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WO2010127961A1 - System and method for producing heat and/or power - Google Patents

System and method for producing heat and/or power Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010127961A1
WO2010127961A1 PCT/EP2010/055596 EP2010055596W WO2010127961A1 WO 2010127961 A1 WO2010127961 A1 WO 2010127961A1 EP 2010055596 W EP2010055596 W EP 2010055596W WO 2010127961 A1 WO2010127961 A1 WO 2010127961A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
solid carbon
air stream
gaseous hydrocarbon
organic compounds
pyrolysis reactor
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2010/055596
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
John Black
Original Assignee
Rolls-Royce Plc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Rolls-Royce Plc filed Critical Rolls-Royce Plc
Publication of WO2010127961A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010127961A1/en

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Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
    • C01B3/00—Hydrogen; Gaseous mixtures containing hydrogen; Separation of hydrogen from mixtures containing it; Purification of hydrogen
    • C01B3/02—Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen
    • C01B3/22—Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen by decomposition of gaseous or liquid organic compounds
    • C01B3/24—Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen by decomposition of gaseous or liquid organic compounds of hydrocarbons
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
    • C01B3/00—Hydrogen; Gaseous mixtures containing hydrogen; Separation of hydrogen from mixtures containing it; Purification of hydrogen
    • C01B3/02—Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen
    • C01B3/22—Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen by decomposition of gaseous or liquid organic compounds
    • C01B3/24—Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen by decomposition of gaseous or liquid organic compounds of hydrocarbons
    • C01B3/26—Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen by decomposition of gaseous or liquid organic compounds of hydrocarbons using catalysts
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
    • C01B32/00—Carbon; Compounds thereof
    • C01B32/05—Preparation or purification of carbon not covered by groups C01B32/15, C01B32/20, C01B32/25, C01B32/30
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
    • C01B2203/00—Integrated processes for the production of hydrogen or synthesis gas
    • C01B2203/02—Processes for making hydrogen or synthesis gas
    • C01B2203/0266—Processes for making hydrogen or synthesis gas containing a decomposition step
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
    • C01B2203/00—Integrated processes for the production of hydrogen or synthesis gas
    • C01B2203/02—Processes for making hydrogen or synthesis gas
    • C01B2203/0266—Processes for making hydrogen or synthesis gas containing a decomposition step
    • C01B2203/0277—Processes for making hydrogen or synthesis gas containing a decomposition step containing a catalytic decomposition step
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
    • C01B2203/00—Integrated processes for the production of hydrogen or synthesis gas
    • C01B2203/04—Integrated processes for the production of hydrogen or synthesis gas containing a purification step for the hydrogen or the synthesis gas
    • C01B2203/0465—Composition of the impurity
    • C01B2203/049—Composition of the impurity the impurity being carbon
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
    • C01B2203/00—Integrated processes for the production of hydrogen or synthesis gas
    • C01B2203/08—Methods of heating or cooling
    • C01B2203/0805—Methods of heating the process for making hydrogen or synthesis gas
    • C01B2203/085—Methods of heating the process for making hydrogen or synthesis gas by electric heating
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
    • C01B2203/00—Integrated processes for the production of hydrogen or synthesis gas
    • C01B2203/12—Feeding the process for making hydrogen or synthesis gas
    • C01B2203/1205—Composition of the feed
    • C01B2203/1211—Organic compounds or organic mixtures used in the process for making hydrogen or synthesis gas
    • C01B2203/1235—Hydrocarbons
    • C01B2203/1241—Natural gas or methane
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
    • C01B2203/00—Integrated processes for the production of hydrogen or synthesis gas
    • C01B2203/80—Aspect of integrated processes for the production of hydrogen or synthesis gas not covered by groups C01B2203/02 - C01B2203/1695
    • C01B2203/86—Carbon dioxide sequestration
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23G—CREMATION FURNACES; CONSUMING WASTE PRODUCTS BY COMBUSTION
    • F23G2203/00—Furnace arrangements
    • F23G2203/20—Rotary drum furnace
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23G—CREMATION FURNACES; CONSUMING WASTE PRODUCTS BY COMBUSTION
    • F23G2206/00—Waste heat recuperation
    • F23G2206/10—Waste heat recuperation reintroducing the heat in the same process, e.g. for predrying
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23G—CREMATION FURNACES; CONSUMING WASTE PRODUCTS BY COMBUSTION
    • F23G2209/00—Specific waste
    • F23G2209/30—Solid combustion residues, e.g. bottom or flyash
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P20/00—Technologies relating to chemical industry
    • Y02P20/10—Process efficiency
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P30/00—Technologies relating to oil refining and petrochemical industry

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a system and method for producing heat and/or power.
