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US20160068771A1 - Apparatuses, systems, cooling augers, and methods for cooling biochar - Google Patents

Apparatuses, systems, cooling augers, and methods for cooling biochar Download PDF

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Publication number
US20160068771A1
US20160068771A1 US14/846,128 US201514846128A US2016068771A1 US 20160068771 A1 US20160068771 A1 US 20160068771A1 US 201514846128 A US201514846128 A US 201514846128A US 2016068771 A1 US2016068771 A1 US 2016068771A1
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Prior art keywords
biochar
outer tube
cooling auger
char cooling
char
Prior art date
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US14/846,128
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English (en)
Inventor
Philip W. Appel
Thomas D. Weir
Sarah E. Love
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Ag Energy Solutions Inc
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Ag Energy Solutions Inc
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Priority to US14/846,128 priority Critical patent/US20160068771A1/en
Assigned to AG ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC. reassignment AG ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: APPEL, PHILIP W., LOVE, SARAH E., WEIR, THOMAS D.
Publication of US20160068771A1 publication Critical patent/US20160068771A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
    • C10J—PRODUCTION OF PRODUCER GAS, WATER-GAS, SYNTHESIS GAS FROM SOLID CARBONACEOUS MATERIAL, OR MIXTURES CONTAINING THESE GASES; CARBURETTING AIR OR OTHER GASES
    • C10J3/00—Production of combustible gases containing carbon monoxide from solid carbonaceous fuels
    • C10J3/46—Gasification of granular or pulverulent flues in suspension
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
    • C10J—PRODUCTION OF PRODUCER GAS, WATER-GAS, SYNTHESIS GAS FROM SOLID CARBONACEOUS MATERIAL, OR MIXTURES CONTAINING THESE GASES; CARBURETTING AIR OR OTHER GASES
    • C10J3/00—Production of combustible gases containing carbon monoxide from solid carbonaceous fuels
    • C10J3/72—Other features
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
    • C10B—DESTRUCTIVE DISTILLATION OF CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS FOR PRODUCTION OF GAS, COKE, TAR, OR SIMILAR MATERIALS
    • C10B49/00—Destructive distillation of solid carbonaceous materials by direct heating with heat-carrying agents including the partial combustion of the solid material to be treated
    • C10B49/02—Destructive distillation of solid carbonaceous materials by direct heating with heat-carrying agents including the partial combustion of the solid material to be treated with hot gases or vapours, e.g. hot gases obtained by partial combustion of the charge
    • C10B49/04—Destructive distillation of solid carbonaceous materials by direct heating with heat-carrying agents including the partial combustion of the solid material to be treated with hot gases or vapours, e.g. hot gases obtained by partial combustion of the charge while moving the solid material to be treated
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
    • C10B—DESTRUCTIVE DISTILLATION OF CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS FOR PRODUCTION OF GAS, COKE, TAR, OR SIMILAR MATERIALS
    • C10B53/00—Destructive distillation, specially adapted for particular solid raw materials or solid raw materials in special form
    • C10B53/02—Destructive distillation, specially adapted for particular solid raw materials or solid raw materials in special form of cellulose-containing material
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
    • C10J—PRODUCTION OF PRODUCER GAS, WATER-GAS, SYNTHESIS GAS FROM SOLID CARBONACEOUS MATERIAL, OR MIXTURES CONTAINING THESE GASES; CARBURETTING AIR OR OTHER GASES
    • C10J3/00—Production of combustible gases containing carbon monoxide from solid carbonaceous fuels
    • C10J3/72—Other features
    • C10J3/723—Controlling or regulating the gasification process
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
    • F28D1/00—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators
    • F28D1/02—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid
    • F28D1/04—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid with tubular conduits
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F28F13/00—Arrangements for modifying heat-transfer, e.g. increasing, decreasing
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F28F5/00—Elements specially adapted for movement
    • F28F5/06—Hollow screw conveyors
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
