BRPI0714506A2 - Stacked Particle Bioreactor, Gas Distributors and Stacked Particle Bioreactor Methods and Gaseous Fuel Production from Biodegradable Carbon Material - Google Patents

Abstract

PILOT PARTICULAR BIORREACTOR, STACKED DISTRIBUTORS AND GAS FUEL PRODUCTION FROM BIODEGRADABLE CARBON MATERIAL. The invention relates to a gas dispenser for a stacked particle bioreactor that produces a biodegradable carbon material symfuel comprising a tube having a series of openings through the wall of the tube, with openings serially configured to face downwards. stacked particle bioreactor and preferably located in an indentation in the outer wall of the tube. The invention also extends to a particle bioreactor, a method of forming a stacked particle bioreactor, and a method of producing gaseous fuel from biodegradable cabonated material using that particulate gas dispenser.

Description

“Stacked Particle Bioreactor, Gas Distributors, and Stacked Particle Bioreactor and Gas Fuel Production Methods

From Biodegradable Carbon Material "Descriptive Report

Invention Field

This invention relates to a gas distributor for a stacked particle bioreactor wherein organic carbonated material is biologically treated to produce fuel.

Background of the Invention

Demand for naturally occurring fuels is likely to exceed world supply in the near future. The result is that the natural distribution of fuels across the world is disproportionate. The development and use of synthetic fuels (sinfuel), those derived from nontraditional supply stocks, is increasing. The production of ethanol, methane and other hydrocarbon products from carbonaceous material is increasing.

One answer to the problem is the production of symfuel through stacked particle bioreactors (assembly). These bioreactors operate on the principle of stacking biodegradable carbonaceous particles and provide optimum living conditions for the microorganisms, which are naturally present or microorganisms specifically added to biologically treat the stacked particles. Biologically treated carbonaceous material Produces symfuel which may include synthetic oil, alcohol and / or a gaseous fuel.

The symfuel is recovered from the pile and better processed depending on its quality and purity. The symfuel may be in liquid form, such as synthetic oil or alcohol, or in gaseous form such as a gas that includes methane or alcohol. The recovery of gaseous symfuel is by means of a gas collector system which is placed near the top of the stack. Recovery of liquid symfuel is by means of a collection system located at the bottom of the stack.

The biological treatment of the carbonaceous material in this pile

may be aerobic and / or anaerobic. In the case of aerobic treatment, microorganisms use oxygen and ο oxygen and are preferably added to supplement depleted oxygen to optimize the performance of microorganisms, at least insofar as it is dependent on the presence of oxygen.

In the case of anaerobic treatment, the microorganisms operate in the absence of oxygen and oxygen and are preferably removed to optimize the performance of the microorganisms, at least insofar as it is dependent on the absence of oxygen. Inert gas is circulated through the stack via the gas distribution / collection system and is a recycling of process effluent gas such as carbon dioxide or an externally supplied inert gas.

To add oxygen to an aerobically treated bioreactor, oxygen or air is purged in a stack, typically from the bottom of the stack. Depending on the gas permeability of the stack, additional purge lines may also be located at higher levels than the bottom to optimize oxygen distribution or purged air through the stack. This allows oxygen and air to be added to the stack as needed to optimize microorganism performance. The need for this can be verified by means of sensors strategically placed on the stack or at the stack outputs.

To remove oxygen from the stack, which is required to optimize the anaerobic treatment performance of carbonated material in the stack, oxygen is purged from the stack. Purge is done using, for example, argon, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, ammonia or hydrogen gas. At the same time, the battery is covered with an impermeable gas barrier that prevents oxygen from being trapped into the battery through its surface.

In some processes, a cell is initially aerobically treated and then switched to anaerobic treatment after a time. To switch from aerobic to anaerobic treatment, anaerobic microorganisms must be added to the stack. This is done by inoculation.

Inoculation can take many forms. During initial bioreactor construction, inoculation may take the form of spraying of the pile forming particles with a fluid containing the microorganisms as they are deposited or preparing the layer and then spraying and repeating the surface thereof. process to build the bioreactor. These examples of inoculation are only effective when the bioreactor is built. Once the bioreactor has been constructed, inoculation is by irrigation with fluid containing the microorganisms. The inoculation fluid may also contain nutrients for the microorganisms.