  • hydrocarbon fuel is burned CO2 is emitted unless some form of
  • CO2 capture and sequestration is employed. For every tonne of carbon in the fuel more than three tonnes of CO2 are generated. For capture and sequestration, the CO2 must be separated from the exhaust gas stream, compressed and transported by specialised transport to the sequestration site (e.g. a depleted oil well or a saline aquifer).
  • the sequestration site e.g. a depleted oil well or a saline aquifer.
  • Steam reforming of natural gas produces hydrogen with CO 2 and/or CO as a by-product.
  • the present invention seeks an alternative to post-combustion carbon capture and sequestration, or schemes based on steam reforming of natural gas where only the hydrogen is burned.
  • the present invention provides a system for producing heat and/or power, including: a pyrolysis reactor for pyrolyzing a gaseous hydrocarbon (such as natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas or evaporated fuel oil) substantially in the absence of an oxidiser to produce solid carbon and hydrogen gas, a combustor which receives and combusts hydrogen gas from the pyrolysis reactor to produce heat and/or power, and a collection apparatus which receives solid carbon from the pyrolysis reactor.
  • a gaseous hydrocarbon such as natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas or evaporated fuel oil
  • the pyrolysis process is endothermic and therefore consumes energy, which may be provided by some of the energy produced by combusting the hydrogen.
  • the gaseous hydrocarbon is methane
  • the main constituent of natural gas 36% of the heat content of the fuel will be unavailable if the carbon is not burned.
  • the proportion of unavailable heat content in the fuel will be greater (e.g. 53% for n-CsHis).
  • a motivation for employing the system for power/heat generation is the reduction of CU2 emissions.
  • the system may operate more favourable than post-combustion CO 2 capture and sequestration.
  • the solid carbon is collected in a form which is easy to store and transport, and does not leak back into the atmosphere.
  • the solid carbon produced by the system may find use, e.g. in building materials, or may be disposed of as, e.g. biochar.
  • the system further includes a heater for heating a stream of air, and a flow path for the heated air stream which passes the heated air stream over the solid carbon in the collection apparatus to volatilize organic compounds contained in the solid carbon into the air stream.
  • the volatile organic compounds in the solid carbon may be toxic, and the heated air thus provides a means of separating the volatiles from the solid carbon.
  • the collection apparatus may includes a device (such as an inclined rotating drum) for agitating the solid carbon on the flow path of the heated air stream, the agitation of the solid carbon encouraging the volatilisation of the organic compounds.
  • the flow path may further pass the heated air stream containing the volatilized organic compounds to the combustor for combustion with the hydrogen. In this way, the volatile organic compounds can be disposed of.
  • the system further includes a preheater for preheating the gaseous hydrocarbon prior to the entry of the gaseous hydrocarbon into the pyrolysis reactor.
  • a preheater for preheating the gaseous hydrocarbon prior to the entry of the gaseous hydrocarbon into the pyrolysis reactor.
  • the pyrolysis reactor may include a plurality of electrically heated elements (such as wires) which provide a heating surface for the pyrolysis of the gaseous hydrocarbon. Electrically heated elements can attain the high temperatures required for the pyrolysis process, while also being configured to provide a high surface area. The electrically heated elements may have a catalytic coating to increase the rate of pyrolysis.
