University of Washington

Arthur T Mattick

Abraham Hertzberg

David A Russell

Carl John Stevens

Carl Knowlen

Viggo K Hansen

Robert Cerff

Carl J Stevens

Viggo Hansen

Apparatuses and associated methods for forming olefins from saturated hydrocarbon feedstock are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a carrier gas is introduced at a supersonic velocity to a feedstock injector section. A feedstock gas is introduced to the carrier gas stream using feedstock injectors that are offset in the streamwise direction one from another. The upstream feedstock injectors are positioned to inject feedstock gas to create plumes that improve penetration depth of the feedstock gas and reduce pressure losses at the downstream feedstock injectors. The feedstock gas can be regeneratively preheated by cooling the convergent-divergent nozzle. Water, steam and/or hydrogen gas can be injected into the apparatus for cooling the throat of the convergent-divergent nozzle.

Supersonic shock wave reactors, and associated systems and methods

Apparatus and method for initiating pyrolysis of a feedstock by establishing a continuous, standing shock wave. Several embodiments of a shock wave reactor (10, 100, 150) are disclosed; each is connected to receive an ethane feedstock and a carrier fluid comprising superheated steam. The feedstock and the carrier fluid are pressurized so that they expand into parallel supersonic streams that mix due to turbulence within a mixing section (36) of a longitudinally extending channel (12) of the shock wave reactor. The carrier fluid heats the ethane feedstock as it mixes with it, producing a mixture that flows at supersonic velocity longitudinally down the channel. A gate valve (44) disposed downstream of the channel provides a controlled back pressure that affects the position of the shock wave and the residence time for the reaction. The shock wave rapidly heats the mixture above a pyrolysis temperature, producing a desired product by cracking the feedstock. Rapid heating of the mixture enables a residence time in the pyrolysis section of only 5 to 50 milliseconds. By varying the position of the shock wave, the residence time is controlled as required to obtain maximum yield from different feedstocks. Downstream of the pyrolysis section, the mixture is quenched, cooling and terminating the pyrolysis reaction. The relatively short residence time and the control of its duration with a resolution in the microsecond range are substantial advantages of the shock wave reactor.

Method for initiating pyrolysis using a shock wave

Apparatus for initiating pyrolysis of a feedstock by establishing a continuous, standing shock wave. Several embodiments of a shock wave reactor (10, 100, 150) are disclosed; each is connected to receive an ethane feedstock and a carrier fluid comprising superheated steam. The feedstock and the carrier fluid are pressurized so that they expand into parallel supersonic streams that mix due to turbulence within a mixing section (36) of a longitudinally extending channel (12) of the shock wave reactor. The carrier fluid heats the ethane feedstock as it mixes with it, producing a mixture that flows at supersonic velocity longitudinally down the channel. A gate valve (44) disposed downstream of the channel provides a controlled back pressure that affects the position of the shock wave and the residence time for the reaction. The shock wave rapidly heats the mixture above a pyrolysis temperature, producing a desired product by cracking the feedstock. Rapid heating of the mixture enables a residence time in the pyrolysis section of only 5 to 50 milliseconds. By varying the position of the shock wave, the residence time is controlled as required to obtain maximum yield from different feedstocks. Downstream of the pyrolysis section, the mixture is quenched, cooling and terminating the pyrolysis reaction. The relatively short residence time and the control of its duration with a resolution in the microsecond range are substantial advantages of the shock wave reactor.

Apparatus for initiating pyrolysis using a shock wave

Growing community of inventors

Seattle, WA, United States of America

Arthur T Mattick