[go: up one dir, main page]

WO2009015075A2 - Appareil pour transporter une matière vers un récipient sous pression, et son procédé - Google Patents

Appareil pour transporter une matière vers un récipient sous pression, et son procédé Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2009015075A2
WO2009015075A2 PCT/US2008/070626 US2008070626W WO2009015075A2 WO 2009015075 A2 WO2009015075 A2 WO 2009015075A2 US 2008070626 W US2008070626 W US 2008070626W WO 2009015075 A2 WO2009015075 A2 WO 2009015075A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
pressurized vessel
outlet
discharge housing
inlet
chamber
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2008/070626
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2009015075A3 (fr
Inventor
Larry E. Pearson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA2731715A priority Critical patent/CA2731715A1/fr
Publication of WO2009015075A2 publication Critical patent/WO2009015075A2/fr
Publication of WO2009015075A3 publication Critical patent/WO2009015075A3/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • C10J3/02—Fixed-bed gasification of lump fuel
    • C10J3/20—Apparatus; Plants
    • C10J3/30—Fuel charging devices
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
    • C10L—FUELS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NATURAL GAS; SYNTHETIC NATURAL GAS OBTAINED BY PROCESSES NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C10G OR C10K; LIQUIFIED PETROLEUM GAS; USE OF ADDITIVES TO FUELS OR FIRES; FIRE-LIGHTERS
    • C10L5/00—Solid fuels
    • C10L5/40—Solid fuels essentially based on materials of non-mineral origin
    • C10L5/44—Solid fuels essentially based on materials of non-mineral origin on vegetable substances
    • 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
    • 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
    • C10J2300/0913—Carbonaceous raw material
    • C10J2300/0916—Biomass
    • C10J2300/092—Wood, cellulose
    • 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
    • C10J2300/09—Details of the feed, e.g. feeding of spent catalyst, inert gas or halogens
    • C10J2300/0953—Gasifying agents
    • C10J2300/0959—Oxygen
    • 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
    • C10J2300/0973—Water
    • 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
    • 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
    • Y02E50/30—Fuel from waste, e.g. synthetic alcohol or diesel
    • 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
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P20/00—Technologies relating to chemical industry
    • Y02P20/141—Feedstock
    • Y02P20/145—Feedstock the feedstock being materials of biological origin