  • the pyrolysis reactor may further include movable elements (such as brushes) which remove deposited carbon from the electrically heated elements. Such movable elements can prevent deposited carbon from blocking the flow of gaseous hydrocarbon through the reactor. They can also increase turbulence, and thus residence time of the gaseous hydrocarbon in the reactor, increasing the yield of hydrogen.
  • the present invention provides a method of producing heat and/or power, including: pyrolyzing a gaseous hydrocarbon (such as natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas or evaporated fuel oil) substantially in the absence of an oxidiser to produce solid carbon and hydrogen gas, combusting the hydrogen to produce heat and/or power, and collecting the solid carbon.
  • a gaseous hydrocarbon such as natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas or evaporated fuel oil
  • the method corresponds to the system of the first aspect.
  • Optional features of the system thus have corresponding optional features in the method.
  • the method may further include: heating a stream of air, and passing the heated air stream over the collected solid carbon to volatilize organic compounds contained in the solid carbon into the air stream.
  • the heated air stream containing the volatilized organic compounds may be combusted with the hydrogen.
  • the method may further include preheating the gaseous hydrocarbon prior to its pyrolysis.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing components of a system for producing heat and/or power
  • Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing (a) a plan view and (b) an elevation view of the pyrolysis reactor of the system of Figure 1.
  • gaseous hydrocarbon such as natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, or evaporated fuel oil
  • gaseous hydrocarbon such as natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, or evaporated fuel oil
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing components of a system for producing heat and/or power.
  • the system employs pyrolysis of gaseous hydrocarbon to reduce CO2 emissions.
  • the gaseous hydrocarbon is first preheated in a gas preheater 1 to a temperature where cracking reactions may begin (greater than 560 0 C for methane). Solid products, however, are not formed until the preheated gaseous hydrocarbon enters a pyrolysis reactor 2.
  • the hydrogen is then burnt in a combustor (not shown), for example in a gas turbine to produce electricity.
  • the solid carbon can contain volatile organic material, which may be toxic.
  • the solid carbon collected in the hopper 3 is transferred to an inclined rotating drum 4.
  • a flow of air, preheated in an air preheater 5 enters the drum at its lower end.
  • the volatile organics encouraged by the tumbling of the solid carbon in the rotating drum, evaporate into the air flow, which exits the drum at its higher end.
  • a valve 6 between the hopper and the drum prevents any substantial amounts of heated air entering the pyrolysis reactor 2.
  • Solid carbon 7 is removed from an exit at the lower end of the drum.
  • the heated air containing the volatile organics is sent to the combustor to burn the hydrogen and also the organics.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing (a) a plan view and (b) an elevation view of the pyrolysis reactor 2.
  • heated elements are provided by layers of electrically heated wires 8, the layers being arranged transversely to the axis of the reactor.
  • the wires are formed into patterns (such as the lobed structure shown in Figure 2(a)) which provide a high wire surface area in contact with the axial flow of gaseous hydrocarbon.
  • Catalytic activity on the surface of the wires can be increased by applying a catalytic coating on the wires.
  • solid carbon itself functions as a catalyst for the pyrolysis reaction, so a coating of carbon reaction deposit carbon on the wire can itself enchance the reaction rate.
  • the gaseous hydrocarbon should remain in the reactor 2 long enough to allow complete pyrolysis. However, constrictions which could become blocked by deposited carbon should be avoided.
  • the layers of heated wires 8 are alternated with rotating brushes 9 which do not contact the heated wire, but remove build-ups of deposited carbon. The rotation of the brushes also helps to increase turbulence, and hence the residence time of the gaseous hydrocarbon in the reactor.
  • the system can be applied to any land-based power generation or heating plant where it is important to minimise carbon emission to the atmosphere.
