WO2021181427A1

WO2021181427A1 - An apparatus for continuous conversion of biomass and or refuse derived fuel in to carbon enriched fuel

Info

Publication number: WO2021181427A1
Application number: PCT/IN2021/050254
Authority: WO
Inventors: Samthur Kalimuthu SIVAKUMAR
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-03-13
Filing date: 2021-03-13
Publication date: 2021-09-16
Anticipated expiration: 2022-09-13

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and method for generating charcoal. The apparatus (100) includes a torrefaction reactor (102) including a rotating drum (108) a furnace (110). The rotating drum (108) is adapted to receive the in-feed raw material via a hopper (104) by using a feeder (106) coupled to a feeding side (112) of the torrefaction reactor (102). The furnace (110) includes a plurality of burners (124) configured to indirectly heat the in-feed raw material for generating volatiles (126). An ignition chamber (138) and a heat exchanger (144) configured to generate hot flue gas (140) and hot air (148) to torrefy the in-feed raw material. A torrefied mass collector drum (156) coupled at a discharge side (154) configured to continuously receive the torrefied mass generated in the torrefaction reactor (102).

Description

AN APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUS CONVERSION OF BIOMASS AND OR REFUSE DERIVED FUEL IN TO CARBON ENRICHED FUEL

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a torrefaction system and or apparatus and, more particularly relates, to the torrefaction apparatus for continuous production of carbon enriched fuel from a refuse derived fuel (RDF) and/or a lignocellulosic biomass.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In recent times, generation of solid waste (or municipal solid waste (MSW)) and biomass has increased has increased tremendously due to industrialized society and human consumption. The most common solid waste and biomass are agricultural residue, biomass, and refuse derived fuel (RDF) etc. Thus, disposal of the solid waste is the major responsibility to avoid various health hazards. Conventional disposal techniques for disposing the solid waste include dumping the solid waste into large pits in an empty area (land filling), burning the solid waste (thermal decomposition), decomposing using chemicals and the like. However, the conventional disposal techniques for disposing the solid waste have limitations, such as the land becoming useless for a long period of time due to compromise in the soil fertility, degeneration of ground water, release of pollutants, harmful byproducts from chemical reaction, respiratory health diseases, and the like. Further, the disposal of solid waste has become an increasingly difficult task in view of the increasing population in urban and suburban areas and the increasing number of industries generating solid waste.

[0003] Over time, due to technological advancement, torrefaction reactors are devised for converting the solid waste (RDF, biomass, or agriculture residue) into useful fuel (e.g., charcoal). The useful fuel generated from the aforementioned solid waste may have a low calorific value due to lack of control over parameters associated with the conversion of the solid waste to the carbon enriched fuel. Thus, manual intervention is required for maintaining the parameters at an optimum value for generating charcoal. This makes the process cumbersome, laborious, time consuming and increases the operational cost for generating the charcoal. In addition, the charcoal generated from such techniques tends may be deformed during the process, as the charcoal may subject to blockages or vault formations during its movement in the reactors. Further, as the generated solid waste is increasing, the bulk production of charcoal from the solid waste may not be feasible due to manual control of the parameters and due to the permeability of the raw materials (solid waste) or the charcoal in bulk is irregular.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for techniques to overcome one or more limitations stated above in addition to providing other technical advantages.

SUMMARY

[0005] Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus for continuous conversion of biomass and/or refuse derived fuel (RDF) into carbon enriched fuel.

