DK1412673T3

DK1412673T3 - Device for pyrolysis of waste

Info

Publication number: DK1412673T3
Application number: DK02749095T
Authority: DK
Inventors: Kenneth Dye
Original assignee: Environmental Power Internat Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2001-08-01
Filing date: 2002-07-31
Publication date: 2015-03-23
Also published as: CY1116105T1; EP1412673A1; EP1412673B1; PT1412673E; WO2003012338A1; ES2532905T3; GB0118759D0

Description

Description outer shell of the pyrolysis chamber, thereby to ensure that the outer shell of the pyrolysis chamber does not [0001] This invention relates to apparatus for the py- become electrically conducting. rolysis of waste material. The waste material maybe do- [0009] The apparatus of the present invention is ad-mest'c, industrial or natural waste material, or combina- s vantageous in that less power is required to heat the py-tions of such material. roiysis chamber than in the above mentioned known ap- [0002] Apparatus for the pyrolysis of waste material is paratus. This is because, in the apparatus of the present well known. The waste material may be domestic and/or invention, all heat that is generated by the electrical heat-industrial waste material. The majority of the known types ing means is able to be generated and used exactly of apparatus operate such that they generate gas which 1° where it is required in the pyrolysis chamber. An exhaust is then fed to burners in orderto heat a pyrolysis chamber chimney is not needed and thus the apparatus is more forming part of the apparatus. This generation of gas and environmentally friendly than the above mentioned the subsequentfeeding of the gas to the burners is inef- known apparatus because the apparatus of the present ficient and environmentally unfriendly. More specifically, invention does not need to discharge large amounts of the pyrolysis chamber is heated from the outside in the 1S heat into the atmosphere. The use of the electrical heat-manner of heating a boiler, with most of the heat gener- ing means enables the apparatusof the present invention ated passing up through a chimney, The heat generated to be left in a standby mode when it is not in use. This which passes up the chimney may be 70% of the overall overcomes a well known problem of condensation which heat generated. Thus large amounts of gas are wasted, occurs in the known apparatus and often causes failure with equally large amounts of heat being discharged to 20 of chamber walls in the known apparatus. the atmosphere. [0010] Preferably, the metal of the pyrolysis chamber [0003] USA 3357381A discloses a toilet waste com- is steel but other metals may be used if desired. Any bustorfor installation in living quarters. The toilet waste suitable and appropriate heat insulating lining may be combustor comprises heating means, means for sub-di- employed. Different parts of the pyrolysis chamber can vlding or dispersing solids, and means for supplying air 25 have the same or different types of heat insulating ma-for combustion of the solids. teriai.

[0004] USA5428205Adisc!osesamaterialprocessing [0011] in the apparatus of the present invention, the apparatus comprising an airtight vessel, a channel for a electrical heating means may advantageously be sus-flow of coolant fluid, and a plurality of elongated heater pended on mounting blocks. units. 30 [0012] The heat insulating lining on the floor of the py- [0005] USA3156199Adisclosesan incinerator with an rolysis chamber may be formed of fire bricks. Othertypes outer shell made of metal and with an insulating lining. of material may be used if desired.

