A Computational Fluid Dynamics Study on the Effect of Carbon Particle Seeding for the Improvement of Solar Reactor Performance

2010 ◽  
Vol 132 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nesrin Ozalp ◽  
Anoop Kanjirakat
Keyword(s):  
Flow Reactor ◽  
Carbon Particle ◽  
Decomposition Reaction ◽  
Reactor Performance ◽  
Injection Point ◽  
Carbon Particles ◽  
Solar Reactor ◽  
Lagrangian Framework ◽  
Nucleation Sites ◽  
Window Screening

This study focuses on a technique, referred to as “solar cracking” of natural gas for the coproduction of hydrogen and carbon as byproduct with zero emission footprint. Seeding a solar reactor with micron-sized carbon particles increases the conversion efficiency drastically due to the radiation absorbed by the carbon particles and additional nucleation sites formed by carbon particles for heterogeneous decomposition reaction. The present study numerically tries to investigate the above fact by tracking carbon particles in a Lagrangian framework. The results on the effect of particle loading, particle emissivity, injection point location, and effect of using different window screening gases on a flow and temperature distribution inside a confined tornado flow reactor are presented.

A CFD Study on the Effect of Carbon Particle Seeding for the Improvement of Solar Reactor Performance

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nesrin Ozalp ◽  
Anoop Kanjirakat
Keyword(s):  
Methane Conversion ◽  
Particle Deposition ◽  
Flow Reactor ◽  
Carbon Particle ◽  
Chemical Reactor ◽  
Reactor Performance ◽  
Surface Absorption ◽  
Injection Point ◽  
Carbon Particles ◽  
Production Of Hydrogen

With the increasing concern of CO2 emissions and climate change, efforts have grown to include solar technologies in chemical processes to manufacture products that can be used both as a commodity and as a fuel, such as hydrogen. This study focuses on a technique, referred to as “solar cracking” of natural gas for the co-production of hydrogen and carbon as byproduct with zero emission footprint via the following reaction: CH4→C(s)+2H2(g). However, some portion of the incoming solar energy absorbed by the cavity greatly exceeds the surface absorption of the inner walls because of multiple internal reflections. Studies have shown that by seeding the reactor with micron-sized carbon particles, methane conversion improves drastically due to the radiation absorbed by the carbon particles and additional nucleation sites formed by carbon particles for heterogeneous decomposition reaction. This can maintain more heat at the core and can reduce the carbon deposits on the reactor walls. Present study numerically tries to investigate the above fact by tracking carbon particles in a Lagrangian frame-work. Initially, the numerical model is validated qualitatively by comparing the particle deposition on reactor window with the experimental observations. Effect of particle loading, particle emissivity, injection point location, and effect of using different window screening gases on a flow and temperature distribution inside a confined tornado flow reactor are studied. It is observed that the methane conversion substantially increases by particle seeding. The results of this research can be used in thermo-chemical reactor design.

Effect of Carbon Particle Feeding as Radiant Absorbent for Enhanced Heat Transfer

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Hamed Abedini ◽  
Nesrin Ozalp
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Particle Size ◽  
Temperature Profile ◽  
Energy Absorption ◽  
Carbon Particle ◽  
Carbon Particles ◽  
Solar Reactor ◽  
Simulation Results ◽  
Particle Feeding ◽  
Solar Receiver