  • the system may also be applicable to marine propulsion.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Hydrogen, Water And Hydrids (AREA)
  • Production Of Liquid Hydrocarbon Mixture For Refining Petroleum (AREA)

Abstract

A system for producing heat and/or power includes a pyrolysis reactor for pyrolyzing a gaseous hydrocarbon substantially in the absence of an oxidiser to produce solid carbon and hydrogen gas. The system further includes a combustor which receives and combusts hydrogen gas from the pyrolysis reactor to produce heat and/or power, and a collection apparatus which receives solid carbon from the pyrolysis reactor.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING HEAT AND/OR POWER
The present invention relates to a system and method for producing heat and/or power. When hydrocarbon fuel is burned CO2 is emitted unless some form of
CO2 capture and sequestration is employed. For every tonne of carbon in the fuel more than three tonnes of CO2 are generated. For capture and sequestration, the CO2 must be separated from the exhaust gas stream, compressed and transported by specialised transport to the sequestration site (e.g. a depleted oil well or a saline aquifer).
A traditional method of capturing some of the carbon from a fuel as solid carbon rather than CO2 was production of "town gas" by the pyrolysis of coal.
Steam reforming of natural gas produces hydrogen with CO2 and/or CO as a by-product. The present invention seeks an alternative to post-combustion carbon capture and sequestration, or schemes based on steam reforming of natural gas where only the hydrogen is burned.
Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a system for producing heat and/or power, including: a pyrolysis reactor for pyrolyzing a gaseous hydrocarbon (such as natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas or evaporated fuel oil) substantially in the absence of an oxidiser to produce solid carbon and hydrogen gas, a combustor which receives and combusts hydrogen gas from the pyrolysis reactor to produce heat and/or power, and a collection apparatus which receives solid carbon from the pyrolysis reactor.
The pyrolysis process is endothermic and therefore consumes energy, which may be provided by some of the energy produced by combusting the hydrogen. Where the gaseous hydrocarbon is methane, the main constituent of natural gas, 36% of the heat content of the fuel will be unavailable if the carbon is not burned. In the case of heavier hydrocarbons, the proportion of unavailable heat content in the fuel will be greater (e.g. 53% for n-CsHis). However, a motivation for employing the system for power/heat generation is the reduction of CU2 emissions. In some circumstances, the system may operate more favourable than post-combustion CO2 capture and sequestration. In particular, the solid carbon is collected in a form which is easy to store and transport, and does not leak back into the atmosphere. In the case of larger hydrocarbon molecules, lower pressure in the reactor will favour the pyrolysis reaction. However, operation of the reactor at atmospheric pressure tends to make the system easier to engineer and operate. The solid carbon produced by the system may find use, e.g. in building materials, or may be disposed of as, e.g. biochar. Preferably the system further includes a heater for heating a stream of air, and a flow path for the heated air stream which passes the heated air stream over the solid carbon in the collection apparatus to volatilize organic compounds contained in the solid carbon into the air stream. The volatile organic compounds in the solid carbon may be toxic, and the heated air thus provides a means of separating the volatiles from the solid carbon. The collection apparatus may includes a device (such as an inclined rotating drum) for agitating the solid carbon on the flow path of the heated air stream, the agitation of the solid carbon encouraging the volatilisation of the organic compounds. The flow path may further pass the heated air stream containing the volatilized organic compounds to the combustor for combustion with the hydrogen. In this way, the volatile organic compounds can be disposed of.
Preferably the system further includes a preheater for preheating the gaseous hydrocarbon prior to the entry of the gaseous hydrocarbon into the pyrolysis reactor. By introducing pre-heated gaseous hydrocarbon into the reactor, the reactor can be operated more efficiently.
The pyrolysis reactor may include a plurality of electrically heated elements (such as wires) which provide a heating surface for the pyrolysis of the gaseous hydrocarbon. Electrically heated elements can attain the high temperatures required for the pyrolysis process, while also being configured to provide a high surface area. The electrically heated elements may have a catalytic coating to increase the rate of pyrolysis. The pyrolysis reactor may further include movable elements (such as brushes) which remove deposited carbon from the electrically heated elements. Such movable elements can prevent deposited carbon from blocking the flow of gaseous hydrocarbon through the reactor. They can also increase turbulence, and thus residence time of the gaseous hydrocarbon in the reactor, increasing the yield of hydrogen.