[0006] USA 4036152A discloses a solid refuse com- [0013] Preferably, the electrical heating means com pactor-incinerator disposer. The disposer includes a prises electrical heating elements wound on ceramic housing with a refractory bottom wall, a ram mounted in 35 tubes. The ceramic tubes are able to provide support and the housing for vertical reciprocal movement, a combus- insulation for the electrical heating elements. Theceram-tion chamber, and heating means in the combustion ic tubes are also able to provide a means of supporting chamber. the electrical heating means, for example on the mount- [0007] it is an aim of the present invention to obviate ing blocks. or reduce the above mentioned problems. 40 [0014] The electrical heating means may be a plurality [0008] Accordingly, the present invention provides ap- of separate heaters. Each separate heater may form a paratus for the pyrolysis of waste material, which appa- large high power source of heat, for example with an ratus is characterized by the combination of a pyrolysis output of 10kW. chamber which is heated by electrical heating means lo- [0015] The apparatus maybe one in which an electrical cated within the pyrolysis chamber and positioned in a 45 supply for the electrical heating means is through fittings floor part of the pyrolysis chamber, means for moving the constructed to protect the electrical supply from contact wastematerialoverthefloorpartofthepyrolysischamber with the outside of the pyrolysis chamber, in order to keep a stream of the waste material passing [0016] The pyrolysis chamber is preferably construct- through the pyrolysis chamber, the electrical heating ed as a large long horizontally-extending chamber. Other meanshasanelectricalsupplythroughfittingsconstruct- S3 shapes for the pyrolysis chamber may however be em-ed to maintain an airtight seal with the pyrolysis chamber, ployed. Where the pyrolysis chamber is the large long the pyrolysis chamber is an outer shell which is made of horizontally-extending chamber, then it will usually have a metal and which has a heat insulating lining, the floor a door at each end. The doors are advantageously con- part of the pyrolysis chamber is formed by a floor of the structed to be heavy. outer shell and the heat insulating lining on the floor of 55 [0017] The apparatus of the present invention may in-the outer shell, and the electrical heating means is sus- cludeahearthwhichispositionedovertheelectricalheat- pended within the heat insulating lining on the floor part ing means, which is composed of a plurality of ceramic of the pyrolysis chamber and such as not to contact the plates, and over which the waste material passes during use of the apparatus. shell 8, thereby to ensure that the outer shell 8 does not [0018] The apparatus may include an external temper- become electrically conducting during use of the pyroly- ature controller and a thermal coupler, whereby the in- sis apparatus. The electrical heating means is suspend- ternal temperature of the pyrolysis chamber is able to be ed on mounting blocks. The heat insulating lining 10 is controlled over a wide temperature range. 5 formed of firebricks. Other suitable and appropriate ma- [0019] The means for moving the waste material may terials may be used if desired. be a rake system. The rake system may include a crank [002¾ Electrical heating means comprises electrical mounted internally with arms which move. heating elements wound on ceramic tubes. The ceramic [0020] The apparatus may include a dual stage feed tubes provide support and insulation for the electrical hopper for introducing the waste material to the pyrolysis 10 heating elements 4. The ceramic tubes also provide the chamber. means by which the electrical heating means is support- [0021] Embodiments of the invention will now be de- ed on the mounting blocks. scribed solely by way of example and with reference to [0026] The electrical heating means is formed as a plu- the accompanying drawings in which: rality of separate heaters. The separate heaters are large 15 and give off high electrical power, for example of 10kW Figure 1 is a section through a pyrolysis chamber each. forming part of apparatus for the pyrolysis of waste [0027] An electrical supply (not shown) for the electri- material; cal heating means 4 is through fittings (not shown) con-

Figure 2 is another section of the pyrolysis chamber structed to protect the electrical supply from contact with shown in Figure 1; 20 the outer shell 8 of the pyrolysis chamber 2. The fittings

Figure 3 shows in more detail the construction of the are also constructed to maintain an airtight seal with the pyrolysis chamber shown in Figures 1 and 2; outer shell 8 of the pyrolysis chamber 2.

Figure 4 shows a ceramic hearth used in the pyrol- [0028] The pyrolysis chamber 2 is preferably con- ysis chamber shown in Figures 1 and 2; structed as a large long horizontally-extending chamber.

Figure 5 is a plan view of a ceramic hearth for use 25 This chamber has a heavy door at each end. The doors in a pyrolysis chamber; enable waste material to be introduced into the pyrolysis

Figure 6 Is an end view of the hearth shown in Figure chamber 2, and removed from the pyrolysis chamber 2. 5; [0029] The pyrolysis chamber 2 includes a hearth 16

Figure 7 is a plan view of a floor part of a pyrolysis which is positioned over the electrical heating means 4. chamber; 30 The hearth 16 is composed of a plurality of ceramic plates

Figure 8 shows heaters mounted within a processing 18. A stream of the waste material passes over the hearth chamber; 16 during use of the apparatus of the invention.

Figure 9 is a cross section of a heater assembly; [0030] The apparatus of the invention includes an ex-

Figure 10 is a side elevation showing a pyrolysis temal temperature controller (not shown) and a thermal processing unit; and as coupler (not shown). The temperature controller and the

Figure 11 is a plan view of the pyrolysis processing thermal coupler enable the internal temperature of the unit shown in Figure 10. pyrolysis chamber 2 to be able to be controlled over a wide temperature range.