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for conveying fibrous, solid and slurry materials, such as granulated wood, rice hulls, chopped cane and the like, to a pressurized vessel.
  • the material being conveyed is compacted in the feeder in a controlled manner to create a seal at the feeder exit to the pressurized vessel which maintains the pressure in the vessel.
  • the invention is particularly useful when used in conjunction with a biomass reactor for the production of gas selectively rich in hydrogen and carbon containing components, such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and methane, which in turn, may be converted into a select end product fuel, such as methanol or ethanol or used as a feed gas for an industrial power plant, such as the biomass reactor for producing gas described in U.S. Patent No. 6,767,375 owned by the inventor of the present invention.
  • Gasification of biomass material such as wood, woodchips, sawdust, wood charcoal, rice, sugar cane hulls and other particulate cellulosic materials has become of increasing interest and importance because of the volatility of petroleum prices, dwindling of fossil fuels, such as domestic petroleum and natural gas resources and the increased dependence of the United States on international imports of these fuels.
  • Gasification of coal and biomass has been practiced for over one hundred years and there are many varieties and types of gasifiers and methods of gasification.
  • One method of gasification applicable to biomass material is pyrolysis. Pyrolysis is the breakdown of the biomass by heat at elevated temperatures (e.g.
  • an intermediate gas which is ultimately transformed into a market fuel (gas or liquid such as methane or ethanol).
  • a transport gas such as oxygen or steam
  • an intermediate gas containing carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen useful in later conversion into fuel such as ethanol, methanol, ammonia or methane.
  • other gas additions such as air or nitrogen, may be used for synthesis gas having other makeup required for different end products.
  • the present invention is particularly useful when used in conjunction with the biomass reactor for producing gas as described in U.S. Patent No. 6,767,375 ('"375 Patent”) owned by the inventor of the present invention.
  • the '375 patent provides an improved method and apparatus for producing a synthesis gas from a biomass feed material.
  • the '375 patent incorporates a reactor vessel heated, at least in part, by a heat source such as an electric or natural gas heating unit.
  • the reactor vessel generally includes a helical coil or conduit of many turns utilized for carrying the biomass feed material and an appropriate transport gas, throughout which the pyrolytic process is performed.
  • Some embodiments of the helical coil may have a cooling system associated with at least a portion of a support system interconnecting the helical coil with the reactor vessel.
  • the many turns of this helical coil may be disposed in the vessel in a number of appropriate locations, but are preferably disposed adjacent a sidewall of the reactor vessel. This preferred arrangement of the coil relative to the reactor vessel may be said to provide an air gap between the coil and the vessel sufficient to produce convective heating.
  • the coil generally receives a feed of the biomass material, preferably in ground or granulated form, which is mixed and transported through the reactor coil utilizing the transport gas.
  • the transport gas may provide heat and/or chemical support to the pyro lysis process in addition to the externally supplied heat that is utilized to transform the biomass material into a target synthesis gas in the reactor coil.
  • the rate of and control over the pyrolysis process in the reactor coil are preferably effected by the inclusion of separated radiant and convective heat zones in the reactor vessel.
  • These heat zones may generally be determined by the location of a heat shield disposed in the vessel.
  • This heat shield may exhibit any of a number of appropriate designs.
  • the heat shield includes an at least generally cylindrical section.
  • this heat shield may be disposed in any effective location relative to the coil. It is, however, preferred that the heat shield be located at least generally, concentrically of the coil. Further, it is also generally preferred that this heat shield be located in an upper region of the vessel above the heat source.
  • the heat shield preferably includes a truncated conical section disposed toward a bottom of the heat shield (closed at an end nearest the heat source) to better establish transition between the radiant and convective heat zones and to facilitate convective heating in the respective zone.
  • the reactor vessel includes a pressurized mixing vessel in which the biomass feed material is collected, mixed and supplied to the reactor coil.
  • This pressurized vessel may include a number of appropriate mechanisms capable of maintaining a seal against a loss of operating pressure within the mixing chamber while promoting the biomass feed material and/or the transport gas to pass therethrough.
  • a transport gas utilized to mix and transport the biomass feed and carry it to the reactor is input into the pressurized vessel.
