Suspended-slurry reactor
An apparatus for generating a large volume of gas from a liquid stream is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first channel through which the liquid stream passes. The apparatus also includes a layer of catalyst particles suspended in a solid slurry for generating gas from the liquid stream. The apparatus further includes a second channel through which a mixture of converted liquid and generated gas passes. A heat exchange channel heats the liquid stream. A wicking structure located in the second channel separates the gas generated from the converted liquid.
1. An apparatus for generating a large volume of gas from a liquid stream, comprising:
a. a first channel through which the liquid stream passes;
b. a layer of catalyst particles suspended in a solid slurry, through which the liquid stream passes from one side of the catalyst layer to the other, for generating gas from the liquid stream; and
c. a second channel through which a mixture of converted liquid and generated gas passes, wherein the first and second channels are located on opposite sides of the catalyst layer.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a heat exchange channel for heating the liquid stream.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a wicking structure located in the second channel for separating the gas generated from the converted liquid.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the liquid stream is a liquid organic hydrogen carrier and the generated gas is hydrogen.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the catalyst particles comprise at least one of the following: Pt/Al 2 O 3 and Pd/Al 2 O 3 .
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the catalyst particles are approximately 2 μm or less.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the solid slurry consists of catalyst particles held together in a solid-like matrix with a polymer.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the polymer is Teflon.
9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the catalyst particles comprise at least 90% by mass of the solid slurry.
10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein greater than 50% of the catalyst is accessible relative to 100% catalyst particles.
11. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a structural element in the first channel to support the suspended slurry and to improve heat transfer.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the suspended slurry is less than about 0.5 mm thick.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the suspended slurry is less than about 0.15 mm thick.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the suspended slurry is in a sheet with an area to thickness ratio of at least 10 mm.
15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the suspended slurry is in a sheet with an area to thickness ratio of at least 1000 mm.
16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the suspended slurry is in a sheet with an area to thickness ratio of at least 10,000 mm.
17. An apparatus for generating a large volume of gas from a liquid stream, comprising:
a. a first channel through which the liquid stream passes;
b. a layer of catalyst particles suspended in a solid slurry, through which the liquid stream passes from one side of the catalyst layer to the other, for generating gas from the liquid stream;
c. a second channel through which a mixture of converted liquid and generated gas passes, wherein the first and second channels are located on opposite sides of the catalyst layer;
d. a heat exchange channel for heating the liquid stream; and
e. a wicking structure located in the second channel for separating the gas generated from the converted liquid;
wherein the liquid stream is a liquid organic hydrogen carrier and the generated gas is hydrogen, and the solid slurry contains catalyst particles held together in a solid-like matrix with a polymer.