    • C10J—PRODUCTION OF PRODUCER GAS, WATER-GAS, SYNTHESIS GAS FROM SOLID CARBONACEOUS MATERIAL, OR MIXTURES CONTAINING THESE GASES; CARBURETTING AIR OR OTHER GASES
    • C10J2200/00—Details of gasification apparatus
    • C10J2200/09—Mechanical details of gasifiers not otherwise provided for, e.g. sealing means
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
    • C10J—PRODUCTION OF PRODUCER GAS, WATER-GAS, SYNTHESIS GAS FROM SOLID CARBONACEOUS MATERIAL, OR MIXTURES CONTAINING THESE GASES; CARBURETTING AIR OR OTHER GASES
    • C10J2200/00—Details of gasification apparatus
    • C10J2200/15—Details of feeding means
    • C10J2200/156—Sluices, e.g. mechanical sluices for preventing escape of gas through the feed inlet
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
    • C10J—PRODUCTION OF PRODUCER GAS, WATER-GAS, SYNTHESIS GAS FROM SOLID CARBONACEOUS MATERIAL, OR MIXTURES CONTAINING THESE GASES; CARBURETTING AIR OR OTHER GASES
    • C10J2200/00—Details of gasification apparatus
    • C10J2200/31—Mobile gasifiers, e.g. for use in cars, ships or containers
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
    • C10J—PRODUCTION OF PRODUCER GAS, WATER-GAS, SYNTHESIS GAS FROM SOLID CARBONACEOUS MATERIAL, OR MIXTURES CONTAINING THESE GASES; CARBURETTING AIR OR OTHER GASES
    • C10J2300/00—Details of gasification processes
    • C10J2300/09—Details of the feed, e.g. feeding of spent catalyst, inert gas or halogens
    • C10J2300/0913—Carbonaceous raw material
    • C10J2300/0916—Biomass
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
    • C10J—PRODUCTION OF PRODUCER GAS, WATER-GAS, SYNTHESIS GAS FROM SOLID CARBONACEOUS MATERIAL, OR MIXTURES CONTAINING THESE GASES; CARBURETTING AIR OR OTHER GASES
    • C10J2300/00—Details of gasification processes
    • C10J2300/09—Details of the feed, e.g. feeding of spent catalyst, inert gas or halogens
    • C10J2300/0953—Gasifying agents
    • C10J2300/0956—Air or oxygen enriched air
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
    • C10J—PRODUCTION OF PRODUCER GAS, WATER-GAS, SYNTHESIS GAS FROM SOLID CARBONACEOUS MATERIAL, OR MIXTURES CONTAINING THESE GASES; CARBURETTING AIR OR OTHER GASES
    • C10J2300/00—Details of gasification processes
    • C10J2300/16—Integration of gasification processes with another plant or parts within the plant
    • C10J2300/1625—Integration of gasification processes with another plant or parts within the plant with solids treatment
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
    • C10J—PRODUCTION OF PRODUCER GAS, WATER-GAS, SYNTHESIS GAS FROM SOLID CARBONACEOUS MATERIAL, OR MIXTURES CONTAINING THESE GASES; CARBURETTING AIR OR OTHER GASES
    • C10J2300/00—Details of gasification processes
    • C10J2300/16—Integration of gasification processes with another plant or parts within the plant
    • C10J2300/164—Integration of gasification processes with another plant or parts within the plant with conversion of synthesis gas
    • C10J2300/1643—Conversion of synthesis gas to energy
    • C10J2300/165—Conversion of synthesis gas to energy integrated with a gas turbine or gas motor
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
    • C10J—PRODUCTION OF PRODUCER GAS, WATER-GAS, SYNTHESIS GAS FROM SOLID CARBONACEOUS MATERIAL, OR MIXTURES CONTAINING THESE GASES; CARBURETTING AIR OR OTHER GASES
    • C10J2300/00—Details of gasification processes
    • C10J2300/16—Integration of gasification processes with another plant or parts within the plant
    • C10J2300/1693—Integration of gasification processes with another plant or parts within the plant with storage facilities for intermediate, feed and/or product
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
    • C10K—PURIFYING OR MODIFYING THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF COMBUSTIBLE GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE
    • C10K1/00—Purifying combustible gases containing carbon monoxide
    • C10K1/02—Dust removal
    • C10K1/026—Dust removal by centrifugal forces
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E50/00—Technologies for the production of fuel of non-fossil origin
    • Y02E50/10—Biofuels, e.g. bio-diesel

Definitions

  • a gasification system is designed to heat biomass feedstock (e.g., straw) to extremely high temperatures in order to break apart the molecular bonds. During this process, the resultant syngas and byproducts are super-heated as they exit the gasifier. Thus, the syngas and other byproducts need to be cooled before collection and storage. Conventional gasifier systems do not provide a mechanism for cooling these materials.