[0006] In an embodiment, an apparatus for torrefying an in-feed raw material including at least one of a refuse derived fuel (RDF) and a lignocellulosic biomass is disclosed. The apparatus includes a torrefaction reactor. The torrefaction reactor includes a rotating drum configured to rotate about an axis of rotation and adapted to receive the in-feed raw material from a hopper by using a feeder coupled to a feeding side of the torrefaction reactor. The feeder is configured to prevent oxygen entering the rotating drum, while feeding the in-feed raw material. A furnace including a plurality of burners. The plurality of burners is configured to indirectly heat the in-feed raw material within the rotating drum for generating volatiles. The apparatus includes a settling tank coupled to the torrefaction reactor via a gas duct from the torrefaction reactor. The settling tank includes one or more baffle plates arranged therein. The settling tank is configured to receive the volatiles. The volatiles enable tar to settle at a bottom portion of the settling tank as the volatiles traverse within the settling tank. The apparatus includes an ignition chamber operatively coupled to the torrefaction reactor. The ignition chamber is configured to generate hot flue gas by burning the volatiles received from the settling tank. Further, the apparatus includes a heat exchanger operatively coupled to the torrefaction reactor. The heat exchanger is configured to generate hot air from waste flue gas received from the furnace. The hot flue gas and the hot air from the ignition chamber, and the heat exchanger, respectively are transmitted to the furnace for torrefying the in-feed raw material. The apparatus includes a torrefied mass collector drum coupled to a discharge side of the torrefaction reactor. The torrefied mass collector drum is configured to continuously receive a torrefied mass generated in the torrefaction reactor. The torrefied mass collector drum is allowed to airlock, for maintaining low oxygen environment by one or more flanges.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0007] The following detailed description of illustrative embodiments is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, exemplary constructions of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to a specific device or a tool and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale. Wherever possible, like elements have been indicated by identical numbers:

[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of an apparatus, depicting a torrefaction reactor for torrefying in-feed raw material, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0009] FIG. 2A-2D illustrate a simplified schematic representation of the apparatus of FIG. 1, depicting a feeding systems for feeding the in-feed raw material, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates the simplified schematic representation of the apparatus of FIG. 1, depicting a discharging system for discharging torrefied mass from the system, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates the simplified schematic representation of the apparatus of FIG. 1, depicting another discharging system for discharging torrefied mass from the system, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates the simplified schematic representation of the apparatus of FIG. 1, depicting another discharging system for discharging torrefied mass from the system, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] The drawings referred to in this description are not to be understood as being drawn to scale except if specifically noted, and such drawings are only exemplary in nature. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present disclosure can be practiced without these specific details. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

[0015] Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not for other embodiments.

[0016] Moreover, although the following description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone skilled in the art will appreciate that many variations and/or alterations to said details are within the scope of the present disclosure. Similarly, although many of the features of the present disclosure are described in terms of each other, or in conjunction with each other, one skilled in the art will appreciate that many of these features can be provided independently of other features. Accordingly, this description of the present disclosure is set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the present disclosure.

OVERVIEW

[0017] Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide apparatuses (or systems) for converting a refuse derived fuel (RDF) and/or lignocellulosic biomass into charcoal. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a torrefaction reactor including a rotating drum disposed within a furnace. The rotating drum is configured to receive the in-feed raw material from a hopper by using a feeder coupled to a feeding side of the torrefaction reactor. The feeder is configured to prevent oxygen entering the rotating drum, while feeding the in-feed raw material. The furnace includes a plurality of burners that is configured to heat the in-feed raw material within the rotating drum for generating volatiles. In one example scenario, the in-feed raw material may be subjected to pre-processing based on the type of the in-feed raw material (e.g., bales form or de-baled form). In an embodiment, the feeder includes an airlock feeding piston pushing system operated by at least one of a hydraulic, a pneumatic and a motorized means for feeding the in-feed raw material from the hopper into the rotating drum. In another embodiment, the feeder includes a double door system that is operated by at least one of a hydraulic, a pneumatic and a motorized means. The double door system is configured to feed the in-feed raw material either in form of bales or loose and convey to a first screw conveyor or airlock piston pushing system which in turn feed the in-feed raw material into the rotating drum. In yet another embodiment, the feeder includes a screw conveying system operated by a motorized means for feeding the in-feed raw material from the hopper into the rotating drum. In some embodiments, the feeder includes a rotary valve airlock system operated by a motorized means for feeding the in-feed raw material from the hopper either in form of bales or loose and convey to a second screw conveyor or airlock piston pushing system which in turn feed the in- feed raw material into the rotating drum.

