Thermal swing reactor including a multi-flight auger
| DWPI Title: Thermal swing process involves transporting particles from particle collection zone to reaction zone by rotating casing surrounding auger having flight capable of moving particles and transporting particles to bottom portion of auger |
| Abstract: A thermal swing reactor including a multi-flight auger and methods for solar thermochemical reactions are disclosed. The reactor includes a multi-flight auger having different helix portions having different pitch. Embodiments of reactors include at least two distinct reactor portions between which there is at least a pressure differential. In embodiments, reactive particles are exchanged between portions during a reaction cycle to thermally reduce the particles at first conditions and oxidize the particles at second conditions to produce chemical work from heat. |
| Use: A thermal swing process. |
| Advantage: Process energy efficiency is improved via heat recovery between process steps while conveying solid particulate materials between process volumes operating at different temperatures. The swing reactor maximizes heat exchange between particles in different temperature/reactant zones by utilizing a vertical conveyor or recirculator, where particles are moved up a stationary auger by the rotating action of the outside casing, and then discharged down through the hollow auger shaft. |
| Novelty: A thermal swing process is performed by transporting particles from particle collection zone at 1st temperature to 1st reaction zone operating at 1st reaction temperature by rotating casing surrounding an auger having flight capable of moving the particles; transporting particles from 1st reaction zone to bottom portion of inner cylinder of auger; and transporting particles to 2nd reaction zone operating at 2nd reaction temperature less than 1st reaction temperature, where heat is transferred from particles being transported from 1st reaction zone to bottom portion of inner cylinder of auger to particles being transported from particle collection zone to 1st reaction zone, where 1st reaction temperature is greater than 1st temperature, where particles are heated to 1st reaction temperature in the 1st reaction zone by concentrated solar energy, and where particles are transported from 2nd reaction zone to 1st reaction zone by 2nd auger. |
| Filed: 1/30/2017 |
| Application Number: US15419817A |
| Tech ID: SD 12568.2 |
| This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention. |
| Data from Derwent World Patents Index, provided by Clarivate All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Clarivate content, including by framing or similar means, is prohibited without the prior written consent of Clarivate. Clarivate and its logo, as well as all other trademarks used herein are trademarks of their respective owners and used under license. |