KR101795686B1 - Apparatus for production of hydrogen using microwave steam torch - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a hydrogen generating apparatus using an electromagnetic wave steam plasma torch. According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a hydrogen generator including: an electromagnetic wave supply unit for supplying electric power necessary for generating a steam torch; A steam torch device for receiving electric power from the electromagnetic wave supply part and generating a steam torch; A steam torch for supplying high temperature heat required for reforming the hydrocarbon compound; A hydrocarbon supply part for supplying a hydrocarbon compound to be reformed; A reforming reactor for reforming the supplied hydrocarbon into heat to produce hydrogen; A cooling unit for cooling the reformed gas at a high temperature and simultaneously vaporizing water by steam; A purifier for purifying the reformed gas with pure hydrogen; And a hydrogen outlet to provide purified hydrogen to a hydrogen application device such as a fuel cell.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a hydrogen generator using an electromagnetic wave steam torch,

The present invention relates to a hydrogen generation technique using an electromagnetic wave steam torch.

Currently, research is underway to produce hydrogen in various ways, but the actual mass production of hydrogen is based on the steam reforming of fossil fuels. Today, when hydrogen is supplied to our laboratory by our laboratory, the hydrogen that is transferred into the hydrogen cylinder is made from the reforming of the fossil fuel at any hydrogen production plant. However, most of the fossil fuels' high temperature steam reforming is being done in factories operating above 25 atm. If the fossil fuel can be reformed with steam at 1 atm, it is possible to reduce the cost by making the reforming device light and simple, and it is also possible to utilize this device in various fields.

Fuel cells, for example, are known to be the driving force of future automobiles. For this purpose, hydrogen must be mass produced efficiently. In particular, hydrogen has many difficulties in production, management and storage. So we expect to produce hydrogen in large quantities by steam reforming of fossil fuels in the near future. Currently used high pressure reforming is only possible on large plant scale equipment. It can not be mounted on a car. High-temperature steam torches can produce hydrogen from fossil fuels without the need for high-pressure reforming, and can also be used in fuel cells and hydrogen cars. In fact, Korean Patent No. 10-0864695, which was registered on Oct. 23, 2008 to provide a stable water vapor torch to be operated stably, has been proposed by the inventors Eun-Hwan Seop, Kim Jong Heon and Hong Yong Chul, and a device for generating a pure water vapor torch using electromagnetic wave plasma to be.

In this context, it is intended to produce hydrogen by reforming hydrocarbons using a pure water vapor torch as a device capable of easily modifying steam at 1 atmospheres, recognizing the need to secure stable and long-time atmospheric steam reforming apparatus.

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for producing hydrogen by effectively modifying a hydrocarbon compound using an electromagnetic wave steam torch.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hydrogen generating apparatus including an electromagnetic wave supplying unit for supplying electric power required for generating a steam torch, a steam torch unit for generating a steam torch by receiving electric power from the electromagnetic wave supplying unit, A reforming reactor for reforming the supplied hydrocarbon by heat to produce hydrogen, a cooling section for cooling the reformed gas at a high temperature, a steam reforming section for reforming the reformed gas into pure water A purification device for purifying hydrogen and a hydrogen outlet for providing purified hydrogen to a hydrogen application device such as a fuel cell.

According to the present invention, there is an advantage that the efficiency of hydrogen generation can be increased by modifying the hydrocarbon compound almost completely within a short time by using the electromagnetic wave steam torch to generate hydrogen.

In addition, according to the present invention, the city gas can be easily reformed by using a water vapor torch using water in the city gas and water, thereby easily generating hydrogen.

Further, according to the present invention, since the liquid hydrocarbon compound, which is convenient to be transported, is reformed with a steam torch to produce hydrogen, the problem of hydrogen transportation is solved.

1 is a block diagram of a hydrogen generator 100 using an electromagnetic wave steam torch according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a graph showing the density of hydrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen monoxide according to the temperature of a steam torch flame according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, relative to the density of all the neutral particles.
FIG. 3 is a computer simulation of the flow of a steam torch flame (red) and a hydrocarbon element (yellow) in a reforming reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, this is merely an example and the present invention is not limited thereto.