Abstract Carbon particles can be used as catalyst in solar reactors where they serve as radiant absorbent and nucleation sites for the heterogeneous decomposition reaction. Unlike commonly used metal catalysts, carbon catalyst does not have durability problem and high cost. However, in order to achieve sustainable catalytic decomposition of feedstock over carbon catalysts at elevated temperatures, the surface area of the carbon particles must be maintained. A subsequent treatment of deactivated carbon samples with CO2 at about 1000 °C would increase the surface and would recover the original activity as catalyst. In a windowed solar reactor, carbon particles are directly exposed to the high flux irradiation providing efficient radiation heat transfer directly to the reaction site. Therefore, one of the key parameters to achieve higher conversion efficiencies in a solar reactor is the presence and transport of carbon particles. In this paper, a transient one-dimensional model is presented to describe effect of carbon particle feeding on energy transport and temperature profile of a cavity-type solar receiver. The model was developed by dividing the receiver into several control volumes and formulating energy balance equations for gas phase, particles, and cavity walls within each control volume. Monte Carlo ray tracing (MCRT) method was used to determine the solar heat absorbed by particles and cavity walls, as well as the radiative exchange between particles and cavity walls. Model accuracy was verified by experimental work using a solar receiver where carbon particles were injected uniformly. Comparison of simulation results with the experimentally measured temperatures at three different locations on cavity receiver wall showed an average deviation of 3.81%. The model was then used to study the effect of carbon particle size and feeding rate on the heat transfer, temperature profile, and energy absorption of the solar receiver. Based on the simulation results, it was found that injection of carbon particles with a size bigger than 500 µm has no significant influence on heat transfer of the system. However, by reducing the particle size lower than 500 µm, temperature uniformity and energy absorption were enhanced.

Characterization of Activated Carbon for Carbon Laden Flows in a Solar Reactor

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nesrin Ozalp ◽  
Vidyasagar Shilapuram
Keyword(s):  
Activated Carbon ◽  
Decomposition Reaction ◽  
Major Product ◽  
Methane Decomposition ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Area Measurement ◽  
Favorable Effect ◽  
Carbon Particles ◽  
Solar Reactor ◽  
Particle Size Analyzer

Carbon is not only a major product of the methane decomposition but also a catalyst for the heterogeneous methane decomposition reaction. It is highly desirable that the morphology and surface properties of the product carbon be controlled to maximize their catalytic effects. In this paper, we characterize the physical properties of two activated carbon samples by sizes, and crystallographic structures using scanning electron microscope, x-ray diffraction, particle size analyzer, and surface area measurement. The paper also includes high temperature thermogravimetric experiment results on the carbon–hydrogen reaction to show if the injected carbon particles reacts with the formed hydrogen, which has not been studied in solar thermal hydrocarbon decomposition before. Results show that carbon does not react with hydrogen to form methane or any other intermediate compounds up until 900°C, which explains the favorable effect of carbon laden flow experiments for catalytic methane decomposition at lower temperatures. These results will be used to identify the optimal operating conditions for our solar reactor.

Effect of Carbon Particle Seeding As Radiant Absorbent for Enhanced Heat Transfer

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamed Abedini Najafabadi ◽  
Nesrin Ozalp
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Elevated Temperatures ◽  
Radiation Heat Transfer ◽  
Carbon Particle ◽  
Subsequent Treatment ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Solar Simulator ◽  
Original Activity ◽  
Carbon Particles ◽  
Solar Reactor

Abstract Carbon particles can be used as catalyst in solar reactors where they serve as radiant absorbent and nucleation sites for the heterogeneous decomposition reaction. Unlike commonly used metal catalysts, carbon catalyst does not have durability problem and high cost. However, in order to achieve sustainable catalytic decomposition of feedstock over carbon catalysts at elevated temperatures, the surface area of the carbon particles must be maintained. A subsequent treatment of deactivated carbon samples with CO2 at about 1000°C would increase the surface and would recover the original activity as catalyst. In solar reactor, carbon particles are directly exposed to the high-flux irradiation providing efficient radiation heat transfer directly to the reaction site. Therefore, one of the key parameters to achieve higher conversion efficiencies in solar reactor is the presence and transport of carbon particles. This paper will present impact of carbon use in enhancing the heat transfer inside a solar reactor radiated by a solar simulator. Flux entering the receiver is determined using Monte Carlo ray tracing (MCRT) method which is coupled with energy balance equations to derive numerical model describing dynamic temperature variation in solar receiver. Simulation results indicated that feeding carbon particles results to lower temperatures for the cavity walls and working fluid compare to the case that no carbon is injected. This finding is in accordance with our experimental results obtained from a cylindrical cavity receiver radiated by a 7 kW solar simulator. The results indicated that heat transfer within the system is highly influenced by the particle size. At particle sizes larger than 450 μm, carbon feeding increases the thermal efficiency of the system.