Inoculation by emitters may be done on the surface of the pile or from below the surface to optimize inoculum expansion.

From the foregoing, it should be clear that there are various fluid inlets and outlets for the system comprising a stacked particle bioreactor.

Fluid inlets include gas that is forced or allowed to enter the stack from below. This includes oxygen and air that are used during aerobic treatment and argon, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, ammonia or hydrogen gas that are used during anaerobic treatment. The gas is pumped or left under atmospheric pressure inside the stack through the gas purge lines.

Fluid inlets also include liquid with which the battery is irrigated. This typically comprises water and stacking products which also contain microorganisms and nutrients. Liquid irrigation happens from above or from inside the stack.

Fluid outputs include gas symfuel, for example those containing methane, which rises through the stack and are collected by the gas collector system located near the top of the stack. Reversal of gas flow directions is also facilitated in the bioreactor.

Fluid outlets also include the liquid symphony that drains through the stack and is collected at the bottom.

It should therefore be clear that the system includes fluids that move up or down the stack. To optimize process performance, fluid flows should be balanced based on heat generation.

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The design, operation and advantages described in detail in US2006 / 0223154A1 application.

A problem with the purge tubes located at the bottom of the stack is that random alignment of the material used for stacking the bioreactor can block an orifice or restrict gas flow from the orifice. Also the liquid symphony that drains through the stack flows above these purge tubes near or above the holes in it. Since the environment near each orifice is evaporation due to internal gas flow from the purge tube, precipitates may form due to liquid evaporation and such precipitates may block the orifice.

Another problem is that if the flow of gas through the purge tube is stopped, as may be the case when aerobic treatment occurs and the battery was initially purged of oxygen and air and covered, there is an increased chance of flooding the pipes with Liquid symfuel draining through the stack.

Once a bleed pipe has been blocked or flooded, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to clean it without removing it from the battery. It is not possible to remove a tube without at least disturbing or damaging the stack and, more likely, not without destroying the fine balance within the bioreactor. Since these bioreactors are built to operate for several years, a blocked or flooded tube usually results in loss of fluid entry at the specific point thus blocked or flooded.

In this Descriptive Report, the term "dry shade" refers to the area under a gas distributor in a stacked particle bioreactor that remains substantially dry despite the flow of liquid underneath the stack. The size of the dry shade depends on a number of factors, including the diameter of the pipe forming the gas distributor, the hydraulic conductivity of the drain material in the stack and the amount of liquid draining through the stack. Objective of the Invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a gas distributor for a stacked particle bioreactor that at least in part overcomes the aforementioned problems.

Summary of Ιηνβης§ο

According to this invention, there is provided a gas distributor for a stacked particle bioreactor that produces symfuel from biodegradable carbon material comprising a tube having a series of openings through the tube wall and at least one opening to be It is located in an indentation in the outer wall of the tube.

It is further provided that the pipe includes a continuous indentation, preferably for all openings to be located in the continuous indentation and, more preferably, that the continuous indentation extends longitudinally along the outer wall of the tube.

According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that the tube includes an endless circumferential indentation, preferably a plurality of endless circumferential indentations to be separately spaced along the tube, alternatively that the tube includes a helical indentation. and a plurality of openings to be located at the circumferential indentations.

It is further provided that the gas distributor includes a perforated cover above each opening and preferably a single cover above the continuous indentation and circumferential indentations respectively.

It is further provided that the gas distributor is conflicted so that the series of openings operatively face down into a stacked particle, preferably in the dry shadow of the pipe.

According to an alternative feature of the invention, there is provided a gas distributor for a stacked particle bioreactor that produces symfuel from biodegradable carbon material comprising a tube having a series of openings through the wall of the tube and which series openings is operatively configured to face down into a stacked particle, preferably in the dry shadow of the tube.

It is further provided that the gas distributor includes a series of openings extending longitudinally along the pipe in a line which is oriented between approximately 0 ° and 45 ° from the vertical along the circumference of the pipe.

It is also provided that it is the gas distributor that

includes the endless circumferential indentation including two separately spaced openings approximately 0 ° to 45 ° degrees from the vertical along the circumference of the pipe and each opening being part of a series of openings extending longitudinally along the pipe. in a line that flows oriented between about 0 and 45 degrees from the vertical along the circumference of the pipe.

