Researchers at Perm National Research Polytechnic University (PNRPU) have presented an improved reactor for the production of syngas, a key component of the chemical industry. This invention, patented under the "Priority-2030" program, solves the problem of uneven heating of the catalyst in traditional reactors, which significantly increases the efficiency of the process.
Syngas, consisting of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, is widely used for the production of fuels, plastics, fertilizers, and pharmaceuticals. It is usually obtained by catalytic conversion of hydrocarbons, but existing reactors suffer from temperature imbalances in the catalyst layers. Metallic elements heat up faster than ceramic ones, which leads to overheating at the walls and insufficient heating in the center.
PNRPU engineers have proposed a solution: alternating layers of catalyst (nickel-ceramic granules) and metal balls inside the reaction tubes. This improves heat transfer and ensures uniform heating.
Our device for producing syngas contains a reactor chamber — a hollow cylinder inside which 30 channels (tubes) of increased diameter and a heating system, which is a central tube with holes for heat output, are installed. The channels themselves are filled with alternating layers of catalyst (nickel with ceramics) and a layer of metal balls. This design ensures uniform heating and increases reactor productivity by 30%.
The principle of operation of the developed reactor is as follows: carbon dioxide and water vapor under pressure enter the central tube and ignite, heating the walls to a temperature of 900 degrees. Hydrocarbon raw materials, such as methane, are fed into the reaction channels. It passes through layers of metal balls and catalyst, where a chemical reaction occurs, resulting in the formation of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The resulting syngas is discharged from the reactor.
Tests of a prototype at a nuclear industry enterprise confirmed the effectiveness of the development.
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