Study on Properties of Carbon Particle Modified Silicon Carbide Composite Ceramics

2011 ◽  
Vol 311-313 ◽  
pp. 276-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
You Jun Lu ◽  
Hong Fang Shen ◽  
Yan Ming Wang
Keyword(s):  
Silicon Carbide ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Carbon Particle ◽  
Composite Ceramics ◽  
Carbon Particles ◽  
High Temperature Mechanical Properties ◽  
Sic Ceramics ◽  
Carbide Composite ◽  
Application Fields ◽  
Different Content

High-temperature mechanical properties, machinability, oxidation resistance and thermal shock resistance of different content of carbon particles modified silicon carbide composite ceramics (Cp/SiC) prepared by pressureless sintering techniques were studied. Adhesion of Cp/SiC to melted glass under 1000°C was also observed. The results showed that 15-Cp/SiC had the optimum machinability and it also did not adhere to melted glass at high temperature. And flexural strength, hardness, and fracture toughness of 15-Cp/SiC is 136.5MPa, 274.6kgf/mm2, 2.58MPa•m1/2 respectively. The good performance of Cp/SiC made it possible to be used as high temperature glass fixture, which means that Cp/SiC can not only improve the service life of fixture materials, but also broaden the application fields of SiC ceramics.

scholarly journals Reversible Molten Catalytic Methane Cracking Applied to Commercial Solar-Thermal Receivers

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 6229
Author(s):  
Scott C. Rowe ◽  
Taylor A. Ariko ◽  
Kaylin M. Weiler ◽  
Jacob T. E. Spana ◽  
Alan W. Weimer
Keyword(s):  
Flow Reactor ◽  
Plug Flow ◽  
Hydrogen Fuel ◽  
Reactor Model ◽  
Solar Reactor ◽  
Greenhouse Emissions ◽  
Solar Reactors ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Methane Cracking ◽  
Technology Demonstrator

When driven by sunlight, molten catalytic methane cracking can produce clean hydrogen fuel from natural gas without greenhouse emissions. To design solar methane crackers, a canonical plug flow reactor model was developed that spanned industrially relevant temperatures and pressures (1150–1350 Kelvin and 2–200 atmospheres). This model was then validated against published methane cracking data and used to screen power tower and beam-down reactor designs based on “Solar Two,” a renewables technology demonstrator from the 1990s. Overall, catalytic molten methane cracking is likely feasible in commercial beam-down solar reactors, but not power towers. The best beam-down reactor design was 9% efficient in the capture of sunlight as fungible hydrogen fuel, which approaches photovoltaic efficiencies. Conversely, the best discovered tower methane cracker was only 1.7% efficient. Thus, a beam-down reactor is likely tractable for solar methane cracking, whereas power tower configurations appear infeasible. However, the best simulated commercial reactors were heat transfer limited, not reaction limited. Efficiencies could be higher if heat bottlenecks are removed from solar methane cracker designs. This work sets benchmark conditions and performance for future solar reactor improvement via design innovation and multiphysics simulation.

Carbon Particle Generation and Preliminary Small Particle Heat Exchange Receiver Lab Scale Testing

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee Frederickson ◽  
Kyle Kitzmiller ◽  
Fletcher Miller
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Heat Exchange ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Small Particle ◽  
Carbon Particle ◽  
Solar Flux ◽  
Gas Mixture ◽  
Solar Simulator ◽  
Spherical Cap ◽  
Carbon Particles