  • the example system may include a char cooling auger coupled to a gasifier.
  • the char cooling auger may include a receiving hopper and a screw conveyor that is housed within an outer tube.
  • the receiving hopper is configured to receive and hold biochar from the gasifier and is further configured to feed the biochar to flighting on the screw conveyor.
  • the biochar is moved within and along the outer tube as it is transported from a first end of the auger to an outlet port near a second end of the auger. Because the temperature of the outer tube is less than a temperature of the biochar, the biochar is cooled as transported through the outer tube.
  • the temperature of the outer tube may be maintained via a fan (i.e., via forced convection), or simply through natural convection.
  • Another example system may include a gasifier configured to gasify biomass to provide syngas and biochar, and a hopper configured to collect and store the biochar.
  • the example system may further include a char cooling auger configured to cool the biochar received from the gasifier prior to providing the biochar to the hopper.
  • An example method may include receiving biochar from a gasifier.
  • the biochar may be generated by gasifying organic feedstock.
  • the example method may further include transporting the biochar through a char cooling auger.
  • the biochar may be cooled as it is transported through the char cooling auger.
  • the example method may further include collecting and storing the biochar in a hopper after transporting the biochar through the char cooling auger.
  • FIG. 1 is first perspective view of a char cooling auger according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the char cooling auger according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the char cooling auger according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a gasification system according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 5 is first perspective view of a mobile gasification system according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a second perspective view of the mobile gasification system according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 7 is perspective view of a char cooling auger with fins according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the present invention is generally directed to a cooling auger used in a mobile gasification system that may be configured to cool biochar or another byproduct (hereinafter referred to a biochar) generated during gasification of an organic feedstock.
  • the cooling auger may transfer or conduct heat away from the biochar as it is propagated through the char cooling auger.
  • FIGS. 1-3 depict various views of a char cooling auger 104 according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of char cooling auger 104
  • FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of char cooling auger 104
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of char cooling auger 104 .
  • Char cooling auger 104 may include an outer tube 130 that extends from a bottom plate 132 to a top plate 138 .
  • Outer tube 130 may include a first attachment band 134 and a second attachment band 136 configured to attach or support the weight of the installed char cooling auger 104 , or to attach a fan or other mechanism to char cooling auger 104 .
  • a first end of outer tube 130 may be attached to a receiving hopper 120 .
  • Receiving hopper 120 may include a receiving hopper cap 110 having an inlet port 112 .
  • Inlet port 112 may receive the heated biochar generated during a gasification process.
  • the heated biochar may collect in receiving hopper 120 .
  • Receiving hopper 120 may further include a maintenance access port 140 to provide access into receiving hopper 120 for maintenance purposes, such as to clear out a clog.
  • a second end of outer tube 130 may be attached to an outlet port 180 .
  • Outlet port 180 may provide cooled biochar to a hopper (not shown) for collection.
  • Char cooling auger 104 may include rotation mechanism 160 that includes a motor 162 to rotate a screw conveyor 165 within outer tube 130 to transfer biochar from receiving hopper 120 to outlet port 180 .
  • Rotation mechanism 160 may include a center rod 164 that is splined at the top to connect to motor 162 .
  • Motor 162 may be connected directly to center rod 164 or may be connected indirectly via a drive chain or belt 163 and a drive wheel/gear 161 .
  • the flighting of screw conveyor 165 may be affixed (e.g., welded) to center rod 164 .
