DE102008047884A1 - Heating- or cooling device for cylindrically designed reactor tube, comprises heating- or cooling jacket surrounding the reactor tube and having first and second chambers, which are thermally separated from each other by third chamber - Google Patents

Abstract

The heating- or cooling device comprises a heating- or cooling jacket surrounding a reactor tube (10) and having first- (23) and second chamber (24), which are thermally separated from each other by a third chamber (26) and are arranged parallel to a longitudinal axis of the reactor tube and symmetrical to a transverse axis (10') of the reactor tube. The first chamber is arranged for heating and the second chamber is arranged for cooling. Each of the chambers is arranged as a chamber receiving a thermal fluid. The first chamber is couplable with the second chamber. The heating- or cooling device comprises a heating- or cooling jacket surrounding a reactor tube (10) and having first- (23) and second chamber (24), which are thermally separated from each other by a third chamber (26) and are arranged parallel to a longitudinal axis of the reactor tube and symmetrical to a transverse axis (10') of the reactor tube. The first chamber is arranged for heating and the second chamber is arranged for cooling. Each of the chambers is arranged as a chamber receiving a thermal fluid. The first chamber is couplable with the second chamber, so that a part of the thermal fluid of the second chamber is supplyable to the first chamber.

Description

The The invention relates to a heating / cooling device for a Pipe. The invention particularly relates to a heating / cooling device for a Reactor tube used for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass suitable is.

hydrothermal Carbonation means "aqueous charring at elevated Temperature". It is a chemical process for simple and highly efficient Production of carbonaceous products from biomass, using energy is released.

The Method of hydrothermal carbonization essentially proceeds that biomass in a pressure-resistant Reactor tube together with water in acidic medium under exclusion of air heated to about 180 ° C to 230 ° C at a reactor pressure of about 20 bar becomes. This carbohydrates are dehydrated, d. H. Water is separated. It arises over several intermediate stages after about 4 to 24 hours of process time a biochar with the calorific value of fossil coal, which is easy transport and use.

To a warm-up hare extends the carbonation process is exothermic, d. H. it gets additional heat energy free, which can be used, the biomass fed to the rector warm. Of the Reaction process can be operated continuously, d. H. It can be fed continuously to biomass without the process is canceled. The supplied Biomass must be heated in the reactor tube to the appropriate reaction temperature become.

there it is advantageous to maintain the reaction process as long as possible to get to as possible little power for to need the start of the reaction process.

During the Reaction process can become form deposits on the inner wall of the reactor. These deposits can lead to, that the biomass no longer evenly through transported the reactor tube becomes. This in turn can have a negative impact on the quality of the final product to have. The inner wall of the reactor tube must then be cleaned at regular intervals, which requires a termination of the reaction process.

Around maintain a continuous reaction process over as long a period as possible is known in the art, inside the reactor tube screw conveyors provide, which transport the biomass through the reactor tube and at the same time avoid deposits on the inner wall of the reactor or remove. However, this has the disadvantage that, in particular For long reactor tubes several augers with interposed Flanschkuppelstücken must be provided. The flange dome pieces condition associated suspensions an interruption of the helical surface, so in this area avoiding deposits on the inner wall of the reactor tube through the screw conveyors can not be guaranteed. In addition, the use of a requires or several screw conveyors a high design effort in the production of such reactor tubes.

task The invention is ready, a structurally simple device to ask, with what deposits on the inner wall of a reactor tube can be avoided efficiently.

According to the invention Accordingly, a heating / cooling device is provided for a pipe, in particular for a Reactor tube, wherein the heating / cooling device egg nen the tube at least partially surrounding heating / cooling jacket and wherein the heating / cooling jacket has at least two chambers.

By the at least two chambers, the tube can be heated in an advantageous manner or cooled be that the temperature difference between the heated area the pipe and the unheated or cooled portion of the pipe a Movement of the tube contents causes what deposits on the Efficiently avoids the inner wall of the pipe.

Advantageous it is when the chambers are thermally separated from each other. The Thermal breakup can be through a third, between the chambers arranged chamber can be formed.

In an advantageous embodiment the chambers are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube are arranged.

Advantageous it is when the chambers are symmetrical to the transverse axis of the reactor tube are arranged.

It has proved to be particularly advantageous when a first Chamber is designed for heating and designed a second chamber for cooling is. With that you can Temperature differences between the two chambers can be adjusted specifically.

each the chambers may be configured as a thermofluid receiving chamber be.

In an advantageous embodiment of the heating / cooling device, the first chamber with the Be coupled to the second chamber so that at least a portion of the thermal fluid of the second chamber of the first chamber can be fed. Thus, the heat energy dissipated from one chamber can be used to heat the other chamber.