  • the biomass feed materials are generally added to the pressurized vessel at atmospheric pressure, or at some lower pressure than that of the mixer; thus, there would be backflow of the transport gas through the feeding mechanism and into the vessel containing the feed material unless there is an adequate seal between the vessels.
  • the material is introduced into the pressurized vessel from a hopper through a veined rotary valve.
  • the hopper contains bulk raw material which is supplied to the rotary valve by means of a conventional metering rotary valve feeding the amount of biomass feed material to the pressurized vessel preferably in a manner and/or at a rate sufficient for a particular gas output.
  • the rotary valve is preferably operated at a higher RPM than the metering valve.
  • one function of the rotary valve is to at least generally seal the interior of the pressurized vessel to the atmosphere. This generally helps maintain gas pressure within the system as well as promote the pressurized feed of mixed biomass and transport gas traveling from the pressurized vessel to the reactor.
  • the biomass feed is introduced into the pressurized vessel by means of a rotary valve which may be rotated utilizing any appropriate means, such as an electric motor.
  • the rotary valve may be said to facilitate the supply of material in being moved into the lower portion of the drop tube and toward the bottom of the pressurized vessel.
  • the metering valve and the rotary valve are interconnected by an upper portion as the drop tube.
  • the drop tube may be said to contain the biomass feed as a transit to and from the rotary valve.
  • the '375 patent system utilizes a rotary vane valve as a feeder which has several issues.
  • One issue with that design is pocket plugging.
  • the feed material initially falls into the pockets of the valve. This material is compressed as the pressure from the system enters the pockets. Moisture in the material or from the system transport gas causes the material to stick in the pocket. The material does not exit the pocket at the discharge position, but is carried around to the feed inlet position where less material can enter the pocket. This continues until the pocket is full of material and the feed system is completely plugged.
  • Temperature variations also cause problems for the rotary valve feeder.
  • the heat from the transport gas is transferred to the rotary valve feeder which causes expansion and contraction.
  • the lower portions of the rotary valve are exposed to greater heat than the lower portions; therefore, the expansion is not uniform throughout the valve.
  • the seal created by the rotary valve is dependent on a very close tolerance between the rotating vanes and the rotary valve body. Temperature variations in the rotary valve components change these tolerances and cause either loss of pressure and leakage (if the tolerance is increased) or damage to the valve and seizing of the valve (if the tolerance decreases).
  • the pressurized vessel may prevent the material from exiting the pocket at the valve outlet.
  • a inert gas such as nitrogen is typically used to pressurize the pocket. Nitrogen dilutes the transport gas and requires larger system components to handle the required amount of transport gas plus the additional inert gas. The present invention eliminates the need to pressurize the feeder.
  • the rotary valve pockets fill with pressurized transport gas.
  • the pressurized transport gas must be evacuated before the valve pocket returns to the feed inlet position. If not, the transport gas will discharge into the feed inlet area and a smaller amount of feed material or none at all will be able to enter the rotary valve pocket.
  • the discharge of transport gas containing moisture at the feed inlet introduces moisture into the feed material and may cause plugging at the feed inlet.
  • the present invention is an improvement over the '375 patent feed system and allows for conveying fibrous solid and slurry materials, such as biomass materials, in a uniform matter. It utilizes the material itself to maintain the seal, thus allowing a vessel, such as a mixer, to maintain its pressure while material is being added to it.
  • the present invention solves the challenges listed above by blocking flow of the transport gas from the pressurized vessel into the feeder with the material plug, hi the present invention, the material is only exposed to the transport gas beyond the conveying means at the point where it is discharged, so there is no potential for moist feed material to plug the conveying means. Likewise, a close tolerance between rotating and stationary parts is not critical to maintain a seal.
  • the moving parts do not rotate past stationary parts which are at different temperatures as with the rotary valve.
  • the conveying mechanism of the present invention does not contact the transport gas thus the exhaust cycle for removing trapped transport gas from the empty rotary valve pocket is eliminated.
  • auger systems such as those which feed plastic pellets into injection molding machines, hi those systems, the plastic pellets melt and flow uniformly into the auger which transports the plastic into the injection molding machine.