  • Center rod 164 may include an attachment means at each end to hold center rod 164 in place within outer tube 130 (e.g., a lock collar). The speed of the rotation of center rod 164 may be controlled by the rotational speed of motor 162 .
  • Char cooling auger 104 may further include one or more thermocouples 172 that measure a temperature of the biochar leaving receiving hopper 120 via outer tube 130 near the first end. Char cooling auger 104 may further include one or more thermocouples 170 that measure a temperature of the biochar near the second end. The temperature information received via thermocouples 172 and thermocouples 170 may be used to control residence time of the biochar within outer tube 130 by controlling the rotation speed of center rod 164 .
  • receiving hopper 120 may receive heated biochar via inlet port 112 .
  • the heated biochar may be received from a cyclone that separates the biochar from a syngas stream provided from a gasifier.
  • Receiving hopper 120 may feed (e.g., via gravity or some other feed mechanism) the heated biochar to screw conveyor 165 for transport up outer tube 130 .
  • Char cooling auger 104 may cool the biochar by conducting heat away from the biochar via outer tube 130 as it is transported from receiving hopper 120 to outlet port 180 .
  • the cooled biochar may exit char cooling auger 104 via outlet port 180 at the top of outer tube 130 .
  • outer tube 130 may be exposed to ambient air temperatures, which are significantly lower than the temperatures of the superheated biochar received in receiving hopper 120 via inlet port 112 .
  • Center rod 164 of char cooling auger 104 may rotate screw conveyor 165 at a relatively slow rate to ensure significant residence time (e.g., 10 minutes or more) of the biochar within outer tube 130 .
  • the longer the biochar is resident in outer tube 130 the greater the amount of heat transferred from the biochar.
  • Two factors may control residence time within outer tube 130 : 1) length of outer tube 130 , (and ultimately auger 104 ), and 2) rotation speed of center rod 164 .
  • the rotation speed of center rod 164 may be based on the dimensions (e.g., circumference and length) of outer tube 130 , as well as the temperature of the biochar received at receiving hopper 120 .
  • center rod 164 may rotate at less than five rotations-per-minute (RPMs).
  • the residence time may be set such that the temperature of the biochar may be less than 160 degrees Celsius at outlet port 180 .
  • outer tube 130 may be between 90 and 110 inches in length with a diameter of between 5 and 7 inches, although other dimensions are within the scope of the invention.
  • the flighting of screw conveyor 165 may be between four and 6.5 inches in diameter with a half pitch, although other dimensions are within the scope of the invention as well.
  • the tight clearance between screw conveyor 165 and outer tube 130 may prevent large amounts of the biochar from sliding back down outer tube 130 into receiving hopper 120 .
  • the half pitch may allow char-cooling auger 104 to transfer the biochar when installed at a steep angle.
  • char cooling auger 104 may be able to drop the temperature of the biochar from 800 degrees Celsius to under 150 degrees Celsius.
  • char cooling auger 104 may be part of a continuously pressurized system that allows collection of the syngas produced during the gasification process (e.g., by preventing the syngas from escaping into the atmosphere). By dropping the temperature to under 150 degrees Celsius, damage to the airlock components that are used to pressurize the system may be prevented. Thus, by cooling the biochar before passage outside of the pressurized system and collection, less expensive, low-temp airlock components may be used.
  • char cooling auger 104 discussed with reference to FIGS. 1-3 are exemplary. Other dimensions may be contemplated based on factors such as a size and layout of an installed gasification system, airlock operational temperature limits, etc., and are considered to be within the scope of the invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a gasification system 400 according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Gasification system 400 may include a hopper 422 , a staging hopper 462 , and a blower 480 that feeds the feedstock and combustion air into a gasifier 460 .
  • Gasifier 460 may provide syngas as an output to a cyclone 426 .
  • Cyclone 426 may be configured to separate biochar that become entrained in the syngas flow and to provide the syngas to a heat exchanger 429 .
  • a char cooling auger 428 may receive the separated biochar from cyclone 426 and may collect the biochar in a hopper 484 via airlocks 482 .
  • Char cooling auger 428 may include char cooling auger 104 of FIGS. 1-3 . Char cooling auger 428 may cool the biochar prior to providing the biochar to airlocks 482 .
  • gasification system 400 may include a fan 427 configured to blow air across char cooling auger 428 to enhance heat transfer from the biochar.
  • char cooling auger 428 may include fins that are affixed to the outside of the outer tube to enhance heat transfer away from char cooling auger 428 . The fins may improve heat transfer of the biochar as it traverses char cooling auger 428 .
  • Fins 736 ( 0 - 7 ) may be extruded fin stock, folded fin stock, lanced and offset fins, or other common fins that are welded, brazed, or otherwise permanently affixed to the char cooling auger.
  • Heat exchanger 429 may extract heat from the syngas provided to it by cyclone 426 . Heat exchanger 429 may provide the cooled syngas to an engine 442 . Engine 442 may use the syngas as fuel to operate. Engine 442 may be coupled to a generator 440 , and may drive generator 440 to provide electrical power.
  • gasification system 400 may gasify feedstock generated from residual biomass.
  • the feedstock may be provided from hopper 422 to gasifier 460 via staging hopper 462 .
  • Gasification system 400 may be a continuous flow system such that the feedstock is delivered from hopper 422 to gasifier 460 via staging hopper 462 in a continuous fashion to enable an uninterrupted flow of feedstock within the combustion chamber of gasifier 460 for continual operation thereof
  • Gasifier 460 may gasify the feedstock by reacting it with heat and combustion air.
  • the combustion air may be introduced to gasifier 460 via blower 480 .
  • Blower 480 may be coupled to gasifier 460 such that airflow through gasifier 460 may be controlled in two different ways.
  • blower 480 may be connected to gasifier 460 to push combustion air into gasifier 460 , or to pull resultant gasses from gasifier 460 .
  • gasifier 460 may operate under vacuum (e.g., with blower 480 coupled between the output of gasifier 460 and the input of cyclone 426 ) or under pressure (e.g., with blower 480 coupled to an input of gasifier 460 ).
  • vacuum e.g., with blower 480 coupled between the output of gasifier 460 and the input of cyclone 426
  • pressure e.g., with blower 480 coupled to an input of gasifier 460 .
  • the use of a pressure system to inject the combustion air into gasifier 460 may reduce a likelihood of fouling of blower 480 , because the combustion air is relatively clean as compared to the syngas stream, which may include tars and other entrained particulates that can foul blower 460 and degrade its operation or cause it to malfunction.
  • the gasification system 400 may be configurable to switch between pressure and vacuum operation based on desired operating conditions.
  • Gasifier 460 may include a preheater that preheats the combustion air and feedstock using hot syngas output from the preheater prior to cyclone 426 . Heating the combustion air and/or the feedstock improves gasification efficiency. For example, heating the feedstock may reduce its moisture content prior to entering gasifier 460 . Additionally, preheating the combustion air using the generated syngas drives up system efficiency by reducing the time required for gasification temperatures within gasifier 460 to be reached.
  • Cyclone 426 may be used for separating biochar that has become entrained in the syngas flow and for providing cleaned syngas to the heat exchanger 429 .
  • Char cooling auger 428 may collect the biochar separated from the syngas by cyclone 426 and provide the collected biochar to hopper 484 via airlocks 482 .
  • Airlocks 482 may meter an amount of syngas that escapes during the transfer of the biochar to hopper 484 and when biochar is offloaded from hopper 484 , and char cooling auger 428 may cool the biochar to be within operational limits of airlocks 482 .
  • fan 427 may blow air across char cooling auger 428 to enhance cooling of the biochar.
  • heat exchanger 429 may provide cooled syngas to engine 442 .
  • Engine 442 may use the provided syngas as fuel to operate.
  • Engine 442 may be coupled to generator 440 , and may drive generator 440 to provide electrical power.