[0018] Further, the system includes an ignition chamber operatively coupled to the torrefaction reactor. The ignition chamber is configured to generate hot flue gas by burning the volatiles received from the settling tank. The hot flue gas is transmitted to the torrefaction reactor to torrefy the in-feed raw material. Further, the system includes a heat exchanger configured to generate hot air by receiving air from an outer atmosphere and waste flue gas from the furnace under the influence of a second blower. The hot air is then transmitted to the torrefaction reactor. The hot air and the hot flue gas transmitted to the torrefaction reactor are configured to indirectly heat the in-feed raw material to generate torrefied mass. The torrefied mass may be discharged from the torrefaction reactor by one or more discharging systems. [0019] In an embodiment, a torrefied mass collector drum may be coupled to a discharge side of the torrefaction reactor. The torrefied mass collector drum is configured to continuously receive the torrefied mass generated in the torrefaction reactor. The torrefied mass collector drum includes a double door system and one or more flanges therein. The double doors system and the one or more flanges are adapted to be selectively operated between a closed position and an open position for replacing the torrefied mass collector drum when the torrefied mass collector drum is completely filled with the torrefied mass from the rotating drum. In another embodiment, a first conveyor positioned in a horizontal plane along in line below the torrefaction reactor. The first conveyor is configured to discharge the torrefied mass from rotating drum to outside of the apparatus. Additionally, the first conveyer is cooled indirectly due to water jackets configured within the first conveyor which in turn indirectly cools the torrefied mass discharging to outside of the apparatus by the first conveyor. In yet another embodiment, the discharging system may include a rotary airlock discharging system coupled to the torrefaction reactor. The rotating cooling reactor is configured to receive the torrefied mass from the torrefaction reactor and indirectly cool the torrefied mass by a cooling fluid received from a cooling tower, when the torrefied mass is conveyed to the rotating cooling reactor. Further, the cooled torrefied mass may be discharged from the rotating cooling reactor via a rotary valve or a second conveyor.

[0020] Various embodiments of an apparatus for feeding in-feed raw material and discharging torrefied mass are described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 5.

[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of the apparatus (100) for torrefying the in-feed raw material, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. The apparatus (100) includes a torrefaction reactor (102). The in-feed raw material is subjected to torrefaction process in the torrefaction reactor (102). The in-feed raw material can be subjected to the torrefaction reactor (102) from a hopper (104), via a feeder (106) coupled to the torrefaction reactor (102) at a feeding side (112). The in-feed raw material may include, but are not limited to, refuse derived fuel (RDF), lignocellulosic biomass, and the like. The lignocellulosic biomass is a carbonaceous material from plants, or agricultural residues derived from, but not limited to, paddy straws, wheat straws, cotton stalk, maize straws, sugar cane thrash and all other residue materials generated after harvesting the agricultural crops, horticulture, food processing (like com cobs). The RDF corresponds to the combustible fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW) such as, but not limited to, plastics, textiles, wood, rubber, paper, and other carbonaceous waste. The aforementioned in-feed raw material are subjected to torrefaction process in the torrefaction reactor (102). In one implementation, the in-feed raw material is feed into the torrefaction reactor (102) in forms of bales and/or briquettes. In another implementation, the in-feed raw material can be feed into the torrefaction reactor (102) in a loose form (i.e. loose garbage or unsorted MSW).