[0022] Referring to Figures 1-4, there is shown a py- [0031] The apparatus also includes means for moving rolysis chamber 2 which forms part of apparatus for the 40 the waste over the floor part 6 of the pyrolysis chamber pyrolysis of waste material. Domestic and/or industrial 2. The means for moving the waste is preferably a rake and/or natural waste material may be treated by the ap- system (not shown). paratus. The pyrolysis chamber 2 is heated by electrical [0032] The outer shell 8 of the pyrolysis chamber 2 heating means 4 located within the pyrolysis chamber 2 may be formed as a stainless steel welded casing. Fig- and in a floor part 6 of the pyrolysis chamber 2. <5 ures 2 and 4 shows how the ceramic plates 18 can be [0023] The pyrolysis chamber 2 comprises an outer supported on a steel support table 20. shell 8 which is made from steel and which has a heat [0033] Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, there is shown insulating lining 10. Positioned between the outer shell a hearth 22 comprising ceramic tubes 24 mounted on 8, the heat insulating lining 10, is a secondary heat insu- castellated supports 26. The castellated supports 26 lating lining 12. 50 stand on a floor 28. A gap 30, for example of at least [0024] The floor part 6 of the pyrolysis chamber 2 is 25mm, is provided between the ceramic tubes 24 and formed by afloor 14 of the outer shell 8, the heat insulating the floor 28. lining 10, and the secondary heat insulating lining 12 on [0034] Figure 7 shows how a floor may be provided the floor 14. The electrical heating means 4 is suspended with electric heaters 32 and fire bricks 34. The fire bricks within the heat insulating lining 10 on the floor part 6 of 55 34 are laid out to form pockets for the electric heaters 32 the pyrolysis chamber 2 as shown in Figure 1, The sus- to lay in, pension of the electrical heating means 4 is such that the [0035] Figure 8 shows apparatus in which heaters 36 electrical heating means 4 does not contact the outer aremountedwithinaprocessingchamber38forenabling maximum heat transfer. The processing chamber 38 is tain an airtight seal with the pyrolysis chamber, defined by a processor outer shell 40. Primary insulation [0041] It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of 42 and secondary insulation 44 are provided as shown. the invention described above with reference to the ac-

The heaters 36 are positioned between ceramic plates companying drawings have been given by way of exam- 46 and the processor floor 48. Fire bricks 50 are spaced 5 pie only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, apart as shown to form spaces for the heaters 36. The for example, the cross sectional shape of the pyrolysis ceramic plates 46 cover the heaters 36 as shown. chamber 2 shown in Figure 1 may be varied.

[0036] Figure 9 is a cross section through part of a heater assembly 52. The heater assembly 52has heaters 54 set between ceramic plates 56 and fire bricks 58. The 10 Claims fire bricks 58 support the ceramic plates 56 as shown.

Fire bricks 60 form a layer on a bed of the processor. 1. Apparatus (64) for the pyrolysis of waste material Insulation 62 is provided as shown. The heaters 36 comprising the combination of a pyrolysis chamber shown in Figure 8 and the heaters 54 as shown in Figure (2) which is heated by electrical heating means (4) 9maybeofthesameconstructionastheceramicelectric 15 located within the pyrolysis chamber (2) and posi-heaters shown in previous drawings. tioned in a floor part (6) of the pyrolysis chamber (2), [0037] Referring now to Figures 10 and 11, there is means for moving the waste material over the floor shown apparatus 64 for the pyrolysis of waste material. part (6) of the pyrolysis chamber (2) in order to keep

The apparatus 64 forms a pyrolysis processing unit. The a stream of the waste material passing through the apparatus 64 comprises delivery means 66 which may 20 pyrolysis chamber (2), the electrical heating means be in the form of an auger as shown or which may alter- (4)hasanelectricalsupplythroughfittingsconstruct- natively be a conveyor, and which is for delivering an ed to maintain an airtight seal with the pyrolysis incoming waste stream. The waste stream is delivered chamber (2), the pyrolysis chamber (2) is an outer to a dual stage feed hopper 68. A power take off point shell (8) which is made of a metal and which has a 70 is provided for the delivery means 66. 25 heat insulating lining (10), the floor part (6) of the [0038] The apparatus 64 comprises the main proces- pyrolysis chamber (2) is formed by a floor (14) of the sor unit 72 and also a gas scrubber tank 74 having an outer shell (8) and the heat insulating lining (10) on enclosed filtration system. The gas scrubber tank 74 has thefloor(14)oftheoutershell(8), and characterized a dual stage distillation system 76 and a dry gas filter 78. in that the electrical heating means (4) issuspended

Solid residue collects in a solid residue collection unit 80. 30 within the heat insulating lining (10) on the floor part

An enclosed after-burner 82 is provided as shown. In (6) of the pyrolysis chamber (2) and such as not to

Figure 11, it can be seen that the apparatus 64 also com- contact the outer shell (8) of the pyrolysis chamber prises a solid residuerecoveryunit84 which is connected (2), thereby to ensure that the outer shell (8) of the to the solid residue collection unit 80. The dual stage pyrolysis chamber (2) does not become electrically distillation system 76 has drain taps 86. The enclosed 35 conducting. after-burner 82 has an exhaust 88. A draw pump 90 is provided in the conduit leading to the dual stage distilla- 2. Apparatus (64) according to claim 1 inwhich the met-tion system 76. The main processor unit 72 has a control al is steel, panel 92 and access staging 94.

