Reducing Diffusion of Hydrogen Chloride Gas Through a Refractory Barrier

ABSTRACT

The Seeker operates equipment with a physical barrier of refractory material between a reaction chamber and a combustion chamber. The reaction produces hydrogen chloride gas (HCl) at high temperature that has a limited diffusion through the barrier into the combustion chamber. The Seeker is looking for a solution to reduce this diffusion even further. Solutions must be resistant to the aggressive operating environment of the reactor while maintaining or improving the heat transfer between the chambers.

This Theoretical Challenge requires only a written proposal.

 

OVERVIEW

Many processes that produce chemical products rely on heating of a reaction chamber by a combustion chamber that is physically separated from the reaction chamber by a heat-conducting barrier. If the chemical process produces a gaseous product or by-product the barrier should be impervious to the gas to prevent contamination of the combustion chamber and its exhaust. The Seeker conducts a process that produces hydrogen chloride gas (HCl) at high temperature in the reaction chamber and the HCl gas has a limited diffusion through the refractory material of the barrier. They are looking for solutions including, but not limited to, coatings, treatments, or new barrier materials that maintain or improve the current heat transfer and mechanical strength properties while reducing/eliminating the HCl diffusion into the combustion chamber. Solutions must be able to withstand the aggressive chemical environment in the reactor up to 1200°C or should be resistant to an open flame developed in the combustion chamber.

This is a Theoretical Challenge that requires only a written proposal to be submitted. The Challenge award is contingent upon theoretical evaluation of the proposed solutions by the Seeker.

To receive an award, the Solvers will not have to transfer their exclusive IP rights to the Seeker. Instead, Solvers will grant to the Seeker a non-exclusive license to practice their solutions. 

Submissions to this Challenge must be received by 11:59 PM (US Eastern Time) on 18-Jul-2022.
Late submissions will not be considered.

 

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An InnoCentive Theoretical Challenge builds upon an idea but is not yet a proof of concept. A solution to a Theoretical Challenge will solidify the Solver’s concept with detailed descriptions, specifications and requirements necessary to bringing a good idea closer to becoming an actual product or service.

This Challenge is a Theoretical-Licensing Challenge, meaning that the Seeker is requesting non-exclusive rights to use the winning solution. Solvers that do not win retain the rights to their solution after the evaluation period is complete. The Seeker retains no rights to any IP not awarded.