HEAT EXTRACTION FROM A THERMAL FLOW-REVERSE REACTION IN VENTILATION AIR METHANE OXIDATION

摘要

Methane is an important greenhouse gas and over 20 times more effective in trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. Methane is second only to carbon dioxide as a contributor to global warming. To oxidize the ventilation air methane (usually below 1 vol%), a thermal reverse flow reactor packed with the ceramic honeycomb monoliths and started up with a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) burner was developed. Higher methane concentration led to higher temperature in the center of reactor and wider temperature peak. Redundant energy must be extracted to ensure the stable operation of the reactor. Four heat exchangers were embedded symmetrically in reactor at either end of the reacting zone to extract the remnant heat generated in methane oxidation exothermic reaction. The method of controlling the width of temperature peak and keeping the reactor operating stably by changing the water flowrate flowing through the heat exchangers is presented and proved to be practicable.