  • the present invention differs from those systems because it is able to handle many different compositions of fibrous solid and slurry materials which otherwise tend to flow non- uniformly and provides a uniform flow of material into a pressurized vessel.
  • the present invention provides an improved apparatus and method for conveying fibrous solid and slurry materials into a pressurized vessel while maintaining the pressure in that vessel by utilizing the material to create a seal.
  • One use of the present invention is to feed material into a flowing gas stream at a pressure.
  • Another use of the present invention is to feed material into a vessel, grinder, processing machine or the like which is at a pressure.
  • Figure 1 is a side view of the conveying apparatus including a cross section of the discharge housing.
  • Figure 2 is a side view of the conveying apparatus including a cross section of the discharge housing with a cut away showing the auger.
  • Figure 3 is a side, cross sectional view of the discharge housing showing the conical end being forced out of the material retention chamber.
  • Figure 4 is a side, cross sectional view of the discharge housing showing the material retention chamber open and material exiting the material retention chamber.
  • Figure 5 is a side, cross sectional view of the discharge housing showing the material retention chamber closed off by the conical end.
  • Figure 6 is a perspective view of the conveying apparatus as attached to the pressurized vessel.
  • the present invention includes an auger 4 enclosed in a pipe 1 with an inlet 5 and an outlet 10 for transporting biomass material.
  • Figure 2 shows the auger 4
  • the auger 4 is powered by a drive motor 6 (See Figure 6).
  • the pipe 1 and auger 4 are made of any durable material such as carbon steel or stainless steel.
  • the abrasiveness and hardness of the material should be considered by those skilled in the art when determining the particular materials of construction of the pipe 1 and auger 4. Because the auger 4 is forcing the biomass material against the interior walls of the pipe 1, those more highly abrasive materials may cause considerable frictional wear on the interior walls of pipe 1 and auger 4.
  • those skilled in the art should recognize the higher the speed of auger 4, the greater the likely wear on the pipe 1 and auger 4.
  • the speed of auger 4 (and thus the material feed speed) should be relatively minimized to reduce wear to a tolerable level.
  • the material is a fibrous, biomass feed, such as saw dust — a byproduct of processing lumber for use in furniture production or as building material at commercial sawmills, but the material could be any solid or slurry biomass material.
  • the inlet 5 is connected to a metering device (not shown) which controls the feed rate of the material to be conveyed by the auger 4 to the pressurized vessel 2.
  • the metering device can be any commercially available metering device such as a metering screw, belt feeder, rotary valve or the like, such as the Fuller-Kovako rotary feeder illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 6,767,375).
  • the rate of material transfer is not controlled by the auger 4 speed, but by the speed of the metering device; therefore, to avoid accumulation of feed material at the inlet 5, the auger 4 should be operated at a speed capable of handling more material than is being conveyed by the metering device.
  • the ratio of metering device outlet speed to auger 4 speed is dependent on many parameters such as size, type of material, and type of metering device. For example, in one embodiment, the auger runs between 10 % to 33% faster than the metering device.
  • the outlet 10 is adjacent to a discharge housing 15 at a first side opening 16 in the discharge housing 15.
  • the discharge housing 15 also has a second side opening 17 and a bottom opening 18.
  • a material retention chamber 20 is disposed between the outlet 10 of the pipe 1 and the first side opening 16 of the discharge housing 15.
  • the material retention chamber 20 extends into the discharge housing 15. hi one embodiment the material retention chamber 20 is created by a portion of the pipe 1 which extends beyond the auger 4. In another embodiment, the material retention chamber 20 is a separate section of pipe attached to the outlet 10 of pipe 1.
  • the material retention chamber 20 has a chamber inlet 21 and a chamber outlet 22.
  • a piston 25 is connected to the discharge housing 15 at the second side opening 17.
  • the piston 25 is comprised of a cylinder 26 and a plunger 27 which is enclosed in the cylinder 26.
  • the plunger 27 moves horizontally within the cylinder 26 when pressure is applied to either end of the cylinder 26.
  • the plunger has a conical end 28 which extends into the discharge housing 15 and a rear end 29 which is enclosed in the cylinder 26.
  • the conical end 28 may be made of plastic or metal and has a smooth surface, however having a surface sufficiently suitable wear resistant to withstand the frictional flow of the compressed biomass material, hi one embodiment, pressure is applied to the rear end 29 of the cylinder 26 by an air or hydraulic pressure system through pressure fitting 32.
  • the pressure setting is controlled as part of the overall control of the conveying system.
