Electric Reaction-Towers for flexible operation of endothermic reactions under variable power and feed supply rates

<h2>Summary</h2> The chemical industry is facing increasing pressure to achieve net-zero emissions while meeting the rising global demand. Renewable power sources, such as solar or wind, offer a lower-carbon alternative to fossil fuels. However, their variable nature challenges the ability of conventional endothermic industrial reactors to maintain consistent product selectivity and yield. To address this issue, we introduce Electric Reaction-Towers (ERTs)—a reactor configuration featuring individually powered heating stages within a reactor tube. ERTs dynamically adjust their effective reaction length in response to changing power and feed flow rates, thereby maintaining key dimensionless groups that govern product composition under varying input conditions. This article presents the ERT concept, explores its underlying principles, and outlines strategies for its design and operation. Beyond managing feed and power variations, ERTs enable tailored heat profiles, modularity, and a simplified control strategy, making them a promising solution for integrating endothermic reactions with renewable energy.

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Publication Details

Journal
Cell Reports Physical Science
Published
2025-08-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrp.2025.102771
Citations
2
Primary Topic
Machine Learning in Materials Science
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.04
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article

Electric Reaction-Towers for flexible operation of endothermic reactions under variable power and feed supply rates

Rakesh Agrawal, Edwin A. Rodriguez-Gil
2 citations
Cell Reports Physical Science
Machine Learning in Materials Science
1.04
article

Electric Reaction-Towers for flexible operation of endothermic reactions under variable power and feed supply rates

Rakesh Agrawal, Edwin A. Rodriguez-Gil
article en
2 citations

Abstract

<h2>Summary</h2> The chemical industry is facing increasing pressure to achieve net-zero emissions while meeting the rising global demand. Renewable power sources, such as solar or wind, offer a lower-carbon alternative to fossil fuels. However, their variable nature challenges the ability of conventional endothermic industrial reactors to maintain consistent product selectivity and yield. To address this issue, we introduce Electric Reaction-Towers (ERTs)—a reactor configuration featuring individually powered heating stages within a reactor tube. ERTs dynamically adjust their effective reaction length in response to changing power and feed flow rates, thereby maintaining key dimensionless groups that govern product composition under varying input conditions. This article presents the ERT concept, explores its underlying principles, and outlines strategies for its design and operation. Beyond managing feed and power variations, ERTs enable tailored heat profiles, modularity, and a simplified control strategy, making them a promising solution for integrating endothermic reactions with renewable energy.

Cell Reports Physical ScienceVol. 6(8)
Purdue University West Lafayette (US)
Affordable and clean energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 23%
Machine Learning in Materials Science
1.04
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Electric Reaction-Towers for flexible operation of endothermic reactions under variable power and feed supply rates — Rakesh Agrawal, Edwin A. Rodriguez-Gil · Cell Reports Physical Science (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS