Patent · US Active

Moving bed reactor for solar thermochemical fuel production

US8420032B1 · kind B1 · utility

9Cited by
2References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 29, 2011
Grant dateApr 16, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 29, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P20/133
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Reactors and methods for solar thermochemical reactions are disclosed. Embodiments of reactors include at least two distinct reactor chambers between which there is at least a pressure differential. In embodiments, reactive particles are exchanged between chambers 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. In embodiments, chambers of a reactor are coupled to a heat exchanger to pre-heat the reactive particles prior to direct exposure to thermal energy with heat transferred from reduced reactive particles as the particles are oppositely conveyed between the thermal reduction chamber and the fuel production chamber. In an embodiment, particle conveyance is in part provided by an elevator which may further function as a heat exchanger.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.