In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method of producing heat and/or power, including: pyrolyzing a gaseous hydrocarbon (such as natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas or evaporated fuel oil) substantially in the absence of an oxidiser to produce solid carbon and hydrogen gas, combusting the hydrogen to produce heat and/or power, and collecting the solid carbon.
Thus the method corresponds to the system of the first aspect. Optional features of the system thus have corresponding optional features in the method.
For example, the method may further include: heating a stream of air, and passing the heated air stream over the collected solid carbon to volatilize organic compounds contained in the solid carbon into the air stream. The heated air stream containing the volatilized organic compounds may be combusted with the hydrogen. The method may further include preheating the gaseous hydrocarbon prior to its pyrolysis.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing components of a system for producing heat and/or power, and
Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing (a) a plan view and (b) an elevation view of the pyrolysis reactor of the system of Figure 1. When gaseous hydrocarbon such as natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, or evaporated fuel oil is brought into contact with a surface at greater than about 12000C in the absence of an oxidiser, it will pyrolyse, initially producing unsaturated hydrocarbon and hydrogen gas. The unsaturated hydrocarbon will then go through further pyrolysis, ultimately producing solid carbon and more hydrogen gas.
In the present invention, the hydrogen is combusted, e.g. in a prime mover such as a gas turbine, while the solid carbon is retained for disposal in any convenient location. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing components of a system for producing heat and/or power. The system employs pyrolysis of gaseous hydrocarbon to reduce CO2 emissions.
The gaseous hydrocarbon is first preheated in a gas preheater 1 to a temperature where cracking reactions may begin (greater than 5600C for methane). Solid products, however, are not formed until the preheated gaseous hydrocarbon enters a pyrolysis reactor 2.
In the reactor 2, hydrogen formed by pyrolysis of the hydrocarbon exits the reactor from a top exit and solid carbon exits the reactor from a hopper 3 at the base of the reactor, to where it drops under gravity.
The hydrogen is then burnt in a combustor (not shown), for example in a gas turbine to produce electricity.
The solid carbon can contain volatile organic material, which may be toxic.
To remove these volatile organics, the solid carbon collected in the hopper 3 is transferred to an inclined rotating drum 4. A flow of air, preheated in an air preheater 5 enters the drum at its lower end. The volatile organics, encouraged by the tumbling of the solid carbon in the rotating drum, evaporate into the air flow, which exits the drum at its higher end. A valve 6 between the hopper and the drum prevents any substantial amounts of heated air entering the pyrolysis reactor 2. Solid carbon 7 is removed from an exit at the lower end of the drum.
The heated air containing the volatile organics is sent to the combustor to burn the hydrogen and also the organics.
Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing (a) a plan view and (b) an elevation view of the pyrolysis reactor 2. In the reactor, heated elements are provided by layers of electrically heated wires 8, the layers being arranged transversely to the axis of the reactor. The wires are formed into patterns (such as the lobed structure shown in Figure 2(a)) which provide a high wire surface area in contact with the axial flow of gaseous hydrocarbon. Catalytic activity on the surface of the wires can be increased by applying a catalytic coating on the wires. However, solid carbon itself functions as a catalyst for the pyrolysis reaction, so a coating of carbon reaction deposit carbon on the wire can itself enchance the reaction rate. The gaseous hydrocarbon should remain in the reactor 2 long enough to allow complete pyrolysis. However, constrictions which could become blocked by deposited carbon should be avoided. Thus the layers of heated wires 8 are alternated with rotating brushes 9 which do not contact the heated wire, but remove build-ups of deposited carbon. The rotation of the brushes also helps to increase turbulence, and hence the residence time of the gaseous hydrocarbon in the reactor.