It is further provided that the invention extends to a stacked particle bioreactor that produces symfuel from biodegradable carbonaceous material which includes a gas dispenser as defined above, a method of forming a stacked particle bioreactor that produces symfuel from material biodegradable carbon dioxide which includes installing a gas distributor as defined above in the stacked particle bioreactor and a method of producing gaseous fuel from biodegradable carbon material using a stacked particle bioreactor which includes the step of introducing gas into the bioreactor of particles stacked through a gas distributor as defined above.

Brief Description of Drawings

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1A is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a gas distributor according to the invention comprising a tube with a continuous circular semi-longitudinal indentation within which a plurality of openings are located;

Figure IB is an end view of the pipe of the

Figure 1A;

Figure IC is a bottom plan view of the tube.

of Figure 1A;

Figure 2A is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a gas distributor according to the invention comprising a tube with a plurality of longitudinally disposed flat indents within which one opening is located;

Figure 2B and end view of the tube of Figure

2A;

Figure 2C and a bottom-view piano

from the tube of Figure 2A;

Figure 3A is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a gas distributor according to the invention comprising a tube with a continuous rectangular indentation within which is located a plurality of openings;

Figure 3B is an end view of the pipe of the

Figure 3A;

Figure 3C is a bottom plan view of the tube

of Figure 3A;

Figure 4A is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a gas dispenser according to the invention comprising a tube with a plurality of longitudinally rectangular rectangular indents within each of which an opening is located;

Figure 4B is an end view of the pipe of the

Figure 4A;

Pigura 4C and a bottom plan view of the tube

Figure 4A;

Figure 5A is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a gas dispenser according to the invention comprising a pipe with a V-shaped longitudinal continuous indentation within which a plurality of openings are located;

Figure 5B is an end view of the pipe of the

Figure 5A;

Figure 5C is a bottom plan view of the tube

of Figure 5A; Figure 6A is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a gas distributor according to the invention. comprising a tube, shown downside down for clarity, with a plurality of indentations of different shapes longitudinally disposed within each of which an opening is located;

Figure 6B is an end view of the tube of Figure 6A, also shown upside down;

Figure 6C is a bottom plan view of the tube

of Figure 6A;

Figure 7A is a perspective view of the gas distributor tube of Figure 1A ， shown upside down in light with a cover above the continuous longitudinal indentation;

Figure 7B is an end view of the pipe of the

Figure 7A, also shown upside down;

Figure 7C is a bottom plan view of the tube

of Figure 7A;

Figure 8 is a sectional end view of an eighth embodiment of a gas dispenser according to the invention comprising a tube with the view taken through a circumferential indentation without end in which the two openings were placed in the dry shadow of the tube;

Figure 9 is a side view of the tube in Figure 8, showing an ilia of apertures extending along the length of the tube; and

Figure 10 is a sectional side view of a stacked particle bioreactor including a gas dispenser according to the invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The inventors have determined that there are three key requirements of an improved gas distributor, namely:

• Protection for locking openings by random alignment of carbonaceous material, which may occur during stacking of the bioreactor after placement of the tube;

• Protection for openings from precipitates that form in them as a result of liquid evaporation

drains through the stack that runs over the openings or material near the openings; and

• The gas distributor should preferably comprise a single handle.

These requirements are fulfilled at least in part in the

invention of which various embodiments are described by way of example only.

Figures 1A to 1C show a preferred embodiment of the invention. A tube (1) with a continuous semicircular indentation (2) formed along the length of the tube (1) is used for the gas distributor. Openings (3) are drilled through the pipe wall in the indentation (2). The tube (1) lies flat with the openings (3) facing down on the stack.

The openings (3) are protected from blocking by adjacent material as they are placed on the material and additional material stacked on the non-braking tube located adjacent the openings (3). The openings (3) fleam located within the indentation (2) which creates a space between the openings (3) and the material on which the tube (1) is placed.

The openings (3) are protected from liquid by running over them having them located under the tube (1) and spread out from the bottom (4) of the tube (1). The indentation (2) provides an outlet path along the entire length of the gas pipe (1) introduced through it, rather than just in the immediate vicinity of the openings (3).

