Design and Scheduling of Semi-Batch Chemical-Looping Reactors

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022143570-A1
Application number	US-202117521227-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 8, 2021
Priority date	Nov 10, 2020
Publication date	May 12, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

Systems/methods for continuous operation of fixed bed reactors using gaseous fuels for the purpose of power generation through integration with a combined cycle power plant are provided. The fixed bed reactors are assumed to operate in a semi-batch mode composed of reactor modules that are integrated into module trains that comprise the chemical-looping combustion island of the power plant. The scheduling of each reactor train is cast as an optimization problem that maximizes thermodynamic efficiency subject to constraints imposed to each reactor and the entire island. When the chemical-looping reactors are arranged cyclically, each feeding to or being fed from another reactor, in an operating scheme that mimics simulated moving bed reactors, the thermodynamic efficiency of the reactor island can be improved. Allowing the reversal of module order in the cyclically arranged reactor modules further improves the overall thermodynamic efficiency (to 84.7%), while satisfying constraints imposed for carbon capture, fuel conversion, power plant safety and oxygen carrier stability.

First claim

1 . A system for chemical-loop reactor-based processing, comprising a plurality of chemical-looping reactors arranged cyclically, each of the plurality of chemical-looping reactors feeding to or being fed from another of the plurality of chemical-looping reactors, in an operating scheme that mimics a simulated moving bed reactor, thereby delivering improved thermodynamic efficiency.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein by allowing reversal of module order in the cyclically arranged chemical-looping reactors, overall thermodynamic efficiency is further improved.

3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein cyclic arrangement of the plurality of chemical-looping reactors achieves a desired level of at least one of carbon capture, fuel conversion, power plant safety and oxygen carrier stability.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of chemical-looping reactors are fixed bed reactors that operate in a continuous operation using gaseous fuels for the purpose of power generation through integration with a combined cycle power plant.

5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the fixed bed reactors operate in a semi-batch mode composed of reactor modules that are integrated into module trains that comprise a chemical-looping combustion island of the power plant.

6 . The system of claim 4 , wherein scheduling of each reactor train is cast as an optimization problem that maximizes thermodynamic efficiency subject to constraints imposed to each reactor and the entire island.

7 . A system for chemical-loop reactor-based processing, wherein processing employs distributed and modular chemical manufacturing options.

8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the processing is effective in synthesizing transportable ammonia from stranded natural gas.

9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the ammonia synthesis leverages chemical loops of at least one of metal imides and metal nitrides.

10 . A method for chemical-loop reactor-based processing, wherein scheduling of each reactor train is optimized.

Assignees

• Univ Connecticut

Inventors

• Bollas George M
• Chen Chen

Classifications

• B01J19/0033 Primary

  Optimalisation processes, i.e. processes with adaptive control systems (adaptive control systems per se G05B13/00) · CPC title

• B01J2219/00031

  Semi-batch or fed-batch processes · CPC title

• B01J2219/00121

  by direct heating or cooling · CPC title

• B01J2219/00033

  Continuous processes · CPC title

• B01J19/2435

  Loop-type reactors · CPC title