High temperature central receivers are on the forefront of concentrating solar power research. Current receivers use liquid cooling and power steam cycles, but new receivers are being designed to power gas turbine engines within a power cycle while operating at a high efficiency. To address this, a lab-scale Small Particle Heat Exchange Receiver (SPHER), a high temperature solar receiver, was built and is currently undergoing testing at the San Diego State University’s (SDSU) Combustion and Solar Energy Laboratory. The final goal is to design, build, and test a full-scale SPHER that can absorb 5 MWth and eventually be used within a Brayton cycle. The SPHER utilizes air mixed with carbon particles generated in the Carbon Particle Generator (CPG) as an absorption medium for the concentrated solar flux. Natural gas and nitrogen are sent to the CPG where the natural gas undergoes pyrolysis to carbon particles and nitrogen is used as the carrier gas. The resulting particle-gas mixture flows out of the vessel and is met with dilution air, which flows to the SPHER. The lab-scale SPHER is an insulated steel vessel with a spherical cap quartz window. For simulating on-sun testing, a solar flux is produced by a solar simulator, which consists of a 15kWe xenon arc lamp, situated vertically, and an ellipsoidal reflector to obtain a focus at the plane of the receiver window. The solar simulator has been shown to produce an output of about 3.25 kWth within a 10 cm diameter aperture. Inside of the SPHER, the carbon particles in the inlet particle-gas mixture absorb radiation from the solar flux. The carbon particles heat the air and eventually oxidize to carbon dioxide, resulting in a clear outlet fluid stream. Since testing was initiated, there have been several changes to the system as we have learned more about the operation. A new extinction tube was designed and built to obtain more accurate mass loading data. Piping and insulation for the CPG and SPHER were improved based on observations between testing periods. The window flange and seal have been redesigned to incorporate window film cooling. These improvements have been made in order to achieve the lab scale SPHER design objective gas outlet flow of 650°C at 5 bar.

Investigation on the Combustion Rate of Carbon Particle in Pressurized Oxygen-Enriched Conditions

2011 ◽  
Vol 354-355 ◽  
pp. 380-384
Author(s):  
Chun Bo Wang ◽  
Jin Gui Sheng ◽  
Ming Lei ◽  
Jian Guo Wei ◽  
Xiao Fei Ma
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Combustion Rate ◽  
Carbon Particle ◽  
Enriched Environment ◽  
Carbon Particles

The combustion rates of carbon particle in pressurized oxygen-enriched environment were studied. The combustion rates of different diameter carbon particles were calculated in atmospheric as well as pressurized oxygen-enriched conditions. The effects of pressure and particle size on combustion rate of carbon particle were investigated. It shows that the combustion rate of carbon particle rise with the increase of the pressures in pressurized oxygen-enriched and pressurized air conditions. But, the combustion rate of carbon particle change little at higher pressure. When particle size increased from 50μm to 100μm，the combustion rate of carbon particle rising. When the particle size increased to 150μm, the combustion rate of carbon particle changed little.

Observation and analysis of SCWO progress of a carbon particle and a packed bed of carbon particles by X-ray radiography

2006 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 427-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seiichiro Koda ◽  
Makoto Fujie ◽  
Kazuhiko Maeda ◽  
Kazuko Sugimoto ◽  
Koichi Nittoh
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Particle ◽  
Packed Bed ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Carbon Particles

COx Free Hydrogen Production From Ammonia Decomposition Over Platinum Based Siliceous Materials

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dilek Varisli ◽  
Tugba Rona
Keyword(s):  
Flow Reactor ◽  
High Surface ◽  
High Surface Area ◽  
Fixed Bed ◽  
Space Velocity ◽  
Decomposition Reaction ◽  
Ammonia Decomposition ◽  
One Pot ◽  
Free Hydrogen ◽  
Synthesis Procedure

Abstract Ammonia has become an important source for hydrogen especially for fuel cell applications that require COx free hydrogen. In this study, high surface area Pt incorporated mesoporous siliceous materials were prepared for ammonia decomposition reaction to produce clean hydrogen. The results of a fixed bed flow reactor tests, conducted using pure ammonia showed that Pt-SiO2 type catalysts which were prepared by a one-pot hydrothermal synthesis procedure were very active in ammonia decomposition, such as 72% conversion was reached at 500°C at a gas hourly space velocity of 5,100 ml/h.gcat over the catalyst prepared at Pt/Si mol ratio of 0.03. Activity of the synthesized catalysts increased with an increase in Pt loading. Platinum incorporated siliceous materials prepared by impregnation procedures were also tested in ammonia decomposition and highly promising results were obtained.

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