  • the air or hydraulic pressure setting can be controlled or correlated to the power input of the auger 4, for instance by monitoring the drive motor 6. In another embodiment, the pressure control can be set to adjust the air or hydraulic load to keep the pressure higher.
  • the pressure on the cylinder is set so that the plunger 27 extends out of the cylinder 26 and into the discharge housing 15 far enough that the conical end 28 is inserted into the chamber outlet 22 of the material retention chamber 20 closing the material retention chamber 20 off from the discharge housing 15.
  • the amount of pressure set on the rear end 29 of the plunger 27 and the horsepower delivered by the auger 4 varies according to the characteristics of the material, such as particle size, moisture, compressibility, friability, and elasticity to name a few. For example, finer, dry materials require more pressure to compress to a consistency where the gas will not permeate through void spaces in the mixture and the auger 4 must deliver more horsepower.
  • Coarse, wet materials require less pressure to compress because the moisture fills void spaces more readily and prevents any gas from permeating through the plug and the auger 4 can deliver less horsepower.
  • the total horsepower delivered by the auger must overcome both the wall friction and the cone pressure.
  • the cone pressure adds to the wall friction to give the required total compaction power.
  • the material plug 23 thus creates a seal between the pipe 1 and the discharge housing 15 preventing the backflow of gas from the pressurized vessel 2 into the pipe 1 when the conical end 28 is not itself inserted into the material retention chamber 20.
  • the auger 4 feeds enough new material into the material retention chamber 20 to maintain the material plug 23.
  • the pressure on rear end 29 forces the plunger 27 to move horizontally in the cylinder 26, extending the plunger 27 far enough into the discharge housing 15 that it is reinserted into the chamber outlet 22. (See Figure 5)
  • the pressure setting on the rear end 29 of the plunger 27 and the speed of the auger 4 are parameters that are controlled to maintain the material plug 23 and the seal it creates.
  • the speed of the auger 4 should be set such that the material discharge rate exceeds the rate of permeation of the pressurized gas from pressurized vessel 2 through the plug 23.
  • the auger 4 runs at a constant speed to ensure no accumulation of material at the inlet 5 and a constant rate of discharge of material at chamber outlet 22.
  • the auger 4 speed varies, but is dependent on the metering device speed and is maintained at a speed slightly greater than the metering device speed. This would be particularly useful in situations where the operating parameters of the pressurized vessel fluctuate.
  • the auger 4 speed will be set to never drop below a minimum speed in order to maintain the plug 23 and seal and prevent the loss of system pressure. This would also be particularly useful in situations where the operating parameters of the pressurized vessel fluctuate.
  • the amount of pressure on the rear end 29 of the plunger 27 is dependent on the characteristics of the feed material and the pressure of the pressurized vessel 2. In one embodiment, the pressure on the rear end 29 is varied by adjusting the horsepower delivered by the auger or the speed of the auger. In another embodiment, the pressure on the rear end 29 is 30 psig greater than the maximum system pressure in the pressurized vessel 2.
  • the size of the material retention chamber 20 and the distance from the chamber outlet 22 and the conical end 28 of the plunger 27 varies according to the type, grain size, moisture content, and other characteristics of the material.
  • the angle of vertex of a cone is the angle between the axis of the cone and the sloped side of the cone. The larger the diameter of the material retention chamber 20, the greater the degree of the angle of the vertex of the cone of the conical end 28.
  • the diameter of the base of conical end 28 should be equal to or greater than the diameter of chamber outlet 22 so that the conical end 28 creates a seal. In other embodiments where the material is drier and resists free flow, the diameter of the base of conical end 28 is less than the diameter of chamber outlet 22.
  • the pressure, speed of auger controlled to maintain seal 23 is very dependent on the type of material biomass material which is being fed.
  • the pressure applied to the plunger should produce a force on the sawdust plug in the range of 15 to 25 psi. This is applicable to examples 1 and 2, below and assumes an auger speed which is 10 to 50% greater than the metering flow. Changes in the compaction nature of the material, as for materials other than the sawdust preferably used, will cause this requirement to change. As stated above, finer materials (including sawdust) will require higher compaction to ensure that the reactor gases do not permeate backwards through the sealing plug 23. This requires plug forces which produce more than the 15 to 40 psi which are used for the materials of the examples.
  • the force 15 to 40 psi, is in the range of the pressures sealed against in the illustrative examples.
  • the plunger force applied to the sawdust should equal the reactor pressure.
