 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 due to plasma blasting in the blasting chamber 515. This syngas may flow out through the exhaust gas outlet 545 to be used as the reactant gas in the reaction chamber 510.

At least a portion 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 transmitter 520 are installed on the inner wall of the reaction chamber 510. In addition, 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 a horizontal, vertical or any other angle depending on the purpose.

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

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. In addition, according to certain embodiments, the blasting medium may be a gas mixture comprising vaporized hydrogen and nitrogen. The blasting medium may be injected 805 into the blasting chamber 515 through the blasting medium inlet 535. The reactant gas may be injected into the reaction chamber 510 through the reactant gas inlet 530 (810). The introduction of the blasting medium and the introduction of the reactant gas can be carried out simultaneously.

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

Thereafter, the electrical energy storage 112 may be charged 825 by the power supply 111 at a relatively slow first speed (eg, for several seconds).

The switch 114 may then be activated (830). Activation of the switch 114 may cause electrical energy stored in the electrical energy store 112 to be discharged at a very fast second rate (eg, for tens of microseconds). Accordingly, a pulse of electrical energy (e.g., tens of thousands of amperes) 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 as described above. Furthermore, high pressure shock waves may be generated in the blasting chamber 515 as the plasma flow is generated. The high pressure generated in this way may move the pressure transmitter 520, such as a piston, and the pressure transmitter 520 may be locked to the latch 560. Accordingly, pressure may be transmitted to the reaction chamber 510 to compress the reaction gas in the reaction chamber 510. The compressed reaction gas is in contact with the catalyst applied to the inner wall of the reactor 510, whereby ammonia may be formed in the reaction chamber 510.

Syngas formed in the reaction chamber 510 may be removed from the reaction chamber 510 through the syngas outlet 540 (835). Thereafter, similarly as described above with respect to reactor 400, the synthesis gas may be delivered to adsorber 130 (eg, via heat recovery 140) for adsorption of ammonia (840), Some of the gas discharged from the 130 may be delivered to the blower 150 for pressure replenishment and recycling (845), the ammonia adsorbed in the adsorber 130 may be recovered through the desorption process (850).

6 illustrates a reactor with a plasma blasting probe inserted in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

The reactor 600 of FIG. 6 is configured similarly to the reactor 500 of FIG. 5, but differs from the reactor 500 of FIG. 5 in that additional probes 201 can be inserted into the reaction chamber 510. The reactor 120 of FIG. 1 may include the reactor 600 of FIG. 6. The additional probe 201 may have the same configuration as the probe 200. In addition, 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 like the plasma blasting apparatus 110. The additional probe 201 may be electrically connected to the other components of the plasma blasting apparatus 110 or other plasma blasting apparatus through the additional transmission cable 271.

Ammonia may be synthesized in reactor 600 using indirect compressed plasma blasting. In the following, the difference between the ammonia synthesis process and the process 800 illustrated in FIG. 8 will be described in detail.

Separate probes

200 and 201 may be inserted into each of the blasting chamber 515 and the reaction chamber 510 of the reactor 600. 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. Moreover, unlike the reactor 500 of FIG. 5, electrical energy may be applied to the reaction gas through the additional probe 201 such that other plasma blasting occurs in the reaction chamber 510. As a result, a very large pressure is generated in the reaction chamber 510, and the reaction gas in the reaction chamber 510 may be further pressurized. As a result, ammonia synthesis in the reaction chamber 510 can be further promoted.

While the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. . Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be defined by the claims below and equivalents thereof.

[Description of the code]

100: ammonia synthesis device

110: plasma blasting apparatus

120: reactor

130: adsorber

Claims

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 reacting in a reversible exothermic reaction, and also containing a blasting medium, wherein a synthesis gas is formed from the reactant gas through the reversible exothermic reaction,

The probe 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 medium, and wherein the electrical energy is applied through the first electrode and the second electrode in the reactor. A plasma stream is produced from a blasting medium and the synthesis gas is formed from the reaction gas in accordance with the generation of the plasma stream.

Gas synthesis device.
The method according to claim 1,

Wherein the reaction gas comprises hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas, and the synthesis gas comprises ammonia gas.
The method according to claim 2,

And an adsorber for separating ammonia from the synthesis gas.
The method according to claim 1,

The reactor,

A chamber containing the reactant gas and the blasting medium and wherein the plasma flow is generated and the syngas is formed; And

Including a pressure transmission for compressing the reaction gas in the chamber,

Gas synthesis device.
The method according to claim 4,

At least a portion of the inner wall of the chamber is covered with a catalyst.
The method according to claim 4,

And 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 according to claim 4,

Wherein the reaction gas comprises hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas, and the synthesis gas comprises ammonia gas.
The method according to claim 7,

The blasting medium comprises hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas,

Gas synthesis device.
The method according to claim 1,

The reactor,

A first chamber in which the plasma flow is generated;

A second chamber in which the synthesis gas is formed; And

Pressure transfer for distinguishing the first chamber and the second chamber and for compressing the reaction gas in the second chamber by transferring a pressure resulting from the plasma flow to the second chamber to form the synthesis gas. Containing wealth,