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the torrefaction reactor (102) includes a rotating drum (108) and a furnace (110). The rotating drum (108) is encompassed and/or disposed within the furnace (110). The rotating drum (108) is configured to receive the in-feed raw material (either in the loose form, the bales form or the briquettes). The torrefaction reactor (102) may be divided into two zones, such as a hot zone and a cold zone. The hot zone is indirectly heated by circulating hot flue gas and assists the torrefaction of the in-feed raw material and then the torrefied mass is indirectly cooled in the cold zone by using fluid form the cooling tower which will be explained further in detail. The torrefaction reactor (102) may include spikes (102b) on an inner wall (102a) of the torrefaction reactor (102). The spikes (102b) are configured to de-bale the in-feed raw material when the in-feed raw material is feed into the rotating drum (108) in the bales form. In an embodiment, the in-feed raw material may be subjected to a de-baler, prior to feeding into the rotating drum (108). As explained above, the in-feed raw material is fed into the rotating drum (108) from the hopper (104) by using the feeder (108). The feeder (108) are explained with references to FIG. 2A-2D.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 2A, in conjunction with FIG. 1, the feeder (108) may include an airlock feeding piston pushing system (202) operated by at least one of a hydraulic, pneumatic and motorized for feeding the in-feed raw material from the hopper (104) into the rotating drum (108). In this scenario, the in-feed raw material can be fed into the rotating drum (108) in the bales form or the de-baled form. Further, the airlock feeding piston pushing system (202) is configured to maintain less oxygen environment throughout the whole process within the torrefaction reactor (102).

[0024] Referring to FIG. 2B, in conjunction with FIG. 1, the feeder (106) may be a double door system (204) operated by at least one of a hydraulic, pneumatic and motorized for feeding the in-feed raw material from the hopper (104) into the rotating drum (108). The double door system (204) is configured to feed the in-feed raw material from the hopper (104) either in form of bales or loose and convey to a first screw conveyor (206) which in turn feed the in-feed raw material into the rotating drum (108). In one configuration, the double door system (204) may be configured to feed the in-feed raw material from the hopper (104) either in form of bales or loose and convey to an airlock piston pushing system, such as the system (202), which in turn feed the in-feed raw material into the rotating drum (108).

[0025] Referring to FIG. 2C, in conjunction with FIG. 1, the feeder (106) may include a rotary valve airlock system (208) operated by a motorized means for feeding the in- feed raw material from the hopper (104) into the rotating drum (108). More specifically, the rotary valve airlock system (208) is configured to feed the in-feed raw material from the hopper (104) either in form of bales or loose and convey to a second screw conveyor (210) which in turn feed the in-feed raw material into the rotating drum (108). In one configuration, the rotary valve airlock system (208) may be configured to feed the in-feed raw material from the hopper (104) either in form of bales or loose and convey to an airlock piston pushing system, such as the system (202), which in turn feed the in-feed raw material into the rotating drum (108). Further, the rotary valve airlock system (208) is configured to avoid the oxygen entering into the torrefaction reactor (102), a de-baler kept after the double door hydraulic feeding system will de bale the bales and feed the in-feed raw material into the rotating drum (108), which makes the apparatus (100) scalable for handling high amount of mass per hour.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 2D, in conjunction with FIG. 1, the feeder (106) may include a screw conveying system (212) operated by the motorized means for feeding the in-feed raw material from the hopper (104) into the rotating drum (108).

[0027] It is evident that the apparatus (100) including aforementioned feeder (106) such as the rotary airlock feeding piston system (202), the double door system (204), the rotary valve airlock system (208) and the screw conveying system (212) are used for feeding and/or pushing the in-feed raw material from the hopper (104) to the rotating drum (108). Further, the rotating drum (108) is configured to operate at a positive pressure for generating the torrefied mass. The positive pressure created within the rotating drum (108) expel oxygen from the rotating drum (108) to an outer atmosphere.