  • Angle of the vertex of cone as compared to the size of chamber varies depending on material type and it is important to ensure that adequate force is applied to the sawdust (and any processed biomass material) to deliver the required compaction to seal against pressure leakage at the plug 23.
  • the cone also serves to break up the plug (i.e., change the direction of the biomass material flow) so that it can enter the steam entrainment area.
  • the cone angle must also increase. It is appropriate angles for materials other than the sawdust of the examples disclosed must be optimized to maintain the flow and plug however it is expected that that the angles will be between 45 and 80 degrees. For very large chamber diameters, it is anticipated that cone angles of slightly less than 90 degrees will be appropriate, albeit appearing as almost be a flat plate. The ultimate cone angle limit is 90 degrees.
  • Example 1 The following is an example of the apparatus of the present invention.
  • the material retention chamber 20 has a three inch diameter, the angle of the vertex of the cone of the conical end 28 is approximately 45 degrees, the utilized motor horsepower is 10 hp, the maximum speed of the auger is 50 rpm, and the auger diameter is 3 inches.
  • the sawdust wood rate of feed is about 100 pounds per hour and the reactor pressure is 10 psig, the sawdust has an average moisture of about 10% and grain top size of about 1/8 inch.
  • Example 2 The following is an example of a second embodiment of apparatus of the present invention.
  • the material is sawdust and the material retention chamber 20 has an eight inch diameter, the angle of the vertex of the cone of the conical end 28 is between 70 and 80 degrees.
  • the auger speed is 25 rpm, producing a feed rate of about 800 pounds of sawdust per hour with a reactor pressure of about 40 psig.
  • the useful horsepower of the motor is 15 hp.
  • the auger size is 8 inches in diameter. When the pressurized vessel 2 is run at 30 psig, the pressure on the rear end 29 is 60 psig. It is noted that the 50% increase of horsepower utilized in example 2 represents the ratio of frictional area over the volume for the diameter (3 vs. 8 inches) of the feeders.
  • the ratio of the metering device flow to auger speed be an auger speed which will deliver 10% more flow than the metering device. Running at less of a ratio usually induces problems with buildup in the auger inlet. It is preferable to generally operate at an auger speed which will deliver 25 to 50% more flow than the metering device. It is noted that running at auger speeds of 200 to 300% of the metering device can be maintained, there is little useful effect. It is observed that to avoid excessive wear in the feeder stream, the 25 to 50% range appears to be appropriate for most applications.
  • a grinder 32 may be attached to the bottom opening 18 to break up the material as it enters the pressurized vessel 2 through the feed inlet 31 (See Figure 2).
  • a grinder 32 may be included depending on the material and its moisture content. For material that is nominally dry and friable enough to break up on its own, like sawdust, a grinder 32 is not required. However, a grinder 32 is useful for materials which have a higher moisture content and exhibit a paste-like consistency when compacted, like chicken litter.
  • the grinder 32 may be any device which helps break up clumped material and maintain a uniform flow into the pressurized vessel 2.
  • Some examples of acceptable configurations of grinders 32 are a rotating drum against rotating drum or breaker plate, but any commercially available grinder that is contained within the system piping and does not allow accumulation of material above the grinder 32 is acceptable.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Processing Of Solid Wastes (AREA)
  • Filling Or Emptying Of Bunkers, Hoppers, And Tanks (AREA)
  • Solid Fuels And Fuel-Associated Substances (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un appareil et un procédé améliorés pour transformer des matières fibreuses, solides et en bouillie, comme du bois granulé, des cosses de riz, de la canne à sucre coupée et analogue, vers un récipient sous pression, où la matière transportée est compactée dans le dispositif d'alimentation d'une manière contrôlée pour créer un joint d'étanchéité au niveau de la sortie de dispositif d'alimentation dans le récipient sous pression, de sorte que la pression de traitement dans le récipient est maintenue. L'invention est particulièrement utile lorsqu'elle est utilisée en association avec un réacteur à biomasse pour la production d'un gaz sélectivement riche en composants contenant de l'hydrogène et du carbone, comme du monoxyde de carbone, du dioxyde de carbone et du méthane, pouvant à son tour être transformé en un combustible de produit final sélectionné, comme du méthanol ou de l'éthanol, ou être utilisé en tant que gaz d'alimentation pour une centrale industrielle, comme le réacteur à biomasse pour la production de gaz.
PCT/US2008/070626 2007-07-21 2008-07-21 Appareil pour transporter une matière vers un récipient sous pression, et son procédé Ceased WO2009015075A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA2731715A CA2731715A1 (fr) 2007-07-21 2008-07-21 Appareil pour transporter une matiere vers un recipient sous pression, et son procede