The system can be applied to any land-based power generation or heating plant where it is important to minimise carbon emission to the atmosphere. The system may also be applicable to marine propulsion.
While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A system for producing heat and/or power, including: a pyrolysis reactor (2) for pyrolyzing a gaseous hydrocarbon substantially in the absence of an oxidiser to produce solid carbon and hydrogen gas, a combustor which receives and combusts hydrogen gas from the pyrolysis reactor to produce heat and/or power, and a collection apparatus (3, 4) which receives solid carbon from the pyrolysis reactor.
2. A system according to claim 1 , further including: a heater (5) for heating a stream of air, and a flow path for the heated air stream which passes the heated air stream over the solid carbon in the collection apparatus to volatilize organic compounds contained in the solid carbon into the air stream.
3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the flow path further passes the heated air stream containing the volatilized organic compounds to the combustor for combustion with the hydrogen.
4. A system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the collection apparatus includes a device (4) for agitating the solid carbon on the flow path of the heated air stream, the agitation of the solid carbon encouraging the volatilisation of the organic compounds.
5. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further including a preheater (1 ) for preheating the gaseous hydrocarbon prior to the entry of the gaseous hydrocarbon into the pyrolysis reactor.
6. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pyrolysis reactor includes a plurality of electrically heated elements (8) which provide a heating surface for the pyrolysis of the gaseous hydrocarbon.
7. A system according to claim 6, wherein the electrically heated elements have a catalytic coating.
8. A system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the pyrolysis reactor further includes movable elements (9) which remove deposited carbon from the electrically heated elements.
9. A method of producing heat and/or power, including: pyrolyzing a gaseous hydrocarbon substantially in the absence of an oxidiser to produce solid carbon and hydrogen gas, combusting the hydrogen to produce heat and/or power, and collecting the solid carbon.
10. A method according to claim 9, further including: heating a stream of air, and passing the heated air stream over the collected solid carbon to volatilize organic compounds contained in the solid carbon into the air stream.
11. A method according to claim 9, wherein the collected solid carbon is agitated as the heated air stream passes over to encourage the volatilisation of the organic compounds.
12. A method according to claim 10 or 11 , further including: combusting the hydrogen with the heated air stream containing the volatilized organic compounds.
13. A method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the gaseous hydrocarbon is natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas or evaporated fuel oil.
14. A method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, further including: preheating the gaseous hydrocarbon prior to its pyrolysis.
PCT/EP2010/055596 2009-05-07 2010-04-27 System and method for producing heat and/or power WO2010127961A1 (en)

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Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108659579A (en) * 2018-07-20 2018-10-16 宁波德泰化学有限公司 A kind of manufacturing method of environmentally-friecarbon carbon black
WO2020245017A1 (en) * 2019-06-05 2020-12-10 Basf Se Integrated process of pyrolysis, electrode anode production and aluminum production and joint plant
US11325829B2 (en) 2016-07-22 2022-05-10 Xgas As Process and apparatus for decomposing a hydrocarbon fuel
WO2022212776A1 (en) * 2021-04-01 2022-10-06 Modern Electron Systems and methods for local generation and/or consumption of hydrogen gas
WO2022256709A1 (en) * 2021-06-04 2022-12-08 Modern Electron, Inc. Combined combustion and pyrolysis reactors for hydrogen production and associated systems and methods
WO2023177818A1 (en) * 2022-03-16 2023-09-21 Omnis Advanced Technologies, LLC Ultra-high temperature pyrolysis separation of hydrogen and carbon
RU2807901C1 (en) * 2023-04-07 2023-11-21 Федеральное государственное бюджетное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "Казанский национальный исследовательский технический университет им. А.Н. Туполева - КАИ" Method for enriching natural gas with hydrogen and installation for its implementation
US11897768B2 (en) 2020-06-03 2024-02-13 Modern Hydrogen, Inc. Systems and methods for local generation and/or consumption of hydrogen gas

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