In the following description, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear. 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 technical idea of the present invention is determined by the claims, and the following embodiments are merely a means for effectively explaining the technical idea of the present invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs.

1 is a block diagram of a hydrogen generator 100 using an electromagnetic wave steam torch according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the hydrogen generator 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an electromagnetic wave supply unit 10, a steam torch unit 20, a steam torch 30, a hydrocarbon supply unit 40, a reforming reactor 50, A cooling unit 60, a refiner 70, and a hydrogen outlet 80. [

The electromagnetic wave supply unit 10 oscillates an electromagnetic wave of a preset frequency for generating a plasma water vapor torch. Specifically, the electromagnetic wave supply unit 10 receives electric power from a power supply unit and supplies the electromagnetic wave to the water vapor torch device 20 using the magnetron electromagnetic wave oscillator.

The steam torch device 20 includes a circulator, a directional coupler, a stub tuner, a waveguide, a steam supply device, and a discharge tube. The electromagnetic wave supplied from the electromagnetic wave supply part 10 passes through a circulator, a directional coupler, a stub tuner, So that the water vapor supply device supplies a discharge water vapor to the discharge tube. As a result, a steam torch 30 is generated.

The steam torch 30 generated in the discharge tube has a high temperature, and the torch temperature is distributed at a torch portion at an absolute temperature of 7000 to 1000 degrees. Generally, the steam torch flame is divided into bright white part and red and slightly dark part. The bright and white part is a typical torch flame caused by plasma particles, and the dark and red part is a typical hydrogen combustion flame which is generated when water molecule is liberated and burns again in oxygen. In the steam torch, it is possible to observe by theoretical calculation and measurement that a great deal of water molecules are decomposed into oxygen, hydrogen and hydrogen (OH). Figure 2 shows the density of hydrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen monoxide as a function of the density of the total neutral particles with the temperature of the steam torch flame. There is a great deal of hydrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen monoxide molecules in the flame region above 2000 degrees absolute. The oxygen and hydrogen that exist here exist in the state of the atom and the molecule in a mixed state.

The hydrocarbon supply part 40 serves to supply a hydrocarbon compound to be reformed, and the hydrocarbon compound to be supplied includes a compound such as a gas such as dimethyl ether, methane gas, light oil, liquid such as kerosene, and solid such as coal.

The reforming reactor 50 reforms the hydrocarbon compound provided in the hydrocarbon feeder 40 using the heat source provided by the steam torch 30. The hot steam torch 30 itself retains a large amount of active particles such as oxygen, hydrogen, and hydrogen monoxide, thereby efficiently reforming the hydrocarbon compound in the reforming reactor 50. It is very important to increase the reforming efficiency of the reforming reactor 50 so that the hydrocarbon compound can coexist with the high-temperature steam steam 30. Thus, the inside of the reforming reactor has a cylindrical structure, and swirls of the steam steam torch 30 and the hydrocarbon compounds swirl along the inner cylindrical wall when they enter the reforming reactor 50. For example, if two steam torches 30 and hydrocarbon compounds are fed into the reforming reactor 50, one steam torch 30 flame and the hydrocarbon compound can flow to the top of the reforming reactor 50 and the other steam torch 30 flame The hydrocarbon compound may be made to enter the bottom of the reforming reactor (50). 3 shows a computer simulation of the flow of the fluid element of the steam torch 30 flame (red) and the hydrocarbon compound (yellow) inside the reforming reactor 50. As shown in FIG. It can be expected that the efficiency of the reforming can be guaranteed as the two fluid elements move together with each other.

The cooling unit 60 cools the reformed gas of the high temperature modified in the reforming reactor 50 and vaporizes a part of the cooling water to produce water vapor. The purifier 70 purifies the cooled reformed gas so that only pure hydrogen gas is discharged through the hydrogen outlet 80, and the discharged hydrogen is supplied to the hydrogen fuel cell or another hydrogen utilization device.