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US95119807P 2007-07-21 2007-07-21
US60/951,198 2007-07-21

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009015075A2 true WO2009015075A2 (fr) 2009-01-29
WO2009015075A3 WO2009015075A3 (fr) 2009-12-30

Family

ID=40263710

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2008/070626 Ceased WO2009015075A2 (fr) 2007-07-21 2008-07-21 Appareil pour transporter une matière vers un récipient sous pression, et son procédé

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US20090019771A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2731715A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2009015075A2 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10575883B2 (en) 2014-12-15 2020-03-03 Smith & Nephew, Inc. Active fracture compression implants

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100275514A1 (en) * 2009-04-14 2010-11-04 Packer Engineering, Inc. Biomass gasification/pyrolysis system and process
ES2514644T3 (es) * 2009-08-27 2014-10-28 Inbicon A/S Métodos y dispositivos de bombeo de partículas
US8834604B2 (en) * 2010-09-16 2014-09-16 Volt Research, Llc High temperature gas processing system and method for making the same
US10190065B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2019-01-29 Mark E. Koenig Feed delivery system and method for gasifier
GB2511889B8 (en) * 2013-03-15 2018-05-02 Koenig Mark Method for processing material for a gasifier
US9592963B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2017-03-14 Mark E. Koenig Outlet tube for a material transfer system

Family Cites Families (32)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2067480A (en) * 1935-07-18 1937-01-12 Roza Corp De Process of manufacture of pulp
FR1364035A (fr) * 1963-05-06 1964-06-19 Houilleres Bassin Du Nord Dispositif de chargement de fours à coke
US3841465A (en) * 1972-03-06 1974-10-15 Awt Systems Inc Solids feed to a pressurized reactor
US4001452A (en) * 1975-09-10 1977-01-04 Central Soya Company, Inc. Method of preparing animal food pellets
US4186658A (en) * 1977-01-24 1980-02-05 Stake Technology Ltd. Apparatus for conveying particulate material
SE416481B (sv) * 1977-05-02 1981-01-05 Mo Och Domsjoe Ab Fofarande och anordning for behandling av vedflis for avlegsnande av tungmetaller och harts
US4346653A (en) * 1980-02-22 1982-08-31 General Defense Corporation Method and apparatus for refuse disposal
US4285271A (en) * 1980-04-14 1981-08-25 Koppers Company, Inc. Seal plate drive for use with apparatus for pressure feeding and pressure cooking a food product
DE3168397D1 (en) * 1980-11-20 1985-02-28 Simmering Graz Pauker Ag Process and apparatus for producing cellulose
US4415339A (en) * 1981-04-06 1983-11-15 The United States Of America As Represented By The Department Of Energy Solar coal gasification reactor with pyrolysis gas recycle
US4491504A (en) * 1983-01-27 1985-01-01 The Bauer Bros. Co. Apparatus for treating cellulosic material with a screw feeder extending internally within a treatment vessel
US4922650A (en) * 1987-12-14 1990-05-08 Kikkoman Corporation System for manufacturing solid medium
US5236470A (en) * 1989-04-04 1993-08-17 Advanced Waste Treatment Technology, Inc. Method for the gasification of coal and other carbonaceous material
US5022328A (en) * 1990-08-16 1991-06-11 Ensco, Inc. Shredder/compactor auger system
US5257586A (en) * 1992-02-26 1993-11-02 Davenport Ricky W Method and apparatus for feeding to a rotary device
US6553901B2 (en) * 1996-09-13 2003-04-29 Jeffrey Reddoch Drilling fluid recovery and cuttings processing system
US6767375B1 (en) * 1999-08-25 2004-07-27 Larry E. Pearson Biomass reactor for producing gas
DE10046487C2 (de) * 2000-09-20 2003-02-20 Thyssen Krupp Encoke Gmbh Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Planieren von Kohle in einem Koksofen
US6276286B1 (en) * 2000-10-10 2001-08-21 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy Compression device for feeding a waste material to a reactor
CA2324053A1 (fr) * 2000-10-20 2002-04-20 Malahat Systems Corporation Gazeifieur
IL144718A (en) * 2001-08-02 2006-12-10 T G E Tech Ltd Method and facility for the treatment of household waste
AU2003209591A1 (en) * 2002-02-22 2003-09-09 Gilles Gervais Process of treating lignocellulosic material to produce bio-ethanol
US6780331B2 (en) * 2002-04-02 2004-08-24 Science Applications International Corporation Ozonation of contaminated liquids under high pressure
US6799525B2 (en) * 2002-09-13 2004-10-05 General Electric Company Automatic coal damper
AT412787B (de) * 2003-03-10 2005-07-25 Andritz Ag Maschf Verfahren und vorrichtung zum austragen von lignozellulosem rohmaterial aus einem kocher und zur förderung des rohmaterials zu einem refiner
US7717046B2 (en) * 2005-04-29 2010-05-18 Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc. High pressure dry coal slurry extrusion pump
US20060272557A1 (en) * 2005-06-06 2006-12-07 Freight Pipeline Company Method to feed biomass tablets and logs into burners
US7644668B2 (en) * 2005-10-28 2010-01-12 Atomic Energy Council Feeding system for plasma melting-furnace
US7815741B2 (en) * 2006-11-03 2010-10-19 Olson David A Reactor pump for catalyzed hydrolytic splitting of cellulose
US7976259B2 (en) * 2007-07-16 2011-07-12 Joe David Craig System for feeding biomass into a pressurized vessel
US7819976B2 (en) * 2007-08-22 2010-10-26 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Biomass treatment method
US8702058B2 (en) * 2010-04-27 2014-04-22 Diamond Power International, Inc. Wear-resistant valve for transporting particulate matter and method of making

