Adiabatic multi-stage reactors for hydrogen production and related systems and methods
The disclosure relates to systems and methods that include using a plurality of reactors for the conversion of a stream of ammonia (NH 3 ) to hydrogen (H 2 ) and nitrogen (N 2 ). The stream of ammonia is heated prior to introduction into each reactor. The reactors can be adiabatically operated.
1 . A system, comprising:
an ammonia gas source;
a heater;
a plurality of reactor systems comprising first and second reactor systems, each reactor system comprising:
a reactor comprising:
a housing defining an internal space;
a first inlet in fluid communication with the internal space of the housing;
a first outlet in fluid communication with the internal space of the housing;
an ammonia cracking catalyst disposed in the internal space of the housing;
a plurality of hollow fibers within the internal space, each of the hollow fibers defining an interior and comprising a hydrogen-permeable membrane; and
a second inlet and a second outlet that are each in fluid communication with the interiors of the plurality of hollow fibers,
wherein, for each reactor system, the internal space of the housing that is in fluid communication with the first inlet and the first outlet is a space that is external to a space occupied by the plurality of hollow fibers;
wherein the system is configured so that during use of the system:
the ammonia gas source provides a first gas stream comprising ammonia;
the heater heats the first gas stream to provide a heated first gas stream comprising heated ammonia;
the heated first gas stream is introduced into the internal space of the first reactor via the first inlet of the first reactor where a portion of the heated ammonia is converted to hydrogen;
a second gas stream comprising ammonia exits the first reactor via the first outlet of the first reactor;
a portion of the first gas stream is configured to be combined with the second gas stream;
the heater heats the second gas stream to provide a heated second gas stream comprising heated ammonia; and
the heated second gas stream is introduced into the internal space of the second reactor via the first inlet of the second reactor where a portion of the heated ammonia is converted to hydrogen.
2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a third reactor system wherein the system is configured so that during use of the system:
a third gas stream comprising ammonia exits the second reactor via the first outlet of the second reactor;
a portion of the first gas stream is configured to be combined with the third gas stream;
the heater is configured to heat the third gas stream to provide a heated third gas stream comprising heated ammonia; and
the heated third gas stream is introduced into the internal space of the third reactor via the first inlet of the third reactor where a portion of the heated ammonia is converted to hydrogen.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the catalyst is disposed in the internal space of the housing of the reactors, external to the plurality of hollow fibers.
4 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a first gas source configured to be in fluid communication with the second inlet of each reactor of the plurality of reactor systems.
5 . The system of claim 4 , further comprising a second gas source configured to be in fluid communication with the second outlet of each reactor of the plurality of reactor systems.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the ammonia provided by the ammonia gas source is configured to be used to fuel the heater.
7 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the catalyst is disposed in the internal space of the housing of the reactors, external to the plurality of hollow fibers.
8 . The system of claim 2 , further comprising a first gas source configured to be in fluid communication with the second inlet of each reactor of the plurality of reactor systems.
9 . The system of claim 8 , further comprising a second gas source configured to be in fluid communication with the second outlet of each reactor of the plurality of reactor systems.