  • engine 442 and/or generator 440 may be replaced with any combination of a storage tank, a furnace, a pump, or other device which may use or be driven by the syngas produced by gasifier 460 or through which stored syngas energy or syngas can be output (turbine, blower, etc.).
  • Control system 470 may be used to control various components of gasification system 400 based on data collected from its components. In some embodiments, control system 470 may measure a power output of generator 440 to determine whether too little or too much syngas is being produced, for example, to operate engine 442 .
  • control system 470 may control char cooling auger 428 .
  • control system 470 may receive temperature data from thermocouples attached to char cooling auger 428 (e.g., thermocouples 172 and the thermocouples 170 of FIGS. 1-3 ), and may adjust the rotation speed of char cooling auger 428 based on the temperature data. If the temperature of the biochar exiting char cooling auger 428 is too high or the temperature of the biochar received from the gasifier increases, control system 470 may reduce the rotation speed of char cooling auger 428 .
  • control system 470 may increase the rotation speed of char cooling auger 428 . Further, control system 470 may control fan 427 (e.g., on or off, or control speed of the fan), in some embodiments, to enhance the heat transfer.
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 depict various views of a mobile gasification system 510 having a char cooling auger 528 according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a first perspective view of mobile gasification system 510 having char cooling auger 528 and
  • FIG. 6 is a second perspective view of mobile gasification system 510 having char cooling auger 528 .
  • Mobile gasification system 510 may implement all or a portion of gasification system 400 of FIG. 4 .
  • Mobile gasification system 510 may be a modular design that includes at least cyclone 526 , char cooling auger 528 , airlocks 582 , and hopper 584 . Cyclone 526 may be configured to separate biochar that become entrained in the syngas flow.
  • Char cooling auger 528 may receive the separated biochar from cyclone 526 and may direct the biochar to hopper 584 via airlocks 582 .
  • Char cooling auger 528 may include char cooling auger 104 of FIGS. 1-3 and/or char cooling auger 428 of FIG. 4 .
  • Char cooling auger 528 preferably cools the biochar prior to providing the biochar to airlocks 582 .
  • FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view 700 of a char cooling auger 704 according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Char cooling auger 704 may include elements that have been previously described with respect to char cooling auger 104 of FIGS. 1-3 . Those elements have been identified in FIG. 7 using the same reference numbers used in FIGS. 1-3 and operation of the common elements is as previously described. Consequently, a detailed description of the operation of these particular elements will not be repeated in the interest of brevity.
  • Char cooling auger 704 may be implemented in char cooling auger 428 of FIG. 4 and/or char cooling auger 528 of FIG. 5 .
  • Char cooling auger 704 may include an outer tube 730 that extends from a bottom plate 132 to a top plate 138 .
  • Outer tube 730 may include a first attachment band 734 and a second attachment band 736 configured to attach or support the weight of the installed char cooling auger 704 , or to attach a fan or other mechanism to char cooling auger 704 .
  • a first end of outer tube 730 may be attached to a receiving hopper 120 .
  • a second end of outer tube 730 may be attached to an outlet port 180 .
  • Outlet port 180 may provide cooled biochar to a hopper (not shown) for collection.
  • Char cooling auger 704 may include fins 736 ( 0 - 7 ) that are affixed (e.g., welded or secured via another attachment means) to the outside of outer tube 730 . Fins 736 ( 0 - 7 ) may enhance heat transfer away from outer tube 730 , which may improve heat transfer of the biochar as it traverses outer tube 730 .
  • the fins 736 ( 0 - 7 ) may be extruded fin stock, folded fin stock, lanced and offset fins, or other common fins that are welded, brazed, bolted, riveted or otherwise permanently or removably affixed to outer tube 730 so as to conduct heat.
  • Fins 736 ( 0 - 7 ) may be any shape and/or type as are commonly used to increase surface area. Outer tube 736 ( 0 - 7 ) may simply have a rough surface, such as a hammered, beaded, or blasted surface to enhance heat transfer.
  • receiving hopper 120 may receive heated biochar via inlet port 112 .
  • Receiving hopper 120 may feed (e.g., via gravity or some other feed mechanism) the heated biochar to screw conveyor 165 for transport up outer tube 130 .