Gas synthesis device.
The method according to claim 9,

The reactor,

A blasting medium inlet through which the blasting medium is introduced into the first chamber;

A reaction gas inlet through which the reaction gas flows into the second chamber; And

Further comprising a syngas outlet for the syngas outflow from the second chamber,

Gas synthesis device.
The method according to claim 9,

Wherein the reaction gas comprises hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas, and the synthesis gas comprises ammonia gas.
The method according to claim 11,

The blasting medium comprises hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas.
The method according to claim 12,

Wherein the reactor further comprises an exhaust gas outlet exiting the first chamber such that other syngas generated from the blasting medium is used in the second chamber upon generation of the plasma flow in the first chamber. .
The method according to claim 9,

At least a portion of the inner wall of the second chamber is covered with a catalyst.
The method according to claim 9,

And 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 according to claim 9,

The gas synthesizing 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 reactant gas, and in the second chamber the plurality of electrodes And another plasma flow is generated from the reaction gas as electric energy is applied through the second gas, and the reaction gas is further pressurized to form the synthesis gas according to the generation of the other plasma flow.
The method according to claim 16,

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,

And an electrical energy storage configured to store the electrical energy to be delivered to the probe.
The method according to claim 18,

A power supply unit charging the electrical energy storage unit at a first speed so that the electrical energy is stored in the electrical energy storage unit; And

And a switch for discharging the electrical energy storage at a second rate faster than the first speed so that the electrical energy is transferred from the electrical energy storage to the probe when activated.
The method according to claim 1,

And the first electrode and the second electrode are spaced apart by a dielectric.
The method of claim 20,

The probe may include an adjusting part for moving a probe tip including an end of one of the first and second electrodes and an end of the dielectric with respect to an end of the other of the first and second electrodes. Further comprising, a gas synthesizing apparatus.
The method according to claim 1,

And the first electrode and the second electrode are coaxial electrodes.
Injecting a gas mixture reacting in the reversible exothermic reaction into the reactor;

Compressing the gas mixture;

Disposing a probe having a first electrode and a second electrode configured to apply electrical energy for plasma blasting 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

The electrical energy is generated such that a plasma flow is generated from the gas mixture as the electrical energy is applied through the probe in the reactor and a synthesis gas is formed from the gas mixture through the reversible exothermic reaction as the plasma flow is generated. Including delivering to the probe,

Gas synthesis method.
The method according to claim 23,

The delivering step,

Charging the electrical energy storage unit at a first rate so that the electrical energy is stored in the electrical energy storage unit; And

Discharging the electrical energy storage at a second rate faster than the first speed to transfer the electrical energy from the electrical energy storage to the probe.

Gas synthesis method.
The method according to claim 23,

Wherein said gas mixture comprises hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas and said synthesis gas comprises ammonia gas.
The method according to claim 25,

Delivering the syngas to an adsorber to separate ammonia from the syngas; And

Recovering the ammonia adsorbed in the adsorber;

Gas synthesis method.
The method according to claim 23,

The disposing step,

Inserting at least a portion of the probe through one side of the reactor into 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 comprising 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 the other of the first electrode and the second electrode. Moving relative to the end,

Gas synthesis method.
Injecting a blasting medium into the first chamber;

Injecting a reaction gas reacting in the reversible exothermic reaction into a second chamber;

Disposing a probe having a first electrode and a second electrode configured to apply electrical energy for plasma blasting 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

As the electrical energy is applied through the probe in the first chamber, a plasma flow is generated from the blasting medium, and pressure is transferred to the second chamber as the plasma flow is generated, thereby compressing the reaction gas and the reaction gas. Delivering the electrical energy to the probe such that a synthesis gas is formed from the reaction gas through the reversible exothermic reaction according to compression of;

Gas synthesis method.
The method according to claim 28,

The delivering step,

Charging the electrical energy storage unit at a first rate so that the electrical energy is stored in the electrical energy storage unit; And

Discharging the electrical energy storage at a second rate faster than the first speed to transfer the electrical energy from the electrical energy storage to the probe.

Gas synthesis method.
The method according to claim 28,

Wherein the reaction gas comprises hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas, and the synthesis gas comprises ammonia gas.
The method of claim 30,

Wherein said blasting medium comprises hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas.
The method of claim 30,

Delivering the syngas to an adsorber to separate ammonia from the syngas; And

Recovering the ammonia adsorbed in the adsorber;

Gas synthesis method.
The method according to claim 28,

The disposing step,

Inserting at least a portion of the probe through one side of the first chamber into 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; And

A probe tip comprising 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 the other of the first electrode and the second electrode. Moving relative to the end,

Gas synthesis method.
The method according to claim 28,

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 reactant gas,

In the second chamber, another plasma flow is generated from the reactant gas as electrical energy is applied through the plurality of electrodes, and the reactant gas is further pressurized according to the generation of the other plasma flow to form the synthesis gas.

Gas synthesis method.