[0039] As shown in Figure 10, the dual stage feed hop- 40 3. Apparatus (64) according to claim 1 or claim 2 in per 68 comprises an upper hopper 68a and a lower hop- which the electrical heating means (4) is suspended per 68b. The stream of waste material from the delivery on mounting blocks. means 66 enters the upper hopper 68a which is isolated from the lower hopper 68b by a door 71. Theupperhop- 4. Apparatus(64)accordingtoanyoneofthepreceding per 68a is closed by a door 73 which is located at the top 45 claims in which the heat insulating lining on the floor of the upper hopper 68a. The door 71 is opened to allow of the pyrolysis chamber (2) is formed of lire bricks, the waste material in the upper hopper 68a to fall into the lower hopper 68b. The waste material from the lower 5. Apparatus (64) according to any one of the preceding hopper 68b can then pass to a main processor unit 72 claims in which the electrical heating means (4) corn- containing a pyrolysis chamber such as the pyrolysis so prises electrical heating elements wound onceramic chamber 2. tubes.

[0040] The apparatus 64 operates such that during use, the waste material ispyrolised in the pyrolysis cham- 6. Apparatus(64)accordingtoanyoneofthepreceding ber. This Is because of the provision for the apparatus claims in which the electrical heating means (4) is a 64 of the electrical heating means inside the pyrolysis 55 plurality of separate heaters, chamber, the dual stage feed hopper 68, the enclosed filtration system, the enclosed after-burner 84, and the 7. Apparatus(64)accordingtoanyoneofthepreceding use of electrical fittings (not shown) constructed to main- claims in which an electrical supply for the electrical heating means {4) is through fittings constructed to protect the electrical supply from contact with the outside of the pyrolysis chamber {2).

Apparatus (64) according to anyone of the preceding claims in which the pyrolysis chamber (2) is constructed as a large long horizontally-extending chamber.

Apparatus (64) according to claim 8 in which the pyrolysis chamber (2) has a door at each end.

Apparatus (64) according to anyone ofthe preceding claims and including a hearth which is positioned over the electrical heating means (4), which is composed of a plurality of ceramic plates, and overwhich the waste material passes during use of the apparatus (64).

Apparatus (64) according to anyone ofthe preceding claims and including an external temperature controller and a thermal coupler, whereby the internal temperature of the pyrolysis chamber (2) is able to be controlled over a wide temperature range.

Apparatus (64) according to any one ofthe preceding claims in which the means for moving the waste material is a rake system. , Apparatus (64) according to anyone ofthe preceding claims and including a dual stage feed hopper (68) for introducing the waste to the pyrolysis chamber (2).

Claims

DEVICE FOR PYROLYSIS OF WASTE

1. Device (64) for the pyrolysis of waste, comprising the combination of a pyrolysis chamber (2) which is heated by electric heating means (4), arranged in said pyrolysis chamber (2) and positioned in a floor part (6) of the pyrolysis chamber (2 ), means for the removal of the waste of pyrolysekammerets (2) floor portion (6) to maintain a stream of waste passing through the pyrolysis chamber (2), wherein the electrical heating means (4) has a power supply through the fittings, which are designed to maintaining an air tight seal with the pyrolysis chamber (2) in which the pyrolysis chamber (2) has an outer shell (8) which is made of metal, and having an insulating sleeve (10), wherein pyrolysekammerets (2) floor portion (6) is formed a floor (14) of the outer shell (8) and varmeisoleringsforingen (10) on the floor (14) of the outer shell (8) and characterized in that the electric heating means (4) is suspended from varmeisoleringsforingen (10) on pyrolysekammerets (2) floor portion (6) and in such a way that it does not touch the pyrolysekammerets (2) outer shell (8) so as to ensure that pyrolysekammerets (2) outer shell (8) is not electrically conductive.
2. Device (64) according to claim 1, wherein the metal is steel.
3. Device (64) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the electrical heating means (4) is suspended on the mounting blocks.
4. Device (64) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the varmeisoleringsforingen pyrolysekammerets (2) floor is formed of fire bricks.
5. Device (64) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical heating means (4) comprises electric heating elements wound around the ceramic tube.
6. Device (64) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical heating means (4) has a plurality of separate heaters.
7. Device (64) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a power supply for the electric heating means (4) takes place through fittings that are designed to protect the power supply from contact with pyrolysekammerets (2) outer surface.
8. Device (64) according to one of the preceding claims in which the pyrolysis chamber (2) is constructed as a large long horizontally-extending chamber.
9. Device (64) according to claim 8, wherein the pyrolysis chamber (2) has a door at either end.
10. Device (64) according to one of the preceding claims, and which includes a hearth, which are located on the electric heating means (4), and which consists of a plurality of ceramic sheets, and above which the waste passes, when the device (64 ) is in use.
11. Device (64) according to one of the preceding claims and which includes an external temperature control and a thermal coupling, wherein the inside temperature of the pyrolysis chamber (2) can be controlled over a wide temperature range.
12. Device (64) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for removing the waste has a tear system.
13. Device (64) according to one of the preceding claims, which includes a two-stage hopper (68) for introducing waste into the pyrolysis chamber (2).