Since the pipe is of a length ύηΐοο, it is simply laid with the openings (3) facing down over a layer of material and can then be covered with more material, which is simpler, faster and more economical than prior art gas distributor systems.

Figures 2A to 2C show an alternative embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, a plurality of indentations (5) are formed in the tube (6) and an opening (7) is perforated through the tube wall within each indentation (5). The indentations (5) are spread separately over a predetermined distance. Although the exit path for gas is shorter than for the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1A to 1C, and even longer than just the immediate vicinity of the opening. The openings (7) are also protected from blockage by material and precipitates and the pipe (6) is made from a material handle.

For pipes that have a relatively thick wall, the indentation may be cut from the pipe wall itself. Two embodiments of gas dispensers that include these indications are shown in Figures 3A to 3C and 4A to 4C. In the tubes shown in these Figures, a rectangular indentation is cut from the tube wall. In Figures 3A to 3C, a continuous indentation (8) is cut from the tube wall (9) and in Figures 4A to 4C a series of rectangular indentations (10) are cut from the tube wall ( 11).

The indentation, whether continuous or periodic, can take any size and shape that adequately protects material and precipitate blockage openings. Non-exhaustive examples include V (12) or U-shaped indentations as shown in Figures 5A to 5C. Additional examples of periodic indentations include circular (13), star (14), triangular (15), pentagonal (16) and square shapes shown in Figures 6A to 6C.

The indentation may be coated by a shield (18) to better protect the openings (19) against blocking, especially when the tube (20) is to be placed in a relatively good layer of material. Shield (18) ， as shown in Figures 7A to 7C, comprises a perforated mesh (21) which is held over indentation (22), in this case or in the case of a series of indentations as shown in Figures 2A to 2C , a complementary number of protections would be kept over the indentations. Tube 20 is shown with openings facing upwards in Figures 7A and 7B. This is for the sake of clarity only and this tube (20) will be installed with the openings (19) facing downwards in the stack, similar to other embodiments described above.

Figure 8 shows an end view of a vent tube (23) with openings (24) located in the dry shadow (25) of the tube (23). As mentioned above, the size of the dry shade (25) depends among other things on the diameter of the pipe (23), the hydraulic conductivity of the material within which the pipe is located and the amount of liquid (26) passed through the pipe. battery. For conditions given in a stack, there is a dry shadow (25). The size of the dry shadow (25) may vary with varying hill conditions, which means that there may be areas at the dry shadow boundary (27) that see solution from time to time. To keep the purge pipe (23) free from liquid flooding (26) through the openings (24), the fleam openings (24) are located in the actual dry shade (25) and not, for example, in the limit zone ( 27). Figure 9 shows a side view of the tube of Figure 8, also showing separately spaced circumferential indentations (28) or grooves.

Figure 10 shows a stacked particle bioreactor (30). The stacked particle bioreactor (30) includes a stack (31) of carbonaceous material, which is biologically treated to produce symfuel. The stack (31) is in this embodiment covered by a blade (32) to ensure anaerobic conditions on the stack (31). Near the top surface of the stack (31) is a buried network of irrigation emitters (33) which release irrigation solution to the stack (31) ， when required.

Located under the emitters (33) is a network of gas collectors (34) that collect gas that rises through the stack (31). Gas is collected and driven from stack (31) for further processing or recycling.

At the bottom of the stack (31) ， buried in the

Drainage (35) ， This is a series of perforated pipes (36) that form a drain. The liquid symfuel, which is produced in the stack (31), drains through the stack (31) into the drainage layer (36) where it is collected by the perforated pipes (36) and driven from the stack (31) for processing. or recycling.

The construction of the stack 31 so far is similar to the stacked particle bioreactor constructs as described in US2006 / 0223154A1.

The stack (31) also includes a distribution network of 15

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gas (37) according to the invention, which flows buried in the stack (31) under the gas manifold (34) and above the drainage layer (35). Each gas distributor (38) comprises a perforated tube (39) ， as described above extending through the stack (31). The gas, which may take the form of purge gas or air, is pumped or, in the case of air, may also be allowed to pass under atmospheric pressure into the gas distributors (38). Gas exits the pipes (39) into their separately spaced perforations and is thus distributed along the stack (31). The perforations in each tube (39) are preferably equidistantly spaced apart. Also the individual tubes (39) in the tube network are also preferably equidistantly spaced apart in the tube network. This ensures an array of evenly spaced punctures that evenly spreads gas release through the stack (31).