≪ Example 1 >

Dimethyl ether (DME) is a special hydrocarbon compound having the molecular formula CH ₃ OCH ₃ . If steam reforming of DME

Hydrogen production can be achieved. Several modifications can be expected, but this study aims at hydrogen production. DME vaporizes at about -20 ° C at 1 atm. Therefore, DME gas is used. Characteristics of DME gas have enthalpy of -184.1 kJ / mole, entropy of 266.4 J / mole / K and specific heat of 64.4 J / mole / K. The enthalpy of water vapor is -241.8 kJ / mole, the entropy is 188.7 J / mole / K, the enthalpy of carbon dioxide is -393.5 kJ / mole and the entropy is 213.6 J / mole / K. Using this information, the enthalpy change due to the above reaction is ΔH = 122.5 kJ / mole and the entropy change is calculated as ΔS = 378.3 J / mole / K. Obviously, this reaction is an endothermic reaction. Therefore, the temperature at which the above reaction takes place is calculated as T = ΔH / ΔS and T = 323.8K or 51 ° C. However, in reality, it is supposed to be more than 100 degrees centigrade. Water is vaporized at 1 atmospheres to 100 degrees Celsius. At any rate, it shows the possibility of steam reforming even at low temperatures.

Data on the reaction constants of DME reacted directly with water vapor have not yet been found. So you can study the reactions that can take place by putting DME in a steam plasma torch. In this case, the energy required for the endothermic reaction of DME steam reforming is supplied by the steam plasma torch. That is, 122.5 kJ of energy is required to reform 1 mole of DME and 6 moles of hydrogen are generated. When 6 moles of hydrogen are oxidized to produce water vapor, energy of 6 × 241.8 = 1451 kJ comes out.

The generation of hydrogen by DME reforming using a steam torch 30 has a very special significance. This is because the reforming reaction enables a portable hydrogen generator. As mentioned above, DME is liquefied at -20 ° C at 1 atmospheric pressure. It can be easily mounted on automobiles because it is liquid in the storage tank which is slightly pressurized at room temperature. When it is discharged from the tank, it is vaporized and vaporized. ). So, if you only have liquid DME and water in the storage tank, you can generate hydrogen. In this context, it is easy to mount on a fuel cell vehicle and use it.

Liquid DME is similar to diesel and can be used as diesel fuel.

The change in enthalpy is ΔH = 1325.3 kJ / mole. Thus, the efficiency of the Carnot Cycle engine is 0.32, and the car engine energy provided per mole of DME is about 424 kJ / mole. On the other hand, the energy required for reforming DME to steam is 122.5 kJ / mole and the energy required for vaporizing 3 moles of water is 126 kJ. Total energy required for DME steam reforming is 249 kJ / mole. When 1 mole of DME is reformed, 6 moles of hydrogen are produced and when this hydrogen is oxidized, it becomes 1451 kJ. At present, the hydrogen fuel cell efficiency is about 0.8, and the electricity production by 1 mole of DME is 1161 kJ / mole. However, pure electricity production is 912 kJ / mole because of the electricity generated by supplying the total energy 249 kJ / mole needed for the reforming with the electromagnetic torch. The water can be vaporized by the steam in the cooling unit 60 for cooling the reformed gas at a high temperature, so that the water vapor necessary for the reforming can be produced. It is expected that some of the energy may be lost in the cooling section 60 due to the convection, so that the net electricity production is slightly less than 912 kJ / mole. It can be observed that DME is reformed rather than oxidized (424 kJ / mole) in the engine and used as fuel cell (912 kJ / mole).

≪ Example 2 >

Urban gas is mainly supplied by methane (CH ₄ ) in any area. Thus, when the city gas is reformed into the steam torch 30,

And the enthalpy change is ΔH = 165 kJ / mole and the entropy change is ΔS = 172 J / mole / K. Therefore, the spontaneous reaction temperature is T = 956K. On the other hand, the reaction to produce hydrogen by gasifying low-

The enthalpy change of the reaction is ΔH = 90.1kJ / mole and the entropy change is ΔS = 91.7J / mole / K. So the spontaneous reaction temperature is T = 982.6K.

