REACTOR VESSELS WITH PRESSURE AND HEAT TRANSFER FEATURES FOR PRODUCING HYDROGEN-BASED FUELS AND STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS

摘要

Reactor vessels with pressure and heat transfer features for producing hydrogen-based fuels and structural elements, and associated systems and methods. A representative reactor system includes a first reaction zone and a heat path, a reactant source coupled to the first reaction zone, and a first actuator coupled to cyclically pressurize the first reaction zone. A second reaction zone is in fluid communication with the first, a valve is coupled between the first and second reaction zones to control a flow rate therebetween, and a second actuator is coupled in fluid communication with the second reaction zone to cyclically pressurize the second reaction zone. First and second heat exchangers direct heat from products to reactants in the reaction zones. A controller controls the first and second actuators in a coordinated manner based at least in part on a flow rate of the second product from the second reaction zone.

主权项

1. A method for processing a hydrogenous compound, comprising:
directing reactants, including a hydrogenous compound, to a first reaction zone; cyclically varying a pressure at the first reaction zone in accordance with a first cycle; directing heat into the first reaction zone to heat the reactants; disassociating the hydrogenous compound to produce a first produce in an endothermic reaction; transferring the first produce to a second reaction zone; cyclically varying a pressure at the second reaction zone in accordance with a second cycle; at the second reaction zone, producing a second product including at least one of a hydrogen-based fuel and a structural building block in an exothermic reaction; controlling a flow rate between the first and second reaction zones with a mechanism coupled between the first and second reaction zones; and controlling the pressure in the second reaction zone based at least in part on a flow rate of the first product from the first reaction zone to the second reaction zone.