The Heating / cooling device can for Tubes of different cross section are used.

In Particularly advantageously, the heating / cooling device for reactor tubes, especially for Reactor tubes, which for carrying a hydrothermal carbonization are used become.

Further Details and features of the invention will become apparent from the claims and the following description in conjunction with the drawings. It shows:

1 a schematic representation of an apparatus for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass; and

2 An embodiment of a heating / cooling device according to the invention.

It will be next with reference to 1 the structure of a hydrothermal reactor described, and then with reference to 2 a heating / cooling device, with which deposits on the reactor inner wall of a hydrothermal reactor can be efficiently avoided.

1 shows a schematic representation of a device for the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass in longitudinal section, wherein the reactor is operated substantially continuously or quasi-continuously, ie it is fed continuously or at regular intervals biomass to the reactor and taken final products or intermediates from the reactor. In essence, the device consists of a pressure-resistant, preferably tubular designed reactor 10 , a feeder 30 and a withdrawal facility 13 ,

The feeder 30 is designed to be in the reactor 10 introduced biomass can be introduced against the reactor pressure. During the carbonation process, the internal pressure of the reactor is about 10 to 30 bar, preferably about 15 bar. At the same time prevails in the interior of the reactor, depending on the process phase, a temperature between 30 ° C and 250 ° C, preferably between 50 ° C and 210 ° C. In order to maintain the carbonation process during the charging of the reactor or during the removal of intermediates or end products from the reactor, it is advantageous to make the loading of the reactor or the removal of the intermediate or final products so that the internal pressure and the Maintain internal temperature of the reactor substantially.

To ensure that the internal pressure or the internal temperature of the reactor are maintained during charging, the feed device 30 , which at the inlet opening 11 of the reactor 10 is arranged, at least two closure devices 32 . 33 on, which are openable alternately.

Both the closure device 32 as well as the closure device 33 allow a pressure-tight closing of the feeder 30 so that from the reactor via the inlet opening 11 no pressure can escape.

In the input side of the reactor 10 is a heating device 21 which is intended to heat the introduced into the reactor biomass to a temperature of about 160 ° C to 210 ° C, preferably 180 ° C. The heater 21 can be configured as a heating jacket surrounding the reactor for receiving a thermal fluid, wherein the heating jacket has an opening for supplying the thermal fluid and an opening for discharging the thermal fluid. When starting up the reactor, ie the first time introducing biomass into the reactor, that of the heater 21 supplied thermal fluid heated by an external heater. Is the reactor 10 already filled to a certain extent with biomass and the carbonation process is already in the second phase, the heat energy generated in the second phase can be used to the thermal fluid, which is heated by the heater 21 flows to warm.

Another part of the reactor is with at least one heating / cooling device 22 designed to dissipate the released by the carbonation process heat energy from the reactor tube. The heating / cooling device 22 can also be designed as a running around the reactor tube heating / cooling jacket. The heating / cooling device primarily assumes the function of a cooling device, since heat energy is released in the second or third phase of the hydrothermal carbonization process, which is indeed exothermic. The heating / cooling device 22 but if necessary can also be used for heating, the internal temperature of the reactor should fall below the temperature necessary for the carbonation process. The heating / cooling device 22 also has an opening for supplying a thermal fluid and an opening for discharging the heated thermal fluid.

Preference is given in the interior of the reactor An number of temperature sensor means provided to monitor the internal temperature of the reactor and the temperature of the heater 21 supplied thermal fluid or the temperature of the cooling device 22 to control supplied thermofluids.

At the end of the reactor tube 10 is at the outlet opening 12 a withdrawal facility 13 intended. In one embodiment of the invention, the removal device 13 essentially from a removal tube and two closure devices arranged one behind the other 80 . 81 , which synchronously with the closure device 32 and are openable to each other alternately.

As the closure device 32 and the closure device 80 are opened or closed essentially synchronously, is usually always the same amount of biomass in the reactor tube.

In addition, can at the reactor at one or more points also a pressure relief valve be arranged by which when exceeding a predetermined Internal reactor pressure, the pressure can be discharged to the outside.

2 now shows an embodiment of a heating / cooling device according to the invention in cross section. The heating / cooling device is used as a heating / cooling jacket around the reactor tube 10 arranged around. In this embodiment, the heating / cooling jacket is adapted to receive a thermal fluid. The thermal fluid can be used both for heating the reactor wall and for dissipating heat energy from the reactor wall.

The heating / cooling jacket has two chambers 23 . 24 on, which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the reactor tube 10 extend on the reactor wall and symmetrical to the transverse axis 10 ' of the reactor tube 10 are arranged. The Annordnung but also depending on the application asymmetric to the transverse axis 10 ' of the reactor tube 10 be. Both chambers each have an inlet and a discharge (in 2 not shown) for supplying and discharging the thermal fluid.

