HEAT PIPE, HEAT PIPE REFORMER HAVING A HEAT PIPE OF SAID TYPE, AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A HEAT PIPE REFORMER OF SAID TYPE

摘要

Disclosed are a heat pipe and a method for operating such a heat pipe which remains active for an extended period of time especially during use in a pressurized gasification atmosphere, i.e. in a hydrogen-rich environment. Also disclosed is a heat pipe reformer comprising such a heat pipe. The hydrogen that penetrates into and accumulates in the heat pipe is redirected out of the heat pipe by providing a hydrogen outlet in the area of the heat-dissipating end of the heat pipe such that the heat transferring capacity of the heat pipe is maintained. The hydrogen outlet creates a hydrogen concentration gradient or partial hydrogen pressure gradient between the interior and the exterior of the pipe jacket such that hydrogen that penetrates into the interior of the heat pipe is diffused into the hydrogen outlet and can be evacuated from said outlet. A hydrogen concentration gradient or partial hydrogen pressure gradient is additionally formed between the atmosphere surrounding the heat pipe, e.g. the atmosphere in a reforming fluidized bed gasification chamber, and the hydrogen outlet such that hydrogen is also diffused from the surrounding atmosphere into the hydrogen outlet and is evacuated therefrom.