  • Char cooling auger 704 may cool the biochar by conducting heat away from the biochar via outer tube 730 as it is transported from receiving hopper 120 to outlet port 180 .
  • Fins 736 ( 0 - 7 ) may enhance the heat transfer properties of outer shell 730 .
  • Fins 736 ( 0 - 7 ) may be exposed to ambient air or may be exposed to a fan or blower that blows ambient air across fins 736 ( 0 - 7 ).
  • the cooled biochar may exit char cooling auger 704 at outlet port 180 .
  • fins 736 ( 0 - 7 ) shown in FIG. 7 is exemplary. More, less, and/or different fins may be included on outer tube 730 . Further, position and orientation of individual fins differ from the position and orientation of fins in FIG. 7 , such as including fins on other or additional sides of outer tube 730 , or orienting the fins in a direction more perpendicular to the flow of the biochar within outer tube 730 .
  • char cooling auger 704 may include a shroud to direct air over fins 736 ( 0 - 7 ) and/or outer tube 730 .

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US14/846,128 2014-09-04 2015-09-04 Apparatuses, systems, cooling augers, and methods for cooling biochar Abandoned US20160068771A1 (en)

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US9631151B2 (en) 2014-09-04 2017-04-25 Ag Energy Solutions, Inc. Apparatuses, systems, tar crackers, and methods for gasifying having at least two modes of operation
US10345048B2 (en) 2016-05-12 2019-07-09 Golden Renewable Energy, LLC Cyclonic condensing and cooling system
US10436525B2 (en) 2016-05-12 2019-10-08 Golden Renewable Energy, LLC Cyclonic cooling system
US10544367B2 (en) 2016-06-21 2020-01-28 Golden Renewable Energy, LLC Char separator and method
US10633595B2 (en) 2016-06-21 2020-04-28 Golden Renewable Energy, LLC Char separator
US10731082B2 (en) 2016-07-05 2020-08-04 Braven Environmental, Llc System and process for converting waste plastic into fuel
US10883774B2 (en) * 2017-05-26 2021-01-05 Novelis Inc. Cooled conveyor for decoating systems
US10961062B2 (en) 2016-06-21 2021-03-30 Golden Renewable Energy, LLC Bag press feeder assembly
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US9567539B2 (en) 2013-09-05 2017-02-14 Ag Energy Solutions, Inc. Apparatuses, systems, mobile gasification systems, and methods for gasifying residual biomass
US9631151B2 (en) 2014-09-04 2017-04-25 Ag Energy Solutions, Inc. Apparatuses, systems, tar crackers, and methods for gasifying having at least two modes of operation
US10345048B2 (en) 2016-05-12 2019-07-09 Golden Renewable Energy, LLC Cyclonic condensing and cooling system
US10436525B2 (en) 2016-05-12 2019-10-08 Golden Renewable Energy, LLC Cyclonic cooling system
US11542434B2 (en) * 2016-06-21 2023-01-03 Golden Renewable Energy, LLC Char separator and method
US10633595B2 (en) 2016-06-21 2020-04-28 Golden Renewable Energy, LLC Char separator
US10961062B2 (en) 2016-06-21 2021-03-30 Golden Renewable Energy, LLC Bag press feeder assembly
US10544367B2 (en) 2016-06-21 2020-01-28 Golden Renewable Energy, LLC Char separator and method
US10731082B2 (en) 2016-07-05 2020-08-04 Braven Environmental, Llc System and process for converting waste plastic into fuel
US11773330B2 (en) 2016-07-05 2023-10-03 Braven Environmental, Llc System and process for converting waste plastic into fuel
US12404454B2 (en) 2016-07-05 2025-09-02 Braven Environmental, Llc System and process for converting waste plastic into fuel
US10883774B2 (en) * 2017-05-26 2021-01-05 Novelis Inc. Cooled conveyor for decoating systems
US11827859B1 (en) 2022-05-03 2023-11-28 NuPhY, Inc. Biomass gasifier system with rotating distribution manifold

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