The chambers 23 . 24 are thermally separated from each other. The thermal break can be through a third chamber 26 or more chambers 26 be realized, in which an insulating agent is introduced. Alternatively, air can be used as insulating.

In one embodiment, the lower chamber 23 for heating the reactor tube 10 Be used by a suitably heated thermal fluid through the chamber 23 is directed. The upper chamber 24 may be inactive, ie there is no thermal fluid through the chamber 24 passed, or for cooling the reactor tube 10 be used. In cooling mode is through the upper chamber 24 also passed through a thermal fluid, with which the heat energy is dissipated on the reactor wall.

By the operation of the lower chamber 23 as heating and the upper chamber 24 as cooling, a temperature profile arises in the interior of the reactor tube from the bottom of the tube at the top, which causes mixing (in FIG 2 shown as arrows) causes the biomass located in the reactor tube. In this case, a temperature difference of about 3 ° C between the reactor bottom and the top of the reactor is already sufficient to achieve a mixing of the reactor contents. The small temperature difference, which is sufficient to achieve mixing, is particularly advantageous when the temperature of the reactor contents must be kept within a certain temperature range, thus z. B. the reaction process is not canceled.

The associated with the mixing movement of the reactor contents, z. As the biomass, causes a reduction of deposits on the Inner wall of the reactor.

Does the carbonation process exothermic, z. B. in the second phase, the lower chamber 23 be inactive (they are not heated) and only the upper chamber 24 be operated as cooling, so that also sets a temperature profile of the reactor contents from the bottom of the reactor upwards.

By this is the temperature difference between the bottom and top of the reactor caused mixing of the biomass moves heated on the ground reactor content up while while the cooled up Reactor contents sink back down. The mixing or the Movement of the biomass causes deposits on the inner wall of the Reactor tube can be efficiently avoided. By adjusting the temperature difference, for example by controlling the temperature of the chamber passed through the chambers Thermofluids, can affect the vertical flow velocity be taken.

Advantageous In this type of mixing is in addition to the efficient avoidance of deposits on the inner wall of the reactor also that mixing the biomass essentially only in the vertical direction and not in a horizontal direction, so that the mixing no Has influence on previous or subsequent process phases.

With the heating / cooling device according to the invention Thus, a structurally simple device is provided with which deposits in pipes, especially in reactor pipes can be avoided efficiently without mechanical aids provided inside the tube Need to become.

In the 2 shown embodiment of the heating / cooling device can with appropriate adjustments for reactor tubes with other cross section, z. B. be used for reactor crude with rectangular or square cross-section.

Of course you can the heating / cooling device according to the invention for pipes outside the reactor technology can be used. Another application It also consists in the heating / cooling device according to the invention only for heating or for the cooling down of the pipe contents.

10

reactor

10 '

transverse axis of the reactor tube

11

inlet port

12

outlet

15

longitudinal axis of the reactor tube

13

removal device

21

heater

22

cooling device

23

first Chamber of the heating / cooling device

24

second Chamber of the heating / cooling device

26

air or insulating layer

30

feeding

31

inflow

32

inlet side closure device

33

inflow side closure device

34

infuser (Piston pump)

35

safety valve

40

agitator

50

heat exchangers

60

humidity sensor

61

pressure sensor

80 81

outlet successively arranged closure devices

Claims (9)

Heating / cooling device for a reactor tube ( 10 ), comprising a reactor tube ( 10 ) at least partially surrounding heating / cooling jacket, wherein the heating / cooling jacket at least two chambers ( 23 . 24 ) having. Heating / cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the at least two chambers ( 23 . 24 ) are thermally separated from each other. Heating / cooling device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least two chambers ( 23 . 24 ) parallel to the longitudinal axis of the reactor tube ( 10 ) are arranged. Heating / cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two chambers ( 23 . 24 ) symmetrical to a transverse axis of the reactor tube ( 10 ) are arranged. Heating / cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first chamber ( 23 ) is designed for heating and the second chamber ( 24 ) is designed for cooling. Heating / cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the chambers ( 23 . 24 ) is configured as a thermofluid receiving chamber. Heating / cooling device according to claim 6, wherein the first chamber ( 23 ) with the second chamber ( 24 ) is coupled so that at least a portion of the thermal fluid of the second chamber ( 24 ) of the first chamber ( 23 ) can be fed. Heating / cooling device according to one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the at least two chambers ( 23 . 24 ) by at least one third chamber ( 26 ) are thermally separated. Heating / cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reactor tube ( 10 ) is a cylinder-shaped reactor tube and wherein the reactor tube ( 10 ) is configured for carrying out a hydrothermal carbonization.