[0028] Referring back to FIG. 1, the rotating drum (108) with the in-feed raw material is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation ‘Rl’ within the furnace (110). More specifically, the rotating drum (108) is coupled to a gear mechanism (114a) ( e.g a gear rack slide) and a pinion (114b). Further, the gear mechanism (114a) and the pinion (114b) are coupled to an actuator (116) (depicted as a drive motor ‘M’) via a control switch (118). The actuator (116) is configured to drive and/or operate the gear mechanism (114a) for rotating the rotating drum (108) about the axis of rotation ‘Rl’. In other words, the gear mechanism (114a) and the pinion (114b) are collectively operated by the control switch (118) and the actuator (116) to rotate the rotating drum (108) in the axis of rotation ‘Rl’ during a torrefaction process. Further, the rotation of the rotating drum (108) can be controlled by the control switch (118) by adjusting the speed of a rotor associated with the actuator (116). In an embodiment, the rotation of the rotating drum (108) may be controlled by the control unit (122).

[0029] Further, the furnace (110) includes a plurality of burners (124). The burners (124) are configured to indirectly heat the in-feed raw material present within the rotating drum (108). To that effect, volatiles or tor gas (referenced as arrows (126)) are generated within the rotating drum (108) by indirectly heating the in-feed raw material. Some non-limiting examples of the burners (124) may be, but are not limited to, a fluidized bed direct hot air generator, fluidized bed indirect hot air generator, a low-oxygen burner or any other conventional heat sources, such as a waste-wood or other burner which is configured to supply heat indirectly to the torrefaction reactor (102). In an embodiment, the single fluidized bed direct hot air generator, fluidized bed indirect hot air generator or any other form of thermal energy (hot air or flue gas) can be passed through a single port and made to encircle around the rotating drum (108) by providing baffles in the furnace (110). As explained above, the positive pressure created within the rotating drum (108) during the torrefaction of the in-feed raw material enables the oxygen to be expelled out from the rotating drum (108) to the outer atmosphere and further restricts the entry of oxygen within the rotating drum (108). It should be noted that the torrefaction is carried out in an oxygen free environment. The volatiles (126) from the torrefaction reactor (102) are circulated to a settling tank (130) via a gas duct (132). [0030] The setling tank (130) is configured with one or more baffle plates (134). Further, tar (128) present in the volatiles (126) setles down at a botom portion (130a) of the setling tank (130), as the volatiles (126) traverse through the setling tank (130). In other words, the volatiles (126) passing through the setling tank (130) from the botom portion (130a) to a top portion (130b) of the setling tank (130), setles the tar (128) at the botom portion (130a). More specifically, the volatiles (126) traverses from the botom portion (130a) to the top portion (130b) and are drawn out of the setling tank (130) by a suction force created by a first blower (136). Further, due to suction force from the first blower (136) and diversion of the volatiles (126) within the setling tank (130) due to the baffle plates (134), the setling of the tar (128) in the setling tank (130) can be optimized. In one implementation, the setled tar (128) is further used in a post-torrefaction process which will be explained further in detail. In another implementation, the setled tar (128) can be periodically collected from the setling tank (130) and used in road laying.

[0031] Thereafter, the volatiles (126) are routed to an ignition chamber (138) by the first blower (136). The ignition chamber (138) is configured to produce fire based on receipt of the volatiles (126). The combustion in the ignition chamber (138) produces hot flue gas (referenced by arrows (140)). Thereafter, the hot flue gas (140) is routed to the furnace (110) via one or more inlet ports (142) (exemplary depicted to be ‘4 inlet ports’) configured at a top portion (102d) of the torrefaction reactor (102).

[0032] Further, the apparatus (100) includes a heat exchanger (144) coupled to a second blower (146). The heat exchanger (144) is configured to generate hot air (referenced by arrows (148)), upon receiving a waste flue gas from the torrefaction reactor (102). The hot air (148) is transmited to the furnace (110). The hot flue gas (140) and the hot air (148) are configured to indirectly heat and/or torrefy the in-feed raw material within the rotating drum (108). Further, an inlet temperature of the hot flue gas (140) and the hot air (148) may be adjusted based on a temperature threshold limit. In particular, the heat exchanger (144) receives an optimum amount of cool air drawn from the outer atmosphere by the second blower (146) for adjusting the inlet temperature of the hot air (148). Similarly, the ignition chamber (138) may bum the volatiles (126) to generate the hot flue gas (140) corresponding to the temperature threshold limit. The temperature threshold limit corresponds to a temperature of the hot flue gas (140) and the hot air (148) that is sufficient for torrefying the in-feed raw material. Further, regulating the temperature of the hot flue gas (140) depends on a time of residence of the air within the heat exchanger (144). Furthermore, the one or more operations associated with the generation of the hot flue gas (140), and the hot air (148), operating the heat exchanger (144), and the ignition chamber (138), volume of cool air, and speed of the second blower (146) are controlled by the control unit (122).