The location of the openings in the underside of each tube (39) and, in particular, in the dry shadow of each tube (39) ensures that liquid such as the liquid symphony draining through the stack (31) does not come into contact with the openings that minimize precipitation within or around the openings. This reduces or minimizes the problems identified above.

It will be appreciated that the above described embodiments have been included by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It is possible to change certain aspects of the modalities within the scope of the invention.

It is for example possible that an opening faces

even when it is angled approximately only less than 45 ° from the vertical. If it were 45 ° or more it would be laterally angled. It is possible to use a tube with an ionic aperture flap that is turned downward only from an angle of less than 45 ° from the vertical.

Claims (21)

"Stacked Particulate Bioreactor, Gas Distributors, and Stacked Particulate Bioreactor and Gaseous Fuel Production Methods from Biodegradable Carbon Material" Stacked Particulate Bioreactor Gas Dispenser, which produces symfuel from biodegradable carbon material, comprising a tube having a series of openings through the tube wall and with at least one opening located in an indentation in the outer wall. from the tube. 2. Gas dispenser for stacked particulate bioreactor, which produces symfuel from biodegradable carbonaceous material comprising a tube having a series of openings through the tube wall, with the series of openings operatively configured to face. down into a stacked particle bioreactor. Stacked Particulate Bioreactor Gas Dispenser according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pipe includes at least one continuous indentation. 4. A particulate gas bioreactor gas dispenser according to Claim 3, characterized in that the continuous indentation extends longitudinally along the outer wall of the tube and at least one of the flea openings located within the continuous indentation. Stacked Particle Bioreactor Gas Dispenser according to Claim 3, characterized in that the continuous indentation comprises a circumferential non-vented indentation and at least one of the flea openings located within the circumferential indentation. 6. A gas particulate bioreactor gas dispenser according to Claim 5 wherein the tube includes a plurality of circumferential, non-flame indentations. 7. A stacked particulate bioreactor gas dispenser according to Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that each circumferential, non-flame indentation includes two spaced openings spaced about 0 ° to 45 ° apart. from the vertical along the circumference of the pipe. 8. A stacked particulate bioreactor gas dispenser according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the series of openings extend longitudinally along the tube in a line that is oriented between about 0 ° and 45 °. ° degrees from the vertical along the circumference of the pipe. 9. A gas particulate bioreactor gas dispenser according to Claim 3, characterized in that the continuous indentation comprises a helical indentation and that a plurality of openings are located in the circumferential indentation. A gas particulate bioreactor gas dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it includes a perforated cover over each opening. Gas-particulate Bioreactor Gas Dispenser according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it includes an ionic perforated cover above the continuous indentation. A gas particulate bioreactor gas dispenser according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that it includes a perforated cover over each opening. A gas particulate bioreactor gas dispenser according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that it includes an ion perforated cover over each endless circumferential continuous indentation. A Gas Distributor for Stacked Particulate Bioreactor according to any one of Claims 5 to 7, characterized in that it includes a perforated cover over all continuous endless circumferential indentations. A stacked particle bioreactor gas dispenser according to claim 8, characterized in that it includes a perforated cover over each opening. 16. A particulate bioreactor gas dispenser according to Claim 8, characterized in that it includes a perforated ionic cover over each helical indentation. A Stacked Particulate Bioreactor Gas Dispenser according to any one of Claims 1 and 3 to 16, characterized in that the series of openings is operably configured to face downwards in a stacked particle bioreactor. Gas dispenser for stacked particulate bioreactor according to one of Claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the openings are operably configured to be located in the dry shadow of a stacked particle bioreactor. Stacked Particle Bioreactor, which produces symfuel from carbonaceous material, characterized in that it includes a gas distributor as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 18. A particulate bioreactor forming method, comprising including installing a gas distributor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18 in the stacked particle bioreactor. 21. A method of producing gaseous fuel from biodegradable carbonaceous material, which uses a stacked particle bioreactor which includes the step of introducing gas into the stacked particle bioreactor through a gas distributor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18.