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10575883B2 (en) 2014-12-15 2020-03-03 Smith & Nephew, Inc. Active fracture compression implants

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20090019771A1 (en) 2009-01-22
WO2009015075A3 (fr) 2009-12-30
CA2731715A1 (fr) 2009-01-29

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20090019771A1 (en) Apparatus to convey material to a pressurized vessel and method for the same
US7926750B2 (en) Compactor feeder
JP5469616B2 (ja) 加圧容器内に供給するバイオマス搬送装置
EP2764910B1 (fr) Système de démarrage d'un procédé destiné à fournir un matériau solide particulaire à un réacteur sous pression
US7976259B2 (en) System for feeding biomass into a pressurized vessel
CA2744422C (fr) Procedes et dispositifs de transfert continu de matiere particulaire et/ou fibreuse entre deux zones presentant des temperatures et des pressions differentes
US20090022570A1 (en) System, method and apparatus for feeding biomass into a pressurized vessel
US20120182827A1 (en) Process for continuous dry conveying of carbonaceous materials subject to partial oxidization to a pressurized gasification reactor
US20150299587A1 (en) Device for conveying fuels into a gasification reactor
JP7669477B2 (ja) プラスチック変換供給システム
US10421245B2 (en) Pellet mill with addition of fluid
US9267085B2 (en) Systems and methods for processing solid powders
RU127068U1 (ru) Технологическая линия по производству топливных брикетов
US20050081766A1 (en) Feeder for high moisture content coal
JP2004091570A (ja) 粉粒体供給装置
RU2376132C1 (ru) Реторта для размола древесины и сушки древесной муки для композиционного материала
EP1836440B1 (fr) Dispositif d'alimentation de combustibles derives de dechets dans des appareils de combustion
JPS58500666A (ja) ガス発生器に燃料を供給する方法および装置
YASUDA et al. Adaptability of wood biomass to fixed bed gasifier controlling bed height
WO2003050450A1 (fr) Dispositif d'alimentation permettant l'injection de biocarburants fibreux dans un reacteur sous la pression atmospherique ou dans un reacteur a pression controlee
WO2005000715A1 (fr) Agitateur d'entrainement de combustibles solides, systeme d'alimentation et generateur de gaz muni d'un tel agitateur
Basu Solid Handling Systems for Fluidized Beds
AU2002366649A1 (en) Feeder for injecting fibrous biomass fuels into a reactor at atmospheric pressure or into a pressurized reactor
AU2002344710A1 (en) A feeder for high moisture content coal
JP2004051259A (ja) 粉粒体供給装置

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 08796362

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A2

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 08796362

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A2

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 2731715

Country of ref document: CA