Both reforming reactions are very similar, but methane reforming requires more energy but produces more hydrogen. Overall, methane reforming is easier than low-grade coal because of the ease of city gas supply, easy reforming equipment, such as coal blast furnaces, dust removal, and material handling, 50) and an electromagnetic wave system.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, I will understand.

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: hydrogen generator
10:
20: Water vapor torch device
30: Water vapor torch
40: hydrocarbon feed
50: Reforming Reactor
60: cooling section
70: Purification device
80: hydrogen outlet
DME: Dimethyl ether
CH ₃ OCH ₃ : Dimethyl ether
H ₂ O: water molecule
O ₂ : oxygen molecule
CO ₂ : Carbon dioxide
H ₂ : hydrogen molecule
CH ₄ : Methane
C: carbon
T: temperature
ΔH: Change in enthalpy
ΔS: Entropy change
K: absolute temperature
n _N : total neutral particle density
n _O2 : oxygen density
n _H2 : hydrogen density
n _OH : Density of hydrogen monoxide

Claims (11)

An electromagnetic wave supply unit for supplying power necessary for generating a steam torch;
A steam torch device for receiving electric power from the electromagnetic wave supply part and generating a steam torch;
A steam torch for supplying high temperature heat required for reforming the hydrocarbon compound;
A hydrocarbon supply part for supplying a hydrocarbon compound to be reformed;
A reforming reactor for reforming the supplied hydrocarbon into heat to produce hydrogen;
A cooling unit for cooling the reformed gas at a high temperature and simultaneously vaporizing water by steam;
A purifier for purifying the reformed gas with pure hydrogen; And
A hydrogen outlet for providing purified hydrogen to a hydrogen application device, such as a fuel cell,
The reforming reactor has a cylindrical structure inside the reforming reactor so that the hydrocarbon compound can be coexisted with the high temperature steam steam using a heat source provided by the steam torch, and the hydrocarbon compound supplied from the hydrocarbon supply unit is reformed. And the hydrocarbon compounds are swirled together along the inner cylindrical wall when entering the reforming reactor.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the electromagnetic wave supply unit uses an electromagnetic wave steam torch to generate electromagnetic waves of a predetermined frequency by using a magnetron electromagnetic wave oscillator for generating a plasma water vapor torch.
The method according to claim 1,
In the steam torch device,
A circulator for absorbing the electromagnetic wave reflected from the magnetron by the electromagnetic wave provided by the electromagnetic wave supply unit;
A directional coupler for outputting electromagnetic waves transmitted from the circulator;
A stub tuner for adjusting the intensity of an incident wave and a reflected wave of an electromagnetic wave input from the directional coupler such that the intensity of the electric field induced by the electromagnetic wave is maximized within the discharge tube; And
And a waveguide for transmitting the electromagnetic wave inputted from the stub tuner to the discharge tube.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the steam torch is an electromagnetic plasma steam steam torch generated by an electromagnetic wave discharge in a discharge tube inside the steam steam torch device and supplying high temperature energy and active particles required for the reforming.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the hydrocarbon supply part supplies a hydrocarbon compound to be reformed and the hydrocarbon compound includes at least one of DME (Dimethylether), methane gas, kerosene, heavy oil, and coal.
delete The method according to claim 1,
The cooling unit includes a long gas pipe through which the reformed gas passes and a passage through which the cooling water for wrapping around the outer circumferential surface of the gas pipe passes. The reformed gas generated in the reforming reactor is cooled to a predetermined temperature or less, and a part of the cooling water is vaporized and converted into steam Wherein the hydrogen gas is supplied to the hydrogen generator.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the purification apparatus separates hydrogen and other gases and purifies them into pure hydrogen gas.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the hydrogen outlet comprises a hydrogen outlet for providing purely purified hydrogen gas to various hydrogen application devices.
10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the hydrogen application device refers to various hydrogen application devices in addition to a hydrogen fuel cell.
delete

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