[0033] The hot flue gas (140) and the hot air (148) received at the torrefaction reactor (102) are configured to torrefy the in-feed particles to obtain the torrefied mass. Further, a time of residence of the hot flue gas (140) and the hot air (148) within the torrefaction reactor (102) can be controlled by a control unit, such as the control unit (122). As such, the control unit (122) inherently controls a processing time associated with the torrefaction of the in-feed raw material within the rotating drum (108). In addition, upon receiving the hot flue gas (140) and the hot air (148) that are heated to the temperature threshold limit (or sufficient to heat the furnace (110) to the temperature threshold limit), the burners (124) are deactivated and/or turned off. In this scenario, the hot flue gas (140) and the hot air (148) may be diverted from the ignition chamber (138) and the heat exchanger (144) to a chimney (150) through valves in the torrefaction reactor (102) after a sufficient heating time. The sufficient temperature for torrefying the in-feed raw material may be of about 250 degrees Celsius to 300 degrees Celsius.

[0034] Further, the hot flue gas (140), and the hot air (148) are passed to the heat exchanger (144) upon completion of the torrefaction process. The hot flue gas (140), and the hot air (148) from the heat exchanger (144) may be exhausted through the chimney (150) under influence of a third blower (152) coupled between the heat exchanger (144) and the chimney (150). Upon generating the torrefied mass or completion of the torrefaction process, the torrefied mass is discharged from a discharge side (154) of the torrefaction reactor (102).

[0035] In one configuration, the apparatus (100) includes a torrefied mass collector drum (156). The torrefied mass collector drum (156) is positioned at the discharge side (154) of the torrefaction reactor (102) (as shown in FIG. 1). Particularly, the torrefied mass generated within the torrefaction reactor (102) may be of various size ranging from 5mm to 100mm. Further, the torrefied mass can be conveyed to outside of the apparatus (100) by using one or more conveyors or discharge systems which will be explained further in detail. As such, discharging of such torrefied mass may result in choking and/or blockage in the discharge systems. Thus, the torrefied mass collector drum (156) is configured to receive and/or collect the torrefied mass from the torrefaction reactor (102). It should be noted that the torrefied mass is continuously collected in the torrefied mass collector drum (156) by feeding the in-feed raw material, thus corresponds to a continuous process.

[0036] The torrefied mass collector drum (156) may include one or more flanges (158). Further, the torrefied mass collector drum (156) includes a double door system (160) in which the flanges (158) mounted therebetween. The flanges (158) and the double door system (160) are selectively operated between a closed position and an open position for replacing the torrefied mass collector drum (156) when the torrefied mass collector drum (156) is completely filled with the torrefied mass from the rotating drum (108). Further, the torrefied mass from the torrefied mass collector drum (156) may be discharged out of the apparatus (100).

[0037] Referring now to FIG. 3, the torrefaction apparatus (100) may be coupled to a first conveyor (302) may be positioned in a horizontal plane along in line below the torrefaction reactor (102). For example, the first conveyor (302) may be a screw conveyor. The first conveyor (302) is configured to discharge the torrefied mass from the torrefaction reactor (102) to outside of the apparatus (100). In addition, the first conveyer (302) is cooled indirectly due to water jackets (304) configured within the first conveyor (202) which in turn indirectly cools the torrefied mass discharging to outside of the apparatus (100).

[0038] Referring now to FIG. 4, the torrefaction apparatus (100) may be coupled to a rotating cooling reactor (402) may be positioned in a horizontal plane along in line the torrefaction reactor (102). The rotating cooling reactor (402) coupled to the torrefaction reactor (102) along the same line of the torrefaction reactor (102). The rotating cooling reactor (402) is configured to receive the torrefied mass from the torrefaction reactor (102). Further, the rotating cooling reactor (402) is configured to indirectly cool the torrefied mass by a cooling fluid received from a cooling tower, when the torrefied mass is conveyed to the rotating cooling reactor (402). The cooling fluid includes at least one of water, and a cool air. In particular, the rotating cooling reactor (204) is cooled by the cooling fluid (either water or cool air). Moreover, the cooled torrefied mass may be discharged to outside of the apparatus (100) by conveying the cooled torrefied mass by a rotary valve (404) coupled to the rotating cooling reactor (402). In an embodiment, the rotating cooling reactor (402) may be coupled to a second conveyor (502) (as shown in FIG. 5). The second conveyor (502) is configured to function similar to the first conveyor (302). The second conveyor (502) may be tilted at a 45 degree angle or may be positioned vertical with respect to the torrefaction reactor (102) for improvised air tight discharge of the torrefied mas. As such, the torrefied mass from the rotating cooling reactor (402) may be discharged to outside of the apparatus (100) by the second conveyor (502) (as shown in FIG. 5).

[0039] Various embodiments of the disclosure, as discussed above, may be practiced with steps and/or operations in a different order, and/or with hardware elements in configurations, which are different than those which, are disclosed. Therefore, although the disclosure has been described based upon these exemplary embodiments, it is noted that certain modifications, variations, and alternative constructions may be apparent and well within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

[0040] Although various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are described herein in a language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS I/We Claim:

1. An apparatus (100) for torrefying an in-feed raw material comprising at least one of a refuse derived fuel (RDF) and a lignocellulosic biomass, the apparatus (100) comprising: a torrefaction reactor (102), comprising: a rotating drum (108) configured to rotate about an axis of rotation (Rl) and adapted to receive the in-feed raw material from a hopper (104) by using a feeder (106) coupled to a feeding side (112) of the torrefaction reactor (102), wherein the feeder (106) is configured to prevent oxygen entering the rotating drum (108), while feeding the in-feed raw material, and a furnace (110) comprising a plurality of burners (124) configured to indirectly heat the in-feed raw material within the rotating drum (108) for generating volatiles (126); a settling tank (130) coupled to the torrefaction reactor (102) via a gas duct (132) from the torrefaction reactor (102), the settling tank (130) comprising one or more baffle plates (134) arranged therein, the settling tank (130) configured to receive the volatiles (126), the volatiles (126) enable tar (128) to settle at a bottom portion (130a) of the settling tank (130) as the volatiles (126) traverse within the settling tank (130); an ignition chamber (138) operatively coupled to the torrefaction reactor (102), the ignition chamber (138) configured to generate hot flue gas (140) by burning the volatiles (126) received from the settling tank (130); a heat exchanger (144) operatively coupled to the torrefaction reactor (102), the heat exchanger (144) configured to generate hot air (148) from waste flue gas received from the furnace (110), wherein the hot flue gas (140) and the hot air (148) from the ignition chamber (138), and the heat exchanger (144), respectively are transmitted to the furnace (110) for torrefying the in-feed raw material; and a torrefied mass collector drum (156) coupled to a discharge side (154) of the torrefaction reactor (102), the torrefied mass collector drum (156) configured to continuously receive a torrefied mass generated in the torrefaction reactor (102), the torrefied mass collector drum (156) allowed to airlock, for maintaining low oxygen environment by one or more flanges (158).

2. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the in-feed raw material is fed into the rotating drum (108) by the feeder (106) in at least one of a bales form and a de-baled form.

3. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the feeder (106) comprises an airlock feeding piston pushing system (202) operated by at least one of a hydraulic, a pneumatic and a motorized means for feeding the in-feed raw material from the hopper (104) into the rotating drum (108).

4. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the feeder (106) comprises a double door system (204) operated by at least one of a hydraulic, a pneumatic and a motorized means, the double door system (204) configured to feed the in-feed raw material either in form of bales or loose and convey to a first screw conveyor (206) or airlock piston pushing system (202) which in turn feed the in-feed raw material into the rotating drum (108).

5. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the feeder (106) comprises a screw conveying system (212) operated by a motorized means for feeding the in-feed raw material from the hopper (104) into the rotating drum (108).

6. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the feeder (106) comprises a rotary valve airlock system (208) operated by a motorized means for feeding the in-feed raw material from the hopper (104) either in form of bales or loose and convey to a second screw conveyor (210) or airlock piston pushing system (202) which in turn feed the in- feed raw material into the rotating drum (108).

7. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the torrefaction reactor (102) comprises spikes (102b) on an inner wall (102a) of the torrefaction reactor (102), wherein the spikes (102b) are configured to de-bale the in-feed raw material when the in-feed raw material is fed into the rotating drum (108) in a bales form by the feeder (106).

8. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the torrefied mass collector drum (156) comprises a double door system (160) and the one or more flanges (158) therein, the double doors system (160) and the one or more flanges (158) are adapted to be selectively operated between a closed position and an open position for replacing the torrefied mass collector drum (156) when the torrefied mass collector drum (156) is completely filled with the torrefied mass from the rotating drum (108).

9. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a first conveyor (302) positioned in a horizontal plane along in line below the torrefaction reactor (102), the first conveyor (202) configured to discharge the torrefied mass from rotating drum (108) to outside of the apparatus (100), wherein the first conveyer (302) is cooled indirectly due to water jackets (304) configured within the first conveyor (302) which in turn indirectly cools the torrefied mass discharging to outside of the apparatus (100) by the first conveyor (302).

10. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first conveyor (302) is a screw conveyor.

11. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a rotating cooling reactor (402) coupled to the torrefaction reactor (102) and positioned along the same line of the torrefaction reactor (102), the rotating cooling reactor (402) configured to receive the torrefied mass from the torrefaction reactor (102) and indirectly cool the torrefied mass by a cooling fluid received from a cooling tower, when the torrefied mass is conveyed to the rotating cooling reactor (402); a rotatory value (404) configured to discharge the torrefied mass from the rotating cooling reactor (402) to outside of the apparatus (100).

12. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 11, further comprising: a second conveyor (502) configured to receive the torrefied mass from the rotating cooling reactor (402) and discharge the torrefied mass to outside of the apparatus (100).

13. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the cooling fluid comprises at least one of water, and a cool air from the cooling tower or chilling plant.

14. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a first blower (136) coupled between the settling tank (130) and the ignition chamber (138), the first blower (136) configured to create a suction force to draw out the volatiles (126) from the torrefaction reactor (102) and the settling tank (130) and transmit to the ignition chamber (138).

15. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a second blower (146) coupled to the heat exchanger (144), the second blower (146) configured to provide the suction force to draw air from an outer atmosphere, and the waste flue gas from the furnace (110), and transmit to the heat exchanger (144) for generating the hot air (148).

16. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a third blower (152) coupled between the heat exchanger (144) and a chimney (150), the third blower (152) configured to provide the suction force to draw out the hot flue gas (140), and the hot air (148) from the torrefaction reactor (102) for discharging the hot flue gas (140), and the hot air (148) through the chimney (150) passing through the heat exchanger (144).

17. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a gear mechanism (114a) and a pinion (114b) operatively coupled to the rotating drum (108) via a control switch (118) coupled to an actuator (116), the gear mechanism (114a) and the pinion (114b) are collectively operated by the control switch (118) and the actuator (116) to rotate the rotating drum (108) in the axis of